The Queen picks ‘new Guy Fawkes’ book for Reading Room selection

Her Majesty chooses novel that once caused a scandal with story of the Royal family taken hostage

THE Queen has selected a once-scandalous thriller in which the Royal family, including her own husband, are taken hostage as the first novel for her book club this year.

The Queen’s Reading Room will feature The Lords’ Day, by Michael Dobbs, as its next choice, 17 years after the story about a security breach at the State Opening of Parliament was published.

Dobbs, a member of the House of Lords who is most famous for writing the original House of Cards, said the inclusion of his book was “most unexpected” but “wonderful”.

“I think it shows her to be a tremendous sport,” he said.

The Queen has now experienced the State Opening of Parliament first-hand, taking the throne next to the King for the ceremony. The book tells the story of a siege in which both the late Queen Elizabeth

II and the then Prince Charles are among those taken hostage. At the time of publication in 2007, it caused a scandal for giving detail about flaws in Parliamentary security, leading the author to be accused of “giving terrorists ideas”. “It was quite a fuss in the end,” said Dobbs.

Of the Queen’s choice to include it on her prestigious list of recommended books, he added: “I think it shows how inclusive and open minded she is. This isn’t a fussy traditionalist, this is a Queen who has got her eyes open to the modern world.”

Coincidentally, Dobbs was born on the same day as Prince Charles, within the hour. He sent the book to the palace about a year ago, wondering if the new King and Queen might find it of personal interest. “I thought it would be rather fun,” he said. “I never expected her to even read it, it was just a gesture.”

Several weeks ago, he heard via his publisher that it would be included in the new list for The Queen’s Reading Room, a list of recommendations from the Queen herself and now a podcast series. “Isn’t it wonderful,” he said last night. “It’s most unexpected. I’m totally surprised and hugely honoured.

“When you look at the list of other books, you’re talking about the finest authors in the land. Some still alive, some dead. Dickens! So in all honesty, it’s really humbling.”

The book was inspired by an informal tour of the House of Lords, in which Dobbs noticed a door behind the golden canopy and thrones. It turned out to be a cleaners’ cupboard. “I was so taken aback by the constrast between the glories of that magnificent throne and the mops and brooms, I thought I must find a way of making a story out of this.”

He turned to public records about the State Opening and its security, finding such significant flaws he attempted to raise concerns with the authorities.

They were unheeded, he said, until he published the novel, whereupon “all hell broke loose and I was accused ot putting ideas into terrorists’ minds”.

The story will now be introduced to a new generation via the Queen’s Reading Room.