Queen's House

London: Michael Joseph. Very Good/Very Good. 1997. First Edition, First Impression. Hard Cover. 8vo 0718140893 Dust jacket complete, unclipped. Green cloth boards with bright gilt titling on spine. Illustrated end papers. Previous owner's name and date on versus of half title. Colour plates. xiv, 434 pages clean and tight. A fresh and lively portrait of the people from monarchs to governesses, from courtiers to children, who have worked and lived in Buckingham Palace. In 1763 Queen Charlotte organised a great fete as a birthday surprise for George III and that was in many ways the opening of the Palace. For every monarch Buckingham Palace has served a different purpose: for George III it was a rural retreat which he filled with books and paintings. George IV filled it with fantastic treasures from Brighton Pavilion and Carlton House. Victoria, encouraged and directed by Albert, made the Palace the home of morality, the seat of Empire and the focus of state ceremonial. For Edward VII it was a place for entertaining glittering society. In the twentieth century Buckingham Palace became the focus of national identity for Britain, particularly in wartime. Now it is the official residence of another Queen and visited by thousands. Edna Healey in her research in the Royal Archives and elsewhere, has uncovered much fresh material, and has brought to life a marvellous procession of people: Dr Johnson booms across the library; Queen Victoria sings for Mendelssohn; Fanny Burney comments on social behaviour. Throughout the book Buckingham Palace mirrors the changing morals and the tastes and fashions of society. The whole book reflects the constant and recurring dilemma of the fierce light that beats upon the Throne. .