Rebel of the Regency: The Scandalous Saga of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s Queen Without a Crown

by Ann Foster

The dramatic, absolutely outrageous story of Caroline of Brunswick, a beloved icon of the Regency era, who uplifted the voice of the public and unabashedly defied society’s expectations, yet was shockingly robbed of her crown, from the host of the Vulgar History podcast.

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth, Princess of Brunswick, was born in the northern German town of Braunschweig. Her mother and father, the duke and duchess, instantly knew one thing: there was something irrefutably untamable about their daughter. She grew up a wild child, sequestered from others to protect her family's reputation—a Regency-era Rapunzel.

She was freed from this gilded cage by an unexpected marriage proposal from George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales and the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte. Caroline was entirely unprepared for the backstabbing mean girls of the royal court. Always staying true to herself, she stepped into her role of queen-to-be without compromising her character, showing off her affinity for fashion, her many eccentric hobbies, and ultimately, her infallible spirit, despite being ostracized as an outsider by her in-laws.

And so Caroline became the unlikely figurehead of the anti-monarchists, aided by the just-emerging tabloid press. Yet, despite her status as a revolutionary heroine, Caroline’s name faded away following her death. Until now.

For fans of Normal Women, Ann Foster brings us the riveting story of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s uncrowned queen, through an empowering examination of womanhood and autonomy that feels just as relevant today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Biography, Historical, Royalty, Biography Memoir

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2026

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

History can be serious business. However, there are some books which come along which ride the fine line between telling a true story while having fun with it. I am still a stickler for accuracy, but if that is covered, why not get a little indignant, sarcastic, and, dare I say it, sassy. When your villain is nicknamed "Prinny", then how can you go wrong? In the case of Ann Foster and her book Rebel of the Regency, it goes very right.

Foster is telling the story of Caroline of Brunswick. For the uninitiated, of which I was recently one, Caroline married the future George IV of England, and I cannot even explain how badly the marriage went. In fact, for it to go any worse, someone would have needed to be murdered. I won't spoil the plot any further.

As mentioned, treating historical events with a humorous and light touch can often go wrong very fast. Foster nails this tone perfectly. She has found a subject begging for its absurdity to be highlighted. The author is clearly in Caroline's corner (as was much of England), but you can see where even Foster recognizes she is no saint and a different author may be more explicitly unflattering. However, in comparison to Prinny....

My sole warning to readers is that Foster is irreverent and is unafraid to use contemporary comparisons and vernacular. Most importantly, she gets the history right, but I know some readers don't want anything but the facts. Fair enough, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. You might just be missing out if you don't allow for a reference to The Princess Diaries once or twice.

(This book was provided as a review copy by Hanover Square Press.)

[Catherine (catisbookedup) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe this woman isn't talked about more! She was the original 'People's Princess' whose life draws so many parallels with Princess Diana you could definitely say history repeated itself. Originally thought to be timid and chosen by George IV ( yes George III and Queen Charlotte's eldest son) as a pushover bride ended in one of histories most controversial marriages since Henry VIII. She was a force to be reckoned with and ahead of her time. This book is excellently done darling many pop culture references and language not usually seen in royal biographies. Ann Foster is a breath of fresh Historical air!l
I loved this so so much. I've always loved History especially British Royal History and I love discovering lesser known Royals that just don't get mentioned enough. Caroline married into a lion's den of a family. You thought Bridgerton was scandalous? Well this is the REAL scandal of the same time period. This woman was Queen Charlotte's daughter in-law. She married her eldest son the future king. They thought she would be a pushover, boy were they wrong. She fought them to the bitter end. Looks like Princess Diana very much mirrored Caroline's life sadly. Why has no one made a movie about this woman!!!!

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time listener to the pod, I'm so excited for this!

[Tish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how I've copped with running out of Bridgerton episodes, 😂 reading about Queen Charlotte's daughter in law.

I just love a woman who misbehaves, is an inconvenience, a problem, and just a downright rebel.

God Prinny was such an egotistical man scorned by this woman and would do anything to try and ruin her, I'm glad Ann wrote this so I could learn about her and firmly put her top of my list of favourite Queens and I will call her that, a Queen because she deserves to be called one.

[Ridhima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those rare situations where the book ended up being different from what I had initially envisioned, but I was still pleasantly surprised by it.

Ann Foster tells us the story of the forgotten Queen of England, Caroline of Brunswick, who subverted expectations of the Regency and was the people's princess much before Princess Diana. From her teenage years as a German princess, to her tumultuous marriage to George IV, to her tour of the world, her bond with her only daughter; the book takes us through a journey of the bold and outspoken life she lived at a time when it was more than just frowned upon.

