The Queen: 70 Glorious Years

Although the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations came to a close in London yesterday, there is still a chance to purchase a copy of the official souvenir of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Published by Royal Collection Trust, The Queen: 70 Glorious Years celebrates the reign of Her Majesty through 77 photographs chosen to illustrate memorable events as Britains longest-serving monarch.

The beautifully produced hardback book features formal photographs of Her Majesty undertaking official duties on occasions such as the Coronation, the State Opening of Parliament, and Trooping the Colour, alongside informal family pictures of The Queen as a young girl, wife and mother, on holiday and enjoying the company of her children and dogs.

Each photograph is cleverly accompanied by resonant quotations from speeches given by Her Majesty throughout her reign, from her wartime Children’s Hour radio broadcast at the age of 14, and her first televised Christmas Day broadcast in 1957 to her speeches welcoming Commonwealth leaders and US Presidents to Buckingham Palace or responding to the warm hospitality extends to her on State Visits around the world.

Love of family, fondness for animals, a keen sense of humour (as was so perfectly captured this weekend when she had cream tea with Paddington Bear!), a staunch belief in the Commonwealth, and gratitude to all those around the world who go out of their way to help their communities. These are among the themes that come across in this photographic journey through a remarkable life of service and duty.

The Queen: 70 Glorious Years is available from Royal Collection Trust shops and is priced at £19.95.