The Queen Mother

Book categories: The Queen Mother, Her Interests, George VI & World War II, Children's Books, DVDs, Other Royals

The Queen Mother

The Queen Mother by William Shawcross. The official biography of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother: consort of King George VI, mother of Queen Elizabeth II, based on unrestricted access to her personal papers, letters, and diaries.

Counting One's Blessings: The Selected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother edited by William Shawcross. Queen Elizabeth was a prolific correspondent from childhood to the very end of her long life, and her letters offer insight into the real person behind the public face.

The Queen Mother: The Untold Story of Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, Who Became Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother by Lady Colin Campbell. Promises "stunning revelations" about the Queen Mother, wife of George VI and mother of Elizabeth II.

Behind Palace Doors by Colin Burgess. The Queen Mother did not give one media interview in her 101 years. This is a glimpse into her world by her former equerry (personal attendant).

The Final Curtsey by Margaret Rhodes. Autobiography of the Queen's first cousin and bridesmaid, who also acted as lady-in-waiting the Queen Mother, her aunt.

The Rich Spoils of Time by Frances Campbell-Preston, edited by Hugo Vickers. An account of the life of Frances Campbell-Preston, who was lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother from 1965 to 2002. Available from AbeBooks.

Elizabeth: The Queen Mother by Grania Forbes. Includes 200 photographs. The author, with unprecedented access to the archives of Glamis Castle where Elizabeth was brought up, paints a portrait of the life of the Queen Mother. The book links Elizabeth's life to the evolution of the 20th century. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

My Darling Buffy: The Early Life of the Queen Mother by Grania Forbes. A portrait of the formative years of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, using material hidden for decades in the archives of family and friends. From Alibris.

The Queen Mother's Century by Robert Lacey. Another biography. From Alibris.

Elizabeth, the Queen Mother by Hugo Vickers. An affectionate biography. From Alibris.

The Queen Mum's Interests

Royal Racing: The Queen and Queen Mother's Sporting Life by Sean Smith is about the abiding passion of Elizabeth II and her mother for horse racing. This illustrated account of their achievements is rich in anecdotes from key figures of the racing world.

The Garden of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by the Marchioness of Salisbury.

A Taste of Mey by Christina Murray. Recipes and memories inspired by the Castle of Mey Caithness, home of the late Queen Mother. Foreword written by Prince Charles.

Watercolours and Drawings From the Collection of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by Susan Owens and Charles, Prince of Wales. The first catalogue devoted to the Queen Mother's art collection. The introduction investigates Queen Elizabeth's approach to collecting. Each of the 73 drawings and watercolours is illustrated in color.

Books About Glamis Castle

George VI and the Second World War

George VI by Denis Judd. Biography of the shy, insecure man who unexpectedly became a strong leader. Information from newly available sources reveals the king's character and his relationships with his wife and brother.

The King's Speech by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi. Book (published before the movie version) about how an unorthodox speech therapist saved the house of Windsor.

The King's Speech: The Shooting Script by David Seidler. Screenplay for the highly successful movie about King George VI and his speech therapist. Includes an introduction by screenwriter David Seidler, the complete script, photos, and cast and crew credits.

Louis and the Prince by Geordie Greig. About Louis Greig, a war hero became mentor, physician and friend to shy young Prince Albert (George VI). The author is Louis Greig's grandson. Also published under the title The Kingmaker.

The Roosevelts and the Royals: Franklin and Eleanor, the King and Queen of England, and the Friendship That Changed History by Will Swift. Tells the true story of the friendship that developed between George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), and American president Franklin Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor.

King's Counsellor: Abdication and War by Sir Alan Lascelles, edited by Duff Hart-Davis. These diaries, written by a key British courtier, begin with Edward VIII's abdication and end with Elizabeth II's coronation. Topics include Princess Margaret's relationship with Peter Townsend.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by Christopher Warwick. Illustrated biography, published in 1985. Available from Alibris.

Britain and 1940: History, Myth, and Popular Memory by Malcolm Smith. Describes the varied ways in which the myths of 1940 have impacted on British politics and attitudes to the outside world since.

Books About the Duke & Duchess of Windsor
More Books About the British Royal Family
Books About English Royal History

Books for Children

The Queen Mother: Grandmother of a Nation by Richard Wood and Sara Wood. Biography for children between the ages of 9 and 12.

Elizabeth the Queen Mother Paper Dolls by Tom Tierney.

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Movies & Documentaries

These DVDs are formatted for North American audiences.

Portrait of a Great Lady; Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Two documentaries about the long-lived queen, who was the wife of George VI and the mother of Elizabeth II.

The King's Speech. 2010 film about King George VI's struggle to overcome stuttering. Colin Firth won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role as the king. Helena Bonham Carter plays Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother). This movie won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Bertie and Elizabeth: The Reluctant Royals - The Story of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth. James Wilby (Gosford Park) and Juliet Aubrey (Middlemarch) portray the reluctant royals who became king and queen of England when Edward VIII gave up the throne for the woman he loved.

King Geoge VI: The Man Behind the King Speech . This 2011 documentary contains footage of King George VI s reign, including his coronation speech.

More DVDs About British Royalty