What do you think?
Rate this book
O prințesă americană. Povestea de dragoste dintre Meghan Markle și Prințul Harry
Anglofilă declarată și mare admiratoare a familiei regale britanice, scriitoarea Leslie Carroll a fost cucerită, asemenea milioanelor de romantici din lumea întreagă, de povestea de iubire dintre Meghan Markle și Prințul Harry.
Pornind de la mărturii ale apropiaților celor doi îndrăgostiți, de la documente istorice și de familie, autoarea reușește să întocmească un portret deopotrivă complex și fermecător al celui mai mediatizat cuplu princiar al momentului, realizând în același timp și o incursiune în istoria monarhiei și a etichetei britanice.
Născută și crescută în Los Angeles, dintr-un tată cu origini germane, engleze și irlandeze și o mamă ai cărei strămoși au fost sclavi, Meghan a fost întotdeauna mândră de moștenirea sa, pe care nu s-a sfiit niciodată să o declare. Una dintre cele mai iubite vedete de televiziune datorită rolului interpretat în serialul Costume, Meghan este și o neobosită susținătoare a cauzelor caritabile, pasiune care, de altfel, a și apropiat-o de viitorul ei soț. Chipeș, charismatic, patriot, rebel, Prințul Harry rămâne unul dintre cei mai populari membri ai familiei regale britanice. Acum, pare gata să se cumințească alături de celebra sa soție, care a obținut tot ce și-a dorit în două domenii: actorie și filantropie.
Va reuși oare Meghan să se ridice la înălțimea noului său statut, va fi la fel de încăpățânată în a-și susține propriile idei sau se va lăsa îmblânzită de regulile de la Curte?
Pornind de la mărturii ale apropiaților celor doi îndrăgostiți, de la documente istorice și de familie, autoarea reușește să întocmească un portret deopotrivă complex și fermecător al celui mai mediatizat cuplu princiar al momentului, realizând în același timp și o incursiune în istoria monarhiei și a etichetei britanice.
Născută și crescută în Los Angeles, dintr-un tată cu origini germane, engleze și irlandeze și o mamă ai cărei strămoși au fost sclavi, Meghan a fost întotdeauna mândră de moștenirea sa, pe care nu s-a sfiit niciodată să o declare. Una dintre cele mai iubite vedete de televiziune datorită rolului interpretat în serialul Costume, Meghan este și o neobosită susținătoare a cauzelor caritabile, pasiune care, de altfel, a și apropiat-o de viitorul ei soț. Chipeș, charismatic, patriot, rebel, Prințul Harry rămâne unul dintre cei mai populari membri ai familiei regale britanice. Acum, pare gata să se cumințească alături de celebra sa soție, care a obținut tot ce și-a dorit în două domenii: actorie și filantropie.
Va reuși oare Meghan să se ridice la înălțimea noului său statut, va fi la fel de încăpățânată în a-și susține propriile idei sau se va lăsa îmblânzită de regulile de la Curte?
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2018
129 people are currently reading
1996 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Carroll
31 books164 followersI 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
April 23, 2018
American Princess
The Love Story of Megan Markel and Prince Harry
Leslie Carroll
MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER William Morrow Paperbacks
PUBLISHED April 24, 2018
A fascinating and enlightening book bound with delicious details about the newest American princess and her rebellious Prince Charming.
SUMMARY
Prince Harry has been one of the most eligible bachelor in the world for many years. He’s a rebel, a rule-breaker, a soldier and a prince, who at the age of 33 has finally decided to settle down. The woman he has chosen to marry however, is a commoner and a professional actress. But there’s more, she’s divorced, she’s biracial, and Megan Markle is not even British. An America Princess illuminates the lives of Harry and Meghan leading up the announcement of their engagement. It identifies their similarities and their differences, but most of all it reflects the love they feel for one another, despite, or perhaps because of their differences. The book concludes with speculation on the wedding fanfare and what this marriage may mean to future generations.
“Yes, Megan Markel is different from every royal bride in the history of the British monarchy. A biracial, childless divorcée, in her mid-thirties, she is a college graduate with a double degree; and a self-described self-sufficient go-getter.... But Meghan Markle is something else that no other royal bride has ever been. She is a standard bearer for all young women who have been told it’s impossible to “have it all.”
