THERE will be a right royal theme for this year's Isle of Wight Literary Festival.

Some of the speakers have been announced for the event, which will be held at Northwood House in Cowes from October 6 to 9.

Ingrid Seward is a leading royal biographer and commentator and is editor in chief of the long-running Majesty magazine.

Her biography, Prince Philip Revealed – A Man of His Century details how Philip as the Queen’s most valuable and loyal companion also created a role for himself by modernising the monarchy, campaigning to protect the environment, championing science and inspiring the young through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Hugo Vickers is a well-known biographer, lecturer and broadcaster and an acknowledged expert on the royal family. Writing with the Duke of Kent, A Royal Life, details the Duke’s life as a working member of the Royal Family throughout the Queen’s reign.

Robert Hardman is a best-selling author and writer of acclaimed television documentaries on the monarchy.

Queen of our Times draws on the insights from those who know her best, and through access to unseen papers, Robert explores the full astonishing life of Elizabeth II who has proved an astute and quietly determined figure leading her family through more than 70 years of unprecedented social change.

Tracy Borman is a historian, author and broadcaster. Her latest work, Crown and Sceptre, charts the history of the British Monarchy from 1066 to today, showing how it has evolved over time while remaining at the centre of our religious, political and cultural identity.

Also appearing at the festival are chef Rosemary Shrager, debuting her first fiction book, and Sandra Howard, one of the leading photographic fashion models of the 1960s and 1970s.

History and science also feature at this year’s festival, which is in its tenth anniversary year.

Archaeologist and TV presenter Dr Ben Robinson will talk about his latest book — England’s Villages: Extraordinary Journey Through Time.

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist, educationalist and presenter of BBC's The Sky at Night, answers big questions for young scientists in Am I Made of Stardust?

Julia Dams, programme director, said: "Over the coming weeks we will be announcing many more exciting speakers in a rich and varied programme of over 50 speakers offering something for all."

The festival is returning to Northwood House after two years of being ‘digital’ only due to Covid.

The festival is a charity, and also supports a Schools Programme, sending authors, illustrators and dramatists into schools to enrich the education for the under 18s on the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival is sponsored by Red Funnel.

A list of the speakers currently announced can be found at https://isleofwightliteraryfestival.com/2022-speakers/