Her Majesty's Leaders

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Paddy O'Connell recounts Her Majesty's reign through her dealings with political leaders.

Her Majesty's Leaders: Her Majesty and her Leaders

Her Majesty and her Leaders

BBC Radio 2 - Her Majesty's Leaders, Her Majesty and her Leaders

Paddy O’Connell looks back at Her Majesty’s life, telling the story of her reign through the relationships she formed with political leaders in the UK and around the world. From the moment the Princess Elizabeth learned of her father’s death in 1952 and her imminent succession to the throne, she had no choice but to immerse herself in a world of politics and politicians. For decades, she offered a unique advisory position for political leaders, who were there every step of the way. 

From Winston Churchill to the 21st century, via Harold Wilson and Margaret Thatcher, the Queen hosted a weekly audience for the Prime Minister – an opportunity for them to seek her counsel and a listening ear.

These relationships went further than the UK’s shores. Her Majesty also formed close bonds with political leaders across the Commonwealth and decades’ worth of US presidents.

Paddy takes a dive into the BBC archive to try to understand these relationships, and how the stories of her political leaders can tell us the stories of her reign.

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Her Majesty's Leaders

Her Majesty and her Leaders

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