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Royal
In this spellbinding tale from Danielle Steel, a princess is sent away to safety during World War II, where she falls in love, and is lost forever.
As the war rages on in the summer of 1943, causing massive destruction and widespread fear, the King and Queen choose to quietly send their youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte, to live with a trusted noble family in the Yorkshire countryside. Despite her fiery, headstrong nature, the princess's fragile health poses far too great a risk for her to remain in war-torn London.
Third in line to the throne, seventeen year-old Charlotte reluctantly uses an alias upon her arrival in Yorkshire, her two guardians the only keepers of her true identity. A talented horsewoman, Charlotte begins to enjoy life out of the spotlight, concentrating on training with her beloved horse. But no one predicts that in the coming months she will fall deeply in love with her protectors' son.
Far from her parents, a tragic turn of events leaves an infant orphaned. Alone in the world, that child will be raised in the most humble circumstances by a modest stable manager and his wife. No one, not even she, knows of her lineage. But when a stack of hidden letters comes to light, a secret kept for nearly two decades finally surfaces, and a long lost princess emerges . . .
A fascinating story of family and royalty, and an unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary young woman and the man who brings her home, Royal is an exhilarating work from the world’s favourite storyteller.
As the war rages on in the summer of 1943, causing massive destruction and widespread fear, the King and Queen choose to quietly send their youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte, to live with a trusted noble family in the Yorkshire countryside. Despite her fiery, headstrong nature, the princess's fragile health poses far too great a risk for her to remain in war-torn London.
Third in line to the throne, seventeen year-old Charlotte reluctantly uses an alias upon her arrival in Yorkshire, her two guardians the only keepers of her true identity. A talented horsewoman, Charlotte begins to enjoy life out of the spotlight, concentrating on training with her beloved horse. But no one predicts that in the coming months she will fall deeply in love with her protectors' son.
Far from her parents, a tragic turn of events leaves an infant orphaned. Alone in the world, that child will be raised in the most humble circumstances by a modest stable manager and his wife. No one, not even she, knows of her lineage. But when a stack of hidden letters comes to light, a secret kept for nearly two decades finally surfaces, and a long lost princess emerges . . .
A fascinating story of family and royalty, and an unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary young woman and the man who brings her home, Royal is an exhilarating work from the world’s favourite storyteller.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2020
5017 people are currently reading
6618 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
917 books16.9k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,122 reviews
August 26, 2020
I'm not sure if Danielle Steel has always written this terribly, if she's phoning it in as she gets older, or if someone is ghostwriting terribly for her. The premise of this book sounds fun: a long-lost princess is reunited with her royal family. However, the writing is hardly better than a student essay with redundant passages that only serve to add to the word count. I have admittedly read very little of Steel's work, but I have to believe it used to be well-written for her to establish such an avid fan base.
I received a digital ARC from Random House in exchange for my honest review.
I received a digital ARC from Random House in exchange for my honest review.
September 14, 2020
Royal by Danielle Steel is a historical romance novel that starts readers off in the summer of 1943 right in the middle of World War II. With the cities being a dangerous place during the war it was common practice for families to send their children off to the country to live with those willing to take them in to hopefully keep them safe and that is how our story starts with a royal princess.
Princess Charlotte was the youngest of the King and Queen’s children and they only wanted to protect her so arrangments were made for Charlotte to travel to the country to stay with with a trusted noble family away from war torn London. At seventeen Charlotte’s interests when heading to the country were only with her horse but that quickly changes after arriving.
The thing that keeps bringing me back to Danielle Steel’s novels is that I’m never really sure what I’ll find when opening up the pages and beginning to read. Yes, we know she has her own specific romantic formula but her books fall under various genres within the romance spectrum. This time out I was pleasantly surprised at this look into history and her fictional royal family. The story was one that brought a lot of ups and downs and surprises along the way so it flew by rather quickly for me as I kept engaged all along the way.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Princess Charlotte was the youngest of the King and Queen’s children and they only wanted to protect her so arrangments were made for Charlotte to travel to the country to stay with with a trusted noble family away from war torn London. At seventeen Charlotte’s interests when heading to the country were only with her horse but that quickly changes after arriving.
The thing that keeps bringing me back to Danielle Steel’s novels is that I’m never really sure what I’ll find when opening up the pages and beginning to read. Yes, we know she has her own specific romantic formula but her books fall under various genres within the romance spectrum. This time out I was pleasantly surprised at this look into history and her fictional royal family. The story was one that brought a lot of ups and downs and surprises along the way so it flew by rather quickly for me as I kept engaged all along the way.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
August 16, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in return for an honest review. The release date for this book is 18 Aug 2020
I’m definitely a Danielle Steel fan and she doesn’t disappoint. I have always enjoyed historical fiction and the retelling of the British monarchy with a slight twist was quite fascinating. The story spans from World War II into the 1970s and the storytelling is magnificent. Of course, there’s tragedy and romance and also great horse racing to boot. The characters are familiar yet also unique and the ending made my corny romantic heart very happy. A must read for the end of summer.
I’m definitely a Danielle Steel fan and she doesn’t disappoint. I have always enjoyed historical fiction and the retelling of the British monarchy with a slight twist was quite fascinating. The story spans from World War II into the 1970s and the storytelling is magnificent. Of course, there’s tragedy and romance and also great horse racing to boot. The characters are familiar yet also unique and the ending made my corny romantic heart very happy. A must read for the end of summer.
July 15, 2022
A really easy read with some very heartbreaking bits. This is probably one of my favorites out of DS's newest books.
