The Making of a King

King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy

Robert Hardman

The dramatic story of the new king’s evolution over the past year from Prince of Wales to King Charles III, from one of the most acclaimed royal biographers writing today.

No British monarch has had a tougher act to follow.

Now, after seventy years of waiting and preparation, King Charles III is not just the head of the most famous family in the world. He is the custodian of a thousand-year-old institution which must redefine its place in the digital age while others insist on rewriting the past. With unrivaled access to the king, the royal family, and the court, leading royal authority Robert Hardman brings us the inside story on the most pivotal and challenging year for the monarchy in living memory.

From the death of Elizabeth II through to the ancient spectacle of the Coronation, from the rise of a new Prince and Princess of Wales to the latest "truth bombs" from the Sussexes, this is the story of the making of a monarch.

Robert Hardman has covered aspects of royal life for more than twenty years and is the writer of both the film and the book Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work. He writes for the Daily Mail in London.

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Endorsements & Reviews

Praise for Queen of Our Times:

“The essential authoritative biography of the Queen that everyone needs to read. Queen of Our Times is packed with new research, gripping details and telling anecdotes on every page, equally masterful on matters high and low, power and family. Hardman not only explains her; he defines her and her epoch.” Simon Sebag Montefiore, New York Times bestselling author of The Romanovs

“This is a beautifully crafted, deeply informed, and rounded portrait of the gold standard monarch and the age to which she has given her name. Robert Hardman’s Queen of Our Times has depth, feeling, and insight in abundance.” Professor Peter Hennessy, winner of the Orwell Prize

“Rich in new material, wit, and original thought. With intimate and unrivalled access to those who really know the story, Queen of Our Times not only gives us the real Elizabeth II, but it also reminds us, often movingly, that we are living through one of history’s greatest reigns.” Andrew Roberts, New York Times bestselling author of The Last King of America

Praise for Queen of the World:

“A vivid international tenor separating it from the long shelf of previous Elizabeth II biographies. The result of this new approach is that rarest of rarities: a Queen Elizabeth II book that’s actually different from all the other Queen Elizabeth II books. That the book should also be so consistently entertaining is something of a royal bonus.” Open Letters Review

“Hardman’s book, filled with new details, will be an essential source for any historian of modern Britain. It’s also a glorious read." The Spectator

“An intimate portrait of the Royal commitments at home and abroad. Provides an exceptional insight into the work of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.” BBC Entertainment

“Hardman insightfully addresses the queen’s royal tours, state visits of foreign leaders to London, her leadership in the evolution of her position as head of the Commonwealth, her participation in the special relationship with the U.S., and the role of the royal yacht, Britannia, in spreading the goodwill of the queen globally. Throughout, Hardman's analysis is discerning, knowledgeable, and fascinating.” Booklist (starred)

“A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II that highlights her many accomplishments. The book is grounded in lucid historical detail and often highlighted by colorful anecdotes. A respectful and thoughtfully documented history of the British monarch.” Kirkus Reviews