EXTRACTS from a new biography of Queen Elizabeth published today describe a stormy royal marriage and question the Duke of Edinburgh's fidelity to his wife.
The book says Prince Philip is devoted to the Queen and quotes one royal relation saying he has been "wonderful" for her.
But at the same time it claims he shouts at her and implies he has a roving eye.
The extracts from the book, called simply Elizabeth, A Biography of Her Majesty The Queen, and written by royal biographer Sarah Bradford, appear in the Times newspaper.
Ms Bradford writes "Despite the fact that, as friends admit, Philip is a difficult man and the Queen finds him difficult, she adores him and defers to him, which seems strange to observers in that everyone else defers to her.
"He shouts at the Queen sometimes, as he shouts at other people and she doesn't seem to mind. It's as if she thinks that's how husbands behave, a friend said.
Later Ms Bradford discusses the rumours that have swirled around the Queen's marriage and Prince Philip's fidelity.
"In defence of their Queen, even the most open and truthful of courtiers is prepared to lie or feign ignorance," Ms Bradford writes.
"Elizabeth notices she is an exceptionally observant person. Once, at a party given in Scotland, Elizabeth was seated at a table beside the dance floor, ostensibly talking about racing.
"But her eyes were elsewhere and, as the dancers parted, she could see her husband dancing very close to the hostess's daughter. She sees but does not want to know, taking it all in her stride.