October 23, 2024
ROYAL is the story of a fictional British royal family back during WW2 where the king and queen have three daughters. During the bombings in London, they send the youngest, Princess Charlotte, who has asthma, off to the countryside because of her health. There she falls in love with the son of the people’s she’s staying with and becomes pregnant. I enjoyed this story as a light, fluffy, don’t think too hard about it sort of beach read. I agree with other critiques that there is a lot of repeated material. Princess Charlotte, her husband, and everyone who cared about her die. The only people left alive are the baby and Lucy, a bitter girl who always resented Charlotte because she wanted Henry, Charlotte’s husband, and Henry chose her. Lucy raises the baby, Anne, as her own. The story picks up when Lucy is going to die and tells her husband the truth, and Charlotte is reunited with the royal family. The royal parts of the book were fun. I think my main criticism was that far too many characters were killed off. As soon as a character was developed and I started to get interested in them, they died. 4/5 stars.
August 28, 2020
I LOVED Royal!
It has been a long time since I have read a Danielle Steel book and this was a beautiful, emotional story that I could not get enough of. I am not a Royalist but I do love Royal history (even if it is fictional) This is a historical fiction story, a genre that I have recently discovered and found that I love. It is a romance and it is a tragedy.
This book broke me so many times. I was in tears after just the first few chapters. And that was only the beginning. I was completely lost in the story and would have read it in one go if real life had not gotten in the way.
Set in World War 2 it is a grim and sad start. The King and Queen have decided to send their youngest daughter Charlotte to a farm in Yorkshire to escape the bombings in London. She does not want to go but soon finds a freedom that she is not accustomed to. The events in the country are the start of a series of events that will change history and come close to a Royal scandal.
It will make you laugh, cry and smile. It was a different time in so many ways, and being Royal and a woman wasn't easy. The women in this book are strong and not afraid to buck the system. I will definitely be reading more Danielle Steel books in the future.
Thank you MacMillian Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
It has been a long time since I have read a Danielle Steel book and this was a beautiful, emotional story that I could not get enough of. I am not a Royalist but I do love Royal history (even if it is fictional) This is a historical fiction story, a genre that I have recently discovered and found that I love. It is a romance and it is a tragedy.
This book broke me so many times. I was in tears after just the first few chapters. And that was only the beginning. I was completely lost in the story and would have read it in one go if real life had not gotten in the way.
Set in World War 2 it is a grim and sad start. The King and Queen have decided to send their youngest daughter Charlotte to a farm in Yorkshire to escape the bombings in London. She does not want to go but soon finds a freedom that she is not accustomed to. The events in the country are the start of a series of events that will change history and come close to a Royal scandal.
It will make you laugh, cry and smile. It was a different time in so many ways, and being Royal and a woman wasn't easy. The women in this book are strong and not afraid to buck the system. I will definitely be reading more Danielle Steel books in the future.
Thank you MacMillian Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
September 6, 2020
Did not finish; read until page 78
I wanted a light read that would require no thought but that would also have a good story. I saw Danielle Steel had a new one out – and it was on ROYALTY. Oh goodness was I in the mood for princesses! Plus, I INHALED Danielle Steel’s first 20+ books. Guaranteed good read, right?
Nope. Not even close. Oh sure, the plot is intriguing. But … has she always written this poorly? She relies on telling readers what is going on: no evoking of senses or emotions. Her language is rudimentary. She repeats phrases or sentences – often within a paragraph or two but sometimes across pages and pages. {Seriously, would you stop pounding into my brain that no one knew who Charlotte was except the earl and countess? If you are going to tell me rather than show me then tell me once and move on already!}
I’m terrified to go back and re-read my two favorites The Ring and Wanderlust. I’m not sure which I fear more: that she always written in this manner or that she has lost her touch.
9/4/2020: Did not including finish-date as I did not want the DNF to count toward GR reading challenge goal
I wanted a light read that would require no thought but that would also have a good story. I saw Danielle Steel had a new one out – and it was on ROYALTY. Oh goodness was I in the mood for princesses! Plus, I INHALED Danielle Steel’s first 20+ books. Guaranteed good read, right?
Nope. Not even close. Oh sure, the plot is intriguing. But … has she always written this poorly? She relies on telling readers what is going on: no evoking of senses or emotions. Her language is rudimentary. She repeats phrases or sentences – often within a paragraph or two but sometimes across pages and pages. {Seriously, would you stop pounding into my brain that no one knew who Charlotte was except the earl and countess? If you are going to tell me rather than show me then tell me once and move on already!}
I’m terrified to go back and re-read my two favorites The Ring and Wanderlust. I’m not sure which I fear more: that she always written in this manner or that she has lost her touch.
9/4/2020: Did not including finish-date as I did not want the DNF to count toward GR reading challenge goal
October 15, 2025
This was an easy read, focussing on the tragic events of a Royal family in World War II. Sent away from her family a young princess is staying incognito, with only the head of the household knowing her true heritage, to ensure her safety.
What occurs is a big requirement to suspend belief upon a huge amount of misfortune that surrounds everyone around this princess, and the unknown baby she eventually goes on to have.
I listened to this for easy reading among heavier reads and as always it hit the spot for easy listening purposes.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library.
What occurs is a big requirement to suspend belief upon a huge amount of misfortune that surrounds everyone around this princess, and the unknown baby she eventually goes on to have.
I listened to this for easy reading among heavier reads and as always it hit the spot for easy listening purposes.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library.
October 23, 2020
This was one of my first touch-points with Danielle Steel, and honestly, I don't know how she can be so popular and publish so many books with writing like this.
First of all, her writing style is juvenile at best in this, to the point where I assume she didn't even send it through a content editor - or used a non-professional ghostwriter (who also didn't use an editor). There is little dialogue at all, and the concept of "showing not telling" seems to never have even been suggested to the writer.
Even more obnoxiously (and confusingly), the POV changes from one character to the next with no warning. This is lower than a rookie mistake - in one instance I counted four different character POVs in a single paragraph.
Another writing style flaw: the author is SO redundant. Yes, we understand that sentence you just wrote. You do not have to repeat it 5 times only altering the words slightly. It makes readers want to tear your pages out.