I actually loved all the footnotes the author provided throughout the book. To be honest, that was the vibe I was expecting for the entire book - funny and sassy, so I was surprised when it was still mostly history given to the reader, with much less modern references and humorous comments.

Still, to know that not much has changed about how women are treated as voiceless child-makers, how men in power make the laws and then break them almost immediately; this could have just as easily been the story of a current royal family and I would have easily believed it. Recommended for those looking for some much needed knowledge about this forgotten and undervalued Queen, if only to prove those who tried to erase her memory wrong.

Thank you to HTP's Hive Program for the gifted copy of the book!

[Jacklyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely OBSESSED with this book!! I love stories about women who “misbehave” or who are “irrefutably untamable” and Caroline of Brunswick was perfectly sassy and witty and the opposite of how she was “supposed” to act.

This book is interesting and funny and the author does a wonderful job keeping the reader really engaged with the story. Her story is so well researched - there were moments where I had to remind myself this was in fact a nonfiction book.

Two words: The Trial!!!!!

Yes Caroline deals with difficult in-laws and mean girls and scandals and gossip, but she is always true to herself. With all the funny and witty moments there are also heartbreaking ones too.

I highly recommend giving this a read!

[Kelli Matthews | SighingOurPleasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically: “Prinny is trash” + “Caroline is a delightfully ungovernable icon” + “Regency politics are messier than you may have ever realized.” I learned a ton about the era and the calculated cruelty Caroline faced, but it never felt like homework—Foster’s voice is fun, snarky, and packed with pop culture winks that keep everything feeling modern. And amid all the scandal and spectacle, the heartbreak sneaks up on you: her exile and Charlotte’s death are gutting. The finale—her “trial”—is both fist-pump inspiring (those rallying crowds!) and deeply sad, knowing how quickly it all curdles into the end of her life. I’m definitely going to explore the author’s podcast next, because I loved her voice here.

One practical note: the ebook format really doesn’t do the footnotes any favors. It’s a pain to bounce between text and notes, and you lose some of the fun. If you can, grab this one in print—actual paper for the win.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As the ruler of our nation, i BANNED my wife from my coronation....."

Admittedly, I'm more familiar with Prinny than I am Caroline, and like most people I wasn't super familiar with her beyond the usual rumours and jokes about her. I was wary of any book that starts out talking about or making comparisons to Diana, because that has been DONE TO DEATH.

But I really ended up enjoying this book a lot. It was informative, but informal and funny at the same time. Comparing Prinny to early 2000's emo culture was just CHEF'S KISS. I learned a lot about Caroline's ridiculous and scandal filled life, and while I still don't think she or Prinny were great people, I have a lot more sympathy for her now. I'm excited to read it again in print, I've already got it on hold at my local library!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chatty, scandalous delight, just like Caroline of Brunswick would have wanted. Ann Foster brings one of history's erased heroines out of the shadows and into her own glorious spotlight, pumpkin hat and Napoleon's pool cue in tow. Highly recommend if you like your Regency-era history with a maximum of hot Italian boyfriends and a minimum of whigs and tories.

[Siobhan Rosenfels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t think of a way to describe reading this book other than super fun… Ann Foster has managed to infuse this subject with humour and facts, and footnotes that made me chuckle. Following the life of the terribly treated Queen Caroline who I knew nothing about, as she navigates standing up for herself in a time when women really were not supposed to. Great read.

[Jennifer]

I just can't spend the necessary time finishing a book with typos.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delicious biography of the queen you've never heard of! Caroline of Brunswick was dramatic, fierce, a little ridiculous, and a force to be reckoned with. She had one of the world's worst husbands but refused to let it get her down. Ann Foster's writing is engaging, and salacious, with the perfect sprinkling of humor and wit. She brought Caroline of Brunswick to life and gave her modern day context. I honestly couldn't put it down! Can't wait to see what historic figure she writes about next!

[Sarah Zopp · Rating 2 out of 5]

The history was interesting but the writing style was not for me. The pop culture references feel forced and already feel outdated? Was expecting this to have been written in 2012 based on the amount of Pretty Little Liars & Mean Girls references

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel of The Regency is the untold story of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s Queen Without A Crown. Many people know that Princess Charlotte, Queen Charlotte’s granddaughter and the heir to the throne died young, but what of Princess Charlotte’s mother? This biography takes us back in time, before the Regency Era began, to paint the story of a queen forgotten to time.

From Caroline’s secluded teenage years, to her marriage and separation, to a world tour in her 40s, this book takes us through each stage, including the explosive divorce trial that took Britain’s people by storm. Caroline had a spirit that couldn’t be broken, and truly was The People’s Princess, two centuries before Princess Diana took that title.

