What do you think?
Rate this book
Queen Elizabeth II's Guide to Life
A timely celebration of the many attributes our Queen brings to the nation – fortitude, stoicism, diplomacy, family values, sense of fun and style among them.
Queen Elizabeth II – Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Supreme Governor of the Church of England and the Head of the Commonwealth – has reigned over us for a record-breaking sixty-seven years. Now in her ninety-fourth year, this timely celebration sheds new light on the myriad attributes and personal qualities she brings to the nation.
From fortitude in the face of adversity to standing as the nation’s ambassador all over the world, no one could doubt the work ethic that powers this remarkable woman, even into her nineties. Equally, her love of family – from her rock of over sixty years’ marriage, Prince Philip, to her great grandchildren – shines through. But what are the secrets of her success? How does she still approach her day-to-day with such vitality and aplomb, even when culture and society are changing rapidly all around her?
The Queen on fame: When an MP commented that it must be a strain meeting so many strangers all the time, the Queen smiled, ‘It is not as difficult as it might seem. You see, I don’t have to introduce myself. They all seem to know who I am.’
The Queen on fashion: In the late sixties when Mary Quant and the mini skirt came to epitomize all that was fashionable, Princess Anne suggested her mother might also consider shortening her hemline. The Queen was adamant, ‘I am not a film star.’
The Queen on family: As Great Britain’s most famous great grandmother, it is no surprise that the Queen values family life. ‘Marriage gains from the web of family relationships between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, cousins, aunts and uncles.’
In this book Karen Dolby unpicks the key elements that make the Queen so special to – and so loved by – the nation and presents a guide to how you too could put into practice some of Her Majesty’s traits to help overcome adversity, find inner strength and present yourself as wonderfully considered and calm, even when all about you seems in chaos.
Queen Elizabeth II – Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Supreme Governor of the Church of England and the Head of the Commonwealth – has reigned over us for a record-breaking sixty-seven years. Now in her ninety-fourth year, this timely celebration sheds new light on the myriad attributes and personal qualities she brings to the nation.
From fortitude in the face of adversity to standing as the nation’s ambassador all over the world, no one could doubt the work ethic that powers this remarkable woman, even into her nineties. Equally, her love of family – from her rock of over sixty years’ marriage, Prince Philip, to her great grandchildren – shines through. But what are the secrets of her success? How does she still approach her day-to-day with such vitality and aplomb, even when culture and society are changing rapidly all around her?
The Queen on fame: When an MP commented that it must be a strain meeting so many strangers all the time, the Queen smiled, ‘It is not as difficult as it might seem. You see, I don’t have to introduce myself. They all seem to know who I am.’
The Queen on fashion: In the late sixties when Mary Quant and the mini skirt came to epitomize all that was fashionable, Princess Anne suggested her mother might also consider shortening her hemline. The Queen was adamant, ‘I am not a film star.’
The Queen on family: As Great Britain’s most famous great grandmother, it is no surprise that the Queen values family life. ‘Marriage gains from the web of family relationships between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, cousins, aunts and uncles.’
In this book Karen Dolby unpicks the key elements that make the Queen so special to – and so loved by – the nation and presents a guide to how you too could put into practice some of Her Majesty’s traits to help overcome adversity, find inner strength and present yourself as wonderfully considered and calm, even when all about you seems in chaos.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2020
114 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 17, 2020
“Queen Elizabeth II’s Guide to Life” is a fun glimpse into the everyday happenings of Her Majesty allowing you to see how she experiences the joys and challenges that come her way. An interesting glimpse into living history that you will enjoy if you like learning about royal families or modern day protocol in diplomatic and royal life. I recommend it.
September 26, 2023
This was a delightful little read all about the Queen. It was filled with plenty of fascinating facts.
February 26, 2021
An enjoyable and lighthearted read about this amazing Queen. I bought the hard copy and will add it to my collection of beautiful books.
June 30, 2021
The story of Queen Elizabeth has always fascinated me, this young girl who from a simple princess finds herself Queen of England and full of duties and responsibilities. I always thought that, after all, that life was tight for her and that perhaps she wanted to continue her life as a wife and mother, certainly with an important role in the regal world but not as fundamental as the one she had to cover. She had a wonderful relationship with the
father, a humble man who too suddenly found himself filling a role that was not part of his future, his brother abdicated for love. Everything in Elizabeth's life has turned upside down due to her uncle's decision. Perhaps if his uncle had not abdicated his life would be full of other things, surely she would have devoted more time to raising his children without further burdens behind her and perhaps she would have dedicated herself to his great passion, horses. She is a strong and tenacious woman, who not even time and the various scandals at court have been able to scratch. The symbol of England after years remains only her.