SPOILER:
As a marketing professional, I can respect the idea of not wanting to give away a surprise or twist in your summary. But every book overview written for this novel features only characters who are ALL dead before you are 25% of the way through the book. All of them. The author has not even made the characters who remain compelling enough to want to keep reading.
First of all, her writing style is juvenile at best in this, to the point where I assume she didn't even send it through a content editor - or used a non-professional ghostwriter (who also didn't use an editor). There is little dialogue at all, and the concept of "showing not telling" seems to never have even been suggested to the writer.
Even more obnoxiously (and confusingly), the POV changes from one character to the next with no warning. This is lower than a rookie mistake - in one instance I counted four different character POVs in a single paragraph.
Another writing style flaw: the author is SO redundant. Yes, we understand that sentence you just wrote. You do not have to repeat it 5 times only altering the words slightly. It makes readers want to tear your pages out.
SPOILER:
As a marketing professional, I can respect the idea of not wanting to give away a surprise or twist in your summary. But every book overview written for this novel features only characters who are ALL dead before you are 25% of the way through the book. All of them. The author has not even made the characters who remain compelling enough to want to keep reading.
August 16, 2020
I’m definitely a Danielle Steel fan and she doesn’t disappoint. I have always enjoyed historical fiction and the retelling of the British monarchy with a slight twist was quite fascinating. The story spans from World War II into the 1970s and the storytelling is magnificent. Of course, there’s tragedy and romance and also great horse racing to boot. The characters are familiar yet also unique and the ending made my corny romantic heart very happy. I must read for the end of summer.
March 2, 2022
Este libro no ha resultado ser para nada lo que esperaba. Creo que eso ha sido en gran medida lo que me ha decepcionado.
En primer lugar, me esperaba una novela romántica, ¿no es esta autora conocida por su maestría en el género? Pues desde mi punto de vista no desborda el romanticismo esperado. De hecho, hay bastante tragedia e hilos enreversados que dejan una trama llena de drama.
Está bien, me gusta el drama, pero es que este no terminaba de verlo. Todo ocurría tal como debía ocurrir para la trama (¿en serio? ¿ni un sólo momento de tensión porque se pudiera ir todo al traste?). Y, además, la prosa me ha resultado extremadamente repetitiva (puede reiterar muuuuuchas veces algo que ya ha ocurrido y que al lector le queda claro desde el primer momento = me acabé aburriendo).
Además, volviendo a lo que esperaba, no se centra en la parte de la princesa desconocida que de pronto se entera de su procedencia. En las primeras 100 páginas ocurre exactamente lo que pone en la contraportada (no la leáis si no queréis haceros spoiler). Comprensiblemente, leer algo que ya sabía hacía que la lectura fuera súper lenta. Pero es que para que ocurra lo que tiene que ocurrir faltan otras tantas páginas.
La relación "amorosa" entre los personajes era otro sinsentido. No terminaba de pillarlas, unas mejor que otras lo admito, pero de verdad es que esperaba una Historia de Amor desarrollada y no... esto. Además, había actitudes y comentarios muy inapropiados (como chantaje emocional y casi manipulación).
Eso sí, si queréis leer una historia centrada en en el amor a los caballos esta no os decepcionará. No se centra demasiado en su crianza, desarrollo u otras partes técnicas, pero dos de cada tres personajes los aman.
El final, como casi todo, me ha parecido bastante predecible. "Bonito" pero sin misterio. En conclusión, todo salía bastante bien menos lo que debía obvia y convenientemente salir mal para la trama.
En primer lugar, me esperaba una novela romántica, ¿no es esta autora conocida por su maestría en el género? Pues desde mi punto de vista no desborda el romanticismo esperado. De hecho, hay bastante tragedia e hilos enreversados que dejan una trama llena de drama.
Está bien, me gusta el drama, pero es que este no terminaba de verlo. Todo ocurría tal como debía ocurrir para la trama (¿en serio? ¿ni un sólo momento de tensión porque se pudiera ir todo al traste?). Y, además, la prosa me ha resultado extremadamente repetitiva (puede reiterar muuuuuchas veces algo que ya ha ocurrido y que al lector le queda claro desde el primer momento = me acabé aburriendo).
Además, volviendo a lo que esperaba, no se centra en la parte de la princesa desconocida que de pronto se entera de su procedencia. En las primeras 100 páginas ocurre exactamente lo que pone en la contraportada (no la leáis si no queréis haceros spoiler). Comprensiblemente, leer algo que ya sabía hacía que la lectura fuera súper lenta. Pero es que para que ocurra lo que tiene que ocurrir faltan otras tantas páginas.
La relación "amorosa" entre los personajes era otro sinsentido. No terminaba de pillarlas, unas mejor que otras lo admito, pero de verdad es que esperaba una Historia de Amor desarrollada y no... esto. Además, había actitudes y comentarios muy inapropiados (como chantaje emocional y casi manipulación).
Eso sí, si queréis leer una historia centrada en en el amor a los caballos esta no os decepcionará. No se centra demasiado en su crianza, desarrollo u otras partes técnicas, pero dos de cada tres personajes los aman.
El final, como casi todo, me ha parecido bastante predecible. "Bonito" pero sin misterio. En conclusión, todo salía bastante bien menos lo que debía obvia y convenientemente salir mal para la trama.
August 16, 2020
I was eager to read this when I received an ARC. I thought Steel did a magnificent job with 2006’s HRH.
I thought the alternate history Steel crafted was a great idea and the plot itself was interesting. However, the execution wasn’t there.
It felt like I was reading only the outline to a potentially wonderful plot and unique characters. There was no depth to even the main characters and I couldn’t find myself rooting for any of them. They were there merely to play out the story without having the chance to develop personalities, emotions, or genuine reactions to the vets they were breezing through. The romances seemed superficial too. They were rushed and at times, didn’t make sense.