This is brilliantly researched, and at times laugh out loud funny! The way the author described Caroline and her husband, George IV (aka Prinny,) really showed that they were real people with real problems. And Prinny was THE problem. It was so cool to learn about the shift from George III’s rule to the regency, and to see how Caroline never let the man get her down.

Thank you so much to HTP books for the e-arc! If you’re into history and Bridgerton sparked a love for the Regency Era, you’re going to love this! Rebel of The Regency releases on Feb 10!

[Michelle Only Wants to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a lot of thoughts about this book.

If you’re like me and crave Regency drama, Bridgerton’s finale probably left you searching for more. I tried everything: other period dramas, romance novels, multiple rewatches, but nothing quite filled the gap. Then I found Rebel of the Regency by Ann Foster, and the search ended.

Here’s why Rebel of the Regency stands out: while Bridgerton delivers drama, this book delivers the real, unfiltered gossip from the actual Regency period. Real history, as it turns out, surpasses fiction in its intrigue.

Despite my Regency obsession, I was pretty clueless about the era itself. I loved the gowns, balls, and drama, but not the history. Foster changed that in a casual, funny, and informative way. For the first time, I understand why it’s called the Regency period, which made the book worthwhile.

Foster writes so engagingly that it’s easy to forget this is non-fiction. Historical biographies are often dense and convoluted (many I’ve started, I’ve abandoned). This one, though, was impossible to put down.

The book centers on Caroline of Brunswick, and I admit I hadn’t heard of her before. I was shocked by what she went through: her husband, George IV (Prinny), was (no other word for it) a complete asshat. His treatment of her was jaw-dropping, and society unjustly blamed her for it. Caroline’s maternal care, like changing her daughter’s diapers or gardening, was deemed erratic. Somehow, being herself was enough to taint her reputation at court.

The truly awful stuff came later, and it only got worse. But here’s what I loved about Caroline: she never gave in. She fought Prinny to the very end and refused to be reduced to whatever humiliation he had planned for her right up until her funeral! She was, in the most literal sense, a rebel.

Now, I know some people had feelings about Foster’s modern pop culture references throughout the book (shoutouts to Bridgerton, Pretty Little Liars, and Britney Spears, among others). I get it. I can absolutely see how a more pedantic reader might feel thrown off by that. But I think those references are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do: making this story accessible to people who might not otherwise pick up a historical biography. And honestly? When the real circumstances of this woman’s life are as dire as they are, a little comic relief is not just welcome, it’s necessary.

Foster reveals undeniable, thoroughly researched facts, but she tells Caroline’s story in a way that’s engaging and immediately relevant. The injustices Caroline faced (control, humiliation, erasure, among others) feel disturbingly modern. The resonance with issues of power and gender today is what makes this book essential, not just entertaining.

I absolutely loved this book, and I urge Bridgerton fans to dive deeper into the real history. Rebel of the Regency doesn’t just entertain. It exposes true scandal, power, and resilience in ways no TV series can. There’s a deeper world behind the fiction, and Foster brings it vividly to life.

Though not a blog person, I’m now curious to check out Ann Foster’s blog after reading this book. If her writing there is anything like it is here, I’m in.

If you’re searching for a richly engaging, historically accurate, and highly entertaining read, I strongly recommend picking up Rebel of the Regency by Ann Foster. 5/5 stars. No notes. Go read it.

[Libby Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a love hate for this book, loved the topic. I’m a big fan of biographies surrounding kick ass women from history, especially told by women with a new angle outside of ‘the winner writes the history books.’ I saw this book on Goodreads and just added to my Kindle without much thought to the author or her background so keep that in mind. What I hated was the pop culture references. They’re so dang cheugy. Do people who read biographies need to be hit over the headed with 2020 cultural references? She was locked up and kept from society like Rapunzel, you don’t need to add Rapunzel from the hit movie Tangled. I know the story of Rapunzel it’s pretty common and not just cause the animated movie…

Maybe I’m a grinch? Every 5-10 pages there’s a reference that made me roll my eyes or cringe in second hand embarrassment. But I also finished the book and learned a lot and weirdly can say I liked the authors writing. Just maybe tone it down some in the next book? Also ‘meme’ is a word that dates back almost to regency England so you don’t need to explain how it’s like going ‘viral on instagram.’ I get brain rot has ruined our attention spans but we aren’t 13 and you don’t need to relate to the youths to teach them English. You’re an adult writing for adults. Unless I missed the mark here in which case if this book is for high school kids then hey I enjoyed it enough to still finish it so what does that say about me?

