George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Shaped the Monarchy Paperback – 4 April 2023

Was a fantastic read. So thorough. Very well written. Highly recommend it.

With a great interest in the royal family, I’ve been branching out my reading into the layers between Victoria and Elizabeth II, landing this time on George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy, the mother and father of the late queen. By now their place in royal history is known, but who were these two people, born of privilege, but who never expected more than a simple country life? The truth is as fascinating as any in the royal lineage, perhaps more so because these two were genuinely in-love. At least he was: it’s fascinating to watch their love story unfold, wherein Elizabeth was a reluctant bride who because a beloved queen, queen mother, mother, and wife.I don’t believe I’ve read another book Sally Bedell Smith’s books, but having seen her on many documentaries speaking about the British royal family, I was interested in discovering her writing style. I come away finding her work interesting, delightful, revealing, and an approachable narrative that gracefully blends truth and a narrative voice that is heartwarming. Like reading a favorite professor writing about their favorite subject, Bedell Smith opens the letters and diaries of not only George VI and Elizabeth, but others in the family, friends, and courtiers who surrounded them throughout their lives, from private dining rooms to palace events to parties to the war rooms of WWII, and their final years as a “us four.”George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy is a touching, well researched, widely read and interviewed story of how Bertie and Elizabeth met, socialized, courted others, and came together. While his was pretty much a “love at first site” love, hers was... more delayed. But to follow as she moves from loving another to her deep and abiding love for Bertie, her care and concern for him, her stubborn at-his-side determination throughout the war years, and her pain at his loss is to see the real love story of the royal family in those years. So often we are told/read/hear of the Love of a Lifetime between Bertie’s brother, David, the king who would abdicate for love. But in these pages - and while Bedell Smith never says it - I found the love between Bertie and Elizabeth to be far more inspiring. I’ve spent the last few months reading several books on David and Wallis and never once felt the true love, devotion, companionship, or partnership between those whose love was celebrated in a man who gave up duty for the woman he loved, verses the love of Bertie and Elizabeth. These two found a friendship, partnership, and devotion not merely for one another, but together, for their country. Perhaps that IS the lesson: David’s love was not one that would or could ever give Britain and the world what it would come to need in those years of Bertie’s reign. Whereas Bertie and Elizabeth seem to have been created as individuals and a couple to become everything that was needed.George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy takes you from their young years in their individual families to the parties and partners they knew before one another. The near misses of two young people in the WWI years to the parties that drew them together. The royal and familial intrigues that brought them together as a couple. And finally their marriage. Then onward to building a life together. While Bertie’s brother brought himself down, the solid and abiding partnership between Bertie and Elizabeth inspired his parents, George V and queen Mary. When David ran for the hills, Bertie became his own kind of reluctant king, albeit one far more right for the royal role he was thrust into, with a tough-as-nails consort at this side. Through the war years, with two young daughters, and the stories - old and new - of these royal leaders standing up to the fear and dangers ever present from Hitler and his military. Though the “phony war” into the real one, they faced the dangers and came out on the other side ever more revered for their strength. A new son-in-law, the changing world, and finally, Bertie’s failing health. Bedell Smith does a wonderful job at weaving the stories told through letters and diaries into a story worthy of fiction, all the while truthful and personal.In the end this is one of the more interesting, well written, and personal stories of a loving couple who touched the world. I knew so much about them and other royals, but come away from George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy feeling a more intimate connection to their story. I very much enjoyed this book and glad to have added it to the lineup of royal history I’ve been studying.

Lovely biography about King George VI and his wife who was formerly Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon. Their daughter became our late Queen Elixabeth II.

Passionnant, historique ms abordable personnages attachants récit émouvant.Un peu lourd à lire au lit!!!

What a tome! I'm impressed with the author's research. A very long biography but well=written.