Ahead of the 100th anniversary of the late Queen’s birth, her official biographer has been announced – historian, Dr Anna Keay.
As the official biographer, Dr Keay’s appointment will allow her to talk with members of the Royal Family, along with friends of Elizabeth and her household staff, as part of the research for the book.
Dr Anna Keay will write the officia biography for Elizabeth II (author’s website)
Dr Keay’s role will also allow her access to the personal and official papers belonging to Elizabeth II, which are currently held in the Royal Archives held in the Round Tower of Windsor Castle.
It has been previously been reported that Charles III wanted a female author for the biography of his mother.
Official biographies have become more common for Monarchs in the 20th century, beginning with George V. These books have recounted royal lives in detail, adding new facts and insights into their thoughts and actions through such close access to the people who knew them best.
For example, the Queen Mother’s biography, written by William Shawcross, revealed that she believed Edward VIII was ‘bemused with love’ at the time of his abdication in 1936. It also revealed that she had suffered from bowel cancer in her 60s – something not shared with the public – but that it had successfully been treated.
Elizabeth II kept a handwritten diary, and wrote daily for a short 15 minute period each evening. Unlike her mother, however, it is understood she did not have any recorded interviews to support this process.
Anna Keay is an Oxford graduate in modern history, with her thesis exploring the Ceremonies of Charles II’s Court, and she is no stranger to the royal world, having penned a number of books on both the 17th century, the Crown Jewels and historic architecture.
Her titles include: The Restless Republic: Britain Without a Crown, which examines the 11 years that Britain was a republic after Charles I was tried and executed, The Crown Jewels: The Official Illustrated History and Landmark: A History of Britain in 50 Buildings. Her book on the Interregnum won the Duff Cooper Prize for non-fiction, and was shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize.
She was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to heritage.
Speaking about her new role, the historian and author said: ‘It is a profound honour to have been asked to write the official biography of Queen Elizabeth II. She was our longest-reigning monarch and an extraordinary woman, whose life spanned a century of great change’.
She continued: ‘I am deeply grateful to His Majesty The King for entrusting me with this responsibility and for granting me access to her papers, and will do all I can to do justice to her life and work.’
Dr Keay previously served as curator of Historic Royal Palaces and is currently director of the Landmark Trust.
She is currently also a trustee of the Royal Collection Trust, which The King supports as patron, and she is a member of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which is in charge of the national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II, to be created in St James’s Park.
There is no formal timeline for the release of the book, however 2027 would mark five years since the death of Elizabeth II.