Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Palace Papers
The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor--the Truth and the Turmoil | Tina Brown
29 posts | 26 read | 13 to read
The riveting inside story of the British royal family since the death of Princess Diana, from the Queens tightening grip to the defection of Prince Harry and Meghan Markleby the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Diana Chronicles ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022BookPage Never again became Queen Elizabeth IIs mantra shortly after Princess Dianas tragic death. More specifically, there could never be another Dianaa member of the family whose global popularity upstaged, outshone, and posed an existential threat to the British monarchy. Picking up where Tina Browns masterful The Diana Chronicles left off, The Palace Papers reveals how the royal family reinvented itself after the traumatic years when Dianas blazing celebrity ripped through the House of Windsor like a comet. Brown takes readers on a tour de force journey through the scandals, love affairs, power plays, and betrayals that have buffeted the House of Windsor over the last twenty-five years. We see the Queens stoic resolve as she coped with the passing of Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother, and Prince Philip, her partner for seven decades, and triumphed in her Jubilee years even as the family dramas raged around her. Brown explores Prince Charless determination to make Camilla Parker Bowles his queen, the tension between two princes on different paths, the ascendance of the resolute Kate Middleton, the disturbing allegations surrounding Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, and Harry and Meghans stunning decision to step back as senior royals. Despite the fragile monarchys best efforts, never again seems fast approaching. Tina Brown has been observing and chronicling the British monarchy for three decades, and her sweeping account is full of powerful revelations, colorful details, and searing insight gleaned from remarkable access to royal insiders. Stylish, witty, and erudite, The Palace Papers will irrevocably change how the world perceives and understands the royal family.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
ncsufoxes
post image
Pickpick

Whew, 18 hours of listening, long but kept my interest. I‘m not sure if I feel more empathetic towards the royals or feel put off by their sense of entitlement, a little of both. I couldn‘t imagine their life in this bubble of being raised to be a figurehead but also as an American still don‘t understand why/how the monarch still exists. I do find the royals fascinating (I‘m obsessed with Queen Victoria). #bookspin book

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 7mo
20 likes1 comment
review
AileenRR
post image
Pickpick

One of the better books I‘ve read about the British Royals 👑

review
Hooked_on_books
post image
Bailedbailed

I‘m largely uninterested in the royals, but after seeing a few reviews saying this was juicy fun, I thought I‘d give it a go. I didn‘t last long—Brown‘s bias is so blatant I just can‘t. Firm “no thanks” from me.

review
Megabooks
post image
Pickpick

Juicy AF! 🍑🍑🍑 I‘m glad you finally spurred me to pick this up @Cinfhen ! Tina Brown dishes on the British royals from the 1970s to now. I think she was trying to be sort of objective, but she seems to have a soft spot for Camilla, William, and Harry but doesn‘t seem to like their spouses as much. Like any good Brit of her generation, she reveres the Queen. A fun #audiobook even if it clocks in at 18 hours.

rubyslippersreads I need to read this one. 👑 1y
Cinfhen Excellent review and observations!!! Glad it was a pick after the 18 hour audio commitment 💗 (edited) 1y
Megabooks @rubyslippersreads it‘s really an enjoyable, easy read! 1y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks! Tina definitely had opinions even if she tried to pretend otherwise. 💜 1y
74 likes4 comments
review
AlizaApp
post image
Pickpick

An insightful but snarky (the Tina Brown brand!) look at the Royal family in the years after Diana‘s death leading up to the present. This includes a lot about Camilla, Will and Kate, Harry and Meghan, and the Prince Andrew scandal. As an American I think I like Meghan a lot more than Tina does, but overall a fascinating insider-y look at a normally very closed institution.

24 likes1 stack add
review
SweetP1967
post image
Pickpick

Very enjoyable, read about relatively more recent goings-on in the royal family, primarily focused on Charles, his sons and their experiences, and Camilla.

review
mcctrish
post image
Pickpick

This is a great audio book read by the author. I continue to feel the Queen was an example to the world on how to live and behave with Grace. I still think Andrew and Fergie were a bizarre match. The lack of a fairytale for Diana still breaks my heart. I am happy Charles & Camilla are together, he is a different man now.
I think Will and Kate will be fine.
I‘m not sure about Harry and Meghan.

LeahBergen I agree with all your points. 😆 1y
mcctrish @LeahBergen I will probably get Harry‘s book on audio next year at some point but I‘m not in a rush 1y
41 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Cinfhen
post image
Pickpick

Definitely more than I ever needed to know about the royals! Some parts were really difficult to get through ( Andrew & Jeffrey Epstein) and some parts I skimmed. The paparazzi are really vultures, being a royal kind of sucks, im not sure how I feel about Meghan, sorry for the loss of HM, I hope Charles can make his country proud, Diana‘s boys= national treasures & props to Camilla -she really stuck it out. And bonus #Lesotho #ReadingAfrica22

MaGoose I agree with everything you said. I would not want to be a royal or married to one, especially in the UK. Royals in other countries seem to be more low-key. 1y
Cinfhen Yeah that‘s definitely true @MaGoose you hardly ever hear about the other royals!! Last time I heard about Princess Stephanie of Monaco she was dating Rob Lowe 😁😂 (edited) 1y
Librarybelle Hooray for the bonus!! 1y
See All 10 Comments
Cinfhen I know @Librarybelle 🤗🤗🤗 1y
Megabooks I just finally got on the list for the audiobook at the library. 1y
BarbaraBB I sincerely love your review, you almost make me want to read it but no, I am not that interested in them 1y
Cinfhen It was a lot more than I ever needed to know @BarbaraBB but it‘s entertaining @Megabooks who reads the audiobook?? 1y
BarbaraBB That made me laugh, “much more than I needed to know” 😂 1y
TrishB We know far too much just from the press, I would not want to read this. It‘s all outdated anyway and truly a bad obsession in this country. 1y
Megabooks I think Tina herself does. I‘ve got a 6 week wait on it so it probably won‘t come in time for NFNov. 1y
77 likes10 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
post image

#FridayChill A frozen wine slushy and a heavy dose of ROYAL gossip ….what could be better???

Cinfhen You need to try these when you‘re in town @Blaire ❣️😘 1y
JenReadsAlot Looks good to me! 1y
Cinfhen Definitely a nice way to start the weekend @JenReadsAlot 🍷 1y
See All 12 Comments
JenReadsAlot I enjoyed that book. 1y
Blaire @Cinfhen yes!! This sounds like the perfect concoction 1y
squirrelbrain Sounds wonderful! 1y
TrishB The frozen wine slushy sounds great! 1y
LeahBergen Perfect mix! 1y
LeeRHarry Frozen wine slushy? Whoever came up with that idea - genius! 😆 1y
Megabooks That is a great afternoon!! 👍🏻👍🏻 1y
KarenUK That sounds perfect! 😍 1y
82 likes12 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
post image

My morning cuppa with a side of English gossip - my heart actually breaks for William & Harry. Being in the public eye is a “royal” nightmare 😉

Centique Oh the flowers! 😍😍 I love it when I get the double joy of reading about all the books you‘re reading and seeing everyone‘s beautiful flowers and gardens! 1y
71 likes1 comment
blurb
Cinfhen
post image

Enjoying the sunshine 🌞 and a dose of #RoyalGossip 👑🪄 Tina Brown likes to DISH IT OUT 😱 #JUICY

mcctrish I‘m listening to this right now and I swing from that‘s awful to holy smokes very frequently 1y
OutsmartYourShelf I‘m in a virtual queue for this at my local library. About 6 months wait! 1y
Cinfhen Yesssssss @mcctrish I can‘t decide how much is actually true though!?? This was a buy two get one free deal on Amazon a few months ago @OutsmartYourShelf so I went for it because my library wait was also ridiculously long!!! (edited) 1y
mcctrish I legit have no idea on validity. I remember a lot of it being in the media but some not at all. Some of it is heartbreaking ( I remember when Harry was ‘found‘ and had to fly home from the war and remember thinking “leave him the fuck alone!” It seems even more heartbreaking now in the context from this book) 1y
Cinfhen Yes @mcctrish I remember when he had to leave his unit too! I feel so badly for the William & Harry. And WOW Camilla has really been in the picture MUCH LONGER than I realized. I just don‘t get it 🤷🏼‍♀️and the paparazzi are RUTHLESS. I don‘t watch shows like the Crown or Upstairs/ Downstairs but that‘s some really crazzzy shit 1y
66 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
ClairesReads
post image
Pickpick

4 stars and 18 hours of gossipy enjoyment. The Palace Papers is exactly what it appears to be and it was a diverting commute audio.

33 likes1 stack add
blurb
mcctrish
post image

Next. The Prince Philip stories are bringing tears to my eyes

TheBookHippie I cried reading it as well… 1y
29 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Monica5
post image
Pickpick

Wow! The info in this book. I learned things about Princess Di, Princes William and Harry, Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Camelia (now Queen Consurt (misspelled)), Dutchess Kate, and Megan I never knew. Made me reevaluate what I thought I knew about them. It made me feel very sorry for the things the Princes went through as boys.

