3. Thoroughly Modern Monarch

The Queen Remembered - A podcast by BBC Radio 4

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In this episode of Radio 4's new podcast on the life of Elizabeth II, James Naughtie looks at how she put her stamp on the monarchy. In the 1950s, Britain - and the Commonwealth - were changing fast and the public expected to see and hear a different style from Buckingham Palace. Yet achieving that while also maintaining the royal traditions that she regarded as a bedrock was a formidable challenge for the young queen. And not all her actions won golden opinions - indeed, some of the sharpest criticism she received came from a surprising quarter. With the help of some of those who observed her at close quarters, we find out how the sovereign responded.