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Royal journalist Ingrid Seward explains how the speeches of Queen Elizabeth II shed light on the thoughts and personality of the longest reigning monarch in British history.

While some critics have dismissed the Queen’s speeches as bland fare, Seward argues that speeches such as the traditional Christmas address to the nation have been subtly revealing of her character and response to adversity. Seward looks at the first broadcast of the teenage Princess Elizabeth to a war-torn nation in 1940, through to the annus horribilis and on to the speeches of today. Seward explains how the Queen has addressed issues such as the role of women in society, the challenges faced by early immigrants, the space age and the Internet era. She picks out the most important moments in Elizabeth’s life and shows how she responded to them.

Seward is editor-in-chief of Majesty, a monthly magazine that covers the activities of royal families from around the world. She is author of more than a dozen books on the British royal family, including Diana; William & Harry; The Queen and Di; The Last Great Edwardian Lady; and A Century of Royal Children. Seward is internationally acknowledged as an expert on royalty and regularly appears on radio and television to provide insight into the life of the royals.

This event is part of the festival’s women in society programme sponsored by HSBC.