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June Woolerton has written a timely book, A History of British Royal Jubilees (Pen & Sword), focusing on the jubilees of King George III, Queen Victoria (the first to have a Diamond Jubilee), King George V, and Queen Elizabeth II.
At Royal Central. June is known as Lydia Starbuck.
https://royalcentral.co.uk/features/why-didnt-queen-victoria-have-a-silver-jubilee-178846/
This book is available now in the UK. It will be available for US readers in October.
Ana de Sagrera's excellent biography, Ena y Bee is now available in English, It has been published by Fonthill.
As it turned out, Grand Duchess Anastasia was the boldest of the four daughters of Nicholas II and Alexandra. She was a young woman, filled with compassion and perspective, who "had no tolerance for pretension. " Anastasia was only 17 years old when she was murdered with her parents, siblings, and several loyal retainers on July 16/17, 1918.
Having already translated diaries and correspondence of the three older Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, and Maria, Romanov historian Helen Azar has turned to the writings of Anastasia Romanov The Tsar's Youngest Daughter Speaks through Her Writings (1907-1918). The book was co-authored/translated by George Hawkins.
This 415-page book includes correspondence between the young Grand Duchess and her parents, grandmother, Empress, Aunt Irene, Aunt Olga, friends, and teachers as she emerges from childhood to young woman.
Many of the letters are short letters that include birthday greetings, religious days, and, most important, the final year of Anastasia's life when she and her family were prisoners of the Bolsheviks
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I am drawn to Aunt Irene's (of Prussia) letter to Anastasia (June 17, 1914) to offer birthday greetings, "fancy already 13". Irene, Empress Alexandra's older sister, also wrote about the imperial family's recent visit to Livadia in the Crimea and to Constanta in Romania Nicholas and Alexandra and their family visited the Romanian royal family, where Queen Marie was eager to arrange a marriage between her eldest son, Crown Prince Carol, and Nicholas' eldest daughter, Romania.
Empress Alexandra and Queen Marie were first cousins, but Alexandra did not share her cousin's enthusiasm for the marriage.
The letter was written 11 days before the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, which was the final match that led to the first world war.
For Anastasia and her sisters and her younger brother, Alexei, who was a hemophiliac, their parents and tutors tried to maintain a semblance of pre-war life.
Anastasia was at her happiest when corresponding with her father, even better when he would return from the front. But there is little discussion of the war or the social upheaval outside the Palace. In a letter written after Nicholas' abdication, Anastasia writes to her father: "Well, my dear Papa darling. I'll finish now. I kiss you awfully firmly and love you! 1000. God be with you. All the best. Lovingly yours, your faithful and devoted Kaspyitz"
The father-daughter love could not be constricted by imprisonment in Tobolsk and finally in Ekaterinburg.
George Hawkins is the editor/translator of Alexei, Russia's Last Tsarevitch - Letters, diaries, and writings. This nearly 700-page book opens with a brief introduction, followed by a chronology from 1904 until 1918. The first entry is an excerpt from Nicholas II's diary, where he writes about the "unforgettably great day" when his son, Alexei was born.
It is not until 1911 that Alexei's first written words appear. The first chapters are diary excerpts and correspondence of Imperial family members writing about the young heir. Including other voices certainly helps the reader to understand Alexei.
He often wrote about illness (hemophilia), including the pain, but never truly complained. Alexei was a young boy, who was determined to live a full life, even though he was under constant watch by his parents, his doctors, and the young soldiers who were his nurses-cum-playmates.
Kudos to Helen and George for the translations of Anastasia and Alexei's correspondence and diary entries. But there are distinct problems with both books. Publishing the letters in English is fantastic, but what is missing is the historical perspective and scholarship.
Every chapter should begin with a text that informs readers about what happened during that year. Tell the readers what the letters mean, the relationships, and the people mentioned in the letters and diaries.
In other words: offer context. Provide the historical perspective and scholarship that the letters and diaries demand.
