What do you think?
Rate this book
American Crown: From Revolutionaries to Royalty: The Story of Prince William's American Heritage
The fascinating story of Prince William’s American ancestors, and how this often-rebellious lineage will help shape the future King of Great Britain.
In this fresh and perspective-shifting narrative, American Crown is an absorbing blend of American history and royal biography that brings to life the past generations who will shape the Prince of Wales’s role in the future of Britain, America and the world. For the first time, Britain will have a monarch whose ancestors fought against the very crown he bears.
It all goes back to the roots of Diana, Princess of Wales whose Spencer family has a friendship with the Washington clan of Sulgrave Manor that produced the founding father of America, but more fascinating is Diana’s maternal side whose American ancestors fought in the Revolution in New England, became successful in the new nation, and then (like many Gilded Age families) sent a daughter across the ocean to marry into the British elite. Other Spencers on the British side had bucked social trends in the 1770s even raised funds for the American rebels themselves. Embodying more interconnected history than any of his predecessors, William’s sense of his own role in the world is markedly different from anyone who’s ever held the throne.
With sweeping locations from battlefields to Buckingham Palace and featuring grand personalities like Nathan Hale, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Winston Churchill, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, Stephanie Green’s American Crown tells the story of a very new kind of royal family—one with the potential to bring two countries closer together in times of turmoil and bring the “special relationship” into next century.
In this fresh and perspective-shifting narrative, American Crown is an absorbing blend of American history and royal biography that brings to life the past generations who will shape the Prince of Wales’s role in the future of Britain, America and the world. For the first time, Britain will have a monarch whose ancestors fought against the very crown he bears.
It all goes back to the roots of Diana, Princess of Wales whose Spencer family has a friendship with the Washington clan of Sulgrave Manor that produced the founding father of America, but more fascinating is Diana’s maternal side whose American ancestors fought in the Revolution in New England, became successful in the new nation, and then (like many Gilded Age families) sent a daughter across the ocean to marry into the British elite. Other Spencers on the British side had bucked social trends in the 1770s even raised funds for the American rebels themselves. Embodying more interconnected history than any of his predecessors, William’s sense of his own role in the world is markedly different from anyone who’s ever held the throne.
With sweeping locations from battlefields to Buckingham Palace and featuring grand personalities like Nathan Hale, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Winston Churchill, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, Stephanie Green’s American Crown tells the story of a very new kind of royal family—one with the potential to bring two countries closer together in times of turmoil and bring the “special relationship” into next century.
- GenresNonfictionAudiobook
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 10, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC!
American Crown by Stephanie Green is an interesting exploration of the intersection between American history and the British monarchy, offering a fresh perspective on figures we thought we knew well. The basic premise of the book is a fact that (as an American) I should have known, but didn't: namely, that when Prince William takes the throne in the coming years, he will be the first British Monarch to have traceable American ancestry.
As someone who vividly remembers the 80s and 90s—watching the royal dramas unfold on the evening news in real-time—I found Green’s approach to Princess Diana particularly resonant. Rather than simply rehashing the tabloid headlines of the era, the author provides a nuanced look at Diana’s personal struggles and her genuine accomplishments (spending extra time on her accomplishments in, and love for, the USA), and treating her legacy with the depth and empathy it deserves.
For me, one standout aspect of this book was the research into the American—and specifically the New England—connections to the crown. As a New Englander, I was fascinated to see how local history is woven into this global narrative; tracing those regional ties added a layer of intimacy to the storytelling that I didn't expect. The historical context provided for these transatlantic relationships feels meticulously sourced and expertly retold.
Another fascinating thing I learned from this book, and again, probably something I should have known already, is the connection between Princess Diana and the Spencer-Churchills, the family of Sir Winston Churchill, one of the most prominent non-royals in British history.
If you are a fan of royal history or enjoy "untold history" style narratives, this is a highly worthwhile listen. It’s an informative, reflective look at a transformative era that manages to feel both nostalgic and revelatory.
