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Royals at War: The Untold Story of Harry and Meghan's Shocking Split with the House of Windsor
Reveals Shocking Revelations about Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the British Royal Family—and the Divisive Rifts Between Them
This explosive exposé, Royals at War, takes readers inside a riven Buckingham Palace to provide the definitive account of the unfolding abdication crisis of 2020—dubbed Megxit—during which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, became royal outcasts.
Through revealing interviews with royal family insiders, friends, aides, historians, royal watchers, and others with intimate knowledge of The House of Windsor, this tell-all book looks back at the events, motives and crises which led to Harry (sixth in line to the throne) dramatically abandoning his birthright—in a move not seen for nearly a century, when King Edward VIII also gave up the crown for the woman he loved as Europe teetered on the brink of fascism and war. Like Edward and Wallis Simpson, the catalyst for the scandal here is also an ambitious, controversial American woman.
Dylan Howard, bestselling author of Diana: Case Solved and Epstein: Dead Men Tell No Tales, charts how Meghan’s relationship with Harry was viewed as controversial from the start—and how her brief honeymoon with the British public began to sour shortly after she and Harry announced in November 2018 that they would be leaving Kensington Palace to move to Frogmore Cottage, an hour outside London. As senior royals expressed disapproval, the public at first seemed to enjoy the royal spat, with many still supporting Team Meghan—until it emerged that the bill to renovate Frogmore Cottage to Meghan’s lavish expectations would be $3 million . . . and be picked up by British taxpayers.
Finally, in a move nobody saw coming, Harry announced he was turning his back on the role he had been groomed for since birth—giving up his HRH title, repaying the renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage, abandoning his royal duties, and leaving Britain for good. Buckingham Palace reeled.
Howard’s unique access and insight into this constitutional crisis will not only address the tensions and tantrums behind closed palace doors, but seek to answer the questions many are still asking:
Has Prince Harry ever really recovered from the death of his mother Diana—and the resentment he feels against the institution that tried to destroy her?
Why did Meghan, once hailed as a breath of fresh air, rile up the monarchy?
Why did she refuse to conform to royal conventions in the way that Catherine did before her?
Did the public and media criticism of Meghan go too far? And just how valid are the accusations of racism?
How did these modern royals treat the tabloids differently to tradition? And did it backfire?
What next for Harry and Meghan? And how will they—and the institution they’ve turned their back on—react to their new lives outside the confines of the Palace and free from the strict codes and conventions that bind all members of the Royal Family?
Caught in a trap by virtue of a life entombed in a gilded cage, Royals at War answers these questions and more . . . and reveals how Harry’s infatuation with Meghan and desire to modernize the monarchy could yet end in disaster for the House of Windsor. Played out against the cataclysm of the British tabloid's laser focus on the duchess’ every movement—for good or ill—this is the true story of Harry and Meghan’s split from the Establishment . . . and perhaps just the beginning of a whole new Monarchy, redefined for the modern age.
This explosive exposé, Royals at War, takes readers inside a riven Buckingham Palace to provide the definitive account of the unfolding abdication crisis of 2020—dubbed Megxit—during which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, became royal outcasts.
Through revealing interviews with royal family insiders, friends, aides, historians, royal watchers, and others with intimate knowledge of The House of Windsor, this tell-all book looks back at the events, motives and crises which led to Harry (sixth in line to the throne) dramatically abandoning his birthright—in a move not seen for nearly a century, when King Edward VIII also gave up the crown for the woman he loved as Europe teetered on the brink of fascism and war. Like Edward and Wallis Simpson, the catalyst for the scandal here is also an ambitious, controversial American woman.
Dylan Howard, bestselling author of Diana: Case Solved and Epstein: Dead Men Tell No Tales, charts how Meghan’s relationship with Harry was viewed as controversial from the start—and how her brief honeymoon with the British public began to sour shortly after she and Harry announced in November 2018 that they would be leaving Kensington Palace to move to Frogmore Cottage, an hour outside London. As senior royals expressed disapproval, the public at first seemed to enjoy the royal spat, with many still supporting Team Meghan—until it emerged that the bill to renovate Frogmore Cottage to Meghan’s lavish expectations would be $3 million . . . and be picked up by British taxpayers.
Finally, in a move nobody saw coming, Harry announced he was turning his back on the role he had been groomed for since birth—giving up his HRH title, repaying the renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage, abandoning his royal duties, and leaving Britain for good. Buckingham Palace reeled.
Howard’s unique access and insight into this constitutional crisis will not only address the tensions and tantrums behind closed palace doors, but seek to answer the questions many are still asking:
Has Prince Harry ever really recovered from the death of his mother Diana—and the resentment he feels against the institution that tried to destroy her?
Why did Meghan, once hailed as a breath of fresh air, rile up the monarchy?
Why did she refuse to conform to royal conventions in the way that Catherine did before her?
Did the public and media criticism of Meghan go too far? And just how valid are the accusations of racism?
