Behind the Throne

An intimate and entertaining look at the private lives of monarchs from Elizabeth I to the current occupants of Buckingham Palace… Deft, zesty social history.

Kirkus

Devoted watchers of The Crown will especially enjoy the nimble analysis of both the narcissistic Edward VIII’s brief reign and Princess Margaret’s doomed romance… this enlightening narrative allows the royal family mystique to disappear just a little.

Publishers Weekly

If Downton Abbey showcases a well-oiled machine of domestic efficiency in an English estate, you might think the servants surrounding British monarchs would be held to an even higher standard of discretion and excellence. And, as historian Tinniswood warns, you’d be entirely wrong. The reality, as he explores in this diverting book covering the domestic life at court from Elizabeth to Elizabeth, is both much messier and incredibly interesting… This rare glimpse into royal households reveals the priorities and peculiarities of kings and queens.

Booklist

This is the most interesting and informative book on British royalty for many years.

Sarah Bradford, Literary Review

Adrian Tinniswood’s handsomely produced Behind the Throne is full of such pleasing details, as it takes us on a fascinating snoop into the studies, kitchens and bedrooms of various monarchs from Elizabeth I to the present queen… Tinniswood gets [the tone] just right, never overly deferential, but humorous and distantly respectful… Behind the Throne is a wonderfully entertaining account of life through five centuries of royal households.

Christopher Hart, Sunday Times

Adrian Tinniswood's juicy new domestic history of the royal household… [is] delicious – as piquant as the green salad with which Edward VIII liked to eat his cold grouse.

Rachel Cooke, Observer

Behind the Throne, erudite and amusing, bulges with colourful scenes… glorious… a fun, elegant narrative.

Melanie Reid, The Times

Tinniswood retells some of the best-known and best-loved episodes in British royal history… with elegance and wit… [and] based on extensive research.

Linda Porter, BBC History Magazine

Tinniswood tells us… What is revealed by this history of regal domesticity is that, in many respects, nothing has altered.

UK Press Syndication

This book is a cracking read, packed full of stories which Tinniswood relates with verve and wit… Buy this book for Christmas and give it to all your non-republican friends.

Jane Ridley, Spectator

This book will be greatly enjoyed… [Behind the Throne] has plenty…splendid nuggets.

Hugo Vickers, The Tablet

Entertaining… superb… history needs anecdote to make us relate to it, something Tinniswood [does] brilliantly.

Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year

Entertaining… Behind the Throne…contains gems

Simon Heffer, **Books of the Year**, Daily Telegraph

Tinniswood is one of our finest historians and he brings to life the reality of royal life behind the scenes in stunning detail. If you want to know about the private lives of monarchs, this brilliant, beautifully illustrated account will more than satisfy.

Alison Weir, BBC History Magazine, **Books of the Year**

Penetrating and enjoyable. It is very fluently written, spiced with wit, and always judicious.

Clarissa Campbell, Times Literary Supplement