This is the story of two unusual people – both intelligent, both determined, but otherwise with very different natures – both royal from birth, but with wildly different upbringings – who have led quite extraordinary lives. It is the story of those lives, of their relationship, of their attitude to one another, to their children, to the curious lot fate has thrown their way. It is part history – part psychology – part drama and romance. Gyles Brandreth spent many hours with Prince Philip – breakfast, lunch, dinner, trains, planes, cars – and talked to him, at length, on the record and off, in his study at Buckingham Palace. For his eightieth birthday celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall, he worked with him on his ‘official biography’, published privately, so that he knows precisely how he sees his story. He has talked with Philip about his role, his childhood, his parents, his sisters, his relationship with the Queen and his children and his children-in-law. He has also recently spent a lot of time with the Queen and Prince Philip together, and writes about them and the way they are together with unique familiarity.