In this wonderful and honest book, former press secretary to the royal family Dickie Arbiter reveals the inner-workings of everyday life inside Buckingham Palace and what it’s really like to be On Duty with the Queen. With four decades of experience covering royalty as a journalist and as one of Her Majesty’s press secretaries, Dickie Arbiter has had unprecedented access to the inner circle of some of the most intriguing news stories over the years and is the only royal commentator to have witnessed the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and covered her Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees. Appointed a press spokesman for Queen Elizabeth II in 1988, Dickie was immediately thrown into the media circus surrounding the world’s most famous and divisive family. From sailing in the Royal Yacht Britannia, escorting Prince Charles on far-flung trips across the globe, and joining Her Majesty for washing-up duties following a picnic in Balmoral Castle, to becoming one of Princess Diana’s most trusted confidants before briefing the world’s media of her untimely death, Dickie was at the forefront of the decision-making at the Palace during the most turbulent decade in the monarchy’s reign. Open, entertaining, enlightening and surprising, On Duty with the Queen is a wonderful account of a once-in-a-lifetime job and a truly unique service to the crown.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By mrsa
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
As an amateur royal historian, I was looking forward to Dickie Arbiter's book since I first heard it was announced, and purchased it on the day it was released. However, it was not worth the wait. At best, this book was a self-indulgent collection of well-told stories Arbiter must regale at cocktail parties; hardly an inside look at working with the queen. The epitome of his grandiose view of himself: after retirement, he's asked to come back to the palace for two weeks. Arbiter titles Chapter 20, "Come back, Dickie-- we need you!"
In the spirit of retaining good relations with the palace, Arbiter gives no real insight into his main principles: he doesn't even call them Diana or Charles; but rather, the Prince and Princess. All of the most interesting pieces from the book have already been serialized in the Daily Mail (the best bit of gossip was that Diana once almost outed George Michael to Prince Harry). One gets the feeling Arbiter wants to give readers a glimpse of his job, but not to disrupt the magic of royalty.
I would have loved to have read more about the nuts and bolts of the royal tours he orchestrated. Or perhaps, more about the journalists he worked with (instead, we get a very one-dimensional view of journalists as déclassé muckrakers). He says this book was "originally envisaged as a professional overview of an intense and turbulent time in the Royal Family's modern history, [but] it soon developed into a memoir with a more personal flavour," I neglected to really see the personal insight. He clearly has an amazing personal story, but glosses over his early years in favor of his time at the palace.
One thing is clear: Arbiter loves his daughter and had a fabulous time as an employee of the Palace. (And clearly, he still romanticizes his time there, reminiscing for the "colleagues with whom to chew the fat as we drank our tea and coffee from bone china cups delivered to us by footman.")
In the spirit of retaining good relations with the palace, Arbiter gives no real insight into his main principles: he doesn't even call them Diana or Charles; but rather, the Prince and Princess. All of the most interesting pieces from the book have already been serialized in the Daily Mail (the best bit of gossip was that Diana once almost outed George Michael to Prince Harry). One gets the feeling Arbiter wants to give readers a glimpse of his job, but not to disrupt the magic of royalty.
I would have loved to have read more about the nuts and bolts of the royal tours he orchestrated. Or perhaps, more about the journalists he worked with (instead, we get a very one-dimensional view of journalists as déclassé muckrakers). He says this book was "originally envisaged as a professional overview of an intense and turbulent time in the Royal Family's modern history, [but] it soon developed into a memoir with a more personal flavour," I neglected to really see the personal insight. He clearly has an amazing personal story, but glosses over his early years in favor of his time at the palace.
One thing is clear: Arbiter loves his daughter and had a fabulous time as an employee of the Palace. (And clearly, he still romanticizes his time there, reminiscing for the "colleagues with whom to chew the fat as we drank our tea and coffee from bone china cups delivered to us by footman.")
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What a disappointment this book is; and what a rip-off. Here's the problem: Arbiter wants to have it both ways -- Remain on good terms with the royal family, his current journalistic "beat", while simultaneously cashing in on his past stint as press officer to Charles, Diana, etc. The result is a collection of "nice", boring stories about the Windsors. About the worst thing he writes is that Diana would sometimes freeze him out temporarily if he gave her advice that she didn't want to hear. To add insult to injury, he devotes roughly half the book to his early "pre-Windsor" life, which is no more interesting than my own early years. Mr. Arbiter, nobody cares about your growing-up years in Rhodesia, or your parents' marital problems. As a reporter, you know very well that this stuff is simply "filler". Don't buy this book. Wait for it to show up in one of the those "dollar bins" at your supermarket or bookstore.-- a buck is about all it's worth.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
'Explosive!'
'Betrayal!'
'Shocking!'
'Disloyal!'
Those are some of the descriptive words used by media outlets and royal correspondent colleagues to describe On Duty with the Queen prior to its release. Having just finished reading it, I can tell you that none of those words apply.
When books written by royal insiders come out, we tend to expect shocking revelations and salacious details. On Duty with the Queen is not that type of book. Dickie's memoir recounts his life before, during and after becoming a royal press secretary. We learn that he is a man of many talents: ice-skater, actor, art historian in training, journalist and broadcaster. Although I found his royal career interesting, I would have preferred to read more about his background. In particular, more about his mother who sounds like she is quite the character!
