Simon Sebag Montefiore Quotes

Obviously I've had this fascination with aristocracy my whole life. Like, the kings and queens of 500 years ago... they're like rock stars. If there was a 'TMZ' 500 years ago, it would be about, like, Henry VIII and Marie Antoinette and all those people.

To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it.

I loved history, particularly of the British, American and Old Testament kind.

Is it not passing brave to be a King and ride in triumph through Persepolis?

The British Isles are awash with the choice of beautiful historic churches, abbeys, and cathedrals where one king or another has tied the knot and bestowed a royal precedent.

Of course I had written a film about Elizabeth I, and I loved the Tudor period, and I think at the time Working Title and I had debated on whether to do Elizabeth I or Henry VIII. I'd always wanted to do Henry VIII. Like Elizabeth, I'd had this feeling that it had never properly been addressed.

Look to Africa, for there a king will be crowned.

There's four biggies. There was Elizabeth I, George III, Victoria, and the current queen, who really dominated four eras.

Archaeologists are underpaid publicity agents for deceased royalty.

Believe me, James, no one will murder me to make you king.

I hereby proclaim myself King of Egypt to ensure the country’s dignity and its international status.

In Spain the king rules, but in the Sierra I do.

One cannot reign innocently: the insanity of doing so is evident. Every king is a rebel and a usurper.

History has done a great disservice to Anne Boleyn.

I am fascinated by Tudor times.

The film's content is the king.

I'm obsessed with historical English royalty.

I'm going to be the next king of the Earth.

I'm too young to be a king and too committed to be a queen.

I'm a bit of a history goon, and I love all that. Anything that's medieval-based up until, probably, the Tudor period and just after, I'm quite into.

I'm the king of Dublin.

When you're the king of someplace, you don't voluntarily leave.

Queen Victoria, one of our more frumpy Queen's. They're all frumpy aren't they? Because it's a bad idea when cousin's marry.

Monarchs not only fashion their age, but are fashioned by it, so that they can become a sort of personification of the age. If Elizabeth I, independent, strong, represents the age of Shakespeare's heroines, a woman's heyday, Victoria represents another image of womanhood, predominant in the nineteenth century: a woman who, although queen in her own right, leaned on her husband, looked up to him, and went into perpetual mourning after his death. The feminist movement filled her with shocked horror and outrage.

At the end of the day, I'm the king. I'm in my throne, you know? If you want to come see me, come see me.