A biography of the British royal family, based on research for a TV documentary of the same name. It tells the story of the House of Windsor from its foundations in 1917 to the turn of the new century. Drawing on private and personal reminiscences from George V to Prince Charles, the book shows how the monarchy has recreated itself down the ages. It looks at the power the family had to survive crises like World War I, the abdication of Edward VIII, royal divorces and the death of Princess Diana. There is also an examination of the role of the media, and their part in creating regal matriachs like Queen Mary and the Queen Mother to the creation of Princess Diana as a popular icon.