2 stars for what this book could have been.
I thought the alternate history Steel crafted was a great idea and the plot itself was interesting. However, the execution wasn’t there.
It felt like I was reading only the outline to a potentially wonderful plot and unique characters. There was no depth to even the main characters and I couldn’t find myself rooting for any of them. They were there merely to play out the story without having the chance to develop personalities, emotions, or genuine reactions to the vets they were breezing through. The romances seemed superficial too. They were rushed and at times, didn’t make sense.
2 stars for what this book could have been.
March 19, 2023
Well, well, well, this pains me to say, but as perhaps Danielle Steel's biggest fan, not even I can pretend this was her finest work.
The book starts off strong with Princess Charlotte being sent to live out the remainder of the war with a suitable family and really held my interest. Soon, though, almost every major character we've been introduced to meets an unfortunate end.
This was rather frustrating having to learn all new characters roughly every 20% of the book because they're all killed off. It made it harder to follow and the sweeping saga element was stilted.
Princess Annie was rather fun and full of life and I quite enjoyed her story, despite the mid-book setbacks.
I will no doubt read more Danielle Steel books in the future, but can only hope they'll be a better fit for me than this one.
The book starts off strong with Princess Charlotte being sent to live out the remainder of the war with a suitable family and really held my interest. Soon, though, almost every major character we've been introduced to meets an unfortunate end.
This was rather frustrating having to learn all new characters roughly every 20% of the book because they're all killed off. It made it harder to follow and the sweeping saga element was stilted.
Princess Annie was rather fun and full of life and I quite enjoyed her story, despite the mid-book setbacks.
I will no doubt read more Danielle Steel books in the future, but can only hope they'll be a better fit for me than this one.
October 4, 2020
Extremely disappointing and ridiculous.
This story is the most unrealistic and fantastical ‘historical fiction’ that I have ever read. There is no way that anything written in this book would have ever happened or been allowed to happen. In order to make the story line happen the author ignored all the realities of this time period and how life was like for the royal family.
Firstly and very misleadingly, it’s written about a fictionalised royal family and not based on actual historic figures - which is not said anywhere in the books description. It was only in the first chapter when I couldn’t match up the names of the royal family with the time period that I realised it was all made up characters. I wouldn’t have bought it if I had known that. However, I decided to give it a chance, but it just got worse and worse from there.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Here’s a list of all the things that would never ever have happened and are completely ridiculous and show how little knowledge this author has about royalty and British history.
1. The princess was sent to live with a country Earl on her own with no royal attendants, governess, secret police or body guards.
2. They gave her a fake identity as a commoner and made her sleep in the servants quarters and do kitchen work. If they had wanted to have given her a secret identity she would have been an aristocrat of some no name second cousin of an Earl. A princess would not have been allowed to be treated like a servant and no one would believe someone with her manner, accent, fine clothing and horse to have been a commoner.
3. They let her socialise with their 18 year old son unchaperoned for months.
4. They said ‘oh they’re only children, we don’t have to worry about them getting romantic’. Fact, 17 and 18 years old was a very marriageable age in this time period and even today people would have been concerned about that!
5. When inevitably the Earls son gets the princess pregnant, they decide to secretly marry her off to their son, WITHOUT TELLING THE KING AND QUEEN, are you kidding me!!!??? They would never have done that and it probably could have been treason to do such a thing. The marriage probably wouldn’t have been valid anyway as princesses needed the permission of the monarch to be married by law, especially underaged ones!! Having some vague permission from the King to make decisions on Charlottes behalf for her welfare while staying with them does not give them permission to do that!
6. They tell the King nothing about the marriage or the pregnancy and decide they’ll deal with it all after the war when Charlotte can go back home. And what, rock up at Buckingham palace with a baby on her hip!!?
7. The solution to an unwanted pregnancy in this era is that she would have had the baby in secret and given it away. It would have been pretty easy to do given no one knew who she was and she was given a secret identity where she was staying!
8. They didn’t tell any of the staff that Charlotte and the Earls son were now married, leaving her the shame of being perceived of having an illicit affair and giving birth to a bastard child.
9. Magically, the Earls son dies in the war, followed by the Earl himself, Charlotte (who dies in childbirth) and then the Earls wife. Leaving no one who knows that Charlotte a princess and that the baby is therefore a princess, that the baby was not a bastard and in fact heir to the Earls estate. That nothing was recorded in a Will naming who the child is is ridiculous. As soon as the Earl died the baby would have been named the heir. Because of this, the servants let someone take the baby and raise it as the daughter of a servant.
10. The royal family is told Charlotte died of pneumonia and not childbirth and that they forged her death certificate. But they don’t think it will be a big deal to tell them the truth about everything later....
11. The royal family decide not to collect her body until months later, delaying her official funeral. Thereby, allowing the baby to be long gone by the time anybody comes to the estate to collect Charlottes body and her possessions.
12. The servants at the estate decide to tell no one that Charlotte had a baby, or that someone has taken the baby, even after they are told she was a princess and royal attendants turn up at the estate!
This is all before I am even half way through this book. If you are a lover of royal history and are fascinated with all the details of how life was for royal figures or British aristocrats then stay away from this book.
On top of all this the writing is very basic, worse than self published novels I have read
This story is the most unrealistic and fantastical ‘historical fiction’ that I have ever read. There is no way that anything written in this book would have ever happened or been allowed to happen. In order to make the story line happen the author ignored all the realities of this time period and how life was like for the royal family.
Firstly and very misleadingly, it’s written about a fictionalised royal family and not based on actual historic figures - which is not said anywhere in the books description. It was only in the first chapter when I couldn’t match up the names of the royal family with the time period that I realised it was all made up characters. I wouldn’t have bought it if I had known that. However, I decided to give it a chance, but it just got worse and worse from there.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Here’s a list of all the things that would never ever have happened and are completely ridiculous and show how little knowledge this author has about royalty and British history.
