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A review by jennyfer
The People's Princess by Flora Harding
4.0
The year is 1981, and Lady Diana Spencer is sequestered away in Buckingham Palace in the lead up to her wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales. Feeling lonely and overwhelmed, she explores the palace, making friends with the staff. During one of these ventures, she stumbles across the portrait of Princess Charlotte. After being given a copy of Charlotte's journals, Diana settles in to read, finding a kinship with the Queen-who-never-was.
The story is in two parts: Diana and the challenges she faces assimilating into the Royal establishment, and Charlotte, 19th Century heir apparent, the rebel Royal just trying to be herself. Despite the cover, this book is not primarily about "our" modern Princess - The bulk of the story focuses on Princess Charlotte's life, with smaller chapters dedicated to Princess Diana.
Despite being based on real people and real events, this is a work of fiction. One must be mindful of this, particularly as some of the key players are alive and have had a marked change in circumstances since the book was published
It is a well crafted story, and introduced me to a historical figure I never knew existed until now. Both Princesses tales are tragic, and there is a remarkable similarity between the two.
This book does include a trigger warning, as there is frequent mention of Diana's eating disorder. Also mentioned: miscarriage, stillbirth and death.
I'm always hesitant to read fictional stories of real, contemporary people, but this one was told well.
I received this as an e-arc from Netgalley, but I also listened to the audiobook on Audible, as read by Julie Teal.
~Many thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~
The story is in two parts: Diana and the challenges she faces assimilating into the Royal establishment, and Charlotte, 19th Century heir apparent, the rebel Royal just trying to be herself. Despite the cover, this book is not primarily about "our" modern Princess - The bulk of the story focuses on Princess Charlotte's life, with smaller chapters dedicated to Princess Diana.
Despite being based on real people and real events, this is a work of fiction. One must be mindful of this, particularly as some of the key players are alive and have had a marked change in circumstances since the book was published
It is a well crafted story, and introduced me to a historical figure I never knew existed until now. Both Princesses tales are tragic, and there is a remarkable similarity between the two.
This book does include a trigger warning, as there is frequent mention of Diana's eating disorder. Also mentioned: miscarriage, stillbirth and death.
I'm always hesitant to read fictional stories of real, contemporary people, but this one was told well.
I received this as an e-arc from Netgalley, but I also listened to the audiobook on Audible, as read by Julie Teal.
~Many thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~