Every year over 5000 royal engagements take place around the world, from the Queen's famous summer garden parties to the mysterious world of the Privy Council and high-profile overseas tours. But little is widely known about the inner workings of the institution that lies at the very heart of the British nation. For the first time ever,The Monarchytakes the reader behind the scenes, meeting the people that keep the royal machine running like clockwork.

With unprecedented access to the key players and organizations involved,The Monarchyfollows the working life of the Queen over the course of a whole year, both home and abroad. Ever wondered who opens the Queen's mail, who pays the bills, or even how the royals follow the score in the Ashes? Alongside such trivial matters sit weightier concerns, such as audiences with the Prime Minister, the formal honouring of bravery and excellence, and the sensitive issue of the royal response at times of controversy or crisis.

Accompanying a major BBC1 television series,The Monarchyprovides a fascinating insight into the public and private lives of this most familiar of families. Written by the Daily Mail's, Robert Hardman, and lavishly illustrated with exclusive colour photographs, this book will appeal both to avid royal-watchers and anyone fascinated in the history and heritage of the United Kingdom.

Robert Hardman is one of the foremost observers of the modern British royal scene, and the bestselling author ofOur Queen. He has covered all aspects of the Monarchy for British newspapers, television and radio over more than 25 years and has interviewed many members of the Royal Family for his books and for a series of internationally-acclaimed films. These include Our Queen at Ninety (ITV 2016), Our Queen (ITV 2013), Charles at 60 (BBC One 2008), Monarchy: The Royal Family At Work (BBC One 2007) and The Queens Castle (BBC One 2005).

As a newspaper journalist and columnist, Robert has also covered more than 60 royal tours worldwide. In addition to the British Royal Family, his royal interviewees have included the Emperor and Empress of Japan, the King and Queen of Norway and the Queen of Denmark. He now writes the acclaimed How I See It column for theDaily Mail. Married with three children, he lives in London.