Andrew Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story - In Her Own Words (which you might have heard of from a little show called The Crown), is preparing for the release of his new book, The Queen: Her Life on Nov. 15.
To mark this new release, Morton speaks to Marie Claire about the kind of monarchy Queen Elizabeth II left behind after she sadly passed away on Sept. 8.
In the book, Morton emphasizes that the young Princess Elizabeth wished she could escape her regal destiny, which followed the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor) in favor of her father, King George VI.
"Every night when she went to bed, she prayed that her parents would produce a brother, so that he would take on the role of King," the biographer tells Marie Claire.
"Her ambition was to live in the countryside with dogs, horses and children."
Asked whether King Charles and Prince William can also be seen as reluctant royals, Morton says, "I think Charles has waited long enough, I think he has some ideas for the monarchy that he wants to put into effect, so I wouldn't say that he's reluctant at all."
On the other hand, the author wonders whether Prince William might want to abdicate in favor of his eldest son, so that Prince George doesn't have to wait as long as Charles did to become King.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
"I think William has always seen it as a job as opposed to a calling, and I'd be interested—if we all live that long—that when George becomes King, whether William will abdicate, and give his son his middle years, as it were, to reign," Morton hypothesizes.
While abdication remains a famously "dirty word" in Britain in the aftermath of the Duke of Windsor's abdication, monarchs in other European nations have been known to cede the place to their younger offspring, which often serves to revive interest in the monarchy.
"Spanish, Dutch, even the Pope all abdicated," Morton says.
"Unfortunately, in Britain, abdication is a dirty word after Edward VIII, but given the fact that for the foreseeable future, it's going to be a male monarchy, it's going to be Kings and they're not going to become Kings until they're pensioners, it doesn't quite have the glamour of youth.
"I think that when Juan Carlos left under a cloud, nonetheless King Felipe and Queen Letizia have a youth and a glamour that always makes monarchy appealing. I mean, you know, people like to look at frocks."
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Marie Claire's Power Play
By Marie Claire Editors Published
-
When Are the Next Episodes of 'Physical: 100' Season 2 Releasing?
The finale (and a new winner) is near.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Beyoncé Spends 'Cowboy Carter' Eve Without a Cowboy Hat
She cozied up with a luxurious faux fur coat instead.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Prince William and Prince Harry Have Had Serious Issues in Their Relationship As Far Back as 2002, Royal Biographer Says
So no, for the (hopefully) last time, it wasn’t Meghan Markle’s fault.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Feels “Helpless and Scared” One Month After Princess Kate’s Cancer Diagnosis
In her video message announcing her diagnosis, Kate praised William for being “a great source of comfort and reassurance.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Stephen Colbert Finally Addresses His Crass Joke About Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Rose Hanbury—But Stops Short of Apologizing
He joins a chorus of celebrities eating their words after Kate’s announcement Friday that she has been diagnosed with cancer.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William—Whose Wife and Father Are Simultaneously Battling Cancer—Finds an “Unlikely” Ally Amid the Tumult
The Prince of Wales and Queen Camilla once had “a strained relationship,” but are bonded now both publicly and privately as their spouses face cancer head on.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Suddenly Dropped Out His Godfather’s Memorial Service Amid Kate's Diagnosis
He was set to do a reading at the ceremony honoring his godfather, King Constantine of Greece.
By Fleurine Tideman Published
-
Prince William Is Reportedly Furious Over Attacks Leveled Against His Wife, Princess Kate
“‘When will it all stop?’ he is said to have asked.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Why Doesn’t Prince William Wear a Wedding Ring, But Prince Harry Does?
As the world hunts for clues that the Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage is in trouble, fixation has turned to William’s bare left hand—but there’s a reason.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
After Five Years of Speculation, Rose Hanbury Finally Breaks Her Silence on Those Prince William Affair Rumors
Stephen Colbert brought the tired narrative into the fore again last week after his ‘Late Show’ opening monologue name-dropped Hanbury as a reason for why Kate may have stepped back from public life temporarily.
By Rachel Burchfield Published