The Royal Word: Check out these intriguing books about the British royal family

Prince Harry is set to release his tell-all memoir next year. Whether or not he will address some of the most sought after questions – his family dynamics and the consequence of the Oprah Winfrey interview – remains to be seen. Meanwhile, here are some books to read if you want to know more about the royal family

A celebrity memoir always generates a lot of curiosity. The inquisitiveness goes up even more when it is by someone from the British royal family. From their near-perfect televised weddings to controversial television interviews, anything featuring the royal family members becomes a talking point across the globe.

Recently, AP reported that Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex will be writing a tell-all memoir soon. Harry in a statement said, “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become. I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.”

According to the publishers Penguin Random House, the book will cover an array of aspects of Harry’s life – from his childhood to his military duty and his present role of a husband and father. But will he open up about his dynamics with his father? Or what was the consequence of his and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey? Well, that only time will tell when the book releases in late 2022.

While you wait, if you are interested in reading more about the royal family, here are some exciting books to check out. 

Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand

This was one of the most talked about books when it was released in 2020, a few months after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle departed from the British royal family. The biography delves into the lives of Harry and Meghan, over the course of their courtship, marriage, and eventual exit, popularly referred to as ‘Megxit’. It was announced that an updated version of the book will be released most likely at the end of August. This version will feature the couple’s thoughts on Prince Philip’s death, the birth of their daughter and their interview with Oprah Winfrey, among other things.

Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret by Craig Brown

The book is considered an enthralling account of Princess Margaret. It balances biography with philosophical musings surrounding fame, royalty, art, and being in the public eye, as well as contrasting public perceptions of the divisive figure’s public scandals and connections with famous celebrities. Margaret was a well-known socialite of her time and her romantic life was always under media scrutiny. A review in The Washington Post noted, “Brown has done something astonishing: He makes the reader care, even sympathise, with perhaps the last subject worthy of such affection.”

The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown

Multiple documentaries, books and even fictional films cannot fulfil the interest surrounding the late Princess Diana’s life. This book was released in 2007, a decade after the untimely death of Diana. This is a compelling account of Diana as well as the royal life and also gives us a glimpse of her mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth II. It topped the New York Times Best Seller list when it released. Brown based the book on almost 250 interviews of men and women in Diana’s close circle, her acquaintances in public and philanthropic works. The Sunday Times had written, “Tina Brown’s ‘The Diana Chronicles’ is not a book on Diana. It is ‘the’ book. Not only does it put the story of Diana in its proper historical context of British politics, journalism and the changing mores of the past quarter century, but it is also a perfect example of the nosy-parker’s art.”

My Husband and I: The Inside Story of 70 Years of the Royal Marriage by Ingrid Seward

From their romance and eventual marriage in 1947 to Queen Elizabeth II being crowned in front of millions watching through the then new medium of television, the book details some of the most important events in the couple’s life. An acclaimed royal biographer Ingrid Seward also gives a glimpse of the challenges faced by Prince Philip and details of the solid partnership between him and the queen. 

Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life by Sally Bedell Smith

He was and still is referred to as the man who broke Diana’s heart. Prince Charles, like many others in his family, was subjected to harsh criticism and public scrutiny especially due to his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. Sally Bedell Smith documents the journey of Prince Charles that is beyond public assumptions and portrayals. His childhood struggles, his marriages, his intellectual quest and his relationship with his children and grandchildren – this book covers a wide-range of topics about one of the oldest heirs to the throne. 

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