There is a royal way of being-stoic, dry-eyed, and most importantly, private. And by maintaining an air of opacity despite their very public lives, scandals, and mishaps, the royal family has captured the attention and intrigue of the world. Readers buy tabloids promising to expose their secrets, viewers have tuned in to watch their special moments since Elizabeth first took the throne, books telling inside accounts have sold millions of copies. The world eagerly wants to learn as much as they can about what this royal family is like behind closed doors. That's why the streaming hit The Crown, which has earned high praise for its relatively accurate historical account of Queen Elizabeth's life, has been held in such high regard by viewers season after season. The show evolves with the Queen's life, the cast rotating as the real-life royals grow in both age and confidence in their roles. And for all the insight the Netflix series provides, the real-life version of these stories, is just as rich and compelling. This special edition is a chronicle of the highs and lows of Queen Elizabeth's monarchy, with &“on-screen&” photo gallery interstitials showing the same moments in her life from

The official companion to the Emmy-winning Netflix drama chronicling the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and starring Claire Foy and John Lithgow, The Crown by Peter Morgan, featuring additional historical background and beautifully reproduced archival photos and show stills Elizabeth Mountbatten never expected her father to die so suddenly, so young, leaving her with a throne to fill and a global institution to govern. Crowned at twenty-five, she was already a wife and mother as she began her journey towards becoming a queen. As Britain lifted itself out of the shadow of war, the new monarch faced her own challenges. Her mother doubted her marriage; her uncle-in-exile derided her abilities; her husband resented the sacrifice of his career and family name; and her rebellious sister embarked on a love affair that threatened the centuries-old links between the Church and the Crown. This is the story of how Elizabeth II drew on every ounce of resolve to ensure that the Crown always came out on top. Written by the show’s historical consultant, royal biographer Robert Lacey, and filled with beautifully reproduced archival photos and show stills, The Crown: The Official Companion: Volume 1 adds expert and in-depth detail to the events of the series, painting an intimate portrait of life inside Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street. Here is Elizabeth II as we’ve never seen her before.

Before the crown there was a love story...