Author: Christine Wells
Publisher: 4th October 2023 by HarperCollins Publishers Australia
Pages: 352 pages
Genre: historical fiction
My Rating: 4 cups
Synopsis:
Could she be the secret daughter of the Prince of Wales? In this dazzling novel by the author of Sisters of the Resistance, a young woman seeks to discover the truth about her mysterious past. Perfect for readers of Shana Abe, Bryn Turnbull, and Marie Benedict.
Cleo Davenport has heard the whispers: the murmured conversations that end abruptly the second she walks into a room. Told she was an orphan, she knows the rumor--that her father is none other than the Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne. And at her childhood home at Cairo's Shepheard's Hotel, where royals, rulers, and the wealthy live, they even called her "The Princess."
But her life is turned upside down when she turns seventeen. Sent to London under the chaperonage of her very proper aunt, she's told it's time to learn manners and make her debut. But Cleo's life can't be confined to a ballroom. She longs for independence and a career as a jewelry designer for Cartier, but she cannot move forward until she finds out about her past.
Determined to unlock the truth, Cleo travels from London, back to Cairo, and then Paris, where her investigations take a shocking turn into the world of the Parisian demi-monde, and a high-class courtesan whose scandalous affair with the young Prince of Wales threatened to bring down the British monarchy long before anyone had heard of Wallis Simpson.
My Thoughts
The Royal Windsor Secret is another great addition to Christine’s growing list of historical fiction titles. Two timelines, set between 1935 and 1952, follow the early life of Marguerite and her possible daughter Cleo. The main thread of the book aims to discover who exactly Cleo’s parents are.
‘….why did she still feel like there was a deep fissure inside her, one that could only be filled with the love of her real parents?’
Cleo was abandoned on the steps of a luxury hotel in Cairo and grew up with the rumor that her mother had an affair with the Duke of Windsor. With a story sweeping from Egypt, Portugal, France, and British Isles, Cleo pursues all means possible to uncover who her biological parents were. Wrapped around this are a variety of characters and accompanying storylines ranging from WWII, the Duke’s abdication, the role of women and Cleo’s passion for making jewelry.
‘…sooner or later, everyone who was anyone - from Mark Twain and Noël Coward to royalty of every nation - came to tea on the terrace at Shepheard’s.’
Christine states that she was inspired by events such as the luxurious Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo and also the drama surrounding Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson with a particular focus on their time in Portugal during the Second World War. There is also a focus on French courtesan Marguerite Meller and this is one plot line to which I felt was more deserving of more time. Finally, there was a strong focus on high end jewelry and some of Cartier history. Then, finally, a small reference to some military units from WWII. With lots of characters and many plot lines there was no one angle that grabbed me fully. This felt like a lighter version of historical fiction with some interesting inclusions of interest but too many to have one particular appeal.
“I don’t know about all that, but if you ask me, the fellow doesn’t seem to want to be King.”
Whilst the main focus of the novel is Cloe's quest for identity, Christine takes a range of threads and possible scenarios to form an interesting story that covers both intriguing topics and locations. Historical fiction lovers are sure to find something to capture their attention.
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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