[She’s Stranger Than Fiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebel of the Regency: The Scandalous Saga etc. etc. is a well-written and accessible biography of Caroline of Brunswick. Caroline was a sheltered - practically shut away - German noblewoman sent to England to be wed to King George III’s heir and Prince of Wales, Prinny. Prinny was a philanderer and a hedonist who only married to persuade his father to give him more money. That his new bride would still be around once Prinny got the money he wanted was lamentable. The two had a child, but their relationship was never good, Prinny seeing her as a ball and chain wanted to be rid of her. Caroline knows her worth and isn’t going down without a fight, and the common people have her back. Prinny devotes himself to Caroline’s undoing and becomes more and more unpopular in this war of attrition. In a time when women had no power and few rights, Caroline fights and wins - mostly.

[3PCats · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realise the author also has a podcast where history is treated this irreverently, so I was in for a surprise when I noticed her style. The book is conversational and full of little asides like “Pretty Little Liars, 1800!” and “Pretty Little Liars alert!” that are meant to be funny but seriously grated. It definitely feels aimed at Bridgerton watchers and a younger generation, but to me it just felt dumbed down.

I was annoyed by the way the whole foundling saga was waved off as most likely a joke played by Caroline: ie she was not the mother. Surely the author could have investigated whether any of the foundlings were actually her children instead of just waving off her “pregnancies” as a prank or idle speculation.

Also, I wish there had been more on Caroline’s death. Was she poisoned? It’s incredibly odd how long George IV actively tried to get rid of her, and then just 19 days after his coronation, she dies during her final visit to England. Feels like there’s a story there that didn’t get fully explored.

[Abi Bessant-Burke · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF-ed at 17%
Unfortunately I found the style and tone insufferable. The constant pop culture references are eye-rollingly awkward and stilted. Repeatedly comparing a real life woman to a series of millenial films, tv shows etc come across as condescending rather than insightful. I'd much rather hear about Caroline's story than how said story is comparable to Mean Girls, Pretty Little Liars or Tangled.

I also got no sense of historigraphy do not recall any direct mentions of sources but perhaps this is lost in the audiobook version

[⟢₊ Ana ⟣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably the most fun I’ve ever had reading about history! The author’s writing style makes it hard to put the book down, turning what could be a dry topic into something genuinely entertaining. The footnotes were both helpful and delightful, and I loved learning about Caroline of Brunswick.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

[Carolyn Croley · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Went into this book unfamiliar with the author and her podcast and I have to ask, who is the target audience for this? This is a completely dumbed down version of events that appears to be written for those who have never touched a non-fiction book and are completely unfamiliar with British royal history. As a reader who has become increasingly frustrated with the tropifying of fiction for BookTok readers, why must this now be extended into non-fiction?? Why is 21st century vernacular such as "vibes", "fashion girlie", "catfishing", and "lovebombing" being used?? The author often goes on tangents describing other prominent royal figures such as Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves, who I would assume most people seeking out this type of book are quite familiar with. The author tries too hard to contextualize this history by referencing modern pop culture staples such as Mean Girls, The Parent Trap, and Pretty Little Liars, which completely took me out of the narrative the book is trying to convey. The notes the author includes are intended to be humorous, but I would much rather have preferred references to the primary quotes and sources used throughout. I was hoping to learn much more about this lesser known figure, but could not get past the tone.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this history. I cannot recommend it enough.

[Cardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! Well researched and accessible with some welcome humour. Shoutout to Olivia Waite's regency era fiction for piquing my interest in this historical figure.

[J R · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great subject matter, but felt like it was written by “the cool mom” trying to make history relevant to Gen Z.

[Não me Façam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uma leitura sobre uma mulher que era para ser rainha e que por um capricho de um homem, teve a vida dificultada.

[Amber Hauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED how this was written. Read for the Her Story challenge and was dreading all the nonfiction, this kept me so enthralled I went through it extremely fast. Bravo!

[Löffel Bombasti · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 for my sassy queen

[Kristine Vigil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as it was on the Goodreads Challenge list. It was not my 1st or 2nd choice from the list but was available immediately from my local library.

I loved this book. The history of Queen Caroline was great but the commentary from the author in the book made the book wonderful. I laughed, I felt seen as woman and could sympathize with the Queen on many things all these years later. Thank you for a history lesson on a remarkable woman.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up on a whim based on the title. Pretty informative, I like how the historical events were told. It was like listening to a podcast or YouTube video on the topic but in a longer form.

Also I didn't know much about Caroline before this but it was nice to hear about her constant endeavors to help children and not fit into molds people told her to be in. I can respect that.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THIS is a biography. Of course Caroline’s life and personality are fun in itself, but I really appreciated the author’s approach to writing. The history was informative without being overwritten and the salacious details were provided like a gossip session with a friend. Fun parallels and references to modern life without being completely dumbed down