Royal Romances: Titillating Tales of Passion and Power in the Palaces of Europe

by Leslie Carroll

More breathtaking than any fairy tale, these real-life romances span seven scandalous, seductive centuries of all-for-love royal desire...

Elegant palaces, dazzling power plays, shimmering jewels, and the grandest of all-or-nothing gambles--nothing can top real-life love among the royalty. Louis XIV defied God and law, permitting his married mistress Madame de Montespan to usurp the role of Queen of France, then secretly wed her successor, Madame de Maintenon. Grigory Potemkin was a worthy equal in Catherine the Great’s bed as well as in Russia’s political arena. Dashing Count Axel von Fersen risked everything to save Marie Antoinette’s life more than once—and may have returned her passion. The unshakable devotion of the beloved late “Queen Mum” helped King George VI triumph over his, and England’s, darkest hours. And the unpretentious, timelessly glamorous—even relatable—union of Prince William and the former Kate Middleton continues to enthrall the world.

Full of marvelous tales, unforgettable scandals, and bedazzled nobles who refused to rule their hearts, this delightfully insightful book is what the sweetest royal dreams are made of...

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Royalty, Historical, Biography, Romance, European History

442 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2012

About the author

I used to tell people that I was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx; but the truth is that apart from the stellar education I received at the Fieldston School in Riverdale, much of who I am was shaped by my two grandmothers, who encouraged me to follow my bliss long before it became the sort of catchphrase you find on tee-shirts and new-age tchotchkes. My East Side grandmother took me to FAO Schwarz, the New York City Ballet, and afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel, where I dreamed of becoming another Eloise. My West Side grandmother took me to the Central Park carousel and the zoo and treated me to colorful paper parasols and gummy, lukewarm pretzels from the vendors whose wares my East Side grandmother deemed too "dirty" for human consumption.

There are writers on both sides of my family, and although I always loved to write, I never anticipated that it would become my profession. I had wanted to be a ballerina; and though my club feet were corrected at birth (from the stilettos I adore now, you'd never know) and my short Achilles tendons made my toes turn in (corrected at the age of 9), I was never going to end up en pointe.

About a year later, I decided to become an actress when (if?) I grew up, and I never looked back. I majored in Theatre at Cornell University, worked in summer stock, and took classes with a couple of acknowledged masters. I performed a lot of Shakespeare and other classics in New York parks, basements, church choir lofts, and the occasional Off-Broadway theatre; then founded and ran my own nonprofit theatre company for several years. And when things got slow, and I found myself working three survival jobs simultaneously (one of them as a journalist and editor), I decided it was time to pursue an additional creative avenue.

Fast forward a decade. I'm now a multi-published author in three genres, as well as a freelance journalist. And I've also adapted a number of classic texts (Ivanhoe; The Prisoner of Zenda; The Scarlet Pimpernel; Mark Twain's The Diaries of Adam and Eve) for the stage. I began writing women's fiction and historical fiction simultaneously, but my first published novel was the urban romantic comedy Miss Match in 2002. In 2005, as I continued to write about feisty female New Yorkers, my first historical novel was published under the pen name Amanda Elyot. While keeping those literary plates spinning I made my historical nonfiction debut in the spring of 2008.

In what I laughingly refer to as my spare time, I'm still a professional actress, working when the scripts and the roles excite me.

I'm such a native New Yorker that I still don't have a driver's license, "Big Sky Country" means Central Park, and the farthest I've ever been from the Upper West Side for any great length of time was my four-year stint upstate in Ithaca, at Cornell, known for its rigorous academics and its equally harsh permafrost.

My birthday falls on the same day as two of my heroes—F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jim Henson. So I reread The Great Gatsby every year and number Miss Piggy among the great actresses of her generation. My favorite color is deep hydrangea blue, and it just kills me that it doesn't look good with red hair.

I live in Manhattan with my husband Scott—who is my hero and everything I ever dreamed of. For the past couple of years we've been considering an addition to the family in the form of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Reviews

[Lois]

This was extremely readable and fun. The author chooses salacious gossip over fact which was disappointing. This book is suggested by history, not an actual non-fiction historical book.

