Informally Royal by Rodney Laredo

 

Rodney Laredo has written a gem of a book, Informally Royally Studio Lisa and the Royal Family 1936-1966 (The History Press), a lovely biography-cum-history of Studio Lisa, run by Lisa and Jimmy Sheridan.   The couple made their name in the 1930s with child portraiture.  As their reputation grew, the couple caught the attention of a "local and noted writer of books about dogs."   

The writer was preparing a book on royal dogs and "for the first time he wanted to decorate his text with photographs."  

He posed a question: would Lisa and Jimmy accompany him to 145 Piccadilly, the London home of the Duke and Duchess of York, and their two daughters, Princess Elizabeth, 10, and 6-year-old Princess Margaret.  

The new partnership nearly did not have a happy ending as the author of the book "betrayed" the Sheridans when he sold the copyright of their photos to the national papers. The author's actions were contrary to the use of royal images and copyright law.   Lisa and Jimmy wrote to the Duke and Duchess of York, "expressing their horror at what had happened," and offered their apologies.

The Duke and Duchess of York invited the couple to take another set of photographs, this time at Royal Lodge.  

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 For the next 30 years (1936-1966), Studio Lisa was responsible for many of the iconic and informal royal photographs of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and their two daughters,   the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and their two sons, Prince William and Prince Richard and in the 1950s, photos of the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and their four children.   

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Lisa Sheridan's final royal portraits were taken in October 1965, informal shots of Prince Andrew and Prince Edward playing outside.

Sheridan, who suffered from a heart ailment for several years, died on January 26, 1966, from a stroke.  She was 72 years old.

Laredo, a New Zealander native, has written a charming book about the life and career of Lisa Sheridan, whose photography skills captured the natural essence of royal children.

The book opens with the biography about the Sheridans, which is followed by a selection of Studio Lisa royal photos, informal, dignified, and irresistible.   This is one book you do not want to miss, a truly enjoyable read.

Informally Royal will make an excellent Christmas present for yourself or for someone you know who loves the British royals.

Lisa Sheridan's memoir, Cabbages and Kings, was published in 1955.

BOOK ABOUT KING PETER II PRESENTED IN NOVI SAD

 

Novi Sad, 07 October 2021 – The book "King Peter II Karadjordjevic" by Momcilo Vukovic Bircanin was presented today in Novi Sad. The patron of the first edition of this book in Serbia is HRH Crown Prince Alexander.

The book was first published in Munich, in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1975 by the author. This is its premiere Serbian edition and presentation to the domestic audience. The author was an officer of the Royal Yugoslav Army and personal secretary of King Peter II, who reveals many interesting stories and facts from the life of King Peter II that were unknown to the wider public.

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 In his opening words for the book, HRH Crown Prince Alexander stated: “It is with great pleasure that I have accepted to be the patron of this very interesting and also very important book about my father, HM King Peter II. Testimonies like this, that keep true and accurate remembrance of the past times are important for honoring our history, but also for securing our future, so the wrongdoings from the past are not to be repeated.

"From his earliest days, my father had been prepared for the most responsible role that awaited him – to be a servant to his people and his homeland. I always remember his words: "To us, the Karadjordjevics, the Crown was just a means to serve the people, not the goal of personal dynastic rule." The historic maelstrom of World War II sent him into unwanted exile, from which he never returned, although he wanted it with his entire being. After the era of the Kingdom, many lies and falsehoods were put on his name and his work, which finally begun to be taken away. Because the truth, no matter how hidden and suppressed, always comes to light. And the struggle for the truth, the aspiration to discover it, is always just and right because the truth is one of the most important foundations that our entire civilization stands on!”

Ph.D. Nebojsa Kuzmanovic, director of the Archives of Vojvodina, opened the promotion of the book about King Peter II, and Ph.D. Sasa Markovic, Dean of the Faculty of Education in Sombor of the University of Novi Sad, spoke more about this work and its significance.

all three photos HRH Crown Prince Alexander

The book is the result of cooperation between the Historical Archives of Uzice, Kraljevo, the Archives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Archives of Vojvodina, the Archives of the Republic of Srpska, and the Association of Archival Workers of the Republic of Srpska. The Serbian edition of this book was prepared by the Director of the Historical Archive of Uzice, Mr. Zeljko Markovic. The publication of the book about our King Peter II is a continuation of the publication of the work of Momcilo Vukovic Bircanin, a kind of realization of the cooperation of archival institutions and the elucidation of the foundations of our history.

