The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History
Susan Page
(Harper, 2026)

Like powerful women throughout history, Queen Elizabeth II was often dismissed and discounted. But during her 70-year reign, she deftly managed the strategic relationship between the UK and the US. Following the advice of her mentor, Winston Churchill, to “stay close to the Americans,” Queen Elizabeth met with more sitting US Presidents than any other leader. She skillfully wielded her “soft power” to influence 13 presidents, and they, in turn, influenced her growth from a shy, anxious princess to a powerful and persuasive global leader.

About the Author
Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief of USA TODAY, is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author. Her books include The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty and The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters, both of which were featured by HBF. She lives in DC with her husband.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.

About the Festival
The History Book Festival is the first and only book festival in the United States devoted exclusively to history. With the help of our presenting funding partner —  The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | PenFed Realty — as well as our program and community partners, volunteers, and donors, the 2026 History Book Festival will be full of great discussions with authors of newly published narrative nonfiction and historical fiction. 

Thanks to all our donors, especially our education and outreach funding partners: Carolyn & Aaron Nayer, Jen Mason & Clare Hancock, the Red Wagon Foundation, and Browseabout Books. HBF authors visit classrooms in Delaware, and HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations.

Our Keynote event is presented by Griswold Home Care for Sussex & Kent Counties and Groome Church; our Closing event is presented by the Delaware Community Foundation. The Spirited Discussion, our gathering for attendees and presenters to celebrate and discuss their day, is presented by Dogfish Head Beer & Benevolence.

Special thanks to our Program Partners for their continuing support: the Lewes Public Library for event promotion and production; Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, official bookseller of the History Book Festival; and Historic Lewes for event promotion and author hospitality. Thanks also to the Lewes Chamber of Commerce for event promotion, and the Cape Gazette and Delmarva Public Media, our media partners.