Her most favourite country outside her own
As the United Kingdom gears up to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, acclaimed royal biographer Robert Hardman has offered fresh insights, untold moments, and new reflections in a newly released biography of one of the world’s most admired and recognisable figures.
One thought there wouldn’t be anything new to say because there had been so much that had been written about her but on starting researches one finds a lot of new documents and a lot of new people which hadn’t spoken about her before.
For example, speaking to Donald Trump about her, he had just taken delivery of the last portrait, a copy of the last portrait she sat for in her final year. He had a copy of that and was wondering where to put it in his house.
He chose the dining hall and it is the only portrait in the hall.
Hardman’s biography delves into the pivotal moments shaping both the years before and during her reign – exploring her public image, her character, the episodes that lifted her spirits and those that brought her grief.
It examines her encounters and relationships with global leaders and nations, as well as her responses and conduct during some of the monarchy’s most challenging and turbulent periods.
The biography relates stories of Prince Andrew behaving very badly; attacking one of the senior members of the staff. There are stories about Meghan and Harry. Also, loads of stories how in very difficult times, instead of retreating, she was a positive person. She would always get through whatever the crisis was.
Hardman was in Malta – a country he describes as a nation that was very close to her heart – where the Queen also made the last official visit abroad of her life.
She built-up the Commonwealth from eight nations to 56 nations; she was the most travelled monarch in history and the very last place that she visited was Malta.
Hardman notes that interviews and extensive research with those who knew her best reveal a defining trait: Queen Elizabeth II’s unwavering ability to safeguard stability, uphold tradition, and maintain continuity throughout decades of profound political, social, and cultural change.
Her reign spanned the United Kingdom’s post‑war resurgence, the dismantling of the British Empire, the preservation and reshaping of the Commonwealth, the monarchy’s adaptation to the digital age, and ultimately the transition to the reign of King Charles III.
She changed the monarchy from top to bottom. She did it slowly and increments if you look at the monarchy she inherited and the one she handed on.
Princess Elizabeth heir to the British throne first came to Malta shortly after the end of World War II. She was free and encumbered and rode her bicycle all over the place and universally met with love and respect.
She treasured this period because she was free and unescorted, went where she wanted and did what she wanted to do without any interference.
This is when she first fell in love with Malta forever, the warming sunshine, the beautifully blue Mediterranean Sea, her bicycle, hr free wandering and the complete love and respect for the young, monarchical inheritor.
A couple of years later as the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh came to Malta at first they were hosted by Lord Strickland and lodged at San Anton Palace, and later, Villa Guardamangia in Pieta.
The couple returned a number of times between 1949 and 1952, while Prince Philip was in the Royal Navy and stationed in Malta.
It has even been suggested that their eldest child, now King Charles III, was conceived at the villa in Malta!
The Queen later described her stay in Malta as one of the best periods of her life, as it was the only time she was able to live “normally”.
Queen Elizabeth II visited Villa Guardamangia during her state visit to Malta in 1992 and, in 2007 she and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary there.
Hardman’s publication comes at a significant moment for the monarchy, as historians and the public continue to evaluate the legacy of the Elizabethan reign and the future direction of the monarchy.
ALBERT FENECH
