Before the Crown

by Flora Harding

Before the crown there was a love story…




’If you’re a fan of The Crown, you’ll love this’ Woman’s Weekly

‘Fascinating…a beautiful love story’ Woman



Windsor Castle, 1943



As war rages across the world, Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the dashing naval officer she first met in London nine years before.


One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure.


But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court.


He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from taking…



Step through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.



Readers are LOVING Before the Crown:
‘Magnificent. It carries so much depth and warmness, and closeness to the characters that you do not want to part from them…a page-turner’ Best Historical Fiction Reviews


‘To say that I adored this book is an absolute understatement. Beautifully written, well crafted and researched. A must read for fans of The Crown’ Kim


‘Any fans of The Crown will adore this read…the story is well researched and written so beautifully I didn't want it to end’ Lucy


‘What a pleasure it was to read this charming and heartfelt historical romance… never have I felt so romantically moved’ Jena


‘Magnificent… It carries so much depth and warmness, and closeness to the characters that you do not want to part from them’ Annette


‘I really enjoyed this book… Anyone who loved The Crown series will love this book!’ Pat


‘Perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Crown’ Elizabeth


‘This is the story that we ALL want to read…I loved every single page’ Vicki

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Royalty, Adult, British Literature

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2020

Reviews

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw the cover of this book it took my breath away with its beautiful rendering of Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) as a young woman, dressed to the nines in a formal gown and sash, viewed from behind. It carried an air of mystery, glamour, and expectation. She married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in 1947 when she was 21 years old, so that means they've been married for over 70 years! I've watched documentaries and read biographies over the years where it's often said that "Lilibet" fell in love with Philip on first sight as a teenager, and it never wavered. This is a historical fiction novel that navigates their growing relationship from Princess Elizabeth's teenage years until their wedding day.

First of all, the dialogue rings very true with what I already know about the then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. I can definitely imagine these conversations actually taking place between them. One kernel of information that sparked my interest was how as next in line to the throne, Elizabeth had to be the one to propose marriage. It's just one of many things that set Elizabeth apart from the average young lady hoping to get engaged. Elizabeth always had a steadfastness and a solid sense of duty to The Crown. She knew she had to get married one day and continue the Windsor line, but unlike some previous sovereigns, she was very much in love with her intended husband. However, with the inbred reserve learned as a future Queen, it wasn't "the thing" to blurt such things out. This standoff between them was a slow and delicious unraveling with a beautiful and emotional payoff towards the end of the book. Elizabeth's father King George did not want his Lilibet to get married so young, but she couldn't marry without his approval unless she was 25 years old. She had been in love with Philip for years and did not want to wait any longer. She also was a very dutiful and obedient daughter, but stood firm on her desire to marry Philip. King George loved his daughter so much that he hated letting her go. Their little family consisting of his beloved wife Queen Elizabeth, and their two daughters Elizabeth and Margaret were tenderly called "us four". He didn't want that happy family situation to change so soon. Also, Lilibet had never entertained any other suitors, so he wanted her to be sure. So, they went on an official trip by boat and train to tour South Africa, which lasted three months. The King and Queen hoped that their Lilibet would have time to think apart from Philip, and also hoped to enjoy one last trip as "us four". But Lilibet's devotion to Philip stood firm.

Philip was a Prince of the Royal Family in Greece, but their lives had been fractured by World War II. Philip's mother Princess Alice was deaf, had mental problems for which she spent some time in hospital, and eventually became a nun. She sold off her royal jewelry to help the needy in her care, but retained one prized royal heirloom with Philip in mind. She gave Philip her diamond tiara so he could use those jewels for Elizabeth's engagement ring.

