Books

Eclipse of Kings

In 1900 there were kings on the thrones of most European countries - and a Queen on the throne of England. Today, three-quarters of the way through the twentieth century, there are only seven reigning European monarchs, and knowing observers would not risk guaranteeing the survival of any of their thrones into the twenty-first century.

Judd traces the stories of the European royal families (excluding the British, which he covered in The House of Windsor) through the upheavals of the twentieth century - the two World Wars, the many smaller conflicts, the economic and social convulsions - that contributed to the undermining of the concept of monarchy.

Focusing his attention on the most important personalities and events in European royal history since the beginning of the century, Judd presents an entertaining narrative showing how the ex-royals and the "less royals" have adapted, either to exile or to a monarchy stripped of its splendour. Scandinavian and Dutch royalty have taken to their bicycles; heirs to the throne are educated at State schools; ex-King Michael of Romania is a successful businessman, while other deposed sovereigns have made a smooth transition to the academic life.

The royal characters are portrayed as people, not Roman-numeraled figureheads. They have suffered death through war and revolution, they have been the victims of social change, they have found their economic circumstances straitened. They have, in short, come a little closer to the mundane lot of the common man. Eclipse of Kings tells how it happened, why it happened, and, in minute detail, how the main characters in the shrinking tapestry of European monarchy reacted to the winds of change. It does so with the help of over 300 photographs, many never before published.

Reviews

"Denis Judd’s book is marvelous reading…an entertaining show-and-tell…a wonderful collection of black and white pictures, many never published before, and sparkling word portraits."
- Washington Star

"Denis Judd weaves a story that is great fun."
- News American