Royal Q&A

When it comes to influence, queens often had far more power than the official records admit. Some shaped policy quietly, some acted as stabilizing forces in chaotic courts, and some stepped directly into leadership when the king was absent, captive, or incapacitated. The three queens in my Stewart series — Joan Beaufort, Euphemia Ross, and Annabella Drummond — each influenced the Scottish crown in different ways, and that contrast is one of the most fascinating parts of their history.

And you’re absolutely right that some queens were remarkable leaders. Annabella Drummond essentially held Scotland together during her husband’s decline, and Joan Beaufort governed as regent after James I’s assassination. Their strength is often overlooked, which is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about telling their stories.

As for Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh, there is no evidence they were lovers. In my own research into the period leading up to the Tudors, I’ve found that Elizabeth was very deliberate about encouraging admiration from ambitious men like Raleigh. It was part of how she maintained authority in a male‑dominated court. But she also kept strict control over her personal relationships. Raleigh actually fell out of favor when he secretly married one of her ladies‑in‑waiting, which tells us a great deal about how carefully Elizabeth guarded her image and her power. To me, it’s a perfect example of how a queen could use the language of courtly love as a political shield, something my Stewart queens had to navigate in their own ways as well.