Majesty is a new anthology of quotes from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It also includes artworks based on the life of Christ, words of wisdom from the Gospels, and comments from the former Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries.
During the Christmas broadcast of 2002 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II said: “I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God. I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel.”
This inspiring and collectible volume marks the first anniversary of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Majesty is a beautifully presented anthology of Christian artworks and wisdom, interlaced with quotes from the Queen’s Christmas broadcasts. Images and text are brought together by the expert commentary of former Bishop of Oxford and House of Lords life peer Richard Harries.
Written with a deep sense of respect and gratitude to Her Majesty, this book celebrates the Queen’s spiritual legacy, spanning over eight decades. In a life given over to service, her steadfast faithfulness was rooted in her Christian faith, the beating heart of her spiritual life and reign as monarch.
From Caravaggio to Van Gogh, Raphael to Rembrandt, Majesty features high-quality images of 50 iconic paintings, from both the Royal Collection and museums around the globe, including The Met and MOMA in New York, the National Gallery and V&A in London, Vatican Museums in Rome, the Hermitage in St Petersburg, and many more.
The artworks illustrate key scenes from the life of Christ, accompanied by the words and teachings of Jesus that are found in the Gospels. With these, Richard Harries juxtaposes words from Her Majesty’s Christmas broadcasts, relating her faith to the life of Christ and his wisdom, while simultaneously reflecting on how the artists have depicted the scenes.
The perfect gift for admirers of the Queen throughout the world, and especially those who share her faith and admiration for the life of Jesus, Majesty brings together the inspiring words of Queen Elizabeth II with the beauty of Christian art and teachings from the Gospels.
Majesty, Reflections on the Life of Christ with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is written and curated by Richard Harries and published by SPCK Publishing. The hardback edition will be released on 8th September 2023, retail price £19.99.
Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of SPCK Publishing