Elizabeth the Queen
Sally Bedell Smith
A balanced portrait of Elizabeth II's long reign, duty, and adaptation through a changing Britain.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Beatrix of the Netherlands
Netherlands
1980–2013
Juliana of the Netherlands
Netherlands
1952–1980
Juan Carlos I of Spain
Spain
1975–2014
Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
Sweden
1973–2022
Hirohito
Japan
1952–1989
Akihito
Japan
1989–2019
Pope John Paul II
Papacy
1978–2005
Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden
Sweden
1952–1973
Felipe VI of Spain
Spain
2014–2022
Şehzade Ali Vâsib
Ottoman Empire
1977–1983
Pope Paul VI
Papacy
1963–1978
Pope Francis
Papacy
2013–2022
Pope Benedict XVI
Papacy
2005–2013
Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Netherlands
2013–2022
Pope Pius XII
Papacy
1952–1958
Naruhito
Japan
2019–2022
Pope John XXIII
Papacy
1958–1963
Şehzade Mehmed Abdulaziz
Ottoman Empire
1973–1977
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Elizabeth II's life and times.
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