This book is a very detailed biography on some episodes of her life, the meeting with important characters, political vicissitudes, and some curiosities about her personal life. If you want to find out some curiosities about the queen, this book is definitely for you.
father, a humble man who too suddenly found himself filling a role that was not part of his future, his brother abdicated for love. Everything in Elizabeth's life has turned upside down due to her uncle's decision. Perhaps if his uncle had not abdicated his life would be full of other things, surely she would have devoted more time to raising his children without further burdens behind her and perhaps she would have dedicated herself to his great passion, horses. She is a strong and tenacious woman, who not even time and the various scandals at court have been able to scratch. The symbol of England after years remains only her.
This book is a very detailed biography on some episodes of her life, the meeting with important characters, political vicissitudes, and some curiosities about her personal life. If you want to find out some curiosities about the queen, this book is definitely for you.
January 17, 2020
It’s a running joke in my family that I love our Queen…. and so this book was gifted to me as a bit of a joke for Christmas from my husband. However, the joke was suitably on him as I thoroughly enjoyed this little book!
The book is a collection of anecdotes and short stories of the Queen’s life. It’s fun, light-hearted and you easily find yourself having a little giggle to yourself imagining her saying some of the things she’s quoted as saying.
I was surprised at how current and up to date it was (I should have looked at the publish date clearly) as I do find these sorts of books date very quickly. Given the recent hullabaloo with Megxit, there were some passages that seemed even more significant than the author would have intended.
If you’re fond of the Queen, or even are just a fan of The Crown on Netflix, this is a nice, simple read. It’s nothing ground-breaking. There’s no revelations or deep insights in to her private life. It’s just a quick, clean, light-hearted read; and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need from a book.
The book is a collection of anecdotes and short stories of the Queen’s life. It’s fun, light-hearted and you easily find yourself having a little giggle to yourself imagining her saying some of the things she’s quoted as saying.
I was surprised at how current and up to date it was (I should have looked at the publish date clearly) as I do find these sorts of books date very quickly. Given the recent hullabaloo with Megxit, there were some passages that seemed even more significant than the author would have intended.
If you’re fond of the Queen, or even are just a fan of The Crown on Netflix, this is a nice, simple read. It’s nothing ground-breaking. There’s no revelations or deep insights in to her private life. It’s just a quick, clean, light-hearted read; and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need from a book.
September 25, 2021
Did you know that the Queen does not have to carry a passport or a driver’s license, or that she insists on carrying her own umbrella when the weather calls for one, how about the little details she adds to the guest rooms when hosting an overnight guest at Windsor? The Queen has always gone above and beyond and is truly, an extraordinary person, who has served longer than any other Monarch to date. Meeting more than 13 US Presidents, traveling to more than 100 countries and all with her husband by her side, cheering her on.
I will read every Royal book that is published - so keep them coming! Their life is so intriguing and the fact that the Queen is still standing and ruling at age 95 in great standing health and wit and charm, she is truly constant, dedicated and true to her words that she spoke of at her coronation back in 1953.
I will read every Royal book that is published - so keep them coming! Their life is so intriguing and the fact that the Queen is still standing and ruling at age 95 in great standing health and wit and charm, she is truly constant, dedicated and true to her words that she spoke of at her coronation back in 1953.
May 3, 2022
A book I received as a gift from a relative from England. A gift that I am happy with, because I did not have this book in my collection yet.
The book is a collection of anecdotes and short stories about the Queen’s life. Definitely not a biography. It’s more how her personality and dedication to the crown made her fit for a lifelong task. They are often clever anecdotal stories that demonstrate her intelligence. Sometimes as a reader you have to read between the lines to understand that.
It’s the little details that make the book fun to read. Did you know that the Queen does not need to carry a passport or driver’s license? Great to read if someone is not aware of that and asks for those documents…
Queen Elizabeth II has met more than 13 US presidents, traveled to more than 100 countries, all with her husband Prince Philip by her side. At the time this book came out, Prince Philip was still with us. All special milestones in the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Guide to Life’ provides a fun glimpse into Her Majesty’s daily life, so you can see how she experiences the joys and challenges that come her way.
If you are a fan of the British monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II in particular, this book is a must read. It’s not groundbreaking. Don’t expect revelations or deep insights into her private life. They are just light-hearted stories, events etc from the life of The Queen.
The book is a collection of anecdotes and short stories about the Queen’s life. Definitely not a biography. It’s more how her personality and dedication to the crown made her fit for a lifelong task. They are often clever anecdotal stories that demonstrate her intelligence. Sometimes as a reader you have to read between the lines to understand that.