REVIEW
As a royal-watcher, this is a fabulous must read prior to the big wedding day on May 19th 2018. Just a few fun facts derived from the book:
Meghan and Harry are 17th cousins.
Both Meghan and Harry’s parents are divorced.
Meghan and Harry both went to private parochial schools.
Harry and Meghan met in London July 2016 on a blind date.
Meghan and Harry are both passionate about social justice.
Megan and Harry are breaking so many royal traditions that it’s impossible to keep count. The author, Leslie Carroll does a fabulous job of explaining royal protocols, rules and traditions. Carroll explains about the first time that Meghan and Harry openly broke royal protocol. They did so by being openly affectionate, having their arms around each other waist, during their first official royal engagement, on World AIDS Day on December 1, 2017. Even the queen has broken one of her own previous inviolable traditions by allowing Meghan to be the first royal fiancée ever to be permitted to participate in the family’s Christmas celebration and to attend church with them on Christmas morning in 2017.
Carroll’s writing is clear and easy to read, and the story of course, is what makes the book. The chapters alternate between the lives of Meghan and Harry. I did not enjoy reading once again, about the maddening end to the the marriage between Harry’s parents and the subsequent death of Princess Diana, but it is after all, a huge part of what makes Harry who he is. At times the story seems to meander down small rabbit trails, but when doing so, was always providing good background information. American Princess is recommend to royal-watchers, and anyone interested in knowing a little more about Harry and Meghan.
Leslie CarrolI is considered to be one of America’s experts on European royalty and is a frequent media presence whenever the House of Windsor marks a milestone. The Chicago Tribune has described her historical nonfiction as “an irresistible combination of People magazine and the History Channel.”
Thanks to LibraryThing, William Morrow and Leslie Carroll for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Love Story of Megan Markel and Prince Harry
Leslie Carroll
MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER William Morrow Paperbacks
PUBLISHED April 24, 2018
A fascinating and enlightening book bound with delicious details about the newest American princess and her rebellious Prince Charming.
SUMMARY
Prince Harry has been one of the most eligible bachelor in the world for many years. He’s a rebel, a rule-breaker, a soldier and a prince, who at the age of 33 has finally decided to settle down. The woman he has chosen to marry however, is a commoner and a professional actress. But there’s more, she’s divorced, she’s biracial, and Megan Markle is not even British. An America Princess illuminates the lives of Harry and Meghan leading up the announcement of their engagement. It identifies their similarities and their differences, but most of all it reflects the love they feel for one another, despite, or perhaps because of their differences. The book concludes with speculation on the wedding fanfare and what this marriage may mean to future generations.
“Yes, Megan Markel is different from every royal bride in the history of the British monarchy. A biracial, childless divorcée, in her mid-thirties, she is a college graduate with a double degree; and a self-described self-sufficient go-getter.... But Meghan Markle is something else that no other royal bride has ever been. She is a standard bearer for all young women who have been told it’s impossible to “have it all.”
REVIEW
As a royal-watcher, this is a fabulous must read prior to the big wedding day on May 19th 2018. Just a few fun facts derived from the book:
Meghan and Harry are 17th cousins.
Both Meghan and Harry’s parents are divorced.
Meghan and Harry both went to private parochial schools.
Harry and Meghan met in London July 2016 on a blind date.
Meghan and Harry are both passionate about social justice.
Megan and Harry are breaking so many royal traditions that it’s impossible to keep count. The author, Leslie Carroll does a fabulous job of explaining royal protocols, rules and traditions. Carroll explains about the first time that Meghan and Harry openly broke royal protocol. They did so by being openly affectionate, having their arms around each other waist, during their first official royal engagement, on World AIDS Day on December 1, 2017. Even the queen has broken one of her own previous inviolable traditions by allowing Meghan to be the first royal fiancée ever to be permitted to participate in the family’s Christmas celebration and to attend church with them on Christmas morning in 2017.
