Royal Audience

70 Years, 13 Presidents—One Queen's Special Relationship with America

By: David Charter

Narrated by: Mark Meadows

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2024 David Charter (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“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

One of the many lovely sides of Queen Elizabeth

I love stories about Queen Elizabeth and this book highlights her relationships with 13 American presidents. It’s full of great stories and lots of humor. The narrator was good but I think he should have skipped trying to imitate whatever person he was quoting.

Disappointed

This book reads more like gossip than history and I did not learn much since it was old news covered in books and documentaries I have read and seen before. I also did not like the reader attempting to speak in the voice of the Queen, royal family members and Presidents. It would have been easier to listen to if he used his own voice throughout the text. It is not necessary to do voices in nonfiction, especially when the subjects are so well known.