With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, it is a fitting time to reflect on how the Windsors have evolved and thrived, as the modern world has changed around them. Offering an unconventional biography, Clive Irving notes that while the dutiful matriarch has managed to persevere with dignity, she had to make a Faustian pact with the media. Probing the question of the British monarchy's longevity and its uncertain future, Irving also profiles the new generation of Windsors.

"Irving does an excellent job of providing a respectful and unbiased approach … while also illuminating the knotty relationships among the Windsors, the press, and the public."—Booklist