How did these modern royals treat the tabloids differently to tradition? And did it backfire?
What next for Harry and Meghan? And how will they—and the institution they’ve turned their back on—react to their new lives outside the confines of the Palace and free from the strict codes and conventions that bind all members of the Royal Family?
Caught in a trap by virtue of a life entombed in a gilded cage, Royals at War answers these questions and more . . . and reveals how Harry’s infatuation with Meghan and desire to modernize the monarchy could yet end in disaster for the House of Windsor. Played out against the cataclysm of the British tabloid's laser focus on the duchess’ every movement—for good or ill—this is the true story of Harry and Meghan’s split from the Establishment . . . and perhaps just the beginning of a whole new Monarchy, redefined for the modern age.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2020
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365 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
March 10, 2021
This is a 5 part book. Part 1, about 70 pages, covers the “royals at war”. Parts 2 &3 are primarily about the pre-Meghan lives of William, Harry and Kate and, the life and loves of Diana. Part 4 is about pre-Harry Meghan. Part 5, by being about the Megan-Harry courtship and thereafter, has the “war” hanging over. In general, it appears that the author, Dylan Howard, had files on the royal family which he was able to use by attaching them to the hot topic of Harry and Meghan. Note, Howard's credits include writing for “The National Inquirer” and some of the episodes he writes about have that kind of content.
The family's problem seems to stem from Meghan’s background in the self-promoting Hollywood world. The monarchy has a totally different “brand”. The monarchy promotes charities, not itself. It demonstrates its value by public service not blogs about itself. While it plays down its vast wealth, Meghan spent $5 million renovating Frogmore and 10 times as much as Kate (taxayer money) on clothing. Family members are affronted by snubs, her going hatless and her upstaging their moments with her own announcement or media splash. Other royals would never consider suing the press.
While the background on Megan’s parents, forbears and cringe-worthy relatives is interesting, and somewhat germane the bulk of the book has very little bearing on the current family war. You learn about the college experience (including grades) for William, Harry and Kate; the details for creating and delivering the wedding dresses for Diana and later Kate; the places where young aristocrats hang out; Diana’s lovers; a landlady’s view of William as a tenant; Harry’s love of Africa and a lot more. The best example of the author’s use of his back files (of information not relevant to the purpose of this book) may be the 3.5 pages devoted to an interview with Le Van Tranh who my have driven the white Opal that may have triggered Diana’s fatal accident.
As I was reading this the Oprah interview took place. I did not see it, but from news reports it seems that Harry and Meghan are not yet done with “the Family”.
If you are like me and know more about Queen Elizabeth I than QE2, you may find this of interest since it helps to understand the current family dynamics. If you are interested in the “royal war” I presume you can get the same info. and most likely more, from Google.
The family's problem seems to stem from Meghan’s background in the self-promoting Hollywood world. The monarchy has a totally different “brand”. The monarchy promotes charities, not itself. It demonstrates its value by public service not blogs about itself. While it plays down its vast wealth, Meghan spent $5 million renovating Frogmore and 10 times as much as Kate (taxayer money) on clothing. Family members are affronted by snubs, her going hatless and her upstaging their moments with her own announcement or media splash. Other royals would never consider suing the press.
While the background on Megan’s parents, forbears and cringe-worthy relatives is interesting, and somewhat germane the bulk of the book has very little bearing on the current family war. You learn about the college experience (including grades) for William, Harry and Kate; the details for creating and delivering the wedding dresses for Diana and later Kate; the places where young aristocrats hang out; Diana’s lovers; a landlady’s view of William as a tenant; Harry’s love of Africa and a lot more. The best example of the author’s use of his back files (of information not relevant to the purpose of this book) may be the 3.5 pages devoted to an interview with Le Van Tranh who my have driven the white Opal that may have triggered Diana’s fatal accident.
As I was reading this the Oprah interview took place. I did not see it, but from news reports it seems that Harry and Meghan are not yet done with “the Family”.
If you are like me and know more about Queen Elizabeth I than QE2, you may find this of interest since it helps to understand the current family dynamics. If you are interested in the “royal war” I presume you can get the same info. and most likely more, from Google.
October 21, 2023
"There's little doubt that racism in the British media was - in some part - a driving force behind Meghan and Harry's decision to "step back". - Royals at War
Sorry... I've followed these two quite closely since the time they got engaged, and while I agree that the British media likely played a huge role in their decision to leave, I saw little evidence of racism and consider that charge to be unfounded.
The rest of what I read was just a rehashing of commonly known stories. I decided this was not worth my time.
Abandoned on Page 52
Sorry... I've followed these two quite closely since the time they got engaged, and while I agree that the British media likely played a huge role in their decision to leave, I saw little evidence of racism and consider that charge to be unfounded.
The rest of what I read was just a rehashing of commonly known stories. I decided this was not worth my time.
Abandoned on Page 52
December 8, 2022
2022 Reread review:
I'm rereading these royal gossipfest books about Harry & Meghan plus the Firm in anticipation of Harry's upcoming memoir, 'Spare'. As well as to track how the attitudes regarding Meghan & Harry have shifted, or not.
Yikes a the chapter where the author makes fun of The People article where Meghan's friends defend her because she hasn't been allowed to speak to defend herself nor to tweak press coverage of her. Because the Palace was using the existing racism of the British public at large to focus on Meghan to take the focus off of Wills cheating on Kate and Andrew the Prince Pedophile.
Post Oprah's interview we know that Meghan was suicidal at this point😔
Also his criticism of her is based on faulty info: Kate made her cry and not the other way around. She wasn't asked to take a picture with baby Archie at the Lindo wing. She was being harassed by the press, including photo lens that could view her through her curtains at Kensington and that was really why the family moved to Frogmore. Frogmore had previously been made into 5 separate apartments and had to be reconstructed into a single home. Which the couple later paid for without even living in. Instead Eugenie and her husband lived there for free and no one in the press gave a fuck. Almost like the problem was with Meghan and not the free cottage.
Meghan won the lawsuit over the letter to the Daily Fail. Despite the papers rapid bullshit antics. So that chapter is also cringey.
I'm also frustrated by the often repeated mantra that Royals, "never complain and never explain".
Like that's a boldface lie.
King Charles III as the Prince of Wales cooperated in a biography with Jonathan Dimbleby as well as a televised interview in which he admits to cheating on Diana and EXPLAINS that this only occurred after the marriage had irretrievably broken down. Princess Diana in turn cooperated in a biography with Andrew Morton in which she famously audio recorded tapes with shocking confessions about her life and experience as a royal. Followed by a televised interview with Martin Bashir. Not to mention Sarah Ferguson's famous appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in the 90's. The Pedophile Prince and his recent interview with Emily Maitlis regarding his sex crimes. He did an awful lot of both complaining and explaining in that interview.
It feels like a double standard to take Meghan and Harry to task for doing much like other senior Royals have themselves done quite publicly though this author seems to suffer from amnesia regarding it.
Much like Meghan and Harry's plan to work wasn't substantially different than when Sophie, Countess of Wessex married Prince Edward and at first continued working. It's not a 'new' path they sought but one well trodden by other Royals but none of that is mentioned in this Nonfiction account. Almost like the author has a point to make and won't be bothered with fairness or acknowledging the complexity of some if the issues resulting in Sussexit. Instead the author labeled Meghan difficult, snobbish, etc but really doesn't offer any supporting documentation other than from folks who openly don't like Meghan while ignoring the opinions of those who like her as biased.🙃
This is grossly unbalanced, unprofessional and a clear exploitation of the Sussex's for the authors own profit.
This misinformation is available for free with a simple Google Search.
Original 2020 review:
The author presented Meghan, Kate & Harry as problematic, with Harry getting the kindest treatment. Wills getting glowing treatment mostly, while looking like a jerk in his treatment of Kate during their courtship.
Harry is portrayed mostly as emotionally immature and troubled.
Meghan is presented as a difficult, demanding and generally unlikable social climber.
Kate is painted as the mostly boring, overachieving child of a social climbing mom but a mean girl in her treatment of Meghan.
This book doesn't include the revelation in the current lawsuits that the palace insider feeding the nasty stories to the press about Meghan worked for the Cambridges,👀 including the bombshell eventually dubbed 'megxit'.
It's well known that the reason the Sussex's departed on such short notice is they were made aware of a tabloid story with inside info about their desire to break away from the royal family. They rightly or wrongly decided to announce early themselves before the details had been worked out in an effort to beat the tabloids to the announcement.
I thought the Sussexes lawsuit against the British Tabloids unnecessary until the bit about the palace gossip coming from the Cambridges staff came out.👀
Which really makes one see that Meghan, while no doubt culturally and socially
different and most likely perceived as difficult/demanding, most definitely was being bullied inside the family or 'the firm'.
Clearly the royal family weren't all happy to welcome this divorced, mixed race, tv actress in the family as they claimed.
Also this book says that Meghan made Kate cry during Charlotte's dress fitting because Meghan was apparently upset that her kids with Harry wouldn't have whatever title like Kate's kids with Wills.
Um whet🙃
Why on earth would Kate cry over that? What in the world does Kate care about the title Meg & Harry's kids have much less if Meghan is upset about it.
Weird and nonsensical explanation.
Most of whats in this book has been hashed out in the tabloids already.
No new info here and I'm glad I didn't pay for this crap.
I'm rereading these royal gossipfest books about Harry & Meghan plus the Firm in anticipation of Harry's upcoming memoir, 'Spare'. As well as to track how the attitudes regarding Meghan & Harry have shifted, or not.