1. The princess was sent to live with a country Earl on her own with no royal attendants, governess, secret police or body guards.
2. They gave her a fake identity as a commoner and made her sleep in the servants quarters and do kitchen work. If they had wanted to have given her a secret identity she would have been an aristocrat of some no name second cousin of an Earl. A princess would not have been allowed to be treated like a servant and no one would believe someone with her manner, accent, fine clothing and horse to have been a commoner.
3. They let her socialise with their 18 year old son unchaperoned for months.
4. They said ‘oh they’re only children, we don’t have to worry about them getting romantic’. Fact, 17 and 18 years old was a very marriageable age in this time period and even today people would have been concerned about that!
5. When inevitably the Earls son gets the princess pregnant, they decide to secretly marry her off to their son, WITHOUT TELLING THE KING AND QUEEN, are you kidding me!!!??? They would never have done that and it probably could have been treason to do such a thing. The marriage probably wouldn’t have been valid anyway as princesses needed the permission of the monarch to be married by law, especially underaged ones!! Having some vague permission from the King to make decisions on Charlottes behalf for her welfare while staying with them does not give them permission to do that!
6. They tell the King nothing about the marriage or the pregnancy and decide they’ll deal with it all after the war when Charlotte can go back home. And what, rock up at Buckingham palace with a baby on her hip!!?
7. The solution to an unwanted pregnancy in this era is that she would have had the baby in secret and given it away. It would have been pretty easy to do given no one knew who she was and she was given a secret identity where she was staying!
8. They didn’t tell any of the staff that Charlotte and the Earls son were now married, leaving her the shame of being perceived of having an illicit affair and giving birth to a bastard child.
9. Magically, the Earls son dies in the war, followed by the Earl himself, Charlotte (who dies in childbirth) and then the Earls wife. Leaving no one who knows that Charlotte a princess and that the baby is therefore a princess, that the baby was not a bastard and in fact heir to the Earls estate. That nothing was recorded in a Will naming who the child is is ridiculous. As soon as the Earl died the baby would have been named the heir. Because of this, the servants let someone take the baby and raise it as the daughter of a servant.
10. The royal family is told Charlotte died of pneumonia and not childbirth and that they forged her death certificate. But they don’t think it will be a big deal to tell them the truth about everything later....
11. The royal family decide not to collect her body until months later, delaying her official funeral. Thereby, allowing the baby to be long gone by the time anybody comes to the estate to collect Charlottes body and her possessions.
12. The servants at the estate decide to tell no one that Charlotte had a baby, or that someone has taken the baby, even after they are told she was a princess and royal attendants turn up at the estate!
This is all before I am even half way through this book. If you are a lover of royal history and are fascinated with all the details of how life was for royal figures or British aristocrats then stay away from this book.
On top of all this the writing is very basic, worse than self published novels I have read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House. These are my thoughts.
I am in the minority here because I was not totally enthralled with the story. I would probably give it 2.5 stars but I will round up. I understand that this is fiction and we need to use our imagination and extend our belief but this goes beyond that.
Princess Charlotte is sent to the country to live with a family during the war to keep her safe. Her identity is only known by the owners of the estate. During her stay she falls in love with their son, Henry, and they marry before he goes to war. She is widowed at 17 and dies shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Anne Louise. All in the space of a year. During all this time no one tells the King and Queen what is going on and then the people she is staying with die too. A housemaid, Lucy, who loved Henry takes Annie and raises her as her own and when she dies 20 years later she tells her husband, Jonathan, the whole story. He approaches the queen and they verify that Annie is Charlotte's daughter and she is assimilated into the royal family.
There was a lot of repetition. Without the repetition the book would be a lot shorter.
I liked Annie. I thought she was very down to earth and knew what she wanted in life and didn't let the fact that she was a princess really change her much. I had no sympathy for Lucy. She was hateful to Charlotte because she felt she stole Henry from her and felt it was her right to take the baby. I wasn't feeling the great love she had with her husband, Jonathan. I did like Jonathan. He was very loving and was a true father to Annie.
The bottom line is I think fans of Danielle Steele will love this book. It was a quick read but just not my cup of tea.
I am in the minority here because I was not totally enthralled with the story. I would probably give it 2.5 stars but I will round up. I understand that this is fiction and we need to use our imagination and extend our belief but this goes beyond that.
Princess Charlotte is sent to the country to live with a family during the war to keep her safe. Her identity is only known by the owners of the estate. During her stay she falls in love with their son, Henry, and they marry before he goes to war. She is widowed at 17 and dies shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Anne Louise. All in the space of a year. During all this time no one tells the King and Queen what is going on and then the people she is staying with die too. A housemaid, Lucy, who loved Henry takes Annie and raises her as her own and when she dies 20 years later she tells her husband, Jonathan, the whole story. He approaches the queen and they verify that Annie is Charlotte's daughter and she is assimilated into the royal family.
There was a lot of repetition. Without the repetition the book would be a lot shorter.
I liked Annie. I thought she was very down to earth and knew what she wanted in life and didn't let the fact that she was a princess really change her much. I had no sympathy for Lucy. She was hateful to Charlotte because she felt she stole Henry from her and felt it was her right to take the baby. I wasn't feeling the great love she had with her husband, Jonathan. I did like Jonathan. He was very loving and was a true father to Annie.
The bottom line is I think fans of Danielle Steele will love this book. It was a quick read but just not my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2020
I feel a Danielle Steel binge coming on. There are so many. Help!!!! Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh yeah, I really enjoyed this one. Bittersweet.
