The Platinum Jubilee year of Elizabeth II has already led to millions of words being written about royalty but some of the most eagerly awaited are still to be published.
It’s long been known that both the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Kent would publish memoirs in 2022. Now we know when the regal revelations will be made.
First to hit the bookshops will be the memoirs of The Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Kent. Prince Edward’s book, written with Hugo Vickers, will come out on May 12th 2022, just ahead of the long weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
‘A Royal Life’, published by Hodder and Stoughton, will tell the Duke’s story through long conversations he had with Hugo Vickers. It will touch on the loss of his father in 1942, a devastating blow which also turned him into a duke at the age of 6. The influence of his mother, Princess Marina, is also covered while Prince Edward will also discuss his royal role and duties.
Early indications are that it is filled with respect for The Queen and the Royal Family he has represented for the past eight decades. The Duke of Kent is said to emphasise the importance he places on duty. There are unlikely to be uncomfortable conversations when he joins The Queen and the Royal Family during the Jubilee festivities.
Less certain is whether the other royal author of 2022, the Duke of Sussex, will also be present at the celebrations marking 70 years of The Queen’s reign. Prince Harry hasn’t confirmed whether he’ll be at the Jubilee but we do now know when his memoirs will come out.
The Duke of Sussex’s book is set to appear in bookshops in October 2022. Advance publicity for the memoirs describe them as ”a first hand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful”.
Harry’s book, to be published by Random House, will appear several months after the Jubilee celebrations although events marking that special anniversary are likely to continue into the autumn if the pattern of past festivities in The Queen’s long reign are followed for this historic event.
The two books will both put the spotlight on life within the Royal Family. How the revelations of these royal dukes are received remains to be seen.
