Churchill's Queen

A ground-breaking and revelatory account of the remarkable friendship between Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill.

In February 1952, when the young Elizabeth returned to London after her sudden accession to the throne, Churchill was first to greet her as she stepped off the aircraft. The image was a striking one – an elderly statesman in the twilight of his career paying homage to a young sovereign just embarking on what would become the longest reign in the history of the British monarchy. He already had a lifetime of experience to share, while she had a lifetime of service still to come.

Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II rank alongside the most iconic historical figures of all time. They defined the ages in which they lived, and exerted enormous influence on the lives of millions around the globe. But even more extraordinary than their individual achievements is the unique friendship that developed between them, with Churchill helping the fledgling queen to shape the start of her reign, and Elizabeth in turn helping him to retire with dignity and grace, cementing his legacy at the end of his career.

Using previously unpublished material from government files and private archives, Churchill’s Queen sheds new light on this historic partnership, revealing how it grew despite challenges and setbacks – and ultimately shaped the monarchy and the nation.

Dr Nigel Fletcher is a political historian, academic and broadcaster with expertise in contemporary British politics and the UK constitution, including the role and history of the monarchy. He is a Visiting Fellow at King’s College London and is the co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies.


He appears frequently as a commentator on UK politics and constitutional issues across a variety of broadcasters, including BBC News, Times Radio and CBS (America), for whom he has been an expert commentator on a number of major Royal events including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. In 2022 he was appointed a member of the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives, the statutory body which advises HM Government on matters relating to historic public records.