Sovereign Ladies: Sex, Sacrifice, and Power–The Six Reigning Queens of England

by: Maureen Waller

Published by: St. Martin's

Reviewed by Sara Porter

England’s queens have been extensively written about, but none explores their leadership capabilities as Sovereign Ladies.

Waller explores the complex rulerships and personalities of six English queens, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Mary II, Anne, Victoria, and Elizabeth II, and allows us to see the real women underneath.

Readers of English history are familiar with the sibling rivalry of Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. Mary I’s devotion to her Catholic upbringing and Elizabeth’s charisma in dealing with her subjects, particularly her lovers, show their strengths. The two sisters’ dealings with their enemies, within and outside their kingdoms, and with each other, show them to be strong, formidable women indeed.

Rivalry of another pair of sisters, Mary II and Anne, becomes very interesting. Though Anne is fascinating as family turmoil threatens to tear apart her kingdom, it is Mary II’s relationship with her husband, William III, that is dissected. Though they had a duel monarchy, the two seemed at odds by her more outgoing personality vs. his cold demeanor. Despite disagreements, they had a surprisingly loving relationship (I wasn’t aware of that until after Mary II died, and William III was overcome with grief). They come across as an argumentative, but also a loving couple.

The final two queens, Victoria and Elizabeth II are presented with mixed results. Victoria’s chapters give a human personality to the woman known for her uptight morals. Much of Waller’s writing shows her as a woman capable of leading many men. However, she is also given to violent bouts of temper, especially after Prince Albert’s death, and puts high expectations on especially her children–leading to some estrangement later.

The final chapters on Elizabeth II are well-written but slightly disjointed as Elizabeth is reduced to a woman who wants to please her late father’s spirit and has almost no contact with her children. She only comes to her own in her sniping relationship with Margaret Thatcher and her public addresses after Princess Diana’s death.

Waller even gives us some political commentary as she questions if the public knows as much about the Royal Family’s personal lives, as they do now, does the country even need a monarchy?

Armchair Interviews says: Super read, especially if you are a “royal” junkie.