[Lucy Bertoldi]

Leslie Carroll is well on her way to officially becoming THE “notorious Royal” historian when it comes to non-fiction on royal couples of past and present. I quickly became hooked on her series and practically devoured both: Notorious Royal Marriages (my review) and, Royal Pains (my review). Today’s release of ROYAL ROMANCES, is no exception. Upbeat, detailed and spot-on, Carroll delivers an excellent account of some of the royal romances that still intrigue us even today.

Meticulously researched, in Royal Romances, Leslie Carroll gives us the scoop on what really happened back in the days. Nothing dry about this history! Filled with quotes and almost upto the minute retelling of events, each story flows right into the juicy stuff that history buffs are dying to know.

The couples chosen for this splendid history lesson are none other than the ones we are most curious about; some very well-known, but many new and fresh ones as well…some of these I personally knew very little about- yet they delighted me the most! The regulars, such as: Marie Antoinette and Count Fersen, Napoleon and Marie Walewka (yep-this time no Josephine), Louis XIV (my favourite king..)and Athenais and la Marquise de Maintenon, Louis XV and la Pompadour and la Du Barry, Sophia Dorothea and Count Konigsmark- too name a few-spilling with romance, secret encounters, despair, dangerous liaisons, and even tragedy. And then to my surprise, I reveled in learning about some very new historical figures such as Caroline Mathilde, Queen of Denmark as well as Charles VII and Agnes Sorel. Finally, the greatest treat of all, was the inclusion of Kate and William- what a finale! No other royal publication (even royal magazines)I’ve ever read came close to the details I found here.

For anyone who wants the facts delivered in all of their original spice- Royal Romances (and I can vouch the same for the other ‘Royal’ books of this series), will have you hooked from the first page…and you won’t put it down until the last.

Honestly, writing history as entertaining and engaging as this, is truly an art. You need to add this one to your history book collection- it’s a must.

Excellent!

[Ubiquitousbastard]

Alright, so at times the author went on too long about the circumstances of monarchs, which I sometimes didn't care very much for. I also think, that (as with many history books) there was a disproportionate number of French and English monarchs represented, when I'm sure there were equally interesting events happening throughout the continent.

However, some of the romances were either new to me or unfamiliar enough that I found myself extremely interested in the events and fallout. The Madame de Pompadour section was utterly tragic and I realized she was almost nothing like my previous perception of her. I also found George VI's story interesting, if drawn out a bit too long. ...plus Carroll referred to "Lord Ribbentrop" without pejoratives preceding or following the mention, so I'm grateful enough to err on the side of four stars over three.

[Anna Elizabeth]

Probably my new second-favorite Leslie Carroll compilation ("Notorious Royal Marriages" still takes the cake for me). I just love her historical relationship profiles.

[Helen Geng]

Read January 2022

[Stefanie Robinson]

This book discusses tales of various romances throughout European History. I knew about most of these relationships, but this was a fun book to listen to on my commute. I bought four books from this author, and I am pleased with the attention to detail provided on each person discussed.

[Jessie Leigh]

Nonfiction that delves into the stories of some of the most infamous matches, mistresses, and extramarital loves in Europe’s history. Leans into the gossip on occasion; fun, readable, made for entertainment more than education.

[Mariana]

Didn't find most of the couples to be romances at all. Like, I accept romance as people being in love but some of the couples here weren't at all, or just one side of them was and the other was taking advantage of it.

Only liked the Prince William and Kate Middleton and Catherine the Great and Potemkin parts. The other ones were meh partly because I don't like reading about adultery and because of what I said before. Not sure I will be reading the author's Notorious Royal Marriages if it is as unromantic as this one.

[Dawn Leicester]

I almost finished this mainly because I hate giving up part of the way through a book but I couldn't finish it. There were some entertaining and interesting chapters - I particularly enjoyed the one about Napoleon and Marie Waleska but the chapters about Louis XIX and XV and their various paramours were so bound up in minutiae and went on for so long that I began to regret the time I was spending on it.

