What secrets lie inside Queen Elizabeth II's personal diaries? Although historians are queuing up to access them, only one will get permission for her official biography - so here we look at ALL the runners and riders in the literary race of the century
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At the end of every day during her record-breaking 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II would sit down at a desk and spend 15 minutes writing by hand in her diary. The treasure trove of information contained within the many volumes have, until now, remained private - but not for much longer.
![[The evidence of the Queen's diligence can be seen in her last diary entry which was about her new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, recorded two days before she died in Balmoral in September 2022]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/11/62241853-14141317-The_evidence_of_the_Queen_s_diligence_can_be_seen_in_her_last_di-a-5_1734260888823.jpg)
One lucky historian will soon be given access to them, alongside her private papers and letters, to write the late monarch's official biography. The person tasked with this epic job is expected to produce the longest-ever written account of a British monarch, to allow them to properly tell the tale of a woman who was never expected to rule but succeeded beyond all expectations.
![[The loyal Paul Whybrew, who served the Queen for 44 years, has been trusted to sort through her papers and diaries due to the sheer scale and personal nature of them]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/11/75767965-14141317-The_loyal_Paul_Whybrew_who_served_the_Queen_for_44_years_has_bee-a-4_1734260888823.jpg)
Although there are already hundreds of books about her life, the official biography will be the final authoritative tome of the monarch, who is seen by some to have led the most chronicled life in human history due to scrutiny since the day she was born.
![[Known as 'Tall Paul' due to his 6'4' stature, Whybrew was seen introducing the Queen to Mr Bond (Daniel Craig) during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/11/72499001-14141317-Known_as_Tall_Paul_due_to_his_6_4_stature_Whybrew_was_seen_intro-a-6_1734260888824.jpg)
While her diaries are unlikely to ever be published for the public to read, the biographer will be able to use them to answer questions that have puzzled royal authors for years and reveal an unknown quantity of secrets. The Queen met an estimated four million people over her 96 years and played a crucial role at the head of the biggest empire the world has ever known as it came to an end.
![[Whybrew (back left, as a younger man), who is in his early 60s, is responsible for all the notes left behind by the Queen]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/11/72498999-14141317-Whybrew_back_left_as_a_younger_man_who_is_in_his_early_60s_is_re-a-8_1734260888825.jpg)
The biography could be an intimate exploration of the innermost thoughts towards her 15 Prime Ministers, the 13 US Presidents she dealt with, and perhaps even her thoughts on Brexit. As is tradition, the current monarch appoints an official biographer to write the life of the previous monarch, so it will fall to Charles III to handpick the right candidate.
![[Robert Hardman, 59, has been an acclaimed royal expert for two decades and is seen as the frontrunner in the race]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/11/92734145-14141317-Robert_Hardman_59_has_been_an_acclaimed_royal_expert_for_two_dec-a-9_1734260888825.jpg)
