The Rough Guide to the Royals

Just in time for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012 celebrating Queen Elizabeth's sixtieth year of rule, The Rough Guide to the Royals offers background and insight into one of the world's oldest monarchies — plus plenty of juicy stories. This entertaining Rough Guide casts a quizzical eye over the current royal family, from former Olympic horse rider Anne to current favorites William and Kate. It answers such burning questions as what they do, where they get their money, how fundamentally British they are they, and just who is twelfth in the line to the throne. (One-year-old Savannah Phillips is the answer.) British writing duo Alice Hunt and James McConnachie look at the most extravagant royal ceremonies, most heated debates, and the most controversial figures, from wife-murderer Henry VIII to the scandalous Caroline of Brunswick (who was banned from her husband's coronation but turned up anyway). The best and the worst monarchs are reassessed, with investigations into how the likes of alleged nephew-killer and hunchback Richard III achieved their villainous reputations. The image of the monarchy is also examined — whether it's in commemorative ceramics, respectful movies such as The King's Speech, or more critical fare. This wide-ranging look at Britain's royals and the worldwide media circus that surrounds them informs and amuses.