It’s the little details that make the book fun to read. Did you know that the Queen does not need to carry a passport or driver’s license? Great to read if someone is not aware of that and asks for those documents…
Queen Elizabeth II has met more than 13 US presidents, traveled to more than 100 countries, all with her husband Prince Philip by her side. At the time this book came out, Prince Philip was still with us. All special milestones in the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Guide to Life’ provides a fun glimpse into Her Majesty’s daily life, so you can see how she experiences the joys and challenges that come her way.
If you are a fan of the British monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II in particular, this book is a must read. It’s not groundbreaking. Don’t expect revelations or deep insights into her private life. They are just light-hearted stories, events etc from the life of The Queen.
May 3, 2022
Read this over the bank holiday week.
Nice little book which was read and enjoyed by myself and my mother who is 86 years young.
I read out little snippets of information which we enjoyed adding to our information of the royal family. We both enjoyed this book and felt we learned something new on almost every page.
Worth reading and can be dipped in and out of frequently great for our busy lives.
Nice little book which was read and enjoyed by myself and my mother who is 86 years young.
I read out little snippets of information which we enjoyed adding to our information of the royal family. We both enjoyed this book and felt we learned something new on almost every page.
Worth reading and can be dipped in and out of frequently great for our busy lives.
September 20, 2020
Having read Karen Dolby's other book on the wit and wisdom of Queen Elizabeth II, I was hoping for a few more stories about Her Majesty that weren't available in lots of other books. There were a few, but not as many as I'd hoped. I'm guessing that the good stuff is all in her diaries. Well researched with a great bibliography of books I will be scanning for books I haven't yet read.
February 14, 2021
It’s a quick fun read but not as a book of advice from the Queen. It’s more of how her personality and devotion to the crown made her the perfect match for lifetime role. Some very clever anecdotal stories demonstrating her intelligence. In spite of her mantra, “Don’t apologize or give reasons,” which would appear heartless & uncaring, the opposite is true, she a very likable person.
October 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this underrated gem. It's short and a fast read because it's written as a collection of short anecdotes instead of it being one long story.
The stories chosen are important but written in a way that they are fun to read and memorable. And I loved and remember most of them.
It's a pretty cool hidden gem.
The stories chosen are important but written in a way that they are fun to read and memorable. And I loved and remember most of them.
It's a pretty cool hidden gem.
August 30, 2025
I have always been a fan of the Queen. A good bit of this book is actually biography. There are some witty statements and clever comebacks made by her noted in the book. She had a good sense of humor. And she knew her own mind. Not much new in the bio aspect as I have read several about QE2 previously. But I did enjoy the clever anecdotes.
August 8, 2022
A good little book of anecdotes and information about the Queen and some of the Royal Family.
It's informative but there was little in there that I did not already know but most Royal watchers will enjoy it.
It's informative but there was little in there that I did not already know but most Royal watchers will enjoy it.
February 29, 2020
A lovely little potted history of the Queen, behind the pom and circumstance of her public persona.
March 2, 2020
A bit superficial.
August 1, 2021
Book was ok but not what I would call a true biography
Book was okay but not really what I would call a true biography. No real-life story. Needs a more structure to the book.
Book was okay but not really what I would call a true biography. No real-life story. Needs a more structure to the book.
May 23, 2022
Charming stories about the queen throughout her ongoing reign.
July 1, 2022
Quick and easy to read, but nothing that you won't have heard before
December 31, 2022
Really interesting read, saw a side of her I'd never seen.
January 8, 2023
What a woman 🥰
April 21, 2023
#35 of 120 books pledged to read during 2023
May 12, 2023
Great little book
I love the little tidbits about the Queen. She was a wonderful girl who never took a guff. We miss you Bisty.
I love the little tidbits about the Queen. She was a wonderful girl who never took a guff. We miss you Bisty.
June 13, 2023
This was a lovely little book full of information on Queen Elizabeth's view of life.
November 10, 2023
Really interesting
January 24, 2024
Informative
This book shows the Queen as a normal human, one of us, full of laughter, cheekiness and a whole lot of love. This is a Lady who carried us all on her shoulders.
This book shows the Queen as a normal human, one of us, full of laughter, cheekiness and a whole lot of love. This is a Lady who carried us all on her shoulders.
March 7, 2024
A nice light-hearted read about QEII
April 6, 2024
I gave this three stars due to some content and some language that I didn’t feel comfortable with, Other than that it was a good book.
July 8, 2024
Nice little book of facts. Not much new here if you have read other well known books about The Queen.
September 24, 2025
Very superficial, very scattered bits and pieces about royalty.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews