Published on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, this book tells the story of the royal inheritance of diamonds from the time of Queen Adelaide in the 1830s to Elizabeth II.

With a foreword by the Rt Hon Sir John Major, The Queen: The Diamond Jubilee is a beautifully illustrated commemoration of the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, from her early years to her role as a modern monarch in the 21st century. This book explores the Queen's genealogy, tracing her descent from William the Conqueror, her coat of arms and orders of chivalry. It looks at her personal life, her childhood, teenage years, hobbies and pursuits, as well as her closest family ties: her mother, sister, husband, children, in-laws and grandchildren. Her public life is also reviewed and celebrated, from formal occasions to garden parties, walkabouts, ship-launchings and ribbon-cuttings, to her work with charities and presenting awards and honours. The state occasions that have punctuated the Queen's life - her own wedding; her coronation; other royal weddings; state funerals; state openings of parliament; investitures and trooping the colour - are explored with insightful and gorgeous photographs. The Queen: The Diamond Jubilee is a touching, unique and beautiful book and a perfect way to remember and celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.

The prize-winning, “exceptionally moving” memoir of a family boat trip, an IRA bombing, and a teenager’s loss of his twin brother (The Telegraph). Christopher Ewart-Biggs Literary Award Winner and PEN/JR Ackerley Prize Nominee On an August weekend in 1979, fourteen-year-old Timothy Knatchbull joined his family on a boat trip off the shore of Mullaghmore in County Sligo, Ireland. By noon, an Irish Republican Army bomb had destroyed the boat, leaving four dead. The author survived, but his grandparents, family friend, and twin brother did not. Lord Mountbatten, his grandfather, was the target, and became one of the IRA’s most high-profile assassinations. Knatchbull and his parents were too badly injured to attend the funerals of those killed, which only intensified their profound sense of loss. Telling this story decades later, Knatchbull not only revisits these terrible events but also writes an intensely personal account of human triumph over tragedy—a story of recovery not just from physical wounds but deep emotional trauma. From a Clear Blue Sky takes place in Ireland at the height of the Troubles and gives compelling insight into that period of Irish history. But more importantly, it brings home that while calamity can strike at any moment, the human spirit is able to forgive, to heal, and to move on. “A minute by minute story of what happened that day, and what happened afterwards.” —Daily Mail “This is an extremely moving book. Beyond providing a phenomenally detailed evocation of his own family’s trauma, Knatchbull has lots of wise things to say about how we survive horrors—of all kinds—in our lives.” — Zoë Heller, author of the Booker Prize finalist Notes on a Scandal “A very poignant, clearsighted, heartbreaking but ultimately positive account.” —Hugh Bonneville, The New York Times

When The Queen appears in public, she is naturally the centre of attention. What lies behind her unfailing sense of style? Here are first-hand accounts of those directly responsible for The Queen's wardrobe. Learn the process of creating the wardrobe for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and the many months spent in planning and working to deliver this special, historical year.

Westminster Abbey contains a unique and important group of effigies, some familiar, many little-known, including kings, queens, statesmen and national heroes, ranging in time from the middle ages to the early nineteenth century. They derive from a time when an effigy of the dead monarch, statesman or national hero played an important part in funeral ritual, offering a visible likeness as a focus to the ceremonial of the funeral. This richly illustrated book, which is the first substantial publication on the effigies since 1936, is both a history of the collection and of the origins and development of the funeral effigy, and a full descriptive catalogue of the twenty-one examples in the Abbey. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Presented in lavish detail, this book is a picture-filled tribute to Britain's reigning queen, who will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee of her monarchy in 2002. 200+ b&w and full-color photos.

The Royal Chef is at it again! Darren McGrady, former personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, has curated and created delicious, easy recipes that will add an elegant touch to any meal without requiring hours of laboring in the kitchen. Darren's Easy Seasons is perfect for entertaining no matter what the time of year, including midday lunches and brunches, teas, indoor and outdoor sit-down and buffet dinners, and cocktail parties. The book is also organized by season with events including a Children's Easter Egg Roll, Valentine's Day for Two, a proper Sunday dinner, Christmas open house, and Thanksgiving. Darren also provides tips on ingredients, substitutions, and alternatives, making this book an easy but comprehensive "go-to" party-planning resource. Includes "Notes on Entertaining" to help lighten the load and make even the largest celebrations go off without a hitch.