I loved reading about Princess Elizabeth's beloved dog Susan who regularly accompanied Elizabeth and Philip when they could steal away for walks. I also was riveted reading about Elizabeth waking up on her wedding day, pinching herself, and going through the stages of dressing for the big day. I've heard this story many times, but she wore her grandmother Queen Mary's "fringe" tiara as something borrowed (Princess Beatrice recently borrowed this from The Queen to wear for her wedding). As it was being placed upon her head, it cracked in two. This was just a couple of hours before her wedding and the royal jewelers had to be summoned to repair it. Her mother suggested wearing a different tiara, but Elizabeth insisted on wearing this one for the emotional impact it would make on her grandmother.

I could go on and on, but just know that this is a very special book written with great care, since it rings so true. It brought me close to tears on several occasions, and I love when that happens. It also sent me off periodically to perform internet searches when certain news reports or iconic gowns and tiaras were mentioned. I've read a lot of books about The Windsors, but this one was very unique and touching.

Thank you to the publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

[Tina(why is GR limiting comments?!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First- that cover!!! 👸🏻 I thoroughly enjoyed this fictionalized account of the courtship and engagement and eventual wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth of York and Prince Philip of Greece.

I'm an avid Royal watcher and especially love the British Royal Family so this book was a real treat for me! From all my readings and watching interviews of this couple I feel that a lot of this book seemed pretty realistic. Who really knows what happens and what is said behind closed doors? I do feel Fiona Harding did a lot of good research with the story and she definitely got their two personalities down-pat!

If you love watching The Crown then I definitely feel this book is a must. You will get the backstory of Elizabeth and Philip's "romance" before the actual start of the Netflix series. My favourite part of the book was the time of the wedding. I was on pins and needles with all the little things going wrong. It's nice to know it turned out to be a glorious day and everything ended up going smoothly. I must say Elizabeth and Philip had many obstacles to overcome in order to wed. They were of a different era and there are several rumours that circulate about them. I tend to want to simply enjoy that they have reached a grand old age together and have held on steadfast and strong!

p.s. I do wish there were more interactions with the formidable Queen Mary! 👑

I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers Australia for granting me access to this Advanced Reader Copy.

[Marialyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this fictitious look into the life of a young future Queen Elizabeth and her relationship with Philip Mountbatten up to their wedding.

Born to one day assume the throne of England, Elizabeth was a girl trained to not only rule, but to build a character of strength, resilience and the overwhelming job of keeping her emotions in check. Philip on the other hand, even though he was a Prince of Greece, gave up his title to become a British citizen after he had determined his need to marry Elizabeth. Philip was not a man that Elizabeth's parents approved of since his German relatives, including three sisters married to upper ups in the Nazi SS command, certainly had the cards stacked against him. England was fresh out of a heinous war with Germany and was left a scorched country. Elizabeth's father, King George did not like Philip at all as he found him course, “loud, with a boisterous laugh and blunt, seagoing manners.”

However, Elizabeth was in love with Philip and would not back down from the marriage. She knew what she wanted and also knew she was not exactly beautiful nor that Philip was in love with her. Her commitment to him was overshadowed by who she was and what was expected of her.

Philip admired what he saw in Elizabeth but his feelings for her were held back. He enjoyed the life of freedom, freedom to do as he wished and he became aware that this style of life would certainly be curtailed one he married the future queen. He and his family were penniless, they only had a title which was useless but allowed Philip to become after much diplomacy, political dealings and delaying by the Crown, the future husband of the future queen.

This book ends with their marriage in Westminster Abbey, but their story has continued on for the past seventy-three years.

This was a well done story and one that has a number of interesting facts included in its telling. I definitely recommend the book to those who so enjoy reading of a marriage and lives that have gone on together for a great many years.

Thank you to Flora Harding, Harper Collins Publishing, Australia, and NetGalley for an copy of this story due out on December 10, 2020.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before the Crown is a fictional story about the budding romantic relationship between Princess Elizabeth and the dashing Navy officer Lieutenant Philip Prince of Greece. Princess Elizabeth first met Philip when she was thirteen, he made quite an impression on her and he was her first teenage crush. Elizabeth was seventeen when she met Philip again, he was serving in the Navy during WW II and they kept in contact by writing letters to each other. Her parents King George and her mother Queen Elizabeth didn’t think it was a good match, they thought Philip was an irresponsible play boy who only had eyes on their young impressionable daughter to improve his financial position and social status. They hoped the war, time, distance and Elizabeth maturing might change her mind?

Elizabeth may have been young but she was very determined to marry Philip and after being made to wait until she turned twenty one and her father gave them permission to get engaged and they married on the 20th of November 1947. Can you imagine being in your early twenty's, having such a huge weight on your shoulders already as the future Queen, her responsibility to your country and it's subjects, I have always admired Queen Elizabeth II and her fortitude. I enjoyed reading Before the Crown it was an interesting story about the beginning of the romantic relationship between two famous and fascinating people and who are still happily married today. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own and four stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip of Greece, perhaps better known as Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. It brings a time when Philip is courting Elizabeth and fighting an uphill battle of monarchy’s disapproval of him.

Windsor Castle, 1943. Seventeen-year-old Princess Elizabeth is eager to see Prince Philip. They’ve met a few years earlier in London and she’s been smitten with him ever since. Philip is a handsome lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

Elizabeth is ready for a change in her life. Philip has that rough-edged charm which is very attractive to her. She doesn’t want safe. It’s too stagnant. To Philip’s surprise, there is something about Elizabeth that he likes. His restless spirit actually enjoys her serious side and being reserved.

His cousin, David, objects to his current love interest, announcing that Philip would “rub everyone up the wrong way.”

Elizabeth is patient, dutiful, “careful not to rock the boat,” but now she is ready to act, to change her life.

I enjoyed very much those two young characters of royal bloodline, who are different, but they align on their understanding and finding balance between what is expected of them and what they wish for in life.

Elizabeth is stoic. A good mediator between her father and Philip. Skillful in being calmly persistent: listens, nods and asks again – wearing another person down. She likes to do something, instead of just talking about it. She wants to make a difference.

Despite being penniless, without proper wardrobe, no skill in shooting, having German relatives, Philip is very comfortable in his own skin. When needed he is capable of eloquent conversation. But I enjoyed his “rougher” side, his honest thoughts without a need of polished talk.

I especially relished Philip’s character, but I think it’s because more thoughts were given to him and we get to know him a bit more than Elizabeth. I delighted in the layers revealing Philip's childhood and how it made him a very self-reliant child. Her restful restrain “only makes him want to tell her more about his unsettled childhood. (…) It is as if some quality in her absorbs some of his restlessness and smooths down his rough edges.”

The historical background in respect to WWII and post-war is very light. There are some details in regards to royal protocols and traditions, which are interesting. But above-all, this story is character driven, which is magnificent. It carries so much depth and warmness, and closeness to the characters that you do not want to part from them.

The prose is beautiful with engaging dialogue and interestingly believable characters, making it a page-turner.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tahera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Elizabeth, heir to the throne of the most successful and richest monarchy in the world. Quiet, shy, reserved sensitive, dutiful.

Prince Philip, a Prince without a kingdom and no personal wealth. Outgoing, cheeky with a cutting wit/humour, a ladies man, a rebel.

In many sense this match shouldn't have worked at all. Even Princess Elizabeth's parents were against it. But marry him she did and 73 years later, their marriage is still solid.

Before the Crown tells us the behind the scenes story of how it all came about. I am not sure how much of this book is fiction but while reading it, I could easily imagine everything happening the way it is described in the book. I love how Princess Elizabeth stuck to her determination of marrying Prince Philip even when everyone else was against it but without causing any scandal. It shows her keen, intuitive sense when it came to gauging people and situations. She had loved Prince Philip ever since she first met him when she was 13 years old and was well aware that he did not reciprocate the feelings at the point but in him she saw a person who could be a loyal partner in her journey as a monarch. She did not consider this a love match but a partnership.

Personally, I really like them as a couple. It definitely might not be a perfect marriage but even now, after 73 years, one can still see the love and respect they both have for each other.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Harper Collins Publishers Australia and the author Flora Harding for the e-Arc of the book.

The book will be published on 10th December 2020.

P. S.: I absolutely love the cover picture 😍!

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you or are you not a fan of “The Crown” on Netflix? The answer to that question will likely determine if you’ll have any interest whatsoever in this novel.

Personally, I love the show. Watched all the episodes at least twice actually. And you know how it is when you binge a series and just can’t wait for the next season? You do what you can to fill the void. It’s like you’re craving your grandma’s homemade chocolate chip cookies, but you only get to visit her once a year. So you go to the grocery store and buy yourself some Chips Ahoy instead.

BEFORE THE CROWN is the Chips Ahoy version of “The Crown.” All the same ingredients are here, but it’s not quite as satisfying. Don’t get me wrong, I can plow my way through a bag, and I did plow my way through this novel in two sittings. It goes down easy, particularly if you go into it with knowledge of the ingredients beforehand. Want to know more about the steps of courtship that lead to the marriage of Elizabeth and Philip? Put BEFORE THE CROWN on your shopping list.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers Australia, and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed BEFORE THE CROWN because of the sumptuous cover (so like Queen Claire Foy). And the story of Elizabeth and Philip’s early courtship ... swoon!

I’m a royal junkie and this fictional retelling was everything I hoped for and more.

It’s 1943 at Windsor Castle. The gorgeous duo are falling in love. But he’s foreign and deemed unfit as a future prince as war threatens Britain’s existence. How do they overcome the thorny obstacles to marriage?

Suggest you take this entrancing book, berry scones, clotted cream, and a steaming cuppa to your fave comfy spot and dig in. Bliss!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 17 Sep 2020

Thanks to the author, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#BeforetheCrown #NetGalley

[Maria Espadinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um Amor Histórico


“Sei quão privilegiada sou, mas isso tem um preço. Não tenho escolha quanto à vida que levo.
— O que é que escolheria, se pudesse?
— Oh... nada de excitante. Apenas viver no campo, com cães e cavalos.”

Isabel abdicou duma vida sonhada para trilhar o Caminho do Dever. Porém, encontrou o Príncipe Certo e está determinada a falar-lhe em (leia-se propor-lhe😉) casamento. Que ninguém lhe exija que desista do Amor, porque isso… ela nunca fará!…

“As long as you’re not in love with anyone else, why don’t you fall in love with me?”

Antes da Coroa conta-nos um Amor histórico — o romance que uniu Isabel de Inglaterra a Filipe da Grécia
Leva 4 estrelas 🌟 🌟🌟🌟

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel tells us about the courtship between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. We learn of the complications they faced once they had announced intention to marry. The story takes place before they are married. Elizabeth was determined to marry Philip. Her father did not approve of Philip, however he is eventually won over.

Although this piece of fiction may not be historically accurate, it's a most enjoyable read. This book has everything a good historical fiction book should have: wonderful characters, the era has been well researched and a right royal love story. Philip gave up everything to marry Elizabeth: he lost his title, his Greek citizenship, his position in the Greek and Danish succession and his surname changed to Mountbatten. This is a really enjoyable fictional tale.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #FloraHarding for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Griffith Buckley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flora Gardner's Before the Crown is an engaging tale of the courtship between Princess Elizabeth of England and Prince Phillip of Greece. Harding presents Elizabeth as a young woman burdened by the knowledge of the impact that her future duty as queen will have upon the life she will be able to lead. Smitten with Phillip, as she gets to know him better, she falls in love with him and hopes to marry him. Because she outranks Phillip, it falls to her to propose. But does he care about her? And if so, in what way? And then there is the matter of her parents' disapproval of the match. Elizabeth requires the approval if her father, the King, before she can marry because she us not yet