Royalty. The Country Life Book of the Royal Silver Jubilee by Patrick Montague-Smith..

London: Hamlyn, 1976. [Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, the Queen Mother, the Royal Children, The Royal Family Tree, etc., profusely illustrated in color and black-and-white.] 175pp. Fine hardcover with VG+ dust jacket. Summary:

The Country Life Book of the Royal Silver Jubilee by Patrick Montague-Smith is a commemorative book published in anticipation of Queen Elizabeth II’s 25th year on the throne. Written by the renowned royal genealogist and former editor of Debrett’s Peerage, it serves as both a historical record and a tribute to the British monarchy.

Historical Context and Accession

Montague-Smith opens the book by meticulously documenting the key events leading up to Elizabeth’s sudden accession to the throne on February 6, 1952. He contextualizes the historic weight of the celebration, noting that only four other British monarchs since 1714 had achieved a 25-year milestone.

Analysis of the Reign

The core text offers a comprehensive retrospective of the first 25 years of the Queen's reign. Montague-Smith analyzes her performance as Head of State and the shifting socio-political landscape of the post-war United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

Royal Profiles and Family History

The author provides intimate biographical profiles of the extended royal family, including Prince Philip, the royal children, and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. A standout feature of the book is a custom, detailed pictorial family tree devised to trace the ancestral lineage of the royal couple back to Queen Victoria.

Visual Documentation

The 176-page volume features a foreword by the Duke of Norfolk and is heavily illustrated with over 200 meticulously curated archival photographs, including 40 full-color plates. These images take readers on a visual journey through the Queen’s childhood, coronation, and public duties, while also looking back at historic British royal jubilees of the past.