Elizabeth II (post 2)

The rest of Part 1 of the book Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II has actually disappointingly little to do with the Queen herself. Mainly, it highlights the generations leading up to Elizabeth: King Edward VII and King George V, Elizabeth II's grandfather. The second part of the book continues with the generations more closely related to the current Queen, with her Uncle David who would become King Edward VIII and her father who would be King George VI. Elizabeth is not introduced until chapeter 5. She is described as the perfect little child, always well behaved and more like an adult than a kid. However, she does manage to blend some youthful spirit into an upbringing that groomed her for royal etiquette. It is said she replied, as a nine-year-old, to the Archbishop of Canterbury's request that she take a walk with him: "Yes, very much... But please do not tell me anything more about God. I know all about him already" (94). Other accounts show that the young Princess Elizabeth loved to be the center of attention and was "'almost as pleased' to see her mother as if the duchess had been 'quite a large crowd'" (83). I think that it is very interesting that someone who grew up always being revered and cherished did not become a snobbish, spoiled little girl. In fact, she has done the opposite and learned from her Uncle David's self-centered abdication. A family friend said, "'Her Uncle let the side down, he put personal pleasure before his duties. She has deliberately done the reverse'" (104). This highlights her decision to become not a celebrity, but a servant of her country.

Lacey, Robert. Monarch:The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II. New York: The Free Press, 2002.

Elizabeth II

The prologue and first chapter of the book Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II does not begin with her childhood. Rather, it focuses on two on the most marked events of the royal family in the last 200 years: Queen Victoria's reign and the death of Princess Diana. The book uses the Queen's reaction to the Princess's death to highlight Elizabeth the II's character: she posses a great deal of common sense, has an unbreakable determination and is brutally honest. The book uses not her quotes, which could be biased by humility, but the quotes of those close to her. A private secretary of the Queen's told Lacey that "'The Queen has ruthless common sense... If you can explain clearly why something has to be done, and she agrees, that's the end of the matter'" (8). This was particularly referring to her decision to fly a flag at half mast above Buckingham Palace, something that had not been done for anyone ever before and which the Queen was against. This reminded me of John Grady's preference for an older, simpler, and quiter life. She does not believe in saying things that she does not believe. Lacey writes of an incident where the Queen displayed her overwhelming honesty. Lacey writes, "' I am very pleased to be in Kingston today,' the draft [of the speach] confidentely started. The young queen crossed out the word 'very.' 'I will be pleased to be in Kingston,' she explained. 'But I will not be very pleased" (9). The Queen refuses to say anything she does not mean from her heart. This refusal to be someone else's puppet, even in small matters like the word very, reminds me of Blevin's refusal to show off to impress John Grady an Rawlins. Queen Elizabeth is also compared to Queen Victoria, in her will, strength and reign.

Lacey, Robert. Monarch:The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II. New York: The Free Press, 2002.