Historian and biographer Kirsty McLeod is the author of many books including A Passion for Friendship: Sibyl Colefax and her Circle; Battle Royal: Edward VIII and George VI; and The Last Summer: May to September 1914. She is also past Chairman of the English Heritage Historic Parks and Gardens Panel, set up to advise English Heritage on England's historic gardens. She also wrote The Best Gardens in Italy, published in 2013 by Frances Lincoln.