The Art of being Queen

Through decades of scandals and crisis, Queen Elizabeth II, the world's longest-serving regent, has kept the British monarchy secure in the affections of the British people. Biographer Andrew Gimson explores behind the palace walls and explains the mystery of the most famous and least known woman in the world.

Elizabeth II has reigned for almost 68 years, longer than any other Queen in history. She has through great difficulties and changes kept the British monarchy secure in the affections of the British people, and has recently dealt, with seeming decisiveness, with the problem posed by the desire of her grandson, Harry, and his wife, Meghan, more formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to lead a more independent life. So it is natural to suppose that the Queen must have much to teach us about the art of management, and especially about crisis management.

But the lessons are not exactly what one would expect. The Queen is not a manager. She shrinks from ...