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All The Queen's Corgis: Corgis, Dorgis and Gundogs: The Story of Elizabeth II and Her Most Faithful Companions
It is actually a serious book, but it had me laughing out loud several times on the Tube. All mothers should receive one for Christmas.' Marcus Berkmann, SpectatorEveryone who loves The Crown on Netflix will enjoy this celebration of Queen Elizabeth II and her beloved canine friends.The Queen has had corgis by her side ever since she was seven years old and persuaded her father to buy one for the family. She also has several dorgis (a cross resulting from an accidental liaison between one of the Queen's corgis and Princess Margaret's dachshund) and is a passionate breeder of gundogs.The dogs are the Queen's constant companions, travelling with her by air, road and rail, from one royal residence to another. She walks and feeds them herself, chooses names for them, and at the end of their days, buries them with personalised plaques to commemorate each individual. Penny Junor reveals the scraps and scrapes that the dogs have been involved in - the hierarchy amongst them, the corgis' feisty attitude to footmen and guests, gardeners and innocent passersby. This fascinating and affectionate look at the Queen and her most faithful companions is a book for dog lovers everywhere about what really makes our much-loved and longest reigning monarch truly light up.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2018
8 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Penny Junor
34 books58 followersBorn in Leatherhead, Surrey, Junor was educated at the independent Benenden School in Kent and read History at St Andrews University, but left in her second year to get married.
Junor has worked for the Evening Standard and a column for Private Eye lasted five years.
Best known for her books on the British Royal Family, she has written biographies of Diana, Princess of Wales (1982) and Charles, Prince of Wales (1987 and 1998), and Charles and Diana: Portrait of a Marriage (1991). The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor followed in 2005. Her work on the Waleses "alienated" both of them and she reportedly considers the experience the worst of her career. She has also written and had published a book titled Prince William: The Man Who Will Be King. This biography of Prince William ends with his marriage to Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge.
Junor's other books include works on Margaret Thatcher (1983), actor Richard Burton (1986), John Major (1993) and Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me (2007), the co-authored memoir of Pattie Boyd a former wife of both musicians. Junor assisted Sir Cliff Richard in writing the number one best selling My Life, My Way which sold over 250,000 copies (2008) and Shaun Ellis with his book The Man Who Lives with Wolves (2009).
Junor has worked for the Evening Standard and a column for Private Eye lasted five years.
Best known for her books on the British Royal Family, she has written biographies of Diana, Princess of Wales (1982) and Charles, Prince of Wales (1987 and 1998), and Charles and Diana: Portrait of a Marriage (1991). The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor followed in 2005. Her work on the Waleses "alienated" both of them and she reportedly considers the experience the worst of her career. She has also written and had published a book titled Prince William: The Man Who Will Be King. This biography of Prince William ends with his marriage to Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge.
Junor's other books include works on Margaret Thatcher (1983), actor Richard Burton (1986), John Major (1993) and Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me (2007), the co-authored memoir of Pattie Boyd a former wife of both musicians. Junor assisted Sir Cliff Richard in writing the number one best selling My Life, My Way which sold over 250,000 copies (2008) and Shaun Ellis with his book The Man Who Lives with Wolves (2009).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 2, 2019
A very thorough and well-researched book. The topic is fairly niche but as an avid royal watcher and dog lover, I found this a thoroughly entertaining read. Penny Junor is an experienced royal reporter and you can tell through the insights she's managed to gather. My only criticism, although it certainly goes with the territory, is that all the dog names can seem overwhelming when listed but Junor keeps that to a minimum. I mean what was I expecting in a book about royal dogs? Would definitely recommend.
February 17, 2019
I really enjoyed All the Queen's Corgis: The Story of Elizabeth II and Her Most Faithful Companions, Corgis, Dorgis and Gundogs by Penny Junor. This is the first book I have read by P Junor.
This is a book about Queen Elizabeth and the many dogs she has owned, bred, trained and hunted with. The book starts in 1933 with a young Elizabeth and continues to present day. The book also talks about the history of Corgis. A corgi family tree is included in the book along with a few pictures.
I am a fan of the corgi breed and enjoy reading books about them. I learned about the many dogs Queen Elizabeth has had, the breeding of them, the hunting trials and other aspects of keeping championship dogs. The book also talked about the fun side of having that many dogs.
I would highly recommend All The Queen's Corgis by P Junor to readers who like: Corgis, Dorgis and other gundogs, royalty and history.
This is a book about Queen Elizabeth and the many dogs she has owned, bred, trained and hunted with. The book starts in 1933 with a young Elizabeth and continues to present day. The book also talks about the history of Corgis. A corgi family tree is included in the book along with a few pictures.
I am a fan of the corgi breed and enjoy reading books about them. I learned about the many dogs Queen Elizabeth has had, the breeding of them, the hunting trials and other aspects of keeping championship dogs. The book also talked about the fun side of having that many dogs.
I would highly recommend All The Queen's Corgis by P Junor to readers who like: Corgis, Dorgis and other gundogs, royalty and history.
June 7, 2025
An interesting light read for those loving dogs like myself or those liking the royal family. Included is extensive and detailed background of the dogs bred over many years. I cannot help but think how much more wonderful it would have been had these been shelter dogs who will forever and always be my favourites.
May 30, 2020
Interesting little book, especially if you like The Queen and dogs.
February 25, 2019
Holy Corgi!! This is a fab read whether you are a Royalist or just plain mad dog lover!! I stumbled upon this little book and had to have it being a plain mad dog lover and a "novice" Royalist NZ subject (ExPat Yank) lol stepping up for my beloved late Mother, who was a surprising Loyal Royalist Yank. 😁
I learned a lot about Elizabeth II's mad dog obsession and "Strip away the wealth, the privilege and palaces, the bond she has with her dogs is no different from the bond the rest of us have with ours, no matter what our station in life".
High Recommended and also available as an ebook. Xo
I learned a lot about Elizabeth II's mad dog obsession and "Strip away the wealth, the privilege and palaces, the bond she has with her dogs is no different from the bond the rest of us have with ours, no matter what our station in life".
High Recommended and also available as an ebook. Xo
February 17, 2019
I have a soft spot for the Queens dogs and this little book is an interesting peak into their story. Since she was a little girl she has had a series of corgis and dorgis (a dachshund mix). It must be the good life living in palaces, although it seems one would not want to have been a palace employee who got in their way, where it seems many got a nip or a bite.
My grandparents had a corgi for many years, and they were lovable and loyal dogs, and it was always nice that the Queen helped to make this breed more popular. A light quick read that made me smile.
My grandparents had a corgi for many years, and they were lovable and loyal dogs, and it was always nice that the Queen helped to make this breed more popular. A light quick read that made me smile.
January 19, 2023
It was such fun reading about Elizabeth R and all her dogs. She was instrumental in making the Corgi breed popular. And the linage! There were 14 generations from Susan! And you also learn about royal dogs before Elizabeth's time. And there are great photos.
I also learned that ear cropping was banned in England back in 1897 due to a complaint from Edward VII to the Kennel Club. They took it as a royal command and banned cropping.
I also learned that ear cropping was banned in England back in 1897 due to a complaint from Edward VII to the Kennel Club. They took it as a royal command and banned cropping.
December 31, 2018
I found this a fascinating read and insight into the Queen’s relationship with dogs. And, like the Queen, there are times that I prefer the company of my dogs to anything else! Therefore I give this book 4 stars as It’s about the only thing the Queen and I have in common (although our first Border Terrier was affectionately known as “The Queen” in her later life!!
November 25, 2022
Such a charming book all around. The physical book itself is darling. I enjoyed that the author gave just enough history about particular dog breeds, but not overboard. The majority of the book is vignettes about the Queen interacting with her dogs and people. There are some very charming and humanizing stories in here. I enjoyed this book so much!
September 3, 2019
If you are a dog lover you will enjoy this book as it goes into much detail on the various dogs owned by the royal family not just the corgis, plus I related to quite a few anecdotes being a fellow corgo owner too!
January 5, 2019
What a cute little book on the history of the Queens Corgi and the dogs before them.
March 20, 2019
4.5
What a great little book! I read this in an afternoon because I was enjoying it so much that I couldn’t put it down.
I feel like I’ve been waiting a long time for a book just like this!
What a great little book! I read this in an afternoon because I was enjoying it so much that I couldn’t put it down.
I feel like I’ve been waiting a long time for a book just like this!
August 31, 2019
What a delightful book! Well researched, easy to read and laugh out loud funny.
January 24, 2020
Great book for dog lovers! So interesting reading abiut anecdotes, some more relatable than others. I enjoyed reading the lineage of the dogs and some beautiful pictures too
February 25, 2023
Lots of photos of Her Majesty which I had never seen before. Also learned new things about (the late) HM. An engaging read. Add at least one star if you like any kind of dog.
May 3, 2023
Loved the endpapers illustrating the corgis' family tree.
July 13, 2024
2.5/5
This was a bit of a slog for me but I ended up finishing it. I didn't enjoy all the detail of dog lineage and name dropping. I was expecting more of a storytelling style read with greater glimpses into the Queen's life and relationship with her dogs and it sadly did not live up to those expectations.
This was a bit of a slog for me but I ended up finishing it. I didn't enjoy all the detail of dog lineage and name dropping. I was expecting more of a storytelling style read with greater glimpses into the Queen's life and relationship with her dogs and it sadly did not live up to those expectations.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews