In this fascinating triple-perspective novel, readers explore the lives of Princess Elizabeth, fictionalized Keeper of the Queen’s dogs Hanna Penwyck, and royal corgi Susan in the middle part of the twentieth century. With time skips and alternating perspectives, readers see how all three of their lives change as Elizabeth grows up, marries, and becomes Queen of the United Kingdom. All three characters have their own duties, obligations, and struggles, and Knight’s unique novel about the young Queen Elizabeth gives readers some fascinating insights into her life behind the walls of Buckingham Palace. Hanna’s perspective reveals the blurring of lines that occasionally occurs between the royals and their closest staff members, while Susan gives readers a view of a more intimate, private relationship. The characters are the star of the novel, and all three characters have distinct voices and personalities which keep their alternating chapters separate. The balance of characters and time skips allow readers to see these relationships and characters grow and develop over the decades, and the characters’ interactions with others in the novel also grow and add depth to the individual storylines. A charming, heartwarming historical fiction novel, Eliza Knight gives readers a chance to see what life might have been like for Queen Elizabeth as a teenage princess and young queen.

Spanning over many years, "The Queen's Faithful Companion" is heartfelt, moving, sweet, heartbreaking, and endearing. Full of moments that will pull at your heartstrings, this novel delves into the earlier years of Queen Elizabeth II, beginning when she is a princess through her young years of motherhood and becoming queen.

Firstly, I know one is not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but, OH MY GOODNESS this cover is so ADORABLE! I am such an animal lover, and this cover just makes me smile so very much!

Told from three perspectives: Elizabeth herself, Hanna, who is the keeper of the queen's corgis, and Susan, Elizabeth's beloved corgi, this novel shows the beautiful bond between humans and animals. Through major historical events as well as more private ones behind closed doors, the three voices provide distinctive and unique ways of storytelling. As the reader, to me, the sense of how Elizabeth, Hanna, and Susan are all feeling through every moment in time is incredibly clear, and their wants, fears, needs, and desires jump right off the page. The way that Ms. Knight connects the chapters is seamless, and the interweaving of history and historical fiction is done in such a breathtaking way that, even though the narrator is often changing, the book never feels jumpy, and the through line is breathtaking, powerful, and poignant.

"The Queen's Faithful Companion" is a must-read for animal lovers, lovers of historical fiction, those who love learning about Royalty, and for anyone looking for an emotional story that will warm your heart.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and William Morrow for the e-ARC of this book, and to William Morrow for the physical ARC and beautiful finished copy! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Please Note: At times, this novel delves into some heavy and difficult topics. My messages are always open.

I am in no way an Anglophile and despite having a crush on Prince William when we were teenagers and learning more about Harry and his life via Spare, I have never payed too much attention to the Royal family. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I ended up loving this book more than I ever expected.
In this historical fiction novel Eliza Knight explores Queen Elizabeth’s relationship with her beloved corgi, Susan, and her rise from girl to monarch. While there is a lot of fiction, there is so much fact that is weaved in throughout that you’ll feel you’re getting a glimpse into the Queen’s private life.
This is narrated by 3 different voices- Queen Elizabeth, the fictional Hannah Penwyck- the keeper of the corgis, and Susan, the Queen’s faithful companion.
I love books with animal protagonists and Susan definitely made this book. It’s written so well that it would have held my attention without the addition of Susan but having her insight was definitely a fun addition.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it. The Queen’s Faithful Companion hit the shelves on June 11th.

If you love dogs you’ll love this one! If you love tales of the royals then this is for you!
Told through the eyes of Queen Elizabeth, her fog handler and a beloved Corgi, Susan, this novel tells of the unconditional love of dogs and the people that love them.

I have read a number of historical fiction titles that are about Princess/Queen Elizabeth and enjoyed them so I was quite excited about this book. It is by an author I already like. In fact, I purchased The Queen's Faithful Companion even before I heard back reagarding my NetGalley request. (Thanks for the egalley to NetGalley and William Morrow. I now have two copies of this one.)

This was a very enjoyable read. It tells a story that many may know but with the addition of Susan. Susan was the first in a long line of corgis beloved by Elizabeth. Her presence adds to the fun of the book.

Readers also have the pleasure of meeting Hanna. She takes care of the dogs and gets to know Elizabeth well.

This book humanizes Elizabeth. After all, any dog lover has something in common with her.

It is easy to recommend this delightful read.

This is a sweet historical fiction based on Susan, the Royal Corgi and Queen Elizabeth. It spans the timeframe of Susan who was gifted to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday by her father, through out her life, which was just over a decade. Each chapter is narrated by either Elizabeth, Susan or Hannah, who is the Corgi handler. You almost feel as if you are watching “The Crown” through the eyes of the beloved Susan. It is sweet and touching. If you are a dog lover, you will love this story. Although there are some liberties taken with the true events, it’s still an interesting and entertaining read. Be sure to read the authors note at the end of the story that describes some of those liberties that were taken. I appreciate that it is a wholesome story, no descriptive bedroom scenes or foul language. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"The Queen's Faithful Companion" by Eliza Knight is a heartwarming and vivid novel that captures the unique bond between Queen Elizabeth II and her beloved corgi, Susan. Set against the backdrop of the early days of Elizabeth's reign, the story is told from multiple perspectives, including that of Queen Elizabeth, Hanna Penwyck (the fictional Keeper of the Queen’s dogs), and Susan herself.

The narrative is rich in historical detail, offering readers a glimpse into the personal life of the young queen and her cherished pet. Knight's portrayal of the queen's early challenges and triumphs is both endearing and insightful, highlighting the queen's deep affection for Susan, who was a gift from her father, King George VI, on her 18th birthday [[❞]](http://www.asoccermomsbookblog.com/2024/06/book-review-for-queens-faithful.html) [[❞]](https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-queens-faithful-companion-by-eliza.html).

The novel's multi-narrative approach allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' emotions and experiences. Susan’s perspective, in particular, adds a unique and charming layer to the story, providing a dog's-eye view of royal life and the loyalty and love that defined her relationship with the queen [[❞]](http://www.asoccermomsbookblog.com/2024/06/book-review-for-queens-faithful.html) [[❞]](https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-queens-faithful-companion-by-eliza.html).

Overall, "The Queen's Faithful Companion" is a touching tribute to the enduring bond between a queen and her faithful dog, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction and animal lovers alike.

Thanks to NetGalley & William Morrow for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book – it checked several of my boxes: irresistable, heartwarming topic, well-researched, based on fact, and even the book cover was engaging. Told from three points of view: Queen Elizabeth II (known to her family as Lilibet), her corgi Susan, and Hanna Penwyck, the (fictional) Keeper of the Queen’s dogs. The book begins when Lilibet is an 18-year-old princess and is given her first corgi by her father, King George.

The author explains that she researched “many biographies, memoirs, articles, documentaries, videos, and news coverage from the time period, including traveling to London. My purpose in writing this book was to show that while she was a queen, Queen Elizabeth was also a woman and a dog lover, and I wanted to emphasize what a special bond she had with her corgis.”

Mission accomplished! The special bond is beautifully described, and the chapters told from Susan’s point of view are both humorous and poignant. For example, Susan thinks: “I’m not certain why we dogs can sense those things. There’s something in the human-dog connection that makes us fully aware of our people’s feelings. It is a gift, for it tells us how to respond. It was as if the moment Lilibet touched me, a sense of calm filled her.”

In addition to the relationship between Lilibet and Susan, the story compellingly tells of Lilibet’s life experiences: her engagement and marriage to Prince Phillip, her efforts to do her bit during World War II, her father’s health decline and eventual passing, becoming Queen, the birth of her children and juggling motherhood with work. Her relationship with her sister is also a factor in her life. She must deal with the media (including the paparazzi), be alert to her image, and always be aware that she would never be an ordinary person.

The facts about the royal corgis were fascinating – they really did have their own bedroom, footmen, and chefs in addition to the Royal Dog Watcher.

This is a tender-hearted book for those who enjoy stories of the Royal family, dog lovers, history buffs, and reading about the struggles of Queen Elizabeth to be a monarch as well as a wife, a mother and a friend. I highly recommend!

The Queen's Faithful Companion by Eliza Knight is a delightful tale told from 3 different points of view, Elizabeth, Susan and Hannah, the keeper of the Corgis. The story line highlights Elizabeth’s life from childhood through her monarchy. It begins with Lilibet as a child receiving the gift of a Corgi from her father which she names Susan. Her life is fascinating and the book showcases Elizabeth as a woman, a queen and a dog lover. Along with her husband Phillip and sister Maggie, her dogs were such important members of the family that the Corgis have their own bedroom, foot men, and chefs. The Corgis did have some biting issues - on both humans and furniture - and a lot of the staff did get annoyed by them. Eliza Knight takes us on an entertaining ride. She is a masterful story teller who weaves together a fascinating tale of family, friendship, responsibility and love. The characters are relatable and the plot credible. I had a hard time putting this book down.

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the review copy of The Queen’s Faithful Companion by Eliza Knight.

What is your favorite book featuring dogs? I have so many favorites. One favorite is The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford.

The Queen’s Faithful Companion by Eliza Knight is the story of the extraordinary relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her faithful corgi, Susan. Susan was a gift from her father, King George VI, on her 18th birthday. Susan is with her through her service in WWII, courtship and marriage to Philip, the birth of her first child Charles, and her accension to the throne. She couldn’t care for her dogs and be Queen without her loyal helpers. Hanna Penwyck helps to care for Susan when she isn’t with the Queen and has her own ups and downs in life.

My thoughts on this novel:
• I really enjoyed the three different viewpoints of this novel – Queen Elizbeth, Susan, and Hanna Penwyck. It was interesting to contrast and compare Elizabeth and Hanna’s lives. They were in the same girl guide troop at Windsor as children, but now lead different, but interconnected lives.

• I thought this was an interesting and unique way to tell the story of Queen Elizabeth’s younger years and Great Britain during that time period.

• I love dogs and this made me think about whether a corgi would be right for me in the future. Daisy Beagle says no. I enjoyed that Susan the corgi had her own viewpoint. It was also interesting thinking through what life would be like for a royal dog.

• I was very stressed out with work and getting ready for my oldest son’s graduation party when I was reading this book. I found this book to be stress-relieving and a pleasant diversion. It is a great cozy read.

• I enjoyed the romance between Philip and Elizabeth.

• I always enjoy a good author’s note. In this novel, it discusses the writing process in creating this work of historical fiction as well the real person that Hanna was based upon.

• It’s interesting to think that Susan was the matriarch of such a long line of royal corgis – 14 generations.

• Favorite Quote, “Dogs truly are our soulmates, our protectors in things that might harm us from the outside as much as things that harmed us from within.”

Overall, The Queen’s Faithful Companion by Elizia Knight is a wonderful cozy historical fiction read perfect for dog lovers.

This was an intimate and interesting look in the queen's personal life. We get a peek at Queen Elizabeth's school years, her involvement in the war effort, her courtship and early marriage to Prince Phillip, and more. But what really steals the show is Susan. I love that parts of the book were narrated by Susan herself. Though this is a novelized version of the queen's life and her closeness with her beloved Corgi, it is certainly easy to imagine that the two shared a deep love and bond. This heartwarming story would be perfect for anyone that can't get enough of the royals, or their pets.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from William Morrow through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I've always been interested in the lives and luxuries of the Queen's corgis, so this book sounded like it would be a good fit for me. However, I did not expect it to be set from the perspective of the dog. I have a problem enjoying books from the perspective of animals and other non-human objects, so this book was not for me. I still like Knight as an author and hope this book finds it's right audience.

The Queen's Faithful Companion is a historical novel that tells the story of Queen Elizabeth and her beloved corgi, Susan. The story is told from three viewpoints: Queen Elizabeth (beginning at age 13 in 1939, through the 1950's); Hanna, her dog trainer and childhood friend from Girl Guides (daughter of the Royal Family's gamekeeper); and Susan, a very special corgi.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction. I was a great fan of The Crown and admire Queen Elizabeth. I also have a sweet little corgi mix and love this breed of dog!

I absolutely loved this book, and it is sure to be high on my top 10 list for the year. The story of Queen Elizabeth spanned from her 13th birthday when she received Susan as a special surprise from her father, through her marriage, coronation, and the first few years of her reign. Susan was a great companion and comfort to her during these eventful years.

Susan tells part of the story too, observing the world from a charming dog's-eye view. The Susan sections were my favorite part of the book and they are sure to delight other dog lovers as well.

Hanna, who took care of Susan and the queen's other corgis, and who was a personal friend of the queen, also had a voice in the story, and brings a lot of insights and down-to-earth humanity to life with the royal family.

I highly recommend The Queen's Faithful Companion to fans of historical fiction, especially for anyone interested in the life of Queen Elizabeth, anyone who loves dogs, and anyone who loves corgis. My corgi Daisy adds me in giving an enthusiastic four paws up for this book!

This was a heartwarming and enjoyable novel about the early life of Queen Elizabeth II, as it parallels her beloved Corgi, Susan. We begin in her late teen years, when she receives Susan as a gift from her parents. The story only extends as long as the life of Susan, and so ends with her passing when Queen Elizabeth was in her late 20s.

