In 2002, Queen Elizabeth II becomes only the fifth monarch in British history to reign for 50 years. William Shawcross's book marks this momentous occasion, the Golden Jubilee, revealing an intimate portrait of the Queen and an absorbing study of the changing face of monarchy and of Britain during the past half-century.
In an age when the private lives of the royal family have become the subject of intense media attention and public scrutiny, the Queen has remained an elusive, even enigmatic, figure. With rare access to senior royals, close friends and colleagues, William Shawcross uncovers the Queen's private passions, and provides a compelling picture of a very human monarch.
