The Burden of the Throne. The Ascension of Elizabeth II and the Birth of a New Monarchy

The concluding part of the chronicle of the British royal family by historian Alexander Larman in the book "The Burden of the Throne: The Ascension of Elizabeth II and the Birth of a New Monarchy"!


World War II is over, but for the royal family, the darkest times are ahead. The country is devastated, George VI is seriously ill, and a fierce struggle is unfolding on the political arena. At this critical moment, the fate of the empire rests on the shoulders of 25-year-old Elizabeth. How did young Prince Philip fight with Winston Churchill for the right to give his children his surname? In what way did 18 unmatched earrings on a golf course become evidence in the most awkward investigation of Scotland Yard? What deadly secrets did the "Marburg Files" hold? In front of you is not just a brilliant historical study by Alexander Larman but a true documentary thriller about duty, a poignant requiem for Old Britain, and a hymn to the woman whose 70-year reign began amidst chaos but forever changed the world.


• The story of the most famous English queen and a multifaceted canvas of post-war Europe.
• An engaging personal drama against the backdrop of global political events, presented in an entertaining, at times ironic language.
• An unbiased study based on numerous sources, many of which have only recently been declassified and some published for the first time.
• A vivid portrait of ambiguous historical figures.
• "The Burden of the Throne" complements the author's earlier books, "The Crisis of the Crown: Love and the Collapse of the British Monarchy" and "The Windsors and War: The Tragedy of the Royal Family." All books can be read individually.
• Alexander Larman is a British writer, journalist, historian, and literary editor of The Spectator World. A well-known specialist in English history, he is the author of several historical biographies, including the biographies of Lord Byron and Edward VIII.
• The hardcover with a soft-touch tactile finish is adorned with embossing and gold foil.

"The history of the royal family at its best – detailed, unsentimental, and gripping. The challenges of the post-war monarchy and the beginning of Elizabeth II's reign are described with a wonderful amount of detail," – Garrett Russell, author of the book "The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court"