Carroll’s writing is clear and easy to read, and the story of course, is what makes the book. The chapters alternate between the lives of Meghan and Harry. I did not enjoy reading once again, about the maddening end to the the marriage between Harry’s parents and the subsequent death of Princess Diana, but it is after all, a huge part of what makes Harry who he is. At times the story seems to meander down small rabbit trails, but when doing so, was always providing good background information. American Princess is recommend to royal-watchers, and anyone interested in knowing a little more about Harry and Meghan.
Leslie CarrolI is considered to be one of America’s experts on European royalty and is a frequent media presence whenever the House of Windsor marks a milestone. The Chicago Tribune has described her historical nonfiction as “an irresistible combination of People magazine and the History Channel.”
Thanks to LibraryThing, William Morrow and Leslie Carroll for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2022
2022 Reread Review:
In continuing my reread of royal gossip as relates to all things Harry & Meghan in anticipation of Harry's upcoming memoir. I'm interested to see how the view of the couple changes over time or doesn't change.
Interesting in retrospect that this author did pick up on a few key issues like culturally Meghan would struggle with British expectations of silence and a stiff upper lip. Which did in fact happen. She also was hard working and driven which isn't really a royal mindset and maybe not a British mindset either.
I live outside of the US and can admit that I've struggled socially within another English speaking former colony of GB, though still a member of the Commonwealth.
Also Americans aren't well liked abroad. We're kinda obnoxious and many folks just don't like Americans, will hear your accent and act an ass while convinced the problem is somehow you. It's annoying and unnerving.
In addition Black folks in the US are socialized to be quite direct. This is off-putting and causes social problems within the US with white folks, abroad that shit is viewed like a fart in an elevator. I personally just let my rather affable and sweet husband take the lead in all social situations. Sigh. Cause I don't do passive aggressive socializing and I'm not about to start here🤷🏾♀️ As Meghan's mom is Black I assume she has some of those characteristics but have no way to verify that.
Otherwise this is primarily tabloid trash and nonsense. Considerably better balanced than Morton's book but that's a low bar.😬
Original 2018 Review:
Largely gossip but well written and decently researched. Fun and light reading
In continuing my reread of royal gossip as relates to all things Harry & Meghan in anticipation of Harry's upcoming memoir. I'm interested to see how the view of the couple changes over time or doesn't change.
Interesting in retrospect that this author did pick up on a few key issues like culturally Meghan would struggle with British expectations of silence and a stiff upper lip. Which did in fact happen. She also was hard working and driven which isn't really a royal mindset and maybe not a British mindset either.
I live outside of the US and can admit that I've struggled socially within another English speaking former colony of GB, though still a member of the Commonwealth.
Also Americans aren't well liked abroad. We're kinda obnoxious and many folks just don't like Americans, will hear your accent and act an ass while convinced the problem is somehow you. It's annoying and unnerving.
In addition Black folks in the US are socialized to be quite direct. This is off-putting and causes social problems within the US with white folks, abroad that shit is viewed like a fart in an elevator. I personally just let my rather affable and sweet husband take the lead in all social situations. Sigh. Cause I don't do passive aggressive socializing and I'm not about to start here🤷🏾♀️ As Meghan's mom is Black I assume she has some of those characteristics but have no way to verify that.
Otherwise this is primarily tabloid trash and nonsense. Considerably better balanced than Morton's book but that's a low bar.😬
Original 2018 Review:
Largely gossip but well written and decently researched. Fun and light reading
April 13, 2018
Little surprised by this as I was expecting just what the title says a love story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Instead there was a rehashing of Harry's parents marriage and divorce,ancestry of both Meghan and Harry,pasts of various relatives and basically their backgrounds before they even met.While Prince Harry's story was familiar to me and it might be to you as well if you are a royal watcher,Meghan's was a bit of a mystery.I was intrigued by her upbringing, work as an actress,charity associations and voice for women and racial issues.It wasn't until the last few chapters that the book focused some on them as a couple.You could very definitely see what attracted these two to each other and how their personalities seemed to fit together.While I didn't care for how the book was organized and felt several chapters at the beginning could have been left out to make the book more about just the two of them I still enjoyed reading this.
February 28, 2021
Written in a trendy way and yet very informative and enjoyable. Starting with some history of royalty and the beloved Princess Di and family the book then covered Meghan’s beginnings. Walking a small fraction of a mile in Meghan’s and Harry’s shoes really helps me understand the decisions that led them to their decisions today. I enjoyed the compassionate view of the author. Well-done!