Unfortunately, the book has not been translated into English.  Bummer!!!!

Scholarly look at Romanov weddings

Russell Martin, an advisor to the Imperial House of Russia, is a full professor of history at Westminster College.   

 https://www.westminster.edu/profile.cfm?martinre

Charles Spencer talks about his new book, The White Ship

  

 From People Royals

For Immediate Release 

Sept. 16, 2021 

PEOPLE Royals Exclusive: 

Charles Spencer on His Newest Book: 'It's Game of Thrones Meets Titanic'

"Once people get over going back 900 years, it's a very recognizable story with fallible human beings," Charles Spencer tells PEOPLE Royals

(NEW YORK) – Charles Spencer tackles a screen-worthy chapter in royal history with his new book.

In The White Ship, historian and 9th Earl Spencer explores a disaster that changed the course of the monarchy forever: the maritime disaster in 1120 that killed 300, including King Henry I's heir, William Aetheling.

"It is Game of Thrones meets Titanic," Spencer tells PEOPLE Royals in the new fall quarterly issue, on newsstands now. "And once people get over going back 900 years, it's a very recognizable story with very fallible human beings."

In the book, which is already a bestseller in the U.K. and is set for release in the U.S. on October 19, Spencer examines the shocking brutality of Henry I, whose success at maintaining safety for his subjects at home came with the cost of his fearsome tactics with foes

"If you wanted to be a successful ruler in Europe in the 12th century, you had to make people scared of you," says Spencer.

Meanwhile, his heir William Aetheling was a fun-loving 17-year-old when his reckless partying led to the devastating shipwreck.

"It's the medieval version of drunk driving," says Spencer, "where the teenagers get riotously drunk and then encourage the crew, to whom they're entrusting their lives, to join in the drinking. And guess what? They hit a rock, the ship goes down and all but one person on board drowns.

"It's an incredible lesson," he continues. "The king, who insisted on going on his own ship with the grown-ups and then left his teenage son on board the most exciting ship, the White Ship, was tempting fate. It's certainly not his fault, but you can see how it happened."

https://people.com/royals/charles-spencer-talks-new-book-the-white-ship/

https://www.magazine.store/people-royals/?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=launch

King Simeon's memoirs now in English

 

King Simeon of Bulgaria's memoirs, A Unique Destiny: The Memoir of the Last Tsar of Bulgaria, Prime Minister of a Republic has been translated into English and will be published by Stackpole Books in October.

Prince Harry to write his memoirs

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From Random House

 PRINCE HARRY, THE DUKE OF SUSSEX, WILL PUBLISH A LITERARY MEMOIR WITH PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, GLOBALLY IN LATE 2022 (July 19, 2021) — Penguin Random House is honored to announce that it will publish a forthcoming memoir by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex. 

 In an intimate and heartfelt memoir from one of the most fascinating and influential global figures of our time, Prince Harry will share, for the very first time, the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him. Covering his lifetime in the public eye from childhood to the present day, including his dedication to service, the military duty that twice took him to the frontlines of Afghanistan, and the joy he has found in being a husband and father, Prince Harry will offer an honest and captivating personal portrait, one that shows readers that behind everything they think they know lies an inspiring, courageous, and uplifting human story. 

 Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, said, “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man, I have become. I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.” 

 Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House, said, “All of us at Penguin Random House are thrilled to publish Prince Harry's literary memoir and have him join the world-renowned leaders, icons, and change-makers we have been privileged to publish over the years. Prince Harry has harnessed his extraordinary life experience as a prince, a soldier, and a knowledgeable advocate for social issues, establishing himself as a global leader recognized for his courage and openness. It is for that reason we’re excited to publish his honest and moving story.” 

 Prince Harry's book will be published in print and digital formats in the U.S. by the Random House and in Canada by Random House Canada. Transworld, an imprint of Penguin Random House UK, will publish the book in the United Kingdom, with additional publishing territories to be announced at a later date. An audiobook edition will be released simultaneously by Penguin Random House Audio. The release date for this publication is tentatively scheduled for late 2022. Terms for the worldwide agreement were not disclosed. Prince Harry will be donating proceeds to charity.

Possible book titles:  Daddy Dearest?   Windsor Wishes?   The follies of a Mountbatten-Windsor?    My Story as I recall?

https://pagesix.com/2021/07/19/prince-harry-writing-an-explosive-memoir-about-royal-family-life/

Princess Olga of Yugoslavia by Robert Prentice