Review of “A Voyage Around the Queen” by Craig Brown – The Crown’s Burden

The actor Nigel Hawthorne, best known for playing Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister, once shared an amusing story about being invited to Buckingham Palace for lunch with the Queen and fellow thespians. When the guests sat down, each was presented with an unpeeled peach, accompanied by a delicate knife and fork. The challenge seemed formidable, and the guests were evidently uncertain about how to handle the fruit.

Nigel began peeling and slicing his peach, but as he looked around, he noticed the Queen enjoying hers in a much simpler fashion. She casually held the peach in her fist and munched on it, a drop of juice poised to fall from her chin. Catching Nigel’s eye, she smiled mischievously. This playful demeanor endeared her to many who encountered such lighthearted moments.

The Queen, in her public role, was ubiquitous and yet curiously distant. As the representative of the Crown, she embodied a unique blend of omnipresence and invisibility. When Elizabeth Windsor became Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, the royal crown wasn’t just a physical symbol; it became a perpetual part of her identity. The burdens and privileges that accompanied her title were profound.

According to Craig Brown, Elizabeth Regina was one of the most peculiar figures of the modern era. Brown doesn’t dwell on why she was so significant, nor does he question why so many people were engrossed in her life. Remarkably, her funeral was viewed by about 4 billion people worldwide, illustrating her unprecedented level of fame.

Brown’s book is a comprehensive account of the Queen’s life, filled with exhaustive details garnered from various sources. His research is evident, spanning almost 15 densely packed pages of references. He recognizes the inherent risks in such an undertaking, likening the reading of numerous books about the royal family to consuming too much candy floss: resulting in a pink, queasy feeling of undernourishment.

Despite his long tenure at Private Eye, where he often engaged in satirical commentary, Brown offers a thoughtful portrayal of a very private person who spent most of her life in the public eye. He describes how the Queen learned early on to ignore onlookers, a skill that proved invaluable over the decades.

Brown’s logical progression from writing about Princess Margaret in “Ma’am Darling,” to tackling the Queen herself, is understandable. His new work is replete with fascinating facts, stories, and sometimes bizarre anecdotes that reflect both the grandeur and the oddities of royal life.

For example, during her coronation, British troops in Korea celebrated by firing shells that emitted red, white, and blue smoke. After meeting Marilyn Monroe, the Queen described her as “very sweet” but felt sympathy for the visibly nervous actress who had licked off her lipstick. Additionally, she opted to avoid having her photograph taken near a window where she had previously been spotted, causing a motorist to crash their car in shock.

One particularly strange and now unsettling anecdote involves Rolf Harris, who painted the Queen’s portrait. Once a beloved national figure, Harris was later convicted of serial sexual abuse, casting a shadow over the once-cozy account of their interactions.

Brown also highlights the peculiar ways in which Britons mourned the Queen’s passing in 2022. From a bike rack in Norwich being “closed for the official period of mourning” to a pub in York canceling Happy Hour, these behaviors underscored a deep national obsession.

There’s humor, yes, but it also unveils the almost frightening level of neediness and attachment people had towards this woman. Despite the pressures of her role, the Queen managed to balance her duties with a sense of humor, as Brown’s book illustrates. Behind the façade of majesty, she was sincere and admirable, serving her country with unwavering dedication.

She lived her life, served her people, and embraced her human moments – like daring to eat a peach with carefree enjoyment.

*A Voyage Around the Queen by Craig Brown is published by 4th Estate (£25).