More On the Royals

"Elizabeth The Queen, The Life of a Modern Monarch" by Sally Bedell Smith   Random House   663 pages (including index)   $30

I'm avid fan of the British royalty and have been for years - Prince Philip's gaffes, ex-wife antics, "Randy" Andy - they never fail to delight.   Their didoes and those of those of those cut-ups, the Kennedys, have sustained me over many a long winter's eve.

This newest tome is timed to coincide with her Diamond Anniversary or 60 years as Queen.  She and Prince Philip have now been married for 64 years.  Smith asserts that reports of his philandering are not true.

It was an interesting look at a woman who "rules" Great Britain, but who actually has no real say in what goes on there.  She's expected to lead by suggestion, not fiat.  ''There can be no question as to her dedication.  She took the job for life and she has no intention of breaking her word.  Philip is now 90 and she is 86 and still going strong.  Conventional thinking is that, of course, she will die eventually and Charles, who is already in his early 60s will have a relatively short reign, ceding to Prince William, who is already 30+.

Hurrah!  The show is nowhere near The End!