Yikes a the chapter where the author makes fun of The People article where Meghan's friends defend her because she hasn't been allowed to speak to defend herself nor to tweak press coverage of her. Because the Palace was using the existing racism of the British public at large to focus on Meghan to take the focus off of Wills cheating on Kate and Andrew the Prince Pedophile.
Post Oprah's interview we know that Meghan was suicidal at this point😔
Also his criticism of her is based on faulty info: Kate made her cry and not the other way around. She wasn't asked to take a picture with baby Archie at the Lindo wing. She was being harassed by the press, including photo lens that could view her through her curtains at Kensington and that was really why the family moved to Frogmore. Frogmore had previously been made into 5 separate apartments and had to be reconstructed into a single home. Which the couple later paid for without even living in. Instead Eugenie and her husband lived there for free and no one in the press gave a fuck. Almost like the problem was with Meghan and not the free cottage.
Meghan won the lawsuit over the letter to the Daily Fail. Despite the papers rapid bullshit antics. So that chapter is also cringey.
I'm also frustrated by the often repeated mantra that Royals, "never complain and never explain".
Like that's a boldface lie.
King Charles III as the Prince of Wales cooperated in a biography with Jonathan Dimbleby as well as a televised interview in which he admits to cheating on Diana and EXPLAINS that this only occurred after the marriage had irretrievably broken down. Princess Diana in turn cooperated in a biography with Andrew Morton in which she famously audio recorded tapes with shocking confessions about her life and experience as a royal. Followed by a televised interview with Martin Bashir. Not to mention Sarah Ferguson's famous appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in the 90's. The Pedophile Prince and his recent interview with Emily Maitlis regarding his sex crimes. He did an awful lot of both complaining and explaining in that interview.
It feels like a double standard to take Meghan and Harry to task for doing much like other senior Royals have themselves done quite publicly though this author seems to suffer from amnesia regarding it.
Much like Meghan and Harry's plan to work wasn't substantially different than when Sophie, Countess of Wessex married Prince Edward and at first continued working. It's not a 'new' path they sought but one well trodden by other Royals but none of that is mentioned in this Nonfiction account. Almost like the author has a point to make and won't be bothered with fairness or acknowledging the complexity of some if the issues resulting in Sussexit. Instead the author labeled Meghan difficult, snobbish, etc but really doesn't offer any supporting documentation other than from folks who openly don't like Meghan while ignoring the opinions of those who like her as biased.🙃
This is grossly unbalanced, unprofessional and a clear exploitation of the Sussex's for the authors own profit.
This misinformation is available for free with a simple Google Search.
Original 2020 review:
The author presented Meghan, Kate & Harry as problematic, with Harry getting the kindest treatment. Wills getting glowing treatment mostly, while looking like a jerk in his treatment of Kate during their courtship.
Harry is portrayed mostly as emotionally immature and troubled.
Meghan is presented as a difficult, demanding and generally unlikable social climber.
Kate is painted as the mostly boring, overachieving child of a social climbing mom but a mean girl in her treatment of Meghan.
This book doesn't include the revelation in the current lawsuits that the palace insider feeding the nasty stories to the press about Meghan worked for the Cambridges,👀 including the bombshell eventually dubbed 'megxit'.
It's well known that the reason the Sussex's departed on such short notice is they were made aware of a tabloid story with inside info about their desire to break away from the royal family. They rightly or wrongly decided to announce early themselves before the details had been worked out in an effort to beat the tabloids to the announcement.
I thought the Sussexes lawsuit against the British Tabloids unnecessary until the bit about the palace gossip coming from the Cambridges staff came out.👀
Which really makes one see that Meghan, while no doubt culturally and socially
different and most likely perceived as difficult/demanding, most definitely was being bullied inside the family or 'the firm'.
Clearly the royal family weren't all happy to welcome this divorced, mixed race, tv actress in the family as they claimed.
Also this book says that Meghan made Kate cry during Charlotte's dress fitting because Meghan was apparently upset that her kids with Harry wouldn't have whatever title like Kate's kids with Wills.
Um whet🙃
Why on earth would Kate cry over that? What in the world does Kate care about the title Meg & Harry's kids have much less if Meghan is upset about it.
Weird and nonsensical explanation.
Most of whats in this book has been hashed out in the tabloids already.
No new info here and I'm glad I didn't pay for this crap.
September 23, 2020
Was extremely disappointed with this book. I felt it was unfairly slanted against Harry and Meghan. Just my opinion but I wouldn't bother with it. It seemed like the author was trying to cash in on his 15 minutes of fame in exactly the same manner he unfairly accused Meghan of doing. He should be ashamed of himself.
July 10, 2020
Having read Kitty Kelley's "The Royals" almost 20 years ago, I expected something similar to that.
But no, this was millions of miles away from that book. "Royals at War" is poorly structured, and very badly written. It's almost like reading a bunch of Daily Mail articles all grouped together, and in random order. Awful.
But no, this was millions of miles away from that book. "Royals at War" is poorly structured, and very badly written. It's almost like reading a bunch of Daily Mail articles all grouped together, and in random order. Awful.