American Crown by Stephanie Green is an interesting exploration of the intersection between American history and the British monarchy, offering a fresh perspective on figures we thought we knew well. The basic premise of the book is a fact that (as an American) I should have known, but didn't: namely, that when Prince William takes the throne in the coming years, he will be the first British Monarch to have traceable American ancestry.
As someone who vividly remembers the 80s and 90s—watching the royal dramas unfold on the evening news in real-time—I found Green’s approach to Princess Diana particularly resonant. Rather than simply rehashing the tabloid headlines of the era, the author provides a nuanced look at Diana’s personal struggles and her genuine accomplishments (spending extra time on her accomplishments in, and love for, the USA), and treating her legacy with the depth and empathy it deserves.
For me, one standout aspect of this book was the research into the American—and specifically the New England—connections to the crown. As a New Englander, I was fascinated to see how local history is woven into this global narrative; tracing those regional ties added a layer of intimacy to the storytelling that I didn't expect. The historical context provided for these transatlantic relationships feels meticulously sourced and expertly retold.
Another fascinating thing I learned from this book, and again, probably something I should have known already, is the connection between Princess Diana and the Spencer-Churchills, the family of Sir Winston Churchill, one of the most prominent non-royals in British history.
If you are a fan of royal history or enjoy "untold history" style narratives, this is a highly worthwhile listen. It’s an informative, reflective look at a transformative era that manages to feel both nostalgic and revelatory.
August 9, 2026
I received an ALC from Netgalley and the publisher; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'll read anything about the royal family the way I read about American presidents. There is something fascinating about them, and I was the perfect age to believe in the fairy tale marriage of a beautiful young lady to a prince. The princess gave birth to two boys, and the oldest, William, will one day be king.
American Crown looks at the Prince of Wales ancestors and how many ties they have to America. Princess Diana's family had quite a few American branches, and I thought it was refreshing for someone to concentrate on HER lineage and not King Charles'. As someone who reads a lot about the royal family, I found this book a treasure-trove of new-to-me information.
The audiobook narration was really good and kept my attention throughout.
I'll read anything about the royal family the way I read about American presidents. There is something fascinating about them, and I was the perfect age to believe in the fairy tale marriage of a beautiful young lady to a prince. The princess gave birth to two boys, and the oldest, William, will one day be king.
American Crown looks at the Prince of Wales ancestors and how many ties they have to America. Princess Diana's family had quite a few American branches, and I thought it was refreshing for someone to concentrate on HER lineage and not King Charles'. As someone who reads a lot about the royal family, I found this book a treasure-trove of new-to-me information.
The audiobook narration was really good and kept my attention throughout.
July 9, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
As someone who reads a lot of British Royal Family books this novel was a refreshing read with new information I haven't seen mentioned anywhere else. I enjoyed the historical facts that were given and didn't seem like overkill. The narrator Polly Lee was easy to listen to. Polly Lee wasn't dramatical and very to the point which I appreciate in nonfiction. Overall, it was a great read for anyone who is interested in the British Royal Family and wants more information.
As someone who reads a lot of British Royal Family books this novel was a refreshing read with new information I haven't seen mentioned anywhere else. I enjoyed the historical facts that were given and didn't seem like overkill. The narrator Polly Lee was easy to listen to. Polly Lee wasn't dramatical and very to the point which I appreciate in nonfiction. Overall, it was a great read for anyone who is interested in the British Royal Family and wants more information.
September 23, 2026
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading American Crown: From Revolutionaries to Royalty: The Story of Prince William's American Heritage by Stephanie Green. The author brought history to life for me as I learned interesting details about Prince William's American connections. I enjoy reading historical details and stories about people in history and I found this intriguing book fascinating. I highly recommend.
I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.
I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.
September 8, 2026
Lots of overlapping history.
Enjoyed knowing that Dianna and now William have American Revolution ties.
Enjoyed knowing that Dianna and now William have American Revolution ties.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews