The Lost Queen: The Surprising Life of Catherine of Braganza

This book provides a detailed and engaging biography of Catherine of Braganza, highlighting her crucial role in the history of the British Empire.

Despite failing to produce an heir, her marriage to Charles II in 1662 marked a key turning point in Britain’s imperial ascendancy, with her dowry including Bombay, Britain’s first territory in the Indian subcontinent.

Catherine was highly influential in fashion, Baroque art and music, food and culture, and popularized tea drinking in England.

The book combines personal and political accounts, offering a lively portrait of Catherine’s life and the wider politics and explorations of her time.