Westminster Abbey’s College Garden played host to the official launch of Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership on Tuesday 9 June. Written by a team of prominent academics and bestselling authors, including royal experts Robert Jobson, Russell Myers and Katie Nicholl, the landmark publication explores the evolving roles of Crown and Parliament in the leadership of the UK and the Commonwealth.
Published by St James’s House in partnership with the History of Parliament Trust – one of the most authoritative academic research organisations in the UK – the book was unveiled to more than 500 attendees, including leading figures from parliament, industry and the media, as well as a host of special guests.
The event included a panel conversation between book contributors Robert Jobson, Russell Myers and Katie Nicholl, along with speeches and the official presentation of Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership.
Featuring archival images, parliamentary documentation and striking photography, the fully illustrated, 750-page title spans the centuries, from the medieval origins of parliamentary power to the constitutional monarchy of today. Part of a wider media campaign that includes expertly produced documentary, film and digital content, as well as a free e-book edition (visit www.hoptmedia.com for details), the book also features examples of achievement and progress from across a range of social, technological, commercial and cultural spheres.
Dr Jennifer Davey, Director at the History of Parliament Trust, said, “The book not only explores the history and evolution of UK and Commonwealth governance and the shift to a constitutional monarchy, but also profiles a selection of organisations invited to join the project based on their relevance to the themes of leadership, innovation, sustainability and governance.”
Stephen van der Merwe, a Group Director at the SJH Group, said, “Through in-depth interviews with leaders from across the UK and beyond, Monarchy and Democracy provides a compelling, first-hand perspective on how pioneering organisations are shaping the future in a wide range of areas, including governance, education, charitable work, enterprise and industry.”
The afternoon book launch was followed by the London Press Club Summer Garden Party, which was attended by more than 600 guests, including senior editors, journalists and broadcasters from the UK’s leading media organisations. The event featured a tribute to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with speakers including Ailsa Anderson, former Press Secretary to the Queen, and Dickie Arbiter, former Assistant Press Secretary the Queen.
Ray Massey, deputy chair of the London Press Club, said, “Westminster Abbey provided the perfect setting in which to honour Queen Elizabeth II. She provided extraordinary leadership and dedication to duty throughout an era of unprecedented social, political and cultural change.”
Published in both print and e-book formats, Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership will be made available to key political, institutional and educational audiences in the UK, Europe and the Commonwealth.
To discover more about the Monarchy and Democracy campaign, go to www.hoptmedia.com.
To view and download the free e-book edition of Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership, go to www.hottmedia.com/e-book/.
St James’s House (www.stjamess.org) is part of the SJH Group (www.sjhgroup.com) and has been an official publisher for the History of Parliament Trust (www.historyofparliamentonline.org) since 2015.