[Michell Karnes]

This book tells the story of some of the love stories of European monarchs. I found the stories that the author chose to tell interesting. I wondered why these were included while others were not? Most were the love these monarchs found with people other than their spouse of course but the author did include George VI and Elizabeth as well as William and Catherine. The author was detailed and the stories kept me enthralled.

[Sandy]

Very well researched and well-written but I guess I expected more stories like George VI and Elizabeth and Prince William and Kate Middleton but there were mostly stories of affairs - so to me the title was a little misleading. Also I don’t see how Ludwig of Bavaria’s affair with Lola Montez could be seen as a great romance - she didn’t love him and took advantage of an old man.

But still a good read.

[Rhiannon]

Continuing series about various royal romances and affairs. Chatty style with some informal conversation, but utilizes direct quotes and sources. The most carefully written and lengthy was Marie Antoinette's chapter. Very cautious not to give an opinion at first, presented evidence straight with no interpretation, then weighed it all in the conclusion. Recommended for light historical reading.

[Matthew William]

Good book. Very interesting and engaging. Great flow. Narrative is well-written.

[Yasser Maniram]

Paints Kate Middleton as a bit of a stalker.

[Jonathan Panofsky]

This book was a pleasurable lesson filled with interesting facts about the love life of royals throughout the world. I would definitely give it a full recommendation

[Mary Beth]

Book focused on different countries and their royal romances.

[Miranda]

Fun! Also men are trash.

[Kate]

I like the subject matter, but not a big fan of the periodic vague, subjective statements. "He went beserk" and "recited some mubo-jumbo over her head."

I like my non-fiction without these personal opinion statements.

[TJL]

I loved this book.

The little quote on the cover from the Chicago Tribune says that Leslie Carroll writes "with verve and wit", and I have to agree wholeheartedly- Carroll's writing style is very engaging, and it kept me consistently interested all throughout the book.

Part of the book's wit wasn't even in Carroll's writing, but in the choices she made about what details to include, and her own humorous commentary on it. For instance, during Lola Montez's chapter, she's quoting a letter that Lola wrote to Ludwig I, that reads as follows:

"[...]Lola accused him of punishing her. "If you don't help me I will kill myself and go mad [in that order]," she threatened."

Another good one came from the chapter with Henri II and his mistress Diane de Poiters, and her interaction with the Queen, Catherine de Medici:

"One day when Diane entered the queen's presence, Catherine happened to be reading a book, and the duchesse inquired as to the subject.

"I am reading The Chronicles of France, and I find that in every era there was a time when the affairs of Kings have been governed by whores," Catherine replied."

There were many more instances of this humorous detail, but I'd have to use the rest of my word
count here to compile them all.

Great book. Educational, engaging, and funny.

[Caroline Wilson]

*Original reviewed for the Historical Novel Society.

The goings-on of history’s royal families are of perennial interest to those not lucky enough to born a prince or princess. In Royal Romances, author Leslie Carroll delves into this well-loved subject with fervor. Twelve royals are profiled: from the rather obscure Charles VII of France to modern-day Prince William of Wales. Each section features an introduction to the era and the royal in question, followed by individual passages on the women or men involved in the romance.

Overall, the entries make for fascinating reading, though at times there is a little too much detail. As a result, the pace sometimes slows to a crawl. And with the exception of the entries on England’s George VI and Prince William, all of the romances discussed focus on affairs with both suitable and unsuitable paramours. While salaciousness makes for fun reading, a few imperial love matches can be found in history. Counterbalancing the torrid passions of the nobility with some good old-fashioned “Happily Ever After” would have made this book really shine.

Nonetheless, Leslie Carroll knows her subject and handles it well. Those obsessed with the back door romantic dealings of Europe’s royalty will find treasure in Royal Romances.

[Sara]

It was good. A light hearted historical read about the "great romance" of history. Some qualms though:
1. I feel like it started quite late in history (1400's) and that there should have been some other couples in earlier times mentioned.
2. I don't believe about Napoleon and his mistress (who's name I now can't remember). It seems more like abuse and rape and that she was forced into the relationship more then that being a great romance. I think that was a poor choice.
3. Ludwig of Bavaria and his mistress. I think this one is backwards as she was clearly using and manipulating him so I think it was more opportunity then love.