August 21, 2020
It is 1943, and war is ravaging England. The King and Queen send their youngest daughter, Charlotte, to stay with friends in the country in order to keep her safe. The trusted friends tell no one of Charlotte's identity, not even their son or servants. A series of events unfolds that will eventually surprise the world.
This is a classic Danielle Steel novel, which is a combination of tragedy, fairy tale, and love story. The royal family in question is fictional, and some may not like that, but I love it. It gives the author more license with the royal characters and their personalities. The world of horses and horse racing is also involved in an interesting way.
Reality has to be suspended a little, as in most Steel novels, and history is rewritten a bit, but this is a satisfying escape of a novel, and the kind we all want to indulge in from time to time.
Danielle Steel's million of fans will love this one, as will anyone who enjoys stories about horses and horse racing.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers and Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
This is a classic Danielle Steel novel, which is a combination of tragedy, fairy tale, and love story. The royal family in question is fictional, and some may not like that, but I love it. It gives the author more license with the royal characters and their personalities. The world of horses and horse racing is also involved in an interesting way.
Reality has to be suspended a little, as in most Steel novels, and history is rewritten a bit, but this is a satisfying escape of a novel, and the kind we all want to indulge in from time to time.
Danielle Steel's million of fans will love this one, as will anyone who enjoys stories about horses and horse racing.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers and Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
September 14, 2020
Steele’s books are quick to read and mindless. I find myself reading them even though they don’t really keep me on the edge of my seat or thrill me. I suppose at times all I want is that quick, mindless read. This is another one of those.
Also, am I the only one who gets tired of the author repeating the same thing constantly? One(of many)examples - She must have mentioned Lucy’s large frame and that Charlotte/Queen Victoria/Annie were all very small 1000 times! Personally, I don’t need these basic facts repeated endlessly but I’ve noticed that Steele does it in every book.
Also, am I the only one who gets tired of the author repeating the same thing constantly? One(of many)examples - She must have mentioned Lucy’s large frame and that Charlotte/Queen Victoria/Annie were all very small 1000 times! Personally, I don’t need these basic facts repeated endlessly but I’ve noticed that Steele does it in every book.
September 26, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Following recent bestsellers, The Numbers Game and Daddy’s Girls, Danielle Steel gifts her loyal fans with Royal. A story of the war, a love like no other, tragedy, long held secrets, family and the monarchy forms the latest historical romance release from the worldwide sensation.
Billed as a spellbinding new tale, Royal is the story of a princess in hiding, the impact of war and love on this member of the British monarchy. We meet Princess Charlotte in the year 1943, just as the war is tearing apart Britain. The King and the Queen are concerned for their offspring, so they decide to make the heartbreaking choice to send their youngest daughter away to a safe house in the north of England. Protecting both their royal line and the health of the young heir, Charlotte departs war damaged London for life in the Yorkshire countryside. Going by an alias, Charlotte soon takes to her new life in home of her chaperones. There are only two people who know about Charlotte’s true identity and they have promised to keep her lineage under wraps. Charlotte seems to take to the Yorkshire countryside, she takes long rides on her horse and she begins to form a strong relationship with the son of the household. But this forbidden romance takes a tragic turn that leaves behind a trail of deaths and a young child with no parents. A shocking but essential choice is made, leading this child to grow up in a very different environment than the one she hails from. As this child grows into a woman, she has no idea of her true bloodline. As time goes on, a life changing secret is revealed on the deathbed of her guardian, which urges this lost princess to retrace her royal lineage.
Danielle Steel seems to a garnered a huge fan base across the globe. These loyal readers are always hungry for a new title from this bestselling author, which Steel dutifully provides in quick succession. Royal represents the latest release from this prolific and popular author. It is a story seeped in history, war time experiences, the aristocracy, romance and charm. It is typical Danielle Steel fodder, escapist, predictable, quick, undemanding and formulaic.
I tend to find the more recent Danielle Steel novels I have read seem to capture my attention early with an intriguing premise. This was definitely the case with Royal. My interest was also heightened in the opening sequences of the novel as Steel did a good job of recreating the stirring atmosphere of war torn London during the height of the Blitz. I could sympathise with the King and Queen’s choice to send their youngest daughter who displayed health problems to the relative safety of the Yorkshire countryside. It was a wise and understandable move. However, as soon it was mentioned that the family charged with protecting Princess Charlotte during her stay had a son the same age, I was able to predict what was going to happen! I watched on as the forbidden style romance developed between the Princess in hiding and the son of the household destined for war. There were definitely no surprises and it seemed to progress quite quickly. I would have liked this segment of the storyline to be a little more drawn out, rather than it end in tragedy after tragedy so quickly!
The character of Lucy, a young woman who holds the secret to the lost Princess was unlikeable for the duration for me. I didn’t appreciate her decisions, jealous nature and actions. However, towards the latter stages of this woman’s life she redeems herself, but I did feel this was too little too late. Lucy’s husband was a decent character, with some sense of duty, responsibility and morals. The infant who blossoms into an unknown princess, Annie, was a well-drawn character. There is a strong link to horses and horse racing in this novel, which is connected to the ties this protagonist has to the royal family. For fans of horses and the racing world, this element of the novel will draw appeal. Likewise, if you are a fan of stately homes, Downton Abbey style, Royal will definitely strike a chord. This fairytale like story often requires the reader to suspend belief. Royal is defined by moments happiness, but also pure tragedy. This is a rags to riches style coming of age tale, with a good depiction of war time setbacks, combined with a glimpse into the world of royalty and the life of those who serve in aristocratic homes. Overall, Steel provides a rather brushed over historical focus on a number of story elements, as Royal races to a happy ever after style close.
Perfect for the romanticist at heart and those who enjoy escaping into the world of the aristocracy, Royal takes the reader on a journey through three decades of sacrifice, adventure, love, family, secrets and inheritance.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Following recent bestsellers, The Numbers Game and Daddy’s Girls, Danielle Steel gifts her loyal fans with Royal. A story of the war, a love like no other, tragedy, long held secrets, family and the monarchy forms the latest historical romance release from the worldwide sensation.
