Becoming Queen

Our perception of Victoria the Queen is coloured by portraits of her older, widowed self - her dour expression embodying the repressive morality propagated in her time. ButBecoming Queenreveals an energetic and vibrant woman, determined to battle for power. It also documents the Byzantine machinations behind Victoria's quest to occupy the throne, and shows how her struggles did not end when finally the crown was placed on her head.

Laying bare the passions that swirled around the throne in the eighteenth century,Becoming Queenis an absorbingly dramatic tale of secrets, sexual repression and endless conflict. After her lauded biography of Emma Hamilton,England's Mistress, Kate Williams has produced a most original and intimate portrait of Great Britain's longest reigning monarch.

Kate Williamshas a BA from Oxford, an MA from University of London and a DPhil from Oxford. Her first book,England's Mistress, a biography of Emma Hamilton, was published to wide acclaim, and shortlisted for the Marsh Biography Award. She is also a lecturer and TV consultant, appearing on BBC and Channel 4 programmes to discuss her work, and lecturing to historical societies and groups. She lives in London. Her website is www.kate-williams.com

The astonishing story of Queen Victoria's passionate youth, her bitter struggle with her mother - and how her life was shaped by the life of her forgotten cousin, Princess Charlotte, the Queen who never was.