Power and the Palace: The Inside Story of the Monarchy and 10 Downing Street

by Valentine Low

Power and the Palace will examine how the relationship between the sovereign and the country's political leadership has changed over the last 200 years. It will show how even in relatively recent history - the first half of the twentieth century - sovereigns were involved in politics in ways that would be regarded as totally unacceptable now. The stock phrase used by palace advisers today is that the sovereign is 'above politics'. And yet the fascinating thing is that has changed without there ever being any change to the which, of course, there can't be, because Britain doesn't have a written constitution.

Two main threads run through the book. One is how the monarchy gradually ceded political power over the last couple of centuries, culminating in the 2010 Cabinet Office manual, drawn up under Gordon Brown with the assistance of Buckingham Palace, which was basically designed to keep the sovereign out of the decision-making process in the event of a hung Parliament. The other is how the monarchy has fought tooth and nail to make sure its finances have remained secure, from the way it talked the government into allowing the sovereign not to pay income tax for most of the twentieth century to the way it landed a spectacularly good deal for the financing of the royal family under David Cameron in the form of the Sovereign Grant. Successive governments have made sure that the royal wealth remains protected. These two threads share a common they are about ensuring the long-term survival of the monarchy, by keeping the monarchy solvent, but also above criticism.

Based on the author's high-level access to both the Palace and 10 Downing Street, the book is full of revelations that will rewrite our understanding of the relationship between the monarchy and the government.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Royalty, British Literature

432 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2025

About the author

Journalist and royal correspondent at The Times.

Reviews

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of the relationship between monarchs and British Prime Ministers from William IV to the future King William V. There is familiar material in the early chapters for anyone who has read the work of Anne Somerset, Jane Ridley, Kenneth Rose and Robert Hardman but there are new insights and perspectives throughout the text, especially the later chapters. I thought the last two chapters about Charles III and the future William V were especially interesting as few historical royal biographies also have a strong focus on the monarchy in the 21st century.

[Ursula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn’t all dull. But it was shockingly dull given that it’s about the mysterious world of British statecraft and the dramatic brinksmanship that often results from the tug of war over the ever-shifting balance of power between the monarchy and the government. Such a disappointment, particularly coming on the heels of the author’s prior riveting release, “Courtiers.” This, in stark contrast, was a veritable slog.

Tories and Whigs and Labour and Liberals. Oh my! What does it mean to be a political king? Yes, please, tell me more! But obscure rules about when a prime minister must resign following an election in which his/her party doesn’t “win” but garners the most votes and how he/she can form a coalition government of opposing parties… (exhale) please, spare me.

At its heart, this book is about the relationship between the Royals and the people who actually run the country. It highlights how the personal chemistry between the sovereign and the prime minister has proved just as important as the constitutional relationship. Speaking of which, I was surprised to learn from this book that the British constitution turns out to be more a set of conventions rather than a single written document. Who knew?

At times, this book delves so far into the parliamentary weeds that it left me wondering to whom it was intended to appeal?!? Surely there aren’t even enough Brits who would want to know the depth of detail the author shares about the tedious nuances of, for example, “prorogation” (the period between the end of one session of Parliament and the beginning of the next).

Personally, I would have benefited from reading “Parliament for Dummies” (assuming one exists?) before tackling this. Having only a superficial understanding the British political structure put me at a severe disadvantage.

This book was certainly educational, and some of the material is fascinating, like the chapter about Queen Victoria’s so-called “bed chamber crisis” or a later chapter about Prime Minister John Major’s relationship with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana. Another intriguing chapter alluded to the type of ruler Prince William is likely to be when he ultimately ascends the throne.

But be forewarned: The first 100 pages are slow. The next 100 are so deadly sluggish that it took every ounce of resolve to press on. At that point, I was convinced this was destined to be a 1 Star review. However, if you keep calm and carry on, as the famous British saying goes, the book definitely picks up steam towards the end. Thus, the 3 star rating.

[Clive Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

The palace mentioned in the title is Buckingham Palace. 'Power and the Palace' covers 200 years of British constitutional history, from Queen Victoria to King Charles.

It’s based on 100 interviews with senior politicians, top public servants, royal aides and constitutional experts.

Written by a journalist, this well-researched history book is an exposé of the relationship between the various monarchs and their prime ministers.

Victoria reigned for 63 years; Elizabeth II for 70 years. The most fascinating pages of Power and the Palace detail leaks from the so-called confidential weekly meetings these two women had with their prime ministers.

I formed the impression that in a country with a constitutional monarchy, the accepted convention is that the sovereign has only three rights: to be consulted, to encourage and to warn.

Queen Victoria often ignored the convention, gave her opinion and expected it to be followed. She sulked when it wasn’t and moved to Balmoral for a few months. Her prime ministers were expected to travel weekly to see her there rather than travelling a few kilometres from Downing Street to the palace.

Disraeli worked out a technique to ‘handle’ her; I never contradict, I never deny, but sometimes … I forget. He also understood her appetite for political trivia and sent a daily letter that amused her.

Elizabeth II’s weekly meetings are particularly enlightening. She had her favourites but struggled with Margaret Thatcher and Boris Johnson. She particularly enjoyed her time with Harold Wilson. They had a similar sense of humour and both found political gossip amusing.

Valentine Low’s prose is easy-to-read, humorous and entertaining.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the relationship between the British monarchy and the British government, in the person of the Queens and Kings and Britain’s prime ministers. Low begins with the first PMs under King William IV and ends with Keir Starmer and King Charles. Several sources describe this book as gossipy- it is not gossipy in the traditional sense of a book involving the royal Family although there is a lot of inside baseball about politics and political figures- its own kind of gossip. The book is a fascinating study in particular of the relationship between the Sovereign and the Prime Minister. It shows how the monarch has gradually ceded power and authority to the PM and the government, contrasting, for example Queen Victoria’s displeasure with the selection of a prime minister and attempts to influence the choice of a particular candidate with Queen Elizabeth’s silence in a similar situation. The book is classic in demonstrating the workings of a constitutional monarchy. If you are looking for royal family gossip, you won’t find it here. Instead, you will receive an education in the development and workings of a constitutional monarchy.

[Linda Edmonds Cerullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit I was a bit hesitant to purchase this book. As an American, I wasn't at all sure I would be able to follow it or find it interesting. So glad I decided to purchase it. It was fascinating. Starting with Queen Victoria and ending with King Charles III it is a deep dive into the relationships between Royalty and the Prime Ministers. There are many familiar names of course (Churchill, Disraeli, Thatcher, Cameron, Major, Johnson) but equally as interesting were some who were not as familiar. The relationship between the King/Queen and the Prime Minister is a challenging one at times to be sure, but somehow it works and has done so for many years. This is a great historical look at the highlights. Highly recommend.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 Interesting, but I wanted more about all the previous reigns and didn't really learn much new. The focus was definitely on Elizabeth II.

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of dipped in and out of this one. I liked the parts where the Prime Ministers visited Balmoral and also their weekly visits to Buckingham Palace more than the political wrangling.

[Benedict Skipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It’s a sharp, readable look at the sometimes uneasy relationship between politicians and the monarchy. Dale shows how most in Westminster are perfectly happy for the monarchy to carry on, and how recent royals have learned to step back from anything political to keep their place as symbols of unity. The chapter on Queen Victoria and her stormy relations with her ministers was especially good.