A New York Times Bestselling Author -- A major, revelatory, compulsively readable biography of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, published to coincide with the Queen's 60th year on the throne -- her Diamond Jubilee -- in 2012. The most prominent monarch of our time, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952 at the age of twenty-five. Now Sally Bedell Smith offers a penetrating view of Elizabeth the leader, strategist, diplomat, daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother; as well as fresh insights into the Queen's professional and family relationships, especially with her husband of nearly 65 years, her four headline-grabbing children, and her grandchildren, William and Harry.