Examining the history of the great Royal orders and those who have received them, this book incorporates anecdotes, stories and photographs. It focuses on each of the orders in turn, the ceremony, and how different monarchs have dealt with the orders - including Queen Elizabeth II, who has been less than generous in distributing honours to her family, who have been made them earn them. The book also discusses the reasons why certain dignitaries have been honoured and other conspicuously ignored. The author has written biographies of Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, and Gladys, Duchess of Marlborough.