Seeing Elizabeth’s life as it relates to the life of her dog certainly offers a unique perspective. I wasn’t sure I would like it, but it was surprisingly effective in demonstrating the Queen’s humanity. I found it a bit awkward at times, but overall a lovely and interesting read. I was sad to come to the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am a huge sucker for books with a dog or any animal in them, but this book goes a bit further and has chapters written from Susan's perspective. Susan happens to be the Queen's Corgi, yes, Queen Elizabeth II!
The story gives an inside look at what it may have looked and felt like to be a royal and live every day knowing that one day you would be Queen. We see Elizabeth at different stages of her life from a young Princess Lilibet, to Philip's little cabbage, to Queen Elizabeth II and get a little insight at what her life may have looked like beyond the castle walls.
We also see her through the friendship that she had with Hannah, the royal keeper of the corgis. Hannah is the daughter of the gamekeeper at Windsor Castle. When she comes back with a broken arm after leaving to work as a mechanic for the ATS during the war, Hannah is volunteered into dog service while she recuperates. She is eventually made the Royal Keeper of the Corgis and has a special relationship with the Queen and the dogs.
My favorite chapters are Susan's. I am one of those pet people that speaks for my animals, so seeing the relationship and love that Susan had for her Lilibet and for Hannah was just heartwarming. It brings such an special and unique perspective to the book, and Eliza wrote these chapters with such amazing insight and love.
If there were more than 5 Stars to give, then this book would paws down earn them!

enjoyed every moment of this book! It was so enjoyable to visit a little corner of history and learn about Queen Elizabeth II's special relationship with her corgis.

The chapters told from Susan's POV (the matriarch of the Windor Corgi Line) are adorable and insightful.

I appreciate the author's note at the end, which explains what was factual in the book, and what was fictional.

I especially enjoyed reading this book with my own four-legged furry companion, my ginger cat, Garfield.

Thanks to William Morrow for providing an Advanced Reader Copy through #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The royal family has always loved corgis and had many of them at a time over the years. When Princess Elizabeth turned 18, the King gifted her with a female corgi puppy that she named Susan. She became Elizabeth’s loving companion. She talked to her dog a lot and they understood and loved one another.

Hanna Penwyck was the daughter of the gamekeeper at Windsor and had spent time with Elizabeth and Margaret as they were all part of the Girl Guides. So, Hanna soon became the caretaker of Susan and another corgi named Crackers during the day and they were returned to Elizabeth at the end of the day.

After the war, Elizabeth spent more time at Buckingham Palace and thus Hanna became the caretaker for the two dogs there. They even had their own chef to cook their food for them. Susan had her own litter of puppies and most were gifted to family and friends.


We follow the illness of King George and his subsequent death which meant Elizabeth became Queen. This was a very stressful time for her and being a young mother added to the difficulties she faced.

The book has parts that are “spoken” through the eyes of Susan. These are just adorable as the writing is so what one would believe how a dog thinks.

I have always loved the royal family and Queen Elizabeth was such a strong and endearing woman during her long life. God rest her soul.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I learned so much about dogs and their relationships with their owners from this book. Elizabeth has such a tight relationship with Susan, her corgi. That relationship starts from their first meeting and just gets stronger as they both get older.

I love Susan’s chapters. She talks about what she hears, what she sees, and what she feels giving the reader a dog’s perspective on life with Queen Elizabeth. She also tells the reader why she acts how she does, which gives a unique look at why dogs may bite.


Eliza Knight told the story of one of the most well known queens and brought her to the common people with the tale of her dog and how she made her life pet friendly. I love that she realizes that having a pet is a responsibility and she makes her schedule work for her to spend time with Susan. It was never a secret how important her corgi’s are to her. She always had a corgi at her side.

Starting during WWII and following Queen Elizabeth into her reign, Eliza Knight tells her story in conjunction with the life of her most beloved Corgi, Susan. Each chapter is told from one of three points of view, Elizabeth, Susan, or Hanna, the official minder of the Queen’s corgis. Elizabeth’s story, which is focused on her emotional life, was particularly touching to read now after her death. Hanna’s chapters provide a look at life as a royal employee along with a special relationship to Elizabeth. Quite the best is Susan’s perspective. Although unverifiable, Ms. Knight has captured the mind, heart and soul of this adorable canine. Anyone who is a dog lover will understand. I thought of all the times I have said about my own fur children, “I wonder what he or she is thinking?”
I felt the author did an excellent job of blending the historical facts with the speculative elements. It’s warm and cozy, even when dealing with challenging parts of Elizabeth’s life. Although it can’t escape being a biography of this famous royal, its impact for me was in its exploration of the human-canine bond.
Thank you to the author, the publisher William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

If you are a fan of the Royal family and dogs, this is a book you will likely enjoy. It is a quick, easy read. While fiction, it does give the reader a brief glance into Queen Elizabeth and her love for dogs. It was cute to read the corgi Susan's take on things. I am not sure I have ever read a book (that isn't a children's book) that featured a dog's perspective. The ending did seem a bit abrupt. The story is well done, but it is not one that will stick with me now that the final page has been turned.