Theirs is the Kingdom: The wealth of the British Royal Family

Theirs is the Kingdom: The wealth of the British Royal Family
Andrew Morton
Published by Summit Books, New York, 1989
ISBN 0671690027
176 pages, illustrated

Not my usual type of reading, but this book caught my eye and I read in one rainy day! I actually thought they owned more than they do in England/Scotland/Wales and Northern Ireland plus other places. This book was published before the public unraveling of the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, Princess of Wales which was to take up much of the press time during the 1990s. They still appear to be a happy family in the book and Diana is talked about as the future Queen. It has that sad tone about it because of what is to come. There is a discussion on Diana's finances and the rather clever way she too was building wealth in her own right and it is this wealth which now belongs to her sons permitting them to take part in the charitable functions that their mother skilfully built up through her time as Princess of Wales.

The book is written in five chapters and basically begins with Queen Victoria who ascends the throne of England but her family line is heavily in debt. Victoria being a frugal person immediately takes her finances in hand and along with her future Prince Consort turns the Royal Families fortunes around and today their wealth is a product of her initial planning. As it turns out other than the two spendthrifts Edward VII and Edward VIII the Royal House has been blessed with heads that are careful with their money and do not waste it frivolously.

The book is well illustrated with charming photographs from the time of Victoria onwards. The establishment of the House of Windsor much discussed and in such detail that you are able to understand the lines that still exist in England to this day and how they came to be through the descents in the House of Windsor coming down from Queen Victoria's very large family.

I highly recommend the book for those interested in a glimpse into the wealth of the Royal Family and into a better understanding of the Royal Family and how it is setting itself into the future with the marriages that are being made.