The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor - the Truth and the Turmoil

All of the below being my personal growth and opinions over the decades aside, this book is by far the most satisfying read in the way of its complex and exhaustive information on ALL of the modern royals. Further, I believe it's the most balanced account I've ever seen. Tina Brown has masterfully gathered every bit of expertise that could be rounded up and laid it all out in the most wonderfully readable and marvelously extensive account that rings of truth and reality. I've felt myself drawn to European history and especially the British Monarchy since I rose in the night, still a child, to watch a real princess be born. I still remember exactly where I was when the news hit the US that the Princess of Wales had died. Though approaching my 30's and pre internet I'd not yet outgrown my ardent adoration without context of wholly supporting the minted Princess over the Prince of Wales unaccountable obsession with Camilla. That would take another decade of new access to the www, and poring over ancient English history and books, articles and interviews of modern royalty. As well as a far more mature and balanced picture of Diana as well as Charles. To me it became inarguable that the Duchess of Cornwall was as vital to the Prince of Wales and his future as King as was Prince Philip to Queen Elizabeth and her reign. It's become gratifying to me to have had the privilege of watching him literally bloom into joy with Camilla finally beside him. The baptism of fire they walked through for decades tempered them rather than turning them to ash as it would have most people. Now as King AND Queen they are simply marvelous to behold. God save the King!

In "The Palace Papers," Tina Brown delivers a riveting and insightful exposé on the British monarchy's tumultuous journey over the past twenty-five years. Picking up from where "The Diana Chronicles" left off, I was captivated by Brown's in-depth exploration of the royal family's attempts to transform in the wake of Princess Diana's enduring legacy. The emotional depth and complexity of each character, from Queen Elizabeth II's quiet resilience to Prince Charles's long-anticipated union with Camilla, painted a vivid picture of a family grappling with both tradition and modernity. Brown’s access to insider accounts reveals juicy scandals and poignant moments, making it an engaging narrative that feels both insightful and entertaining. This book isn’t just a history lesson; it's a compelling commentary on the fragile relationship between celebrity and monarchy in a world that continues to change at a rapid pace. "The Palace Papers" is essential reading for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the complexities surrounding one of the world's most famous families.

The book is not the scandalous tittle tattling one might have been led to think but a fairly objective explanation of events with especially pertinent background information. Brown is particularly good at describing the social milieu in which the characters find themselves, or seek to find themselves. Despite the complaints from the Meghan fans about the unfairness of her treatment of Meghan, the only member of the royal family who gets torn to shreds is Andrew, but he deserves it for his sleaziness, arrogance and stupidity. The media, especially the tabloids and papparazzi also get hammered as Brown describes the truly awfulness of the hacking campaign carried out by the Murdoch crew. It was unbelievably horrible. Brown does devote considerable space to Harry and Meghan in trying to explain why they act as they do. Harry has been an angry, tormented soul since childhood, only finding some measure of purpose and contentment in the army. Unfortunately, he could not remain Lt. Wales as a. career. Meghan has been an ambitious, driven individual since childhood, torn by her desire to be somebody as well as to be an agent for good. It is evident that Harry wanted out of Royal life and Meghan was the catalyst that made it happen. In Brown’s opinion (and many others) the two thrive on drama and upheaval. The pre-wedding turmoil began because Meghan could not or would not understand how the Palace worked (thinking that Royal courtiers and staff were the same as contract employees at NBC studios, as in the Queen’s intimate Angela Kelley being just a costume aide) and the Palace could not understand Meghan’s California directness and let’s get things done attitude. Cultural conflict at its worst. Rather than trying to be a conciliator, Harry only fed the flames. It was a sad outcome because the Queen, Philip, Charles and the top level courtiers welcomed Meghan and were pleased at how much she could add to the royal mystique. The only entities who caused trouble from the beginning were the British media, especially the tabloids, who were their usual nasty selves. Brown comments that Meghan might have saved herself a bit of woe if Piers Morgan had been invited to the wedding rather than the George Clooneys. Only time will tell whether or not the Sussex attempts at media empire building will be successful. Brown seems to think that they have not yet accomplished much and that Diana’s media before her death were much better organized. The surprise for me was Brown’s treatment of Camilla and Catherine, as well as Carole Middleton. Her description of Camilla’s upbringing as part of the English county set was interesting and did much to explain Camilla’s behavior. Brown does not condone the affair or how it was carried out, but as a person Camilla comes across as a level headed, charming and attractive person with none of the emotional baggage that plagues everyone else, except Kate. For Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, there are nothing but bouquets. The girl who was seen as a rather innocuous, uninteresting, unambitious social climber has emerged as a compassionate, caring steel-spined rock for William and ultimately the Crown. She is certainly not a nobody but a thoroughly grounded, emotionally stable and intelligent player in the family drama. Brown is also complimentary to her parents, especially Carole, for their stability, their success as parents and as entrepreneurs. No typical English snobbery present in Brown’s treatment. She admires their middle class values. All in all, this is a readable and credible attempt to explain the current state of the Palace and the monarchy. The Queen, Prince Philip, Camilla and Catherine are lauded. Charles is given both warts and his halo. William is commended for surviving the trauma of his childhood and early youth ( he knew all too well what was going on in his parents’ marriage) and turning out to be a compassionate and thoughtful future king. Harry and Meghan are explained through the lens of their own childhood traumas (Meghan’s was probably far more difficult and fractured than she has admitted). Andrew and the tabloids get their just desserts. The thread running through this is family and what they do to us (PhilipLarkin’s famous one line comes to mind). The only individuals in the royal family who had a stable, normal childhood are Camilla and Catherine. Brown comments that one strength of the monarchy since George V has been marital support. George VI became an admirable king because of the unfailing encouragement and care of his wife. Philip truly was the strength and support of Elizabeth II. Charles and William may also be successful monarchs because of the women they married.

Excellent

I enjoyed this book although I have to admit to skimming the parts not of particular interest, like heavy details on the UK media. Yes, there is a certain amount of repetition but that has to be expected when doing an overview type of book. I did not find that boring like other readers, however because of Tina Brown's narrative style. She is a hoot. Her writing has just the right amount of snark in it, triggering some laugh out loud moments. I appreciate the research she did along with her documentation of facts. I was in London when the Queen died and although I am not close to being a royalist (too Irish) I confess with a certain fascination with the current cast of characters. This is an entertaining book that provides an excellent survey what is happening now. Objectivity is neither desired or expected by me.

The Queen became the Queen in the year of my birth. This book is offers a clear and comprehensive macro account of the British Royalty during those years, as I lead a completely different life in Canada. As a young child I saw the Queen in Canada, as an adult I once walked by Philip in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, and from university knew some English architects/urbanist as who had face time with Charles in the UK. Megan’s rental house in Toronto was in my previous neighbourhood In other words, we weren’t close. But they did occupy the same world. This extraordinary, long and well written account tells what the Windsors were up to the rest of the time over the past 70 years. It’s long, but it is well worth the read. It combines history, snark and gossip and somehow seems to arrive at what is probably truth.

Someone has to make a book just like this, out of the vestimenta of the royals but the closer people surrounding them as well the unknown details that cast their lives and gossips which eventually yields the greatest of all monarchy’s , no winners no losers but one Queen always de Great, Elizabeth II. Well done Tina and ready for the next “London bridge is down , long live the king”

Her observations about Camilla was fascinating. Camilla likes bling! And how British tabloids work. The Queen’s visit to Ireland. All very interesting.

Fast delivery and a book worth reading.

Great read for anyone interested in the British monarchy. Great insights.