Behind the scenes with Elizabeth II - the private life of a modern queen and her family

Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. A quiet, modest and dutiful person, she is far better-informed about the lives of her subjects than they often realize. She has known every prime minister since Winston Churchill, and every American president since Eisenhower.

Yet what of the woman who wears the crown? This book takes a fresh look at an already exhaustively documented life and explores how Queen Elizabeth became the person she is today.

Who, and what, have been the greatest influences upon her? What are her likes and dislikes? What are her hobbies? What does she feel about the demands of duty and protocol? How differently does she behave when out of the public eye?

In recent years, Queen Elizabeth has cut back on commitments. Nevertheless she is still very active and has made some wise decisions about who takes over a number of her duties. And, as public interest in the milestone events of the Royal family - courtships, marriages and the arrival of children - attests, our endless fascination with this most private of public families shows no sign of waning.

Examining the places in which Queen Elizabeth grew up or has lived, the training she received and her attitudes to significant events in national life, Michael Paterson offers a refreshing new portrayal of one of recent history's most important figures.