Harry, Meghan and 10 books on the trials of royalty
As if their love story wasn’t already ripped straight out of the pages of a royal romance, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have announced their independence from being professionally royal. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family, and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen,” they wrote on their website. (Yes, today’s royals have websites.)
To outside ears, this sounds a little like someone (Her Royal Granny-ness, cough!) threatened to cut the purse strings if the most rebellious members of the House of Windsor quit doing things according to tradition. Given all the criticism that Meghan has endured, as well as her expression of unhappiness in the press, it’s sort of swoon-worthy that Harry would put her first. And with Prince William and Kate’s growing brood, there’s little chance that Harry would ever become King of England.
While we’re waiting for further explanations, painstaking exegesis of every word in the statement, and then the inevitable fallout, here’s a list of 10 books about royalty with all of the pomp but none of the circumstances.
“Nicholas and Alexandra,” by Robert K. Massie
The classic biography about the Tsar of all the Russias, which examines how his tsarina’s obsession with their only son’s hemophilia paved the way for the end of the Romanovs.
“The Ruin of a Princess,” as told by the Duchesse d’Angoulême, translated by Katherine Wormeley
The French Revolution told through the eyes of Marie Thérèse, daughter of Marie Antoinette — the only member of the French royal family to survive.
“The Three Emperors,” by Miranda Carter
It’s easy to forget that the crowned heads of Europe were related, but England’s King George V, Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Tsar Nicholas II were all cousins. Raised in one royal tradition, they were unprepared for the 20th century — and the results of their own decisions. This biography explores their culpability in the turmoil that affected a generation.
The White Queen,” by Philippa Gregory
Before there was the BBC miniseries of the same name, there were the historical novels by Philippa Gregory. The War of the Roses has never been as captivating.
“Victoria: A Novel,” by Daisy Goodwin
Another historical novel that is being prepared for the small screen, this time by PBS. This book, based on Queen Victoria’s own diaries, details how a tiny teenager rose to rule Great Britain for 63 years.
“Red, White and Royal Blue,” by Casey McQuiston
What happens when the son of the President of the United States gets into a fistfight with the Prince of Wales at a royal wedding? And what if the plan to force a reconciliation for the media does so much more? One of the most popular romances of 2019.
“A Princess in Theory,” by Alyssa Cole
You know that spam email that pretends to be from an African royal prince? Naledi Smith has about had it with the spambots who keep sending her these stupid emails, as if she’s dumb enough to fall for them. But what happens when the prince shows up at her door and he’s legit — and claims to be her fiancé?
“The Princess Bride,” by William Goldman
Everyone knows the delightful movie, but Goldman also wrote the hilarious book that it was based on. To give you an idea of the spirit of the original, the subtitle is: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure. Missing it is inconceivable.
“American Royals,” by Katharine McGee
When America was formed, the nation’s founders offered to make George Washington a king. This book, the first in a series, follows two princesses in line for the crown.
“Return of the King,” by J.R.R. Tolkien
Yes, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was about more than royalty, but lest we forget, one of the central figures was a rebellious heir. His growth and acceptance of his call to leadership are what makes the electrifying conclusion of this tale possible.
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