If you love books about the Royal Family, you need to read this book. Be prepared for info overload.

17 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Monica5
post image

Starting this next. As an American, I have always been fascinated by the Royal Family.

all_4_kb Same. Let us know what you think 1y
Monica5 @kbibliophilific I will 🙂 1y
13 likes2 comments
review
Kristin_Reads
post image
Pickpick

📖 9-17-22 || I started listening to this weeks ago and had stalled but picked it up again this week. I found this to be entertaining, while still even-handed and well-sourced. The cover is misleading since this also looks at many of the male members of the Royal family (Charles, William, Harry, Edward, etc).

53 likes1 stack add
review
jspoelker
Pickpick

Although very well written and detailed, I found myself jumping to sections that interested me most. A truly comprehensive history and commentary on the reign of Queen Elizabeth with engaging stories and behind the scene details that one may have missed on the media when it occurred.

review
BayouGirl85
post image
Pickpick

As I was reading I couldn't help but think they feel like any other family who has a healthy dose of dysfunction. A family with secrets, struggles, strong bonds, intense obligations but with a public thirst that would drive me batty.

June Book 25/25 #LItsyLove #bookspinbingo

review
fredthemoose
post image
Pickpick

This was fun. Interesting background on the most prominent women in the British Royal family, done in a way that didn‘t feel over the top salacious or gossipy. If this seems like something you might like, it‘s worth a read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

review
JenReadsAlot
post image
Pickpick

As an American I admit I'm fascinated by the Royal family. This was good!

29 likes2 stack adds
review
Chelsea.Poole
post image
Pickpick

A big ol‘ book about the most famous family in the world…? Is that accurate or would it be the Kardashians?! 😆
Anyhoo, I was entertained and if you have a royal fascination like me, read it!
Pictured here with my English rose!

mabell Lovely rose! 2y
Cinfhen Love your garden/yard 🥰 2y
Cinfhen Book sounds juicy!!! 2y
See All 7 Comments
Chelsea.Poole @mabell @Cinfhen thank you! My garden is at the height of its glory currently. Trying to soak it up 😊 2y
Chelsea.Poole @Cinfhen oh it is! Many unnamed sources from the palace. 😉 2y
Megabooks Beautiful flower! 2y
80 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
Sophronisba
post image
Pickpick

Reading this book felt like a good late-night gossip with a new friend over a bottle of red wine. I might regret it in the morning but it was fun while it lasted. Frankly, the entire 600 pages might have been worth it just for the passage in which Tina Brown compares the Queen to Logan Roy.

15 likes1 stack add
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
post image

Lunch break today was a good one: everything bagel sandwich, book, courtyard, lovely flowers and friendly neighborhood kitty for company (not pictured)
📖🥯 🌹 🐈‍⬛

batsy That seems pretty perfect! Especially that sandwich 😁 2y
Kimzey Sounds like an ideal lunch break! 2y
Megabooks Yum! Love everything bagels! 2y
90 likes3 comments
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
post image

Seriously loving this beautiful spring 🌸
The golden hour ✨
(Last night featuring my mom‘s rhododendron!)

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 🌸 2y
Tamra Gorgeous! 2y
79 likes2 comments
review
KristiAhlers
post image
Pickpick

For #travelthroughbooks we visit England with this non-fiction tell. I must say the author goes into great detail unwrapping all the secrets from Camillagate to Harry and Meghan leaving for the states. It‘s a lengthy read but interesting. #england #springread

blurb
Sophronisba
post image

TIL that Prince Philip got exasperated with ads on his Kindle and threw it into his bathtub, and although this is a funny image, what is even funnier is that his wife, one of the world's wealthiest women, would not spring for an extra twenty bucks to disable the ads.

The Queen of England is cheaper than my husband! Who knew?

melissajayne Rich people are noted for being stingy 2y
8 likes1 comment
quote
Sophronisba
post image

Tina Brown on Diana:

“I don‘t subscribe to the now pervasive narrative that Diana was a vulnerable victim of media manipulation, a mere marionette tossed about by malign forces beyond her control. While strongly sympathetic to her sons‘ pain, I find it offensive to present the canny, resourceful Diana as a woman of no agency, as either a foolish, duped child or the hapless casualty of malevolent muckrakers.“

blurb
Chelsea.Poole
post image

My idea of #sundayfunday

KristiAhlers I just bought this book today! 2y
Chelsea.Poole @KristiAhlers it‘s a page-turner, for sure! 2y
74 likes1 stack add2 comments