The British monarchy is at a critical point. Concise and engaging, this book traces the very early stages of British royalty to the greatest queen, Elizabeth II, and looks ahead to the reign of Charles III.

Far more than a linear history, this is the interwoven narrative of the monarchy and the state, of divisions, attacks, confrontations, death, and glory; the story of the fates of nations that are deeply connected to the personal struggles of monarchs through the ages. Black skillfully combines thematic chapters from the roots of the monarchy, the medieval period, and the developments of the 16th century, to the crises of the 17th century, regulation and imperialism, as well as the challenges of the modern era.

Exploring the House of Wessex, the Norman Conquest, Henry VIII and the Tudors, Victorianism, and defining events like the abdication of Edward VIII, this book is an essential and comprehensive guide to the British monarchy and how it has shaped history - and our lives today.