We are Amused: Over 500 Years of Bon Mots by and About the Royal Family

by Alan Hamilton (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2003

  $24.22

  Queen Victoria was not amused. The Duke of Edinburgh is constantly amused - although those on the receiving end of his trademark asides don't always find them quite so funny. Simply because of who they are, members of the Royal Family have always been highly quotable, from Queen Elizabeth I declaring that she had the heart of a king to the Prince of Wales confessing that he talks to his plants. This unique collection of royal wit and wisdom brings together many hundreds of gems, both sacred and profane, which have fallen from the lips and the pens of royalty, from Henry VIII to Prince William. The Queen's thoughts on her own role, Victoria's view of Gladstone, Disraeli's view of Victoria, George V on the first Labour government, George VI on his exiled brother the Duke of Windsor, the Prince of Wales on the architecture he hates, the Duke of Edinburgh on spear-throwing Aboriginals, fuse boxes and photographers, the Princess Royal on why she hates the press, Prince Harry on his late mother - those and many others throw light on the character and opinions of a family which usually prefers to keep its thoughts to itself. Some are rude ripostes, others - especially from Prince Philip - are surprisingly philosophical, prescient and often ahead of their time. There is no better insight into royalty than to listen to what they say themselves.