Keith Howes with his book about the name Elizabeth

MONARCHS, literary heroes and sports stars all feature in a new book honouring the name Elizabeth.

Former Royston resident Keith Howes has penned the book, My Name is Elizabeth, with co-author Ross Steele.

It looks at the genesis of the name and its derivatives, then focuses on some of the most prominent Elizabeths in history. The likes of actress Elizabeth Taylor, Pride and Prejudice heroine Elizabeth Bennet and our current Queen Elizabeth II all feature.

Mr Howes, whose father founded Howes Opticians in Royston High Street, is a former Crow journalist who now lives, appropriately enough, at Elizabeth Bay in Australia.

He said he chose to launch the book this year to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, in June.

“She’s the most famous Elizabeth in the world,” he said.

“We’ve got over 200 different people in the book, and we look at the origins of the name, which go back to biblical times.

“It’s still a very popular name, though now people tend to prefer different forms. Isabella is very popular at the moment because of the character Bella Swan in the Twilight series.”

The book is available now at the Cave Shop, in Melbourn Street, Royston.