Queen Elizabeth II’s Private Reactions and Royal Insights Revealed in New Biography
Queen Elizabeth II, known for her deep love of horse racing, had a surprising intolerance for one of the sport’s most well-known presenters. According to Power and the Palace, a new book by Valentine Low, the late Queen was so annoyed by John McCririck’s distinctive presenting style that she would switch off her favorite racing broadcasts whenever he appeared on screen.
John McCririck, a familiar face on Channel 4’s racing coverage for many years, was famous for his eccentric personality and trademark cigar-smoking. However, his flamboyant style clearly grated on the Queen’s nerves. The book quotes her as saying, “I can’t watch it. I can’t stand that man,” revealing an unusual glimpse into the monarch’s private viewing habits and candid thoughts.
This anecdote is just one of many revealing details uncovered in Valentine Low’s comprehensive exploration of the relationship between the British monarchy and politicians over the centuries. The book covers a wide range of historical and contemporary stories, including Queen Victoria’s fondness for Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who famously said, “everyone likes flattery; and when you come to royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.”
The book also highlights some of Queen Elizabeth II’s personal favorites among her many Prime Ministers. For example, when Harold Wilson stepped down, the Queen sent him a personal photograph of the two of them taken at Balmoral. John Major also earned a special place in her regard; even after leaving office, he was regularly invited for tea and informal chats with the monarch, illustrating the enduring bonds she formed beyond politics.
Power and the Palace further delves into the sometimes delicate and confidential conversations between the Royal Family and government leaders. A significant focus is given to the debate over the laws of succession, which was proposed during David Cameron’s tenure as Prime Minister. The proposed change aimed to end the system where younger male heirs could displace elder female siblings in the line to the throne.
Valentine Low reveals that Queen Elizabeth II did not actively oppose this change but showed no great enthusiasm for it either. The real challenge lay in securing unanimous agreement from all 15 Commonwealth realms that recognize the monarch as Head of State. According to a source cited in the book, “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.”
This process caused some tension, as aides to then-Prince Charles (now King Charles III) had to press for updates on the discussions. Eventually, all realms agreed, and the succession laws officially changed in 2013. The new rules became significant with the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015, who remains the most senior royal to benefit from the law change, as her younger brother Prince Louis did not overtake her in the line of succession when he was born in 2018.
The book also shares a previously untold story about Queen Camilla. When she was a teenager, around 16 or 17 years old, she bravely fought off an attacker on a train by striking him with a high-heeled shoe — a remarkable and courageous act that had never been publicly revealed before.
Power and the Palace by Valentine Low is set to be published on September 11, 2025. It promises to offer a fascinating and intimate look at the monarchy’s role, its historical relationships, and the personal lives of some of its most prominent figures.