Nature surrounds us. Every time we step outdoors, we step into a world teeming with life: birds, mammals, insects, flowers, trees. From the earliest civilisations right through to the modern age, scientists and thinkers have sought to understand precisely how these plants and animals live.

Over the centuries, members of the Royal Family have also taken a keen interest in natural studies, with some even lending their patronage to prominent naturalists. As a result, a number of books have been presented to Royals by their authors as thanks for their support. Natural history texts from as far back as the reign of Henry VIII can be found in the Royal Library to this day.

Explore the sections below to discover some of the finest natural history books in the Royal Collection.