George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the MonarchyA revelatory account of how the loving marriage of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth saved the monarchy during World War II, and how they raised their daughter to become Queen Elizabeth II, based on exclusive access to the Royal Archives—from the bestselling author of Elizabeth the Queen and Prince Charles “An intimate and gripping portrait of a royal marriage that survived betrayal, tragedy, and war.”—Amanda Foreman, bestselling author of Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire Granted special access by Queen Elizabeth II to her parents’ letters and diaries and to the papers of their close friends and family, Sally Bedell Smith brings the love story of this iconic royal couple to vibrant life. This deeply researched and revealing book shows how a loving and devoted marriage helped the King and Queen meet the challenges of World War II, lead a nation, solidify the public’s faith in the monarchy, and raise their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936, shattering the Crown’s reputation, his younger brother, known as Bertie, assumed his father’s name and became King George VI. Shy, sensitive, and afflicted with a stutter, George VI had never imagined that he would become King. His wife, Elizabeth, a pretty, confident, and outgoing woman who became known later in life as “the Queen Mum,” strengthened and advised her husband. With his wife’s support, guidance, and love, George VI was able to overcome his insecurities and become an exceptional leader, navigating the country through World War II, establishing a relationship with Winston Churchill, visiting Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in Washington and in Hyde Park, and inspiring the British people with his courage and compassion during the Blitz. Simultaneously, George VI and Elizabeth trained their daughter Princess Elizabeth from an early age to be a highly successful monarch, and she would reign for an unprecedented seventy years. Sally Bedell Smith gives us an inside view of the lives, struggles, hopes, and triumphs of King George VI and Elizabeth during a pivotal time in history. |
Contents
TEN Dont Forget Your Honey Lamb | 109 |
ELEVEN A Gilded Carriage | 131 |
TWELVE A Splendid Partner | 143 |
THIRTEEN Family Affairs | 153 |
FOURTEEN Out of the Welter | 169 |
FIFTEEN My Heart Goes Pitapat | 183 |
SIXTEEN Tremendous Joy | 193 |
SEVENTEEN Eager to Do Well | 201 |
TWENTYTHREE Upright Bearing and Grave Dignity | 299 |
TWENTYFOUR His Brothers Shadow | 321 |
TWENTYFIVE Simplicity and Dignity | 337 |
TWENTYSIX Transatlantic Triumph | 351 |
TWENTYSEVEN We Shall Prevail | 367 |
PART FIVE The War Years | 393 |
PART SIX An Indelible Legacy | 491 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 567 |
Other editions - View all
George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy Sally Bedell Smith Limited preview - 2023 |
George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy Sally Bedell Smith Limited preview - 2024 |
George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage that Saved the Monarchy Sally Bedell Smith No preview available - 2023 |
Common terms and phrases
Alan Lascelles April August Balliol Balmoral Bertie and Elizabeth Bertie's Beryl Poignand bomb Britain British brother Buckingham Palace Channon dance darling daughter David December diary dinner Duchess of York Duke and Duchess Duke of York Edward VIII Elizabeth Bowes Lyon Elizabeth to Queen Elizabeth wrote father February feel friends George V's Glamis Archives CH Hardinge Harold Nicolson House Ibid Illustrated London James Stuart January John Buchan John Buchan Fonds July June King and Queen King George King George VI Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lady Strathmore Lilibet and Margaret Lord Tweedsmuir Louis Greig Lyon to Duke March November October prime minister Prince Albert Prince of Wales Princess Elizabeth PRIV/DIARY QEQM Letters Queen Elizabeth Queen Mary RA GVI RA GVI/PRIV RA GVI/PRIV/DIARY RA QEQM/PRIV/DIARY/3 RA QEQM/PRIV/RF Roosevelt royal family Sandringham September Shawcross Strathmore told Tommy Lascelles took tour Wallis wedding weeks Wheeler-Bennett Windsor Castle Winston Churchill York to Lady York to Queen