I think it's a kind of awkward mix between royal loves and marriages because some couples will overlap.

Nonetheless I enjoyed it and will read the other ones.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine)]

The quote: In a world where marriages were arranged for political and dynastic reasons, the lover in a true royal romance is the person the sovereign or concert would likely have selected as a spouse, had he or she been permitted the choice. - Leslie Carroll

I enjoyed this but it felt terribly long winded. I was only reading it intermittently and found that it was more than occasionally putting me to sleep.
The more interesting romances for me were definitely the ones where it was a queen or woman of status taking the risk. Sophia Dorothea of Celle, Catherine the Great, Caroline Matilde and Marie Antionette. What I will say is the Swedes had a way with the women.

I think it's one for the history buffs.

[Nikki]

Nice to be able to jump around. Haven't finished between Sophia Dorothea of Celle and Caroline Mathilde, Queen of Denmark (156 pages), which includes Louis XV and Catherine the Great of Russia. Sometimes chapters drag on, sometimes Carroll's writing is funny. I'm glad to have more background on important historical players as well as what was acceptable and not acceptable in certain places (and for royalty and commoners) across Europe hundreds of years ago. Chapters on the contemporary British royal family (George VI and Prince William), Ludwig I of Bavaria and Lola de Montez, and Marie Walewska and Napoleon Bonaparte were the most interesting chapters to me.

[Diana]

A compendium of famous royal romances, both within and outside of wedlock.

These stories have a slightly odd structure, starting with the monarch's life through death, then breaking into the romance(s) in question. It's a little odd to jump back and forth in time like that. There are also some spurious allegations presented as fact, and the fact that the book has no footnotes doesn't make it clear where they came from. While the inclusion of Prince William is timely, I'm not sure it fully belongs in the book, as it is still right in the middle.

[Melissa]

Perhaps a little too packed with information, especially about the French monarchs. How anything ever got accomplished is beyond me!

I have to say, my favorite bit was about King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Thanks to multiple viewings of The King's Speech, I thought I knew most of the story -- but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there was so much more. But the most pathetic story of them all had to be King Ludwig I and his "mistress" Lola Montez. If ever a monarch was whipped, it was King Ludwig. No wonder they got rid of him.

[Sandra Strange]

Good retelling of some of the most famous royal pairings including Henry II and Diane de Poitiers, Louis XV and Pompadour and du Barry, but also Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and her Swedish lover, maybe?, as well as George VI and his Elizabeth, and Prince William and his model princess. Good information with lots of gossip (labeled as such), but beware, some of the background historical information is inaccurate. Also, sexual issues of various monarchs and mistresses are treated frankly and in detail, so the book is obviously aimed at adults.

[Nate]

I read Charles VII, Henri II, Louis XIV, George VI, Prince William. Not sure about the fact that George and his wife had kids through artificial insemination as that seems to be claims of unreliable sources like Kitty Kelley and Lady Colin Campbell. Interestingly, the author does not directly cite sources. The sections were researched enough, but got too long with excess detail used where not necessary.

[Jessica Berry]

A another interesting history lesson from Leslie Carroll. I didn't know as many of the royals profiled here, so it was nice to learn about new people. The chapters in this book are longer than in her other books, so more details about fewer people. Sometimes it was nice, but I did kind of miss the more rapid pace of the others.

[Kim]

I wanted to like this book, but I found myself growing bored as each chapter dragged on and on. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and ended up skipping to the final chapter, the one covering Prince William and Catherine Middleton. That was probably the only truly interesting chapter in the entire book.

[Kris Cram]

Although it took me awhile to finish this book, I really enjoyed reading it. I learned a lot about certain royals that I didn't know before. I enjoyed the fact that the author included come modern royal romances in the book instead of just having historic romances. Thanks to Goodreads First Reads for a copy of this book.