July 8, 2020
Admittedly, the authors only have two years to work with since Harry and Meghan married, but this is a shameful rehash of every scintilla of gossip, much of it refuted in the next paragraph, to fill out the far-too-many pages. And I paid money for this. Shame on me.
July 13, 2020
I ate this shit up and it was delicious.
Love!
Love!
July 17, 2020
Contrary to many of the other reviews of this novel, I actually quite enjoyed it. The novel provides a good rehash and plenty of revelations about the good, the bad, and the ugly about the former royal "Fab Four." Many people though there was nothing knew, but actually in the the first and last sections, there were many new things that I never knew, and that's coming from someone who's a huge fan of the Royals. I found the book to be very well-researched, as it cited many well-known and reputable royal biographers, such as Katie Nicholl, Penny Junor, and Lady Colin Campbell (who just came out with her own tell-all book on Harry and Meghan's departure from royal life). As a result of the author's extremely high role in the entertainment and publishing industries, he had access to a plethora of well-placed sources that were able to offer new insights and perspectives into these 4 royals. I really appreciated the middle of the books, which gave plenty of background into the lives of Harry, Meghan, William, Kate, and their respective parents, really helped me grasp and better understand the heart of why the brothers fell out and why Harry and Meghan left. While the author did cite some gossip rumors, such as the one that Meghan made Kate cry in the run-up to the royal wedding, he never explicitly states they are true. Howard and Tillet give all of these 4 royals a fair amount of critique and also pointing out their good qualities, which I found refreshing. I also enjoyed the fresh the tone in the book that Howard, a former magazine editor, gave. I also quite enjoyed how the book was separated into many small chapters, making it easy for me to read a little at a time whenever I got the chance. I honestly found it hard to put down!
August 2, 2020
Appalling. Don’t bother. Anyone that needs to be told that the Union Jack is the National flag of the United Kingdom should not be reading this book.
I stopped reading on page SIX when the author of this rubbish explained that Harry was the third in line to the British throne on his wedding day. If they can’t even get that correct, what other rubbish is this book full of?
This is not journalism, and should not be classified as a non fiction book. In fact, calling it a book at all is insulting to paper.
Shame on the “author”. Shame on the publisher.
Don’t waste your money or time.
I stopped reading on page SIX when the author of this rubbish explained that Harry was the third in line to the British throne on his wedding day. If they can’t even get that correct, what other rubbish is this book full of?
This is not journalism, and should not be classified as a non fiction book. In fact, calling it a book at all is insulting to paper.
Shame on the “author”. Shame on the publisher.
Don’t waste your money or time.
July 22, 2020
Overall, it was okay. There were some factual errors in the book, even some instances where there would be contradictions of what was said just a page earlier. I believe that the book was rushed to print to beat the other books about the royals being released this year (there is at least four more that I know of coming before the end of the year). A little more time to edit would have made this more enjoyable.
January 20, 2022
Two things about this book:
1. The audiobook was a jarring experience - was it narrated by two people, or one person and the edits were so choppy that it sounded like two people? You'd get this really brash australian guy talking at some points and then the elocution would change to softer tones, and then BAM, the volume is up again. It's like they ADR'd a whole heap of unintelligible bits but didn't bother to keep the levels the same.
2. This book did nothing to make me feel sympathetic for Megan.
1. The audiobook was a jarring experience - was it narrated by two people, or one person and the edits were so choppy that it sounded like two people? You'd get this really brash australian guy talking at some points and then the elocution would change to softer tones, and then BAM, the volume is up again. It's like they ADR'd a whole heap of unintelligible bits but didn't bother to keep the levels the same.
2. This book did nothing to make me feel sympathetic for Megan.
December 14, 2020
If you don't know anything about the royal family of Britain then this is the book for you. Howard goes thru Kate's life and Wills & Harry's lives and of course Meghan's life in a readable interesting manner. I already knew most of this- except Meghan's life and struggles. I wanted more info on what the couple are doing in California etc. ANd how old Archie really is.
April 23, 2021
Obviously cobbled together from previous reports. Some problems with continuity.
I'm embarrassed to have this book on my reading list!
I'm embarrassed to have this book on my reading list!
August 21, 2020
It read like a juicy tabloid about the British royal family. I remember when I was in middle School and High School I would pick up every single magazine and read every news articles about Kate Middleton and Prince William before and after they got married. This book was just very fun read for me.
August 13, 2020
After many years of interest in Britian's Royal Family, I found this book to be an extremely good read. It brought up the many sad facts of Prince Harry's life to date and ,in a way, explained his latest life experiences. Unfortunately because of his position as a "spare ", He was very susceptible to the wishes and desires of a strong woman..... enter Meghan Markle with little or no understanding of the Royal Family and it's workings. When this wasn't to work out, war was declared and the rest is history. It is really amazing how history has repeated itself since the Duke of Windsor story all those years ago.
