A new biography centering on Queen Elizabeth will be out in early January to mark the nearly 70-year reign of the British monarch. The Last Queen: Elizabeth II's Seventy Year Battle to Save the House of Windsor, penned by Clive Irving, is described as a "narrative biography" that details the monarch's stellar reign and how she's managing the emergence of the next generation.
Irving wrote in the book that Queen Elizabeth has reigned a "fragile institution" but she managed to "persevere with dignity" as Britain's dutiful matriarch. The book promises to be different than other royal family biographies because it will highlight the struggles of Queen Elizabeth as she deals with the unprecedented changes during her reign.
The author, who is an editor of The Sunday Times, said that Queen Elizabeth is perhaps the rare head of state who does not like friction and favors the general consensus of the public. However, she is able to use her influence where it mattered, such as putting pressure on the government of South Africa during the Apartheid controversy.
Brian Mulroney, the former Prime Minister of Canada, described Her Majesty as the "behind-the-scenes force" in this racist segregation in the 1980s. Never the confrontational type, Queen Elizabeth apparently used her soft power to handle the situation versus Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's reputation as the Iron Lady.
Meanwhile, the book's release comes as rumors of the Queen stepping down from the throne have been cropping up in the last few years. Speculations are rife that the monarch might give way to her son Prince Charles so that he could fulfill his destiny as King.
Queen Elizabeth is turning 95 years old in April 2021 and 96 when she marks her Platinum Jubilee. Some have suggested that Her Majesty plans to retire and spend her remaining years with her husband Prince Philip, who will turn 100 years old next year.
However, royal aides in Buckingham Palace have belied the rumors saying that the Queen has vowed she will serve the Crown for "all of her life." As such, preparations are underway at the Palace for Queen Elizabeth's 70th years of reign.
Senior aides said that the Queen is still keen on returning to full-time work once the pandemic is completely over. Her Majesty remains steadfast in her commitment that she will serve the people until her death. This was her oath when she formally ascended the throne.
The Last Queen: Elizabeth II's Seventy Year Battle to Save the House of Windsor is set to hit bookshelves on Jan. 5, 2021.