Where is the scholarship that these works deserve? Both books were self-published through Amazon. I acknowledge that this is a good way to earn money. But -- and this is a big but -- quality control is cast aside because the books were rushed into print. This is a disservice to the material that both authors have translated. University publishers, for example, invest time and money in their publications, making sure Helen and George's books are far too important to be self-published Neither had editors to guide them through the process of finalizing the manuscript before the book goes to press.
Publishers also have marketing and publicity departments, the latter of which sends ARCs to Library Journal Kirkus as well as book reviewers, historians, and others, people who can provide lucid and competent reviews of the subject matter. The books also receive important cataloging information for libraries.
Publishers also get books into bookstores and libraries, public and private. But without the marketing and publicity, these books will receive minimal attention.
Most of the photos used in both books were supplied by GARF, the Russian archives. The quality of the reproductions is not good, and many are too small to really appreciate.
Both books include minimal footnotes, but the authors commit the cardinal sin of not including an index to names, places, subjects, and topics. Seriously, an index is worth its weight in gold to researchers.
This review is not a criticism of Helen and George's work. They have done a fabulous job in translating the correspondence from Russian to English. My grumbles are toward the decision to not take the time to present their work to serious publishers who would be able to advise and release scholarly tomes that would reach a much wider market. They need to put flesh on these letters.
In other words, the historical and biographical of Who, What, Where, How, and Why.
The authors have in their hands a historical treasure trove ... and both have the ability to produce a scholarly tome!
When it comes to discussing fashion, Queen Elizabeth II rarely tops the list of the most stylish or best dressed royal, but as Bethan Holt points out in her new fabulous book, The Queen, 70 Years of Majestic Style. Elizabeth's style was"crystallized within hours of her accession to the throne."
The queen dresses to be seen and her style represents her role and who she is: "stoical and cautious, yet dazzling and majestic."
Holt, who is the fashion and features editor at the Telegraph, is the perfect person to write this book. She knows fashion and she understands the hows and whys of the Queen's clothes. It is a stunning and fantastic book that gives readers more than a glimpse into the queen's evolving style after more than 70 years on the throne.
The book is divided into 12 chapters as Holt focuses on the different aspects of the queen's sartorial choices. The first chapter "From Princess to Queen" is devoted to the queen's early years from childhood through her engagement and marriage, culminating with Elizabeth succeeding to the throne while she was on an official visit to Kenya.
Holt describes Elizabeth's sartorial transformation in the late 1950s as creating her "forever look. Unlike her only daughter, Princess Anne, who embraced the mini-skirt, the queen later quipped that she was "right to not shorten my skirts," as hemlines once again edged below the knee.
Color and comfort, especially when going on tour, rather than succumbing to the latest fashion trends have always been more important to the Queen's style. Holt quotes Angela Kelly who wrote: "A ten-day tour might involve 30 outfit options, allowing for changeable weather and unexpected circumstances along the way."
Another chapter spotlights the Queen's year as many events are largely set in stone from the Trooping of the Colour, Ascot, Summer at Balmoral, Christmas at Sandringham as well weddings, baptisms, funerals, and anniversaries.
Holt also offers insight into the queen's designers, her jewels, what she wears "off-duty," and her accessories. The final chapter is titled The Queen as Muse. Elizabeth has never been a fashion maven, unlike her aunt, Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent nor her former granddaughter-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales. Designers fell over themselves to dress Marina and Diana as both exuded elegance in their clothing choices.
Queen Elizabeth II has never been a fashion icon, However, Holt concludes her super book with The Queen as muse. She is correct when she writes that the queen has never been a clothes horse. Elizabeth knows her style, knows what she likes and what she needs to wear, but this soft style has appealed to numerous modern designers who have found a "treasure trove of inspiration.
Bethan Holt's book is an all-encompassing observation of Queen Elizabeth's "majestic style" that is to be applauded and appreciated. It is a delightful and fascinating read, and, I might add, well-researched, as well.
There are far more books on the Duchess of Cambridge's clothes, including Holt's The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style, so it is nice to see a well-written book on the Queen's style.
The book includes an amazing torrent of photographs, black and white, and color.
Just one quibble: a bibliography of the sources Holt consulted would have made the book perfect, rather than practically perfect.