A very well written and nicely researched book.
mejt
A very well written and nicely researched book.
mejt
September 6, 2020
If you’ve been following the news, most of the content is already known. It does give readers a very detailed yet short account of Meghan’s ancestry that was interesting and made me curious about one’s genealogy. It’s a dishy read that will entertain.
July 23, 2023
Royals at War
Reading this book left me with even stronger feelings that Harry needed more mental health therapy than he got in his teenage years. He could at least admit a drunken chauffeur was to blame for his mother’s death more than the paparazzi that both she and Dori baited that night. If he wants to protect Meagan from the same fate, make sure your employees aren’t drunks and put your seatbelts on. And all this chatter about Meghan being the “star” of the “hit” Suits? Suits was a fun show although I gave up after the first season, but she was ranked 5th and the show itself was on am also ran cable network. It’s not like America was standing around the water cooler talking about episodes the next day — at least until she started dating Harry. For their sake I hope their marriage works but I hope Harry realizes what he has to give up to give his wife what she wants. I wasn’t in England so maybe I didn’t hear it, but I never saw all this racism that was supposedly slammed at her. If William tried to talk some sense into his brother, well that’s what big brothers try to do. Meagan came in wanting to change 1000 years of tradition and then claimed people weren’t supporting her. I will say her paternal parent and siblings are a trial but that’s no ones fault but theirs. And if you send a letter to someone, doesn’t that person then own the letter, calligraphy or not? Doesn’t seem like she can sue for a newspaper that bought it, printing it. Maybe she should sue her father for selling it.
Reading this book left me with even stronger feelings that Harry needed more mental health therapy than he got in his teenage years. He could at least admit a drunken chauffeur was to blame for his mother’s death more than the paparazzi that both she and Dori baited that night. If he wants to protect Meagan from the same fate, make sure your employees aren’t drunks and put your seatbelts on. And all this chatter about Meghan being the “star” of the “hit” Suits? Suits was a fun show although I gave up after the first season, but she was ranked 5th and the show itself was on am also ran cable network. It’s not like America was standing around the water cooler talking about episodes the next day — at least until she started dating Harry. For their sake I hope their marriage works but I hope Harry realizes what he has to give up to give his wife what she wants. I wasn’t in England so maybe I didn’t hear it, but I never saw all this racism that was supposedly slammed at her. If William tried to talk some sense into his brother, well that’s what big brothers try to do. Meagan came in wanting to change 1000 years of tradition and then claimed people weren’t supporting her. I will say her paternal parent and siblings are a trial but that’s no ones fault but theirs. And if you send a letter to someone, doesn’t that person then own the letter, calligraphy or not? Doesn’t seem like she can sue for a newspaper that bought it, printing it. Maybe she should sue her father for selling it.
March 13, 2021
1.5 stars. Mostly just reiterating old tabloid stories and pretty heavily biased. The structure of the book was also odd-why put Megxit at the beginning of the book? The book devoted more time to Kate and William than it did to Meghan and Harry and perpetuates lots of the stories addressed in Harry and Meghan’s television interview. Ultimately nothing new here and not very interesting to boot.
August 9, 2020
Waring thrones
I found the book quite fascinating. I recall memories as I was around as a little girl to witness the crowning of the Queen and so forth. Well written and appears true to the truth.
I found the book quite fascinating. I recall memories as I was around as a little girl to witness the crowning of the Queen and so forth. Well written and appears true to the truth.
July 4, 2020
DNF because there’s nothing new. Mostly a rehashing some stuff that’s been in the newspapers for the last two years, and to fill the book more stand alone stories on the other royals and stuff that had nothing to do with the theme of this book. Nothing is backed up by sources but various things are scraped together to sell book and make money.
Shallow, incomplete and unfounded.
If you want to read a good book I’d say read the book by lady Colin Campbell. I’ve written a review on that book too and gave that one 5 stars.
Shallow, incomplete and unfounded.
If you want to read a good book I’d say read the book by lady Colin Campbell. I’ve written a review on that book too and gave that one 5 stars.
July 19, 2020
A good book although it contains previous known information about the romance of William and Kate and their wedding and of Charles and Diana
August 30, 2020
In the months preceding the new year of 2020, the revelation that Harry and Meghan, members of the British royal family, were going to step back and make their own way in the world raced around the world. They were going to live in Canada, no, the United States, likely California where Meghan could continue her acting career and charitable works. But the original intent was not to be completely cut off from the royals as they kept the renovated Frogmore Cottage as an English base.
This reads like a collection of gossipy articles from various tabloids. Admittedly, it does go into the youth, education, relationships and marriages (and divorces) of the parents of Prince William, Prince Harry, Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan. Their own education, relationships, careers and marriages as well as the distinctive differences.
