This is what Queen Elizabeth II really thought about princesses taking the throne

Queen Elizabeth II was at the helm of the Monarchy for seven decades and had arguably more impact on it than many if not all of her predecessors. But a new book claims that over one particularly important issue she took a rather hands off stance when many might have expected her to ardently champion it.

It concerns the changes to the laws of succession that came in 2013. The new rules meant that succession was decided on birth order only and not on gender. Little brothers could no longer overtake big sisters. In the book Power and the Palace by Valentine Low, the author says that Elizabeth II was seen by some as ‘lukewarm’ when it came to the debate but that this was in all likelihood down to her being the perfect constitutional monarch.

The Queen saw it as vital that she never interfered in politics. She would advise, counsel and offer words of wisdom but her role was not to choose how her politicians acted. And so, even if she was desperate to see equality reign, all she would do was offer advice and let the elected representatives make the decision.

Valentine Low examines the debate that began when David Cameron proposed changing the laws of succession to stop men outranking women in the line to the throne. He says that when it was proposed, Elizabeth II didn’t show any eagerness about the idea but didn’t oppose it.

Valentine Low indicates that the issue wasn’t that the Queen did support the change, more that it involved getting all 15 realms still with the Monarch as Head of State agreeing to it at the same time. A source is quoted as saying ”I always thought that the signals from Buckingham Palace were that if it was the wish of the duly elected prime minister of the day, and the realms can be sorted out, we will not stand in its way. I didn’t get the sense there was any great enthusiasm from the palace and the Queen herself.”’

There are some more light hearted moments in the book, too. It’s been revealed that a famous TV presenter left Queen Elizabeth II far from amused and annoyed her so much that she used to switch her favourite sport off when he made an appearance.

Despite her deep love of horse racing, the late Queen was so frustrated by John McCririck’s style of presentation that she used to press the off button when he appeared.

For years, John McCririck was a familiar face on Channel 4’s racing coverage and became famous for his eccentric style and cigar smoking ways.

But he was too much for Queen Elizabeth II to take. According to the new book, Power and the Palace by Valentine Low, whenever McCririck turned up, the late Queen turned off. She is quoted as saying ”I can’t watch it. I can’t stand that man”.

It’s just one of many revelations made in the book which looks at the relationship between the Monarch and politicians through centuries. It takes in Queen Victoria’s devotion to Benjamin Disraeli who said ”everyone likes flattery; and when you come to royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.” about his monarch.

And it hints at some of the favourites that Elizabeth II had among her many Prime Ministers. When Harold Wilson left office, the late Queen sent him a photograph of the two of them taken at Balmoral while John Major won such favourite with her that even after he left office, he was invited for tea and chats with Queen Elizabeth II according to Valentine Low.

Power and the Palace by Valentine Low is published on September 11 2025.