Welcome to my website. You'll find all the details of my books here -- plus links to my latest articles and interviews below. I’m very excited by the jacket that my UK and US publishers have just released of my new book, coming this October 2017 — The Crown: The Official History. It’s the companion volume to the award-winning Netflix TV series by Peter Morgan, starring the brilliant Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, Matt Smith as Prince Philip, and American John Lithgow as the most English-sounding Winston Churchill you can imagine.
'The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep.
So help me God.'
Netflix's original series The Crown painted a unique and intimate portrait of Britain's longest-reigning monarch. This official companion to the show is an in-depth exploration of the early years of Elizabeth II's time as married Princess and Queen (1947 - 1955), complete with extensive research, additional material and exclusive, beautifully reproduced images. The book is a stunning combination of rare archive photographs with dazzling, full-colour photo stills from the award-winning TV series.
Princess Elizabeth never expected her father to die so suddenly, so young, leaving her not only a throne to fill, but a global institution to govern. Crowned at 25, already a wife and mother, follow the journey of a woman learning to become a queen.
As the country lifted itself out of the shadow of war, the new Queen faced her own challenges. She had a mother and uncle to prove wrong, a relationship to save and a marriage that threatened her role as head of the Church. This is the story of how Elizabeth II drew on every ounce of strength and British reserve to deal with crises not only in the wider world, but at home as well.
Written by expert historical biographer Robert Lacey, The Crown provides an in-depth exploration from behind the palace gates.
Robert Lacey's book, 'Meyer Lansky: The Thinking Man's Gangster' has reached top place as the number one best-selling criminal biography on Amazon!
Buy the book here at Amazon.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE98sWq96Qk&feature=youtu.be
Happy Birthday, Ma’am! Ninety glorious pictures, for ninety usually glorious years!!
Here’s a comment I have just posted on the University of Columbia Gulf 2000 website reflecting on the recent execution of the Shia cleric Nimr Al-Nimr by the Saudi government:
Elana DeLozier’s thoughtful post of yesterday reminds me of listening to the Ashura press conferences delivered in the Qatif area within a few days of each other in January 2007 by the two principal Saudi Shia leaders, Sheikh Hassan Al-Saffar and Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr - the Tiger of the Tigers. The tone could not have been more different.
Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest-reigning monarch in British history on the evening of 9 September 2015. This documentary compares the lives and the reigns of two extraordinary women who have steered their courses through periods of remarkable change: Elizabeth and Victoria. It follows Queen Elizabeth II on engagements in the UK and abroad as she approaches this historic date. With interviews and archive to illustrate the remarkable stories of these two female monarchs.
"Robert Lacey debates with Dr. Karina Urbach on BBC Radio 4’s Flagship TODAY program."
My contribution to the debate begins at 2 hours 52 minutes and 36 seconds. Listen again on the BBC website.
A busy day for me today on BBC radio commenting on HRH Prince Charles' meeting with Jerry Adams this morning before he on to make a personal journey to Mullaghmore where his godfather and confidant Lord Mountbatten was murdered by the IRA.
Here are the links to the shows firstly the BBC Radio's Today Programme, Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and on Good Morning Ulster
As suggested at the Frontline Club on Monday 27 April, the Saudi Arabian King has announced major changes to the line of succession.
On Monday in a public forum with Owen Bennett-Jones at the Front Line Club I put forward the idea that a major dynastic reshuffle was in the wind for Saudi Arabia - and it has happened. King Salman has removed his half brother, Miqrin bin Abdul-Aziz, and has appointed his nephew, the powerful Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, as crown prince.
Is Saudi Arabia a kingdom in peril? This was the key question under discussion at a packed event held at the Frontline Club on Monday 27 April. Following the accession of King Salman and the ongoing conflict in Yemen, a panel, chaired by journalist Owen Bennett-Jones, discussed the potential destabilisation of the regime and the possibility for change within the country.