It also seems to waver between the so-called Team Cambridge and Team Sussex in it's support. It admits that Meghan is a strong, intelligent, and determined woman that seems have the drive to utilize whatever options available to continue to move herself and her 'star' forward. There is commentary that Harry is happy and then he's sulky because he feels that Meghan isn't being accepted the way he - or is it, she? - feels she should be.
Supposedly William and Kate as well as Charles, Camilla, and the Queen were welcoming and tried to introduce Meghan to the traditions that bind the English royal family. Admittedly, Meghan is not a Brit, she's American but in turn, there is a difference in trying to 'modernize' the royals and making things difficult because it's not going her way.
Personally, I'm divided about the entire issue. Cutting themselves off from Harry's family is not - in my opinion - an entirely good thing. Once day, hopefully, Archie and any siblings are going to likely want to know their cousins and where their father came from. Just as likely, George and his siblings will likely want to meet and know their Uncle Harry's kids. Hopefully, the doors would not have been slammed shut.
On a final note, during the chapter on Harry on Meghan's wedding where the newlyweds were the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. . . .no, that should have been Sussex. That an editor didn't catch it and correct it makes me wonder about the entire so-called 'definite' account. And there are other errors as well which makes me reduce the number of stars
2020-170
This reads like a collection of gossipy articles from various tabloids. Admittedly, it does go into the youth, education, relationships and marriages (and divorces) of the parents of Prince William, Prince Harry, Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan. Their own education, relationships, careers and marriages as well as the distinctive differences.
It also seems to waver between the so-called Team Cambridge and Team Sussex in it's support. It admits that Meghan is a strong, intelligent, and determined woman that seems have the drive to utilize whatever options available to continue to move herself and her 'star' forward. There is commentary that Harry is happy and then he's sulky because he feels that Meghan isn't being accepted the way he - or is it, she? - feels she should be.
Supposedly William and Kate as well as Charles, Camilla, and the Queen were welcoming and tried to introduce Meghan to the traditions that bind the English royal family. Admittedly, Meghan is not a Brit, she's American but in turn, there is a difference in trying to 'modernize' the royals and making things difficult because it's not going her way.
Personally, I'm divided about the entire issue. Cutting themselves off from Harry's family is not - in my opinion - an entirely good thing. Once day, hopefully, Archie and any siblings are going to likely want to know their cousins and where their father came from. Just as likely, George and his siblings will likely want to meet and know their Uncle Harry's kids. Hopefully, the doors would not have been slammed shut.
On a final note, during the chapter on Harry on Meghan's wedding where the newlyweds were the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. . . .no, that should have been Sussex. That an editor didn't catch it and correct it makes me wonder about the entire so-called 'definite' account. And there are other errors as well which makes me reduce the number of stars
2020-170
August 1, 2020
If you've not followed the Megxit drama, this book will get you up to date.
I hoped for something new. Spill the tea. I got that Camilla was *maybe* the impetus for William and Catherine's 2007 breakup. And William was the one crawling back begging her to take him back.
The hot goss on Meghan and Harry was that the royal family bent over backwards to accommodate their every whim and yet they still bailed and had the audacity to complain the royal family wouldn't let them sell Sussex Royal branded tchotchkes. The book makes Harry look weak minded and easily led while Meghan comes across as a self-aggrandizing social climber.
The book outlines that Meghan's career was made mostly by the men she was with, but here she is painting herself as a self made woman. Her dad got her her first role. Her uncle got her a job during college. Her first husband floated her financially until she was more famous than him. Then her next live in boyfriend had more social clout so she used him until she could ditch him for Harry. (It's unclear how that split went down. Timing wise there appears to have been some overlap.) Ditching the Royal family is just the latest in her lifetime of using people for personal gain and then discarding them.
The book praises Meghan for her "humanitarian work" that, as best as I can tell, was a couple of volunteer opportunities from high school and college.
There were also several errors. Multiple times Harry was mentioned as "third in line" at the time of his wedding. He was sixth after the birth of Louis and fifth before his birth/during much of the Markle courtship.
Check it out from the library if you need to catch up on the gossip.
I hoped for something new. Spill the tea. I got that Camilla was *maybe* the impetus for William and Catherine's 2007 breakup. And William was the one crawling back begging her to take him back.
The hot goss on Meghan and Harry was that the royal family bent over backwards to accommodate their every whim and yet they still bailed and had the audacity to complain the royal family wouldn't let them sell Sussex Royal branded tchotchkes. The book makes Harry look weak minded and easily led while Meghan comes across as a self-aggrandizing social climber.
The book outlines that Meghan's career was made mostly by the men she was with, but here she is painting herself as a self made woman. Her dad got her her first role. Her uncle got her a job during college. Her first husband floated her financially until she was more famous than him. Then her next live in boyfriend had more social clout so she used him until she could ditch him for Harry. (It's unclear how that split went down. Timing wise there appears to have been some overlap.) Ditching the Royal family is just the latest in her lifetime of using people for personal gain and then discarding them.
The book praises Meghan for her "humanitarian work" that, as best as I can tell, was a couple of volunteer opportunities from high school and college.
