Sally Bedell Smith: "Elizabeth the Queen: The Life a Modern Monarch"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-01-17/sally-bedell-smith-elizabeth-queen-life-modern-monarch
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth will observe her diamond jubilee next month. It’s been sixty years since her father, George the Sixth, died. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary became head of the Commonwealth at age twenty five. During her reign – the longest since Queen Victoria’s – she’s ushered the British monarchy into the modern age. The young princess who never expected to become queen has evolved from working mother to wise grandmother during her reign. Despite heading a sometimes flawed family, Elizabeth’s popularity has survived -- even thrived -- in recent years. Diane and her guest discuss the life of Britain’s Elizabeth II and the modern monarchy.
Guests
Sally Bedell Smith
author
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Program Highlights
Queen Elizabeth will celebrate 60 years on the throne next month. Only one other British ruler, Queen Victoria, has observed a diamond jubilee. Sally Bedell Smith's latest biography chronicles the life of Elizabeth II, her legacy and what the future holds for the British monarchy.
Why Do Americans Care About The Monarchy?
"I think that people really have so much respect for her, for the way she has conducted herself now, marking 60 years on the throne, which is quite remarkable and only the second time in 1,000 years," Bedell Smith said. Bedell Smith also pointed out that Queen Elizabeth II has lived an extraordinary life of service. "She's extremely hard-working and she has rarely put a foot wrong," Bedell Smith said.
A Sense Of Duty
Elizabeth became queen at age 25, but even before then, she exhibited a strong sense of duty. Bedell Smith cites one speech she made at age 21 that reportedly caused tears around the country: "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. But I shall not have the strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me as I now invite you to do. I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it," Elizabeth said.
The Match: Prince Philip
Bedell Smith said that Elizabeth fell in love with Philip on the first day they spent together at the Dartmouth Naval College, when she was 13 and he was 18. Even at 18, Philip was a "man of the world," according to Bedell Smith, and very attractive. He was penniless. "But it was a real love match and it turned out they were very well-suited to each other," Bedell Smith said.
Diana's Death
The week of Diana's death was probably the worst of the queen's life, Bedell Smith said. She was in Balmoral trying to take care of her grandsons, and then-Prime Minister Tony Blair was trying to guide her into being more responsive to the British people, which helped her a great deal and changed the relationship between the two. She eventually came around to the idea of flying the Union Jack at half-mast at Buckingham Palace, which was previously unheard of, but was a significant symbol once she agreed to it. And she did instinctively show a softer side of herself to the public, as when she and Prince Philip unexpectedly got out of their car at the gates of Buckingham Palace to speak to people gathered there who were mourning Diana.
You can read the full transcript here.
Comments
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Have never been able to get the fascination with this alleged royal family? What is so "royal" about the majority of your families wealth being created through bloody oppression, stealing of other countries resources and destruction? Elizabeth wears so much bloody bling that it is blinding. Give that bloody money back to the people and countries that they stole it from. Stop trying to humanize this families brutal history and accumulated wealth. Nothing royal or good about it
The Queen is a remarkable woman. She is brave and dedicated. I would challenge any other 83 year old woman to endure her schedule of over 300 public appearances every year. Yes, I know she has servants and many people to look after her, but she still walks completely unaided, and goes to many different places, always impeccably attired.
It is only comparatively recently that she has given up riding horses, one of the great passions of her life.
The changes that have happened during her lifetime must be astounding. My family remembers when the Queen would come to watch Badminton 3-day event, and would sit on hay bales to watch the dressage.
I can't wait to read this book, the interview going on right now is most enjoyable.
Thank you Diane, for bringing Sally to your show.
BTW - to say the monarchy is irrelevant is a little bit silly. If nothing else the institution brings in multi-millions of dollars to the tourism and trinkets economy! Brits in return laugh at the American election process. The length of it and the astounding amount of money spent, particularly the super pacs!
Having a monarch, even a powerless one, is archaic and silly. Even if it brings in tourism and sells magazines to the dim-whited, its useless and sends a terrible message. A royal is guaranteed so many things through heredity, its even more disgusting than spoiled 1% types like Romney.
Apparently the queen still has some power behind the scenes and is involved with the goings on of Brittan. Notice whatever war or economic policy that goes on, the USA is always lock step with England and much of the wall street banks are all connected with London as well. The vestiges of the old British empire which destroyed and exploited much of Asia and whom we had to fight to make America a free country still live on. I would never visit buckingham palace and care nothing for all the pomp and nonsense that goes on there and dislike the media reporting on which prince did this or that or whatever publicity stunts they are up to.