During his 12 year career as press secretary, Dickie had a front row seat as 'annus horribilis' unfolded, yet he diplomatically steers clear of speculation and passing judgment. Instead he focuses on business, clearing up misconceptions about royal protocol and providing a fascinating behind the scenes look into the press offices, royal tour planning, as well as the role he played in organizing Diana's funeral.
The few royal anecdotes he does provide only allow us a respectful glimpse. He does have his criticisms about members of the royal family, particularly in the aftermath of Diana's death. But he doesn't come across as an apologist for either side, as books by royal insiders tend to do. One of the most moving moments is when he recounts visiting Diana's casket in the Chapel Royal. Relations between Diana and the royal family were not nearly as black and white as the media would have us believe. Read more ›
'Betrayal!'
'Shocking!'
'Disloyal!'
Those are some of the descriptive words used by media outlets and royal correspondent colleagues to describe On Duty with the Queen prior to its release. Having just finished reading it, I can tell you that none of those words apply.
When books written by royal insiders come out, we tend to expect shocking revelations and salacious details. On Duty with the Queen is not that type of book. Dickie's memoir recounts his life before, during and after becoming a royal press secretary. We learn that he is a man of many talents: ice-skater, actor, art historian in training, journalist and broadcaster. Although I found his royal career interesting, I would have preferred to read more about his background. In particular, more about his mother who sounds like she is quite the character!
During his 12 year career as press secretary, Dickie had a front row seat as 'annus horribilis' unfolded, yet he diplomatically steers clear of speculation and passing judgment. Instead he focuses on business, clearing up misconceptions about royal protocol and providing a fascinating behind the scenes look into the press offices, royal tour planning, as well as the role he played in organizing Diana's funeral.
The few royal anecdotes he does provide only allow us a respectful glimpse. He does have his criticisms about members of the royal family, particularly in the aftermath of Diana's death. But he doesn't come across as an apologist for either side, as books by royal insiders tend to do. One of the most moving moments is when he recounts visiting Diana's casket in the Chapel Royal. Relations between Diana and the royal family were not nearly as black and white as the media would have us believe. Read more ›
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Lucy C.
Format:Hardcover
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. How refreshing to be offered a behind the scenes look without all the salacious kiss and tell speculation. Mr. Arbiter's book is more memoir than royal offering but he shares many a touching anecdote which in turn humanizes the figures we only ever see in an official capacity. I believe this is one royal book the Queen herself might find enjoyable. I highly recommend it to all royal watchers.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Marti Alve
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This book was much different than what I expected. Much of it is the story of a man who had a job that was very much out of the ordinary. At first I thought his including his own life story was not something that interested me. But as I continued, I really understood this wasn't the tell all book we were used to on the British Royal Family but the story of a man's life that would find him in an extraordinary job. I think Mr. Arbiter was fair to all the people he worked with and for. He was giving his feelings on the unfolding of some unbelievable and historical events. I appreciated his honesty on his own feelings regarding his last visit to the late Princess. He was very much a part of this. I now think he had every right to tell his story from his eyes. I began in to appreciate his own life story as well. I am not sure why this book is causing all the carrying on I am reading. Of all the "tell all" books this in very much a story of a man in extraordinarily circumstances.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not worth it
Wow. Nothing new here.
Published 15 hours ago by Gail
2.0 out of 5 stars
good if you can't sleep and need help
Couldn't wait for the "fly on the wall" to write a book. A total snore. I knew more stories than he did, and probably know more. good if you can't sleep and need help. Read more
Published 1 day ago by L.A. Lewis
3.0 out of 5 stars
Three Stars
Very interesting insight into the daily workings of palace life.
Published 1 day ago by Nancy Nesbitt
4.0 out of 5 stars
Story of a remarkable life
For the life of me, I cannot understand why the royal family objected to the publication of this book. This is the story of the author's very remarkable life. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Mary C. Philp
4.0 out of 5 stars
good for beach
Interesting book......good for beach read
Published 2 days ago by Skye
1.0 out of 5 stars
waste of time and money, full of bull!
If I could give this book minus five stars I would, its really a waste of money. All it is basically is his life story and all abt his childhood, we are lied to if we are to think... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Jo
5.0 out of 5 stars
WELL WRITTEN BOOK ON LIFE IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE
ARBITER'S BOOK IS FULL OF INTERESTING DETAILS OF ROYAL LIFE INCLUDING CHARLES AND DIANA'S TURBULENT MARRIAGE, THEIR TRAVELS ABROAD AND HER UNTIMELY DEATH. Read more
Published 4 days ago by marcia a curran
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dickie Arbiter
A chatty book, mostly about the author, no big secrets regarding the Queen and her family. I like all things royal so this is just one more book in a long line of books which I... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Sandra
5.0 out of 5 stars
easy read
I enjoyed this book. It is well written. Not anything I haven't seen or heard, but a nice perspective. I find I enjoy biographies. Glad I got it on my kindle.
Published 8 days ago by Bintheredonthat
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