Hugo Vickers, a veteran royal historian, has begun work on a biography of the late Queen Elizabeth II intended for publication in 2026, the centenary of her birth, a retired courtier told reporters, a move that is likely to remove him from consideration to be the monarch’s official biographer.
The role of official biographer carries unparalleled access to the late Queen’s private papers and the prospect of substantial financial reward and international acclaim. The King and his advisers are understood to be assessing a short list of potential authors for that role, weighing each candidate’s scholarship, judgement and discretion.
Vickers, 73, who has written widely on royal subjects since his first book in 1977, was described by the courtier as having “encyclopaedic knowledge” of the monarchy and an intimate understanding of court protocol. His published work includes biographies such as The Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as well as commentary on contemporary portrayals of the royal family, including The Crown: Truth & Fiction. He served as a historical adviser to the film The King’s Speech.
Displaying what the source called a desire to “crack on immediately,” Vickers has reportedly decided to publish an independent biography timed for the Queen’s centenary. He declined to comment when approached, according to the courtier.
The decision to pursue an independent project is likely to complicate Vickers’s prospects for the official appointment. The courtier noted that a similar pattern occurred when Vickers was not chosen as the official biographer of the Queen Mother: that commission went to William Shawcross, who received a reported advance of £1 million and was later awarded the Royal Victorian Order and, in 2023, a knighthood.
Vickers’s Elizabeth, The Queen Mother appeared in 2005, four years before Shawcross’s authorised biography, illustrating his willingness in the past to publish on royal subjects ahead of official projects. Observers say discretion and an ability to work closely with the family are key criteria for selection as an official biographer; the palace does not comment on ongoing internal discussions.
The selection process for an official biographer has not been publicly outlined by Buckingham Palace. Kings and queens have in recent decades endorsed authorised lives that can include privileged access to papers and family archives; those works often bring both significant advances and ceremonial recognition.
As contenders remain under consideration, Vickers’s announcement adds a new dynamic to the race. Supporters point to his long-standing scholarship and experience as assets for any major royal biography, while the courtier suggested that independently published work may present a conflict for those seeking an authorised commission. The King’s household has not issued a statement on the matter.