There were also several errors. Multiple times Harry was mentioned as "third in line" at the time of his wedding. He was sixth after the birth of Louis and fifth before his birth/during much of the Markle courtship.
Check it out from the library if you need to catch up on the gossip.
August 4, 2020
This was an adequate read about the British Royal Family since what is known as “Megxit.” However, there were countless typos and misquotes and just general f-ups (I.e. referring to Meghan Markle as “Duchess of Cambridge” not her real title of “Duchess of Sussex”). This is clearly a case of being rushed to print in the wake of “Megxit” that it just feels like an out and out money grab on the part of the publisher, which I can’t completely fault them for it, seeing as this is the most momentous thing to happen to the British Royal Family since Diana’s death. The only good parts of this book were the very beginning and the very end when they were discussing what went down with the negotiations for “Megxit”, which were quite gossipy, although a lot of it probably isn’t true. Also, there was a lot of rehashed information of biographies of both Prince William and Harry that made the book unnecessarily long, but if you are just a casual Royal watcher then maybe that was needed for some. I however didn’t need any of that, but to each his or her own I guess?!
July 3, 2020
Many mistakes
I'm glad I used a gift card to buy this instead of my money. As others have written , this is not well written. The narrative jumps around and veers wildly in point of view. For example, it says that Michael Curry's sermon at the wedding had guests eating out of his hand and then a couple of paragraphs later, that the guests were relieved.when it was over. The authors state William and Catherine were married at almost exactly the same date and in the same location as Charles and Diana. However, Charles and Diana were married at St Paul's and William and Catherine at Westminster Abbey. They refer to Harry and Meghan as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge several times. With blatant errors like this, how much can be believed? It also rehashes many old stories. This was a disappointment.
I'm glad I used a gift card to buy this instead of my money. As others have written , this is not well written. The narrative jumps around and veers wildly in point of view. For example, it says that Michael Curry's sermon at the wedding had guests eating out of his hand and then a couple of paragraphs later, that the guests were relieved.when it was over. The authors state William and Catherine were married at almost exactly the same date and in the same location as Charles and Diana. However, Charles and Diana were married at St Paul's and William and Catherine at Westminster Abbey. They refer to Harry and Meghan as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge several times. With blatant errors like this, how much can be believed? It also rehashes many old stories. This was a disappointment.
July 14, 2020
I thought I was reading a current book on current royal matters. Nope. I spent a lot of time reading stuff that has long been discussed, such as pre-princess Diana, how Catherines parents met, and how Markles parents met. I found the book to be annoying. By the time I got to page 200 I had lost interest. After having to swim through 200 pages of already none, already dredged up past, I wasn't at all concerned for the present or future. When I see the title "Royals at War" the last thing I want to read about is how Markles parents met or about Diana's wedding dress. This stuff was cut and pasted from other books more than original work. Nothing original to see here. Wish I could get my money back.
June 12, 2022
I will give it three stars as it is a good read but whether or not the content is true in another matter. I noticed that the author got Prince Charles date of birth incorrect and also further on in the book he said that Prince Charles called Gordonstoun "Hell in Kilts" whereas what Prince Charles said was that it was "Colditz in kilts". If something as simple as the Prince of Wales Birthdate is incorrect then the author clearly hasn't researched the book properly. There was also a fling mentioned that Diana had had with an aristocrat which I never heard of before. However, I will continue reading to the end as it is a good read. I wasn't aware that Thomas Markle had a brother a bishop and another one a diplomat.
May 31, 2022
Started promising. Held the plot to the title, being about the split and then it fell by starting again from the very beginning of Diana and Charles… not again. For a book written in 2020, it had many errors and false facts that had already been proven as a lie.
Writing of this book was strange, felt like two different people. Started out with fancy sentences like “rehabilitate her embattled image” and then towards the end the author started to use words like “fam” and “DJ dropped”.
In conclusion started out so well and then went down the same old paths.
Writing of this book was strange, felt like two different people. Started out with fancy sentences like “rehabilitate her embattled image” and then towards the end the author started to use words like “fam” and “DJ dropped”.
In conclusion started out so well and then went down the same old paths.
April 4, 2024
This book did not provide any new information. The writing did not flow very well. Plus, this book would have benefited from a proper proofreader. Harry and Meghan are not the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, despite being referred to as such several times by the author. There are other errors as well. I did enjoy the details about the youth, education and relationships of each member of the royal family. However, the gossipy tone and numerous grammatical issues contributed to my rating.
July 4, 2020
Others have noted editing errors. That’s an understatement. The Queen is referred to as Her Royal Highness instead of Her Majesty and Chatsworth, the home of the Duke of Devonshire is called a “ranch”! Overall the book is just rehashed newspaper tales of Diana and Charles, William and Harry plus later tabloid coverage of Kate and Meghan. Hardly “untold”. Grammatical errors abound.
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