Billed as a spellbinding new tale, Royal is the story of a princess in hiding, the impact of war and love on this member of the British monarchy. We meet Princess Charlotte in the year 1943, just as the war is tearing apart Britain. The King and the Queen are concerned for their offspring, so they decide to make the heartbreaking choice to send their youngest daughter away to a safe house in the north of England. Protecting both their royal line and the health of the young heir, Charlotte departs war damaged London for life in the Yorkshire countryside. Going by an alias, Charlotte soon takes to her new life in home of her chaperones. There are only two people who know about Charlotte’s true identity and they have promised to keep her lineage under wraps. Charlotte seems to take to the Yorkshire countryside, she takes long rides on her horse and she begins to form a strong relationship with the son of the household. But this forbidden romance takes a tragic turn that leaves behind a trail of deaths and a young child with no parents. A shocking but essential choice is made, leading this child to grow up in a very different environment than the one she hails from. As this child grows into a woman, she has no idea of her true bloodline. As time goes on, a life changing secret is revealed on the deathbed of her guardian, which urges this lost princess to retrace her royal lineage.
Danielle Steel seems to a garnered a huge fan base across the globe. These loyal readers are always hungry for a new title from this bestselling author, which Steel dutifully provides in quick succession. Royal represents the latest release from this prolific and popular author. It is a story seeped in history, war time experiences, the aristocracy, romance and charm. It is typical Danielle Steel fodder, escapist, predictable, quick, undemanding and formulaic.
I tend to find the more recent Danielle Steel novels I have read seem to capture my attention early with an intriguing premise. This was definitely the case with Royal. My interest was also heightened in the opening sequences of the novel as Steel did a good job of recreating the stirring atmosphere of war torn London during the height of the Blitz. I could sympathise with the King and Queen’s choice to send their youngest daughter who displayed health problems to the relative safety of the Yorkshire countryside. It was a wise and understandable move. However, as soon it was mentioned that the family charged with protecting Princess Charlotte during her stay had a son the same age, I was able to predict what was going to happen! I watched on as the forbidden style romance developed between the Princess in hiding and the son of the household destined for war. There were definitely no surprises and it seemed to progress quite quickly. I would have liked this segment of the storyline to be a little more drawn out, rather than it end in tragedy after tragedy so quickly!
The character of Lucy, a young woman who holds the secret to the lost Princess was unlikeable for the duration for me. I didn’t appreciate her decisions, jealous nature and actions. However, towards the latter stages of this woman’s life she redeems herself, but I did feel this was too little too late. Lucy’s husband was a decent character, with some sense of duty, responsibility and morals. The infant who blossoms into an unknown princess, Annie, was a well-drawn character. There is a strong link to horses and horse racing in this novel, which is connected to the ties this protagonist has to the royal family. For fans of horses and the racing world, this element of the novel will draw appeal. Likewise, if you are a fan of stately homes, Downton Abbey style, Royal will definitely strike a chord. This fairytale like story often requires the reader to suspend belief. Royal is defined by moments happiness, but also pure tragedy. This is a rags to riches style coming of age tale, with a good depiction of war time setbacks, combined with a glimpse into the world of royalty and the life of those who serve in aristocratic homes. Overall, Steel provides a rather brushed over historical focus on a number of story elements, as Royal races to a happy ever after style close.
Perfect for the romanticist at heart and those who enjoy escaping into the world of the aristocracy, Royal takes the reader on a journey through three decades of sacrifice, adventure, love, family, secrets and inheritance.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
September 4, 2020
This was a typical Danielle Steel novel.
Even though occasionally I do read some historical fiction, this was slightly different. The story of a lost princess along with some elements of romance and sacrifice was quite enjoyable.
I think it was a pure story with not much drama involved. Also, all the characters including those whom we should actually detest because of their actions, are very well written that you can’t bring yourself to hate them.
Even though the ending is quite predictable, it was interesting to read Annie’s, i.e. the lost princess, journey as she deals with the tragedies, secrets and other obstacles along her way as she pursues her dreams.
Even though occasionally I do read some historical fiction, this was slightly different. The story of a lost princess along with some elements of romance and sacrifice was quite enjoyable.
I think it was a pure story with not much drama involved. Also, all the characters including those whom we should actually detest because of their actions, are very well written that you can’t bring yourself to hate them.
Even though the ending is quite predictable, it was interesting to read Annie’s, i.e. the lost princess, journey as she deals with the tragedies, secrets and other obstacles along her way as she pursues her dreams.
August 23, 2024
A man being forced to confront his stupidity for trying to force a woman to choose him over her dream? That's so iconic of you, Danielle Steel.
June 14, 2020
Thank you Netgalley for an advance release copy in exchange for an honest review.
Steel is an author whom I return to again and again whenever I need an escape from heavy hitting reads. If you are expecting a thoroughly detailed novel with overly developed characters, 'Royal' is probably not for you. That being said, this is the perfect escapist read and Steel does a superb job delivering what her readership has come to expect of her.
At face value, this is a novel about a royal family who makes a difficult decision pertaining to their child in light of the war that rages in Europe. From a historical standpoint, it was not uncommon for families to send their children to remote places where they felt the child would be better protected. However, do not expect Steel's latest work to continue on to educate you on the ins and outs of World War II.
The focus of this tale is on Princess Charlotte, third in line to the throne. A young woman who is forced to relinquish all she has come to know in love and embrace the unexpected. In true Steel fashion, our ladylike heroine falls madly in love with the son of the couple determined to protect her.
A charming read from start to finish, I immensely enjoyed 'Royal' by Danielle Steel because she delivered exactly what I thought she would. A romantic story centered around a young woman coming into her own.
