Overview

'Lucid, clear-sighted and highly readable.' Richard Toye, author of Age of Hope: Labour, 1945, and the Birth of Modern Britain. The British monarchy has been through turbulent times. Rocked by scandal and strife, and seemingly without a clear plan for the future, many are asking: should the monarchy continue to exist in its current form? Or is it time it embraced radical change? Ed Owens argues that the monarchy must embrace reform and transform itself radically. No more private jets while preaching about the importance of the environment; no more secrecy obscuring royal influence in high places; and no more hangers on enjoying grace-and-favour homes. A major slimming down is essential. And it's time the family archives were opened. All these issues will have a direct effect on the common good of the nation as it tries to reinvent itself as a modern working democracy, and endeavours to equip itself for the coming decades. Ed Owens situates this critical moment of royal transition in its historical context in order to set out a vision for monarchy that is future-proof, but which would also see the crown play an integral role in the evolution of 21st-century Britain.

Full Product Details

Author:   Ed Owens
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Continuum
ISBN:  

9781399406536

ISBN 10:   1399406531
Pages:   288
Publication Date:   22 May 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Introduction: Crown and country in crisis Part One Ceremony, Spectacle and Tradition 1 Is it still something to be proud of? 2 Consecrated obstruction 3 The seasonable addition of nice and pretty events 4 An alien and uninspiring court? 5 The bride waves, the crowd cheers 6 The new Elizabethans 7 The glamour of backwardness Part Two Duty, Service and Philanthropy 8 Devoted to your service 9 Benevolence sweetens authority 10 A living power for good 11 The heavy burden of responsibility 12 Come on Margaret! 13 A new Jerusalem? 14 The Queen had no choice 15I t’s all part of minding deeply about this country Part Three Family, Celebrity and Scandal 16 The press creates … the press destroys 17 A family on the throne 18 The royal soap opera 19 Killing the monarchy? 20 Annus horribilis 21 Never complain, never explain 22 Don’t make my final years a misery Part Four Nation, Democracy and the Constitution 23 No more good chaps 24 Democratic monarchy 25 One who reigns but does not rule? 26 To be invisible is to be forgotten 27 The spirit of generous compromise 28 The good of the country 29 The perfect constitutional monarch? 30 Queen’s consent Conclusion Acknowledgements Bibliography Index

Reviews

A lucid, clear-sighted, and highly readable analysis of the British monarchy's self-inflicted crisis. * Richard Toye, author of Age of Hope: Labour, 1945, and the Birth of Modern Britain. * With the clarity of expertise, Owens sets out an agenda to give the Crown an energetic role in the 21st century. * Kirkus Reviews *

Author Information

Ed Owens is the author of The Family Firm: Monarchy, Mass Media and the British Public. He is an historian, royal commentator and public speaker. He is often in demand on radio and television to discuss the subject matter of this book. edowens.com

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