The Queen 70 Years of Majestic Style was published by Ryland, Peters & Small ($24.99/£18.99).
Here is a selection of recent and forthcoming books about the British Royal family. The book I look forward to most reading is the Duke of Kent's memoirs. A Royal Life.
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Dear Readers, you can order anything from Amazon through the search boxes or the links.
Thank you.
70 wonderful recipes, alongside profiles of Great British ingredients and diplomatic stories, to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
19th century British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston once declared that 'dining is the soul of diplomacy and this unique and sumptuous new book, published as part of the celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen's 70 years on the Throne, presents 70 recipes from British embassies and high commissions around the world.
With a foreword by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, this book celebrates the landmark occasion of the Platinum Jubilee by bringing together recipes – many of them served during Royal Visits – that are proudly British, inspired by local influences from the embassy's host country, or a fusion of the two. Throughout, the book shows off the spectacular food and drink produce found within our shores that our embassies are proud to showcase around the world, including:
· Spanish Marmalade, from the Madrid embassy
· Green Fish Curry, from the Islamabad high commission
· Jollof Rice, from the Abuja high commission
· Mince Spies, from 'C', Chief of MI6
· Cardamom Lamb, from the New Delhi high commission
· Chicken Wellington, from the Lisbon embassy
· Toffee Apple and Rhubarb Crumble, from Chevening House
· Whisky-laced Bread & Butter Pudding, from the Washington D.C. embassy
Alongside the delectable recipes, stories abound of culinary diplomacy in action. Contrary to the clichés, you will not find an Ambassador's table piled high with Ferrero Rocher, but the food is nonetheless central to the diplomatic cause. Ameer Kotecha delves into the Foreign Office archives to reveal diplomatic dinner party anecdotes through the years – the good, the bad, and the highly entertaining – and provides contemporary stories of food being used as a potent diplomatic tool. For the first time, this book tells the story of how nations break bread as a means of resolving differences and seek to get to the negotiating table by first starting at the dinner table.
A mixture of recipes, food history, anecdotes, and stunning photography, this book is an engrossing read for anyone with an interest in food, diplomacy, or British heritage. With contributions from Her Majesty's representatives around the world, it is also a celebration of Britishness that makes for a unique memento for the Platinum Jubilee, delving into an underexplored part of Her Majesty The Queen's reign.
The author is donating 100% of royalties from sales of this book to two charities: The Queen's Commonwealth Trust (QCT) and The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (PWCF).
or Immediate Release
April 19, 2021 at 1:00pm ET
PEOPLE Cover Story: The Prince Harry Interview: On Meghan, Fatherhood and How the Invictus Games Changed His Life
NEW YORK - Prince Harry is opening up about the transformative power of the Invictus Games — and his own journey along the way.
"Life is full of extraordinary gifts and challenges, many that can be seen as lessons," the Duke of Sussex, 37, tells PEOPLE in this week's exclusive cover story. "Over time, I've learned that how we mentally approach and react to the ups and downs — those gifts and challenges — is what helps to define our own outcome."
The Invictus Games, an adaptive sports competition for wounded warriors founded by British Army veteran Harry in 2014, takes its motto "I am" from the famous William Ernest Henley poem, which includes the lines, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." For Harry, "the poem is a reminder that you have the power to take control of your life."
Harry, of course, has done just that: The current Invictus Games in The Netherlands, which run April 16-22, mark the first time he is attending as both a husband, to Meghan Markle, and a father, to Archie, who turns 3 on May 6, and Lilibet, 10 months – and the first time the self-described "proud papa" is arriving from his new home in California.
"Being a dad certainly adds another emotional layer to it," says Harry. "When I was in the Army, I promised myself I would be out before having a wife and kids, because I couldn't imagine the heartache of being apart for so long during deployment, the risk of possibly getting injured, and the reality that my family's lives could be changed forever if that happened. Every member of the Invictus community has experienced varying degrees of these things. I have tremendous respect for what they and their families sacrifice in the name of service."
https://people.com/royals/prince-harry-interview-meghan-markle-fatherhood-invictus-games/
