Royal Audience - by David Charter (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From the moment she first enchanted the world as a youthful princess, Queen Elizabeth II found a unique place in American hearts--and she also played an unprecedented role in forging transatlantic ties. Over her seventy-year reign, she developed extraordinary and varied personal bonds with thirteen U.S. presidents--Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, both Bush Sr. and Jr., Clinton, Obama, Trump, and Biden--that other diplomats and leaders could only dream of. [An] ... in-depth look at international relations and interpersonal intrigue, Royal Audience peels back the curtain on the 'special relationship' between the U.S. and the U.K. as embodied by the Queen herself, charting Elizabeth II's distinctive brand of one-to-one diplomacy through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand"--

Book Synopsis

70 years on the throne. 13 American presidents. One extraordinary queen.

From the moment she first enchanted the world as a youthful princess, Queen Elizabeth II found a unique place in American hearts--and she also played an unprecedented role in forging transatlantic ties. Over her seventy-year reign, she developed extraordinary and varied personal bonds with thirteen U.S. presidents--Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, both Bush Sr. and Jr., Clinton, Obama, Trump, and Biden--that other diplomats and leaders could only dream of.

A fascinating, in-depth look at international relations and interpersonal intrigue, Royal Audience peels back the curtain on the "special relationship" between the U.S. and the U.K. as embodied by the Queen herself--charting Elizabeth II's distinctive brand of one-to-one diplomacy through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand. From horse-riding with Ronald Reagan, to sharing her recipe for scones with Dwight D. Eisenhower, to striking up a kinship with the Bushes and the Obamas, the Queen's interactions with her U.S. counterparts often acted as a restorative tonic for relations between two nations, even when political tensions ran high. Not all royal encounters with U.S. presidents went smoothly, though. Between Jackie Kennedy's complaints about Elizabeth and the Queen Mother's shock at being kissed on the lips by Jimmy Carter, there was never a dull moment.

Throughout the years, Queen Elizabeth II's sense of duty and service remained steadfast, and her iconic legacy is unlikely to be repeated.

Review Quotes

"In one of history's charming ironies, perhaps the only person to ever have met 13 American presidents was not herself an American. David Charter's marvelous new book tells the remarkable story of Queen Elizabeth II's relationships with every US chief executive, spanning more than three quarters of a century. With wit, warmth, and penetrating insight, Charter has produced a history worthy of the Queen herself." --William Inboden, Ph.D., author of The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink

"Elizabeth II said during her conversations with presidents, from Eisenhower to Obama and Trump, this is an enlightening peak behind the curtain. It's astounding to take in the scope of her relationships with America's leaders and entertainers. From Marilyn Monroe to Lady Gaga, she's met everyone. All the while, we see the Queen stay steadfast and true to herself and her belief in the enduring 'special relationship' between the U.S. and the U.K. which has remained strong, even as the world has gone through seismic changes." --Kate Andersen Brower, author of The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House

"An intriguing narrative that's remarkable reading about Queen Elizabeth II, her diplomacy, and her relationships with U.S. presidents over the years." --Library Journal

"In this admiring survey of her relationships with 13 American presidents from Truman to Biden... [Charter's] interviews with eyewitnesses achieve genuine depth of insight into his subjects' character. It adds up to a perceptive, if highly burnished, overview of diplomatic relations between two countries' heads of state." --Publishers Weekly

"[T]his book serves as a handy reference to the mechanics behind maintaining the unique relationship between Britain and the U.S. Charter provides a wealth of stories about Elizabeth II and the 13 presidents she knew--and often charmed." --Kirkus Reviews

"Royal Audience shows the grace and patience of Queen Elizabeth II in that endeavor, but also features the personalities of the 13 men who sat on this side of the pond...David Charter makes this a fun read that's never stiff-upper-lip stuffy. You will, in fact, find yourself delighted at the small breadcrumbs of I-didn't-know-thats scattered throughout this book, which are entertaining, funny, touching, and which serve to keep things moving. Yes, Elizabeth is certainly half of the focus here, but you'll also enjoy choice tales about our own leaders. It's like getting a seat at a diplomat's table, and you don't even have to wear a tuxedo or gown...If you're a fan of the Royal Family or the White House residents, this book does double-duty for you. Find Royal Audience, pick it up, and start it." --Bookworm Sez

"A riveting read and a unique biography of Queen Elizabeth, tracing her maturity as both a person and a persona from the mid-20th century through the first quarter of the 21st century. Each chapter about Elizabeth and these men - Truman to Biden - is a tale unto itself. From African independence to the Falklands War, global politics is mellifluously blended into the personal saga. You don't have to be an Anglophile to love this book." --Carl Sferrazza Anthony, author of Camera Girl: The Coming of Age of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy.

"A clever idea which provides new insights into the American Presidency, British Monarchy and the Special Relationship." --Andrew Lownie, author of Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor

About the Author

David Charter is the U.S. editor of The Times of London. He was previously The Times correspondent in Berlin, its chief political correspondent in the U.K., and Europe Correspondent in Brussels. David moved from Berlin to the United States in 2018 with his family and now lives in Washington, DC.