She has reigned for more than a half century: this is the story of Queen Elizabeth II, the dramatic world events she’s witnessed, and the people she’s encountered.

Throughout her 70-year reign—the longest of any British monarch, and the longest of any current monarch in the world—Queen Elizabeth II has become a symbol of stability in a rapidly changing world. Her life has borne witness to the fluctuating fortunes of the Windsors, from the dramatic abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, when she was just 10 years old, to the scandal surrounding Princess Margaret’s doomed love affair and the tumultuous relationship between Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Rod Green explores the personal and political intrigues that have dogged the House of Windsor, including the Queen’s fascinating relationships with prime ministers from Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden to Margaret Thatcher. Set against the colorful backdrop of key events—such as the “Great Smog” that brought London to a halt in 1952; the IRA murder of Lord Mountbatten during the Northern Ireland “Troubles”; the crisis triggered by the death of Princess Diana; the wedding of Prince William and his “commoner” bride, Kate Middleton; the recent marriage of Prince Harry to Hollywood star Meghan Markle; and the changing face of world politics—this is the story not only of the head of a dynasty, but also a history of our times.