May 19, 2018
2.5/5. A quick read, kind of fun, with some interesting information about the lives of Harry and Meghan. I enjoyed the alternating chapters of their lives and seeing where they were at the same time in their pasts. I especially enjoyed reading about their charity work. My biggest issue is the writing style - it felt cheesy and filled with fluff. At times, the author stated opinions or speculation as if they were fact. There were also no pictures, so the author goes on for paragraphs just describing what Meghan wore and how much it cost. Other times, the same story is told in different sections. I felt like there wasn’t enough information, but a lot of filler. But, yay Royal Wedding Day!
April 21, 2019
This is not the type of book are usually read but admit I was a bit intrigued. I cannot really say I enjoyed this mainly because It didn’t say that much. Book is short and very fawning Really didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know about Harry and Megan. While being far from the worst book I ever read I would not recommend this is a must read.
October 23, 2018
My book group is reading biographies this month, and I saw this on the library new book shelf...I know better than to read instant books, but here it is. If you want a not very well organized or edited review of all the tell all books of the 20th Century, some historical information at random intervals, a lot of speculation, and a few interviews with very obscure people who are on the fringes of Meghan and Harry's lives, this is the book for you. To be fair, it doesn't pretend very hard to be much else, and it is a very quick read, as most of it can be skimmed. If you are new to royal watching or want to take the tabloids home in a better package, this one's for you
May 27, 2019
I have jokingly referred to the British Royal family as my hobby for the past 40 years. Therefore I Have a high tolerance for frothy depictions of almost all of the. This book, however, crossed over the line. Rarely have I encountered such bad writing and such a fawning perspective on its subject. A weekend I shall never get back
July 25, 2018
I loved learning more about this amazing feminist! She is such an inspiration and so good and kind.
November 16, 2018
3.5 stars
May 12, 2018
A light and breezy joint biography of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Only the last few chapters are about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as a couple and the plans for their wedding. The book covers a lot of familiar ground including Charles and Diana's divorce, Harry's military career and past relationships with Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas as well as Meghan's acting career and lifestyle blog and the charity work undertaken by both Harry and Meghan. (The author memorably refers to Harry as "A Rebel with Many Causes.") The chapters about Meghan's early life, growing up in California are more interesting because her life is less well known than Harry's. The book concludes with speculation concerning which title the royal couple will receive and the author discusses the precedents for the couple becoming Duke and Duchess of Clarence, Sussex or Buckingham. An fun read but provides little new information.
May 21, 2018
I was mocked for reading this but it actually contains a lot of information about the British Royal Family that I didn't know about. Harry and I are about the same age, so I grew up during most of these events. It was interesting to find out what the whole story was to things I didn't quite understand because I had been too young at the time. Then there were the things I had only heard in passing, like Harry dressing like a nazi, him being in my hometown (Calgary, AB) training for the army and even the drunken, naked escapades in Vegas.
I would suggest this book to anyone who loves reading the tabloids and loves everything British Royalty.
I would suggest this book to anyone who loves reading the tabloids and loves everything British Royalty.
February 26, 2020
So the title says love story, but this is NOT a love story. It is as detailed a background as one can get about Harry and Meghan’s childhood and the relationship between Diana and Charles and how it affected Harry. It’s about how they became the people that fell in love rather than how they fell in love.
October 6, 2019
Ever get a autobiography you wanted to read because you like the subject matter and they make obvious mistakes within the first chapter with know.n history and yet you read it anyway?
This is this book for me.
This is this book for me.
July 10, 2019
"It's really important that young women be reminded that their involvement matters and that their voice is heard. Even if it feels like it's small, it really can make an impact."
June 4, 2021
Jah, Meghan erineb kõigist kuninglikest pruutidest Briti monarhia ajaloos. Ta on segapäritolu, kolmekümnendate eluaastate keskel, lahutatud, lõpetanud ülikooli kahe kraadiga-
Harry ja Meghani lood räägivad kahest lapsest, kelle vanemad läksid lahku ja kes elasid juba väga noorena erinevaid elusid- ühte kummagi vanemaga ja kolmandat siis, kui nad olid koos mõlema vanemaga.