Steel is an author whom I return to again and again whenever I need an escape from heavy hitting reads. If you are expecting a thoroughly detailed novel with overly developed characters, 'Royal' is probably not for you. That being said, this is the perfect escapist read and Steel does a superb job delivering what her readership has come to expect of her.
At face value, this is a novel about a royal family who makes a difficult decision pertaining to their child in light of the war that rages in Europe. From a historical standpoint, it was not uncommon for families to send their children to remote places where they felt the child would be better protected. However, do not expect Steel's latest work to continue on to educate you on the ins and outs of World War II.
The focus of this tale is on Princess Charlotte, third in line to the throne. A young woman who is forced to relinquish all she has come to know in love and embrace the unexpected. In true Steel fashion, our ladylike heroine falls madly in love with the son of the couple determined to protect her.
A charming read from start to finish, I immensely enjoyed 'Royal' by Danielle Steel because she delivered exactly what I thought she would. A romantic story centered around a young woman coming into her own.
August 28, 2020
Royal is just another example of the epic detail and research that Danielle Steel delivers in all her novels. I absolutely loved this book. I fell for the characters and cried with them too.
Charlotte is the youngest of three girls to the king and queen of England. She is sent to the country to live out the war days with a family. She is expected to keep a low profile and only her hosts know her true title. While there she meets and falls for their son Henry. There love story follows but they king and queen know nothing about their daughters epic romance.
If highly recommend you pick this book up and read it for yourself. It's a masterpiece.
Charlotte is the youngest of three girls to the king and queen of England. She is sent to the country to live out the war days with a family. She is expected to keep a low profile and only her hosts know her true title. While there she meets and falls for their son Henry. There love story follows but they king and queen know nothing about their daughters epic romance.
If highly recommend you pick this book up and read it for yourself. It's a masterpiece.
December 12, 2020
Nice moving plot with a great story and honestly the characters were all likeable in this book. I loved heading all the British town names that I can point to places named the same in New England (such as Newmarket and Kent in this book). Just a weird thing I like to do when reading books that take place in the U.K….interesting to see how many names came from the U.K. but I digress, this was a quick read but like most Danielle Steel books you get a great story and interesting characters. Love when she writes royal themed books!
July 31, 2020
What can I say? I have read Danielle Steel since the 70’s-80’s and whenever a new book comes out, I must read it! (This is my 31st book by DS). I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it. A nice change of pace from all the thrillers I’ve been reading lately. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2020
I’m a sobbing mess of emotions after this one! This is a beautiful love story that spans generations!
The beginning of this story starts off a little somber! A war, a short lived love and loss so great it could consume you! Through all the darkness though love creates a ray of hope!
This story shows us how love and family can help heal us from heavy losses! It also shows us that our dreams are worth fighting for!
I don’t want to dive into The Who’s and how’s because nothing should be given away! Just know that there are some very emotional events that take place but just as life is you have events that restore hope and solidify love!
The beginning of this story starts off a little somber! A war, a short lived love and loss so great it could consume you! Through all the darkness though love creates a ray of hope!
This story shows us how love and family can help heal us from heavy losses! It also shows us that our dreams are worth fighting for!
I don’t want to dive into The Who’s and how’s because nothing should be given away! Just know that there are some very emotional events that take place but just as life is you have events that restore hope and solidify love!
August 28, 2021
I DNFed after the third death… just too much tragedy for my taste.
September 5, 2020
You all probably wonder why I continue to read Danielle Steel and the quick answer is it’s an addiction I just can’t quite give up.
A tale of duty, love, courage, truth, tragedy, triumph and the discovery of your true identity.
1943 and during the peak time of war the King and Queen of England decide their youngest daughter Princess Charlotte is to be placed in the care of a trusted noble family in the English countryside.
To remain safe she takes on an alias and begins to enjoy life far away from her royal duties.
But no one can predict that Charlotte will fall in love with the family’s eldest son and set of a chain of events that change everything.
The replacement royal history that Danielle created was a great idea and the premise was interesting and the way it ended up on paper reads like a first draft that needs to be checked for mistakes.
The story is quite rushed, it’s very repetitive and there’s a couple of plot flaws but it has a decent storyline and in this current climate an escape for a few hours is a good thing.
A nice quick read with no real surprises.
A tale of duty, love, courage, truth, tragedy, triumph and the discovery of your true identity.
1943 and during the peak time of war the King and Queen of England decide their youngest daughter Princess Charlotte is to be placed in the care of a trusted noble family in the English countryside.
To remain safe she takes on an alias and begins to enjoy life far away from her royal duties.
But no one can predict that Charlotte will fall in love with the family’s eldest son and set of a chain of events that change everything.
The replacement royal history that Danielle created was a great idea and the premise was interesting and the way it ended up on paper reads like a first draft that needs to be checked for mistakes.
The story is quite rushed, it’s very repetitive and there’s a couple of plot flaws but it has a decent storyline and in this current climate an escape for a few hours is a good thing.
A nice quick read with no real surprises.
August 12, 2020
Royal by Danielle Steel is a book that drew me in right away. Princess Charlotte is seventeen when she is sent to Yorkshire for her health and safety. The owner’s have a handsome son who is the same age (you see where this is heading). The pair soon find themselves in a compromising situation. A baby ends up being raised by a housekeeper and a stable manager. The secret come to light forever altering people’s lives. Royal has Danielle Steel’s trademark writing style which makes her stories so easy to read. I liked the characters and the storyline. We get to see how family can help loved ones deal with grief and the intensity of love during war which will make people do things they would normally never think of doing. We also learn that it is important to fight for our dreams. There were some emotional moments in Royal that will have you searching for a hanky. Royal is a delightful escapist novel that I enjoyed from beginning to end.
June 14, 2023
Le personnage principal qui meurt à la moitié du roman 🥲
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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