Title: The People's Princess
Author: Flora Harding
Publisher: 31st March 2022 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter
Pages: 400 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction
My Rating: 4 cups
Synopsis:
Buckingham Palace, 1981
Her engagement to Prince Charles is a dream come true for Lady Diana Spencer but marrying the heir to the throne is not all that it seems. Alone and bored in the palace, she resents the stuffy courtiers who are intent on instructing her about her new role as Princess of Wales…
But when she discovers a diary written in the 1800s by Princess Charlotte of Wales, a young woman born into a gilded cage so like herself, Diana is drawn into the story of Charlotte’s reckless love affairs and fraught relationship with her father, the Prince Regent.
As she reads the diary, Diana can see many parallels with her own life and future as Princess of Wales.
The story allows a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life in the palace, the tensions in Diana’s relationship with the royal family during the engagement, and the wedding itself.
My Thoughts
‘She is living the fairy tale. She has found her prince and she is determined to be the best of princesses and they will live happily ever after.’
I read and enjoyed Flora’s, Before The Crown and was therefore eager to read her latest, The People’s Princess, a story of fiction based on fact. This story will take you through the build up to Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles. Lovers of all things Royal will certainly enjoy this one.
Much is sure to be familiar if you are a Royal watcher, knowing of Princess Diana or have even watched the series, The Crown. There is not much new with regards to this well told tale, that being, her relationship with Prince Charles and the demands of Royal life. What was new was the story of Princess Charlotte. Flora cleverly interweaves the tale of these two Princesses with illuminating results.
‘Will comfortable be enough, though? She can’t help thinking wistfully of Charlotte’s passionate affair with the handsome Prince Frederick. Diana is quite envious of Charlotte having found someone so perfect, and being resolute enough to resist the marriage of convenience.’
Princess Diana found consolation in reading Princess Charlotte’s diary and herein the parallels between the two were expertly drawn. I came to find Charlotte’s story probably more engaging and endearing. Flora presents a dual timeline for the two - one in 1813 and the other in 1981 - and how both women faced fears and insecurities, hopes and desires.
The People’s Princess is an entertaining read with Flora cleverly combining the tale of two princesses - both sad tales in their own way - with timelines interweaving for an overall engaging story.
‘Alone, she walks back up the silent stairs to her apartment. She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t belong in the kitchen. She doesn’t belong anywhere here, she thinks miserably.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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