See on lugu poisist, kes kaotas oma ema, kui tal seisid ees noorukiaastad, mil ta oleks ema kõige enam vajanud. Ta veetis aastaid ennast otsides ja leidis end selle asemel sageli skandaali keskmest.
Harry avastas hilistes kahekümnendates oma vaimse tervisega tegeledes, et tervenemist ei toimu enne, kui ta on leppinud ema traagilise surmaga. Kuidas saigi tal olla emotsionaalselt haavatuna ühtki elutervet paarissuhet? Ja kuidas olekski Harry saanud olla piisavalt avatud leidmaks Seda Õiget, kui ta polnud veel iseennastki üles leidnud?
Nende kihlumise ja abiellumise ajal oli Meghan sama vana kui Harry ema Diana siis, kui ta suri.
Harry ja Meghani lood räägivad kahest lapsest, kelle vanemad läksid lahku ja kes elasid juba väga noorena erinevaid elusid- ühte kummagi vanemaga ja kolmandat siis, kui nad olid koos mõlema vanemaga.
See on lugu poisist, kes kaotas oma ema, kui tal seisid ees noorukiaastad, mil ta oleks ema kõige enam vajanud. Ta veetis aastaid ennast otsides ja leidis end selle asemel sageli skandaali keskmest.
Harry avastas hilistes kahekümnendates oma vaimse tervisega tegeledes, et tervenemist ei toimu enne, kui ta on leppinud ema traagilise surmaga. Kuidas saigi tal olla emotsionaalselt haavatuna ühtki elutervet paarissuhet? Ja kuidas olekski Harry saanud olla piisavalt avatud leidmaks Seda Õiget, kui ta polnud veel iseennastki üles leidnud?
Nende kihlumise ja abiellumise ajal oli Meghan sama vana kui Harry ema Diana siis, kui ta suri.
May 12, 2018
Overall I found this to be a well written biography of Meghan and Harry. I’m not sure I really like Meghan, she seems too good to be true but I’m sure that she is and I’m just overly critical. I would recommend this read if you’re into royal weddings and like learning about royals.
February 9, 2020
written before they were married
April 6, 2024
Not much new in here the tabloids didn’t talk about
May 28, 2018
I wound up not making it far in this book, and it's my own fault. I had assumed, based on the title, that this would be an in-depth look at the nearly 2 year whirlwind romance between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Instead, it reads like a joint biography: each person in this pair will get a chapter about the same time in their lives. So for instance, a chapter about Prince Harry losing his mom at a young age will have a parallel chapter about Meghan's childhood, growing up in a divorced family.
Given that I just finished reading biographies about each of them individually, American Princess wasn't what I was looking for at this time.
Given that I just finished reading biographies about each of them individually, American Princess wasn't what I was looking for at this time.
April 28, 2018
This is like a real long article in People magazine by someone who is their publicity person. The entire book is a fluff piece about Harry and Meghan. It mostly just quotes things they have said in other interviews and it especially takes liberally from Meghan Markles now defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig. I didn't learn anything new about either one. If you know absolutely nothing about the royal family for the last 80 years than this may be on interest to you. If you have had even a remote interest in them then you will already know everything in this book and can skip it.
May 22, 2018
Whyyyyy do I love this couple so much?! I need to read ALL the books!
November 4, 2019
I listened to this while I was hiking the road segment of the North Country Trail in Wisconsin between the Macquarrie Wetlands and Pattison State Park. Andi Arndt's voice is like a warm bath. The sky was drizzling, the asphalt was hard, and this book was perfect. This slapped-together biography made me happy all day. Harry and Meghan have a beautiful love and they're mature enough to keep it going, unlike, say, Prince Charles at 32 and his nineteen-year-old virgin wife, who both did a number on poor Harry. There's some clunky writing here. Carroll says, "Meghan's mother worked as a travel agent to make ends meet." Yes, work is what we do to make ends meet, but people work as travel agents because they like getting complimentary tickets to beach resorts in addition to their salaries. Carroll also weirdly insists that Meghan and her best friend were inspired by Diana as a personal and fashion icon even though Meghan has said repeatedly that she was only vaguely aware of the British royal family until she met Harry. Reading through Carroll's supposition, it seems that Meghan's best friend's mom was a big Diana fan and made the girls watch a video about her, but Meghan was a '90s kid and by '95 Princess Diana's wardrobe looked more dated than Queen Victoria's.
I stayed at the backpacking site on the Black River at Pattison and parked my food in the outhouse overnight so I didn't need to bother hanging it from a tree, and what in the world was Harry and Meghan's famous Botswana camping trip like? When rich people camp in Botswana, what happens? I can't imagine that they were just in the bush worrying about the Botswanian equivalents of the bears and raccoons whom I was hiding my food from, but what were the logistics of that camping trip and how often did they shower? The groundbreaking aspects of Harry and Meghan's relationship are discussed, especially the loosening of royal mores for this generation. Meghan and Harry were living together on the grounds of Buckingham Palace already before the wedding, and Meghan was invited to Sandringham for Christmas; unprecedented for a fiancee. Queen Elizabeth used to want a ring on it, but Meghan is the exception. Carroll does ask, what if the heir to the throne had gotten engaged to a divorced, bi-racial, American commoner? would the queen have allowed that? and leaves us sure that the queen loves Meghan dearly but it's best we don't have to find out.
The book ends with two hours of speculation on what might happen at Harry and Meghan's wedding, which I watched at 4:30am two years ago. Who will design Meghan's dress? Well, somebody did, and they did a very nice job. Will Meghan have a flock of royal children or adult bridesmaids, as in America; Meghan went with the traditional small children and it was adorable. What kind of cake will they have? No idea. But Carroll talks about royal wedding cakes for a good twenty minutes. This book is wonderful. It is charming. It lasts a few long roads alone in the mist. I highly recommend it.
I stayed at the backpacking site on the Black River at Pattison and parked my food in the outhouse overnight so I didn't need to bother hanging it from a tree, and what in the world was Harry and Meghan's famous Botswana camping trip like? When rich people camp in Botswana, what happens? I can't imagine that they were just in the bush worrying about the Botswanian equivalents of the bears and raccoons whom I was hiding my food from, but what were the logistics of that camping trip and how often did they shower? The groundbreaking aspects of Harry and Meghan's relationship are discussed, especially the loosening of royal mores for this generation. Meghan and Harry were living together on the grounds of Buckingham Palace already before the wedding, and Meghan was invited to Sandringham for Christmas; unprecedented for a fiancee. Queen Elizabeth used to want a ring on it, but Meghan is the exception. Carroll does ask, what if the heir to the throne had gotten engaged to a divorced, bi-racial, American commoner? would the queen have allowed that? and leaves us sure that the queen loves Meghan dearly but it's best we don't have to find out.
The book ends with two hours of speculation on what might happen at Harry and Meghan's wedding, which I watched at 4:30am two years ago. Who will design Meghan's dress? Well, somebody did, and they did a very nice job. Will Meghan have a flock of royal children or adult bridesmaids, as in America; Meghan went with the traditional small children and it was adorable. What kind of cake will they have? No idea. But Carroll talks about royal wedding cakes for a good twenty minutes. This book is wonderful. It is charming. It lasts a few long roads alone in the mist. I highly recommend it.
April 20, 2018
American Princess: The Love Story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
by Leslie Carroll is a timely dual biography. Chapters alternate between the Prince and Meghan Markle. Most of the stories of Prince Harry we already know as they have appeared in newspapers and magazines, but the stories of Ms. Markle are new to us. She comes across as a mature, sensitive, carrying individual who is in sympathy with the Prince. I suspect this marriage is partly a result of the fact that the Prince was ready. Perhaps even more than ready to marry. He had complained to an aristocratic friend that he was unable to find someone to marry. So he was ripe and along came Meghan whose interests correspond to his. They are mostly humanitarian and charitable interests. Both have a long history of participating in such endeavors. Ms. Markle seems to have appealed to the Queen which can only be a plus. I enjoyed the book but it certainly is not a must read. But if you enjoy a little fluff, especially about the English royal family I think this book will be for you.
by Leslie Carroll is a timely dual biography. Chapters alternate between the Prince and Meghan Markle. Most of the stories of Prince Harry we already know as they have appeared in newspapers and magazines, but the stories of Ms. Markle are new to us. She comes across as a mature, sensitive, carrying individual who is in sympathy with the Prince. I suspect this marriage is partly a result of the fact that the Prince was ready. Perhaps even more than ready to marry. He had complained to an aristocratic friend that he was unable to find someone to marry. So he was ripe and along came Meghan whose interests correspond to his. They are mostly humanitarian and charitable interests. Both have a long history of participating in such endeavors. Ms. Markle seems to have appealed to the Queen which can only be a plus. I enjoyed the book but it certainly is not a must read. But if you enjoy a little fluff, especially about the English royal family I think this book will be for you.
August 26, 2018
A very readable book about Meghan Markle and Prince Henry's background, education, and growing up. Meghan who wouldn't check the racial designation box as she felt she would have to deny one parent or the other and in becoming an actress had a hard time getting cast because she wasn't black, white, or hispanic enough or too white, black or hispanic for whatever role was available. In the meantime Prince Henry was born into a family that was coming apart a little over three years after his parents' wedding. He would have grown up somewhat aware of his parents' fights over marital infidelities but with his older brother shielding him as best he could. Of course, nothing could protect them from news of the crash that killed their mother though the senior members of the family members decided to carry on as though nothing major had happened. Harry and William were encouraged to cry in private but display no public emotion which led to Harry acting out destructively as he grew older and it wasn't until he was twenty-eight, with his brother and sister-in-law's encouragement that he sought counseling to help him process his grief. Meghan and Harry were set up on a blind date and felt she was "The One" from that first meeting and their chat led to their second date. Of course, not everyone was as thrilled as Prince Harry. The fact that she is American, biracial, a divorcee, and an actress brought out some the nastier and false articles in the British tabloids. There are some members of the Queen's family who feel Prince Harry should have married into the English upper class but I'll let you read about them.
January 22, 2024
Princess? Hol up ain’t dat da hoe in suits?
January 23, 2023
Ever since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry became a couple in 2016, they have been in the news and that publicity has not always been positive. They are both interesting and dynamic individuals and seem to be very much in love. Becoming a Royal is not an easy transition as Prince Harry’s mother, Diana, discovered many years earlier. Meghan, at first, appeared to be comfortable stepping into the role but that soon changed and she became a target for a lot of negativity. It was refreshing to read this book that delves deeply into the lives of both Harry and Meghan from their very beginnings up to just before their wedding in May of 2018. They are both victims of their pasts and bring much to the table. I was impressed with the level of detail in this book and I discovered much about these two that I had never known before. I also liked the fact that the book is mostly positive and portrays the best of both (especially Meghan) because Harry did have that “bad” boy image for quite some time. We are invited into the palaces and protocol that is very much a part of being a Royal. I read this just before the release of Harry’s book “Spare” which has garnered much negative publicity for the most part. Meghan and Harry both believe in telling it as it is or, at least, their versions of how it is. I can’t image how hard it would be to live your life constantly in the spotlight. I think Harry was very affected by his mother’s untimely death and I can’t help but think that this has lead to much of the negativity surrounding this couple. In his efforts to protect his wife, he has caused a lot of damage control but, at the same time, he can hardly be blamed for wanting to prevent what happened to his mother happening to his wife. Time has a way of healing and, also, something new will capture the public’s attention and they can get on with their lives. I hope they survive the ride and that their love endures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2018
I read American Princess in advance of the Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. I had to learn as much as possible about the biracial American divorced actress who stole the heart of the most eligible man in Britain! The book was exactly what I expected. The author provided a background of both Meghan and Harry, and then discussed their romance.
Some readers complained that there was too much discussion about Princess Diana and Prince Charles' relationship, but I don't see how you could provide an opinion about Harry's life without talking about the impact of his parents' rocky and public relationship on him. After learning about how the royal family carried on with business as usual after Diana's death, it is clear that Harry's party boy lifestyle was more of a cry for help than a rebellion. He finally turned his life around after being on active duty and serving in conflict.
Meghan seemed destined for greatness from a young age. Everyone described her as kind, a trait she also wanted to confirm Harry had before they even met. Meghan rose to fame on the show Suits, and immediately used her celebrity status to address issues around the world. Her passion toward underdeveloped countries matches exactly with the causes that are near to Harry's heart. In that sense, she seemed to have already been positioning herself to continue leading a life focused on helping others.
A life path that also carries on Princess Diana's work. I liked reading about the couple in one book, but this wasn't a very in depth look at them. The author seemed to rely on information that was already out in the public. I knew a lot of what was contained in the book, but there were some interesting facts, especially about the royal family that I was glad to learn.
This is a great book for someone who wants to learn more about the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Some readers complained that there was too much discussion about Princess Diana and Prince Charles' relationship, but I don't see how you could provide an opinion about Harry's life without talking about the impact of his parents' rocky and public relationship on him. After learning about how the royal family carried on with business as usual after Diana's death, it is clear that Harry's party boy lifestyle was more of a cry for help than a rebellion. He finally turned his life around after being on active duty and serving in conflict.
Meghan seemed destined for greatness from a young age. Everyone described her as kind, a trait she also wanted to confirm Harry had before they even met. Meghan rose to fame on the show Suits, and immediately used her celebrity status to address issues around the world. Her passion toward underdeveloped countries matches exactly with the causes that are near to Harry's heart. In that sense, she seemed to have already been positioning herself to continue leading a life focused on helping others.
A life path that also carries on Princess Diana's work. I liked reading about the couple in one book, but this wasn't a very in depth look at them. The author seemed to rely on information that was already out in the public. I knew a lot of what was contained in the book, but there were some interesting facts, especially about the royal family that I was glad to learn.
This is a great book for someone who wants to learn more about the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
May 17, 2021
This was a fun book to read, especially if you like reading about the British royals as I do. It gave a little history about Harry growing up and the same about Meghan Markle. Although she has some problems with her father now, they were very close when she was a little girl. Her parents divorced when she was young. Meghan herself, is divorced from a marriage that suffered when she started to become famous as an actress. Distance may have pulled them apart. However, with Harry, who lost his mom, Diana to a car accident when he was young, stayed close to Meghan even though initially their relationship was long distance, as Meghan was living in Los Angeles, and Prince Harry in London. Although they may be from different worlds, they found that they actually had quite a bit in common. This grew them closer. They both liked getting involved in volunteer activities to assist others less fortunate. They both were used to cameras on them. With Meghan being an actress, she was not shy about being in the limelight. Anyone involved with a Royal had to know that their life would be in a glass bottle. This book is also about Harry’s mother Diana and what her relationship with his father, Charles was like. This book ends with the planning of Meghan and Harry’s wedding. We know of course now they have both broken from Royal life and live in Los Angeles. I think Leslie Carroll would have enough material for a sequel of her book if she wants. This was a fun read for me as some of it recaptured some things I already knew, yet I also learned a lot that I hadn’t known.
June 27, 2020
An easy listen to get through, although a lot of the information is old and not updated, obviously since the publication of this book, Harry and Meghan have officially left the royal family and are no longer partaking in royal duties on behalf of said family. Also, some of the information is just plainly incorrect, including some from unreliable sources such as Australia’s “Women’s Day” about how the York sisters Princess Eugenia and Beatrice completely despise Kate and Meghan for being so called “common”, but also that Meghan is a non-smoker. That she is most certainly not, especially if one sees the photos of her and her now on the outs former “bestie” Jessica Mulroney puffing away on cigarettes while on vacation together. It seems like in some instances the author was just looking for a way to fill the book in with details that she herself did not gain because it was a lot easier than ringing up actual sources.
Overall though this is a good starter book, but I would suggest maybe going for a more established modern royal reporter book, like the ones from Camilla Tominey, Katie Nicholl and Duncan Larcombe, if you want a more in-depth look at both Harry and Meghan Mountbatten-Windsor (now known as since leaving the royal family earlier this year).
Overall though this is a good starter book, but I would suggest maybe going for a more established modern royal reporter book, like the ones from Camilla Tominey, Katie Nicholl and Duncan Larcombe, if you want a more in-depth look at both Harry and Meghan Mountbatten-Windsor (now known as since leaving the royal family earlier this year).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews