The Queen SECRETS of her REIGN

In her 95th year, despite being in lockdown, Queen Elizabeth II is as present and powerful as ever. Juliet Rieden uncovers the courage, humour and intense loyalty of this inspirational leader for our times.

- Juliet Rieden

It’s 9am at Windsor Castle and outside her day-room window Queen Elizabeth II is serenaded with bagpipes. It may sound like a scene from Camelot, but there actually is a much coveted position of Piper to the Sovereign – currently held by Pipe Major Richard Grisdale from the Royal Regiment of Scotland. And in fact, the tradition is a bit more modern than King Arthur; it was established in 1843 by the Queen’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who loved the romance of the Scottish woodwind instruments.

I am reliably informed that Her Majesty is either finishing breakfast or at her work desk when the pipes blow, and even in COVID-19 lockdown, the soulful strains sing out and continue for an exacting 15 minutes each day. It’s a charming ritual that plays out in Windsor, Buckingham Palace and Balmoral – wherever Her Majesty lays her crown!

Ancient tradition mixed with the glittering grandeur and magic of royalty is what sets the monarchy apart from us, creating a world we love to gaze on. But what has kept the Queen running the show as Britain’s longest reigning monarch has been also ensuring a strong connection with the people.