Josephine Ross – författare

The story of the many suitors of Elizabeth I - one of the most eligible brides in 16th century Europe.From her childhood, overshadowed by the marital upheavals of her father Henry VIII, and the tragic first encounter with courtship, to the fantastical flirtations of her old age, Elizabeth refused to commit herself to any man. During the marriage negotiations, which spanned half a century, romance blended with diplomacy as one illustrious suitor after another endeavoured to ally himself to her in the most intimate of treaties. Sought after by some of the most powerful men in Europe, she knew her marriageable status to be one of her greatest assets. She played one suitor against another, exploiting her situation to the full both for England''s profit and her pleasure. By turns she encouraged and eluded her pursuers, keeping alive hopes which she would never fulfil. Yet one man did come close to winning her. Ambitious, devious Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, suspected by many of having murdered his wife, was the most persistent of the suitors to the Queen, and though he never attained the prize he longed for, he was dearly loved by Elizabeth all her life. This is a fascinating look at the many suitors of Elizabeth I.

''What a fabulous book - a must for any royal watcher! It''s elegant, stylish and gloriously illustrated. I didn''t want it to end. I loved the original and innovative approach to the subject, and the new insights I gained. I cannot recommend it highly enough.'' Alison Weir''Vogue, like the royal family, has been through many evolutions of its own, and to view Her Majesty''s life though the record of our pages is truly a document of history.'' - Edward Enninful, Editor-in-Chief of British VogueFive monarchs (crowned and uncrowned); one abdication; one royal investiture; a jewel box of jubilees and many, many royal marriages... British Vogue has borne witness to a century of royal history. As another reign begins, The Crown in Vogue is the magazine''s ''special royal salute'' to the House of Windsor. Vogue''s first star photographer, Cecil Beaton, was entranced by the House of Windsor and the admiration was mutual. A younger star photographer, Antony Armstrong Jones, left Vogue to marry the Queen''s sister and returned as Lord Snowdon. The Queen''s cousin, Vogue''s Lord Lichfield proved an insightful photographer of royal style along with many of Vogue''s fashion photographers including Horst, Norman Parkinson and David Bailey. With visual treasures from Vogue''s unrivalled archive and contributions through the decades from the most perceptive of royal commentators - from Evelyn Waugh to Zadie Smith - The Crown in Vogue is the definitive, authoritative portrait of Queen Elizabeth II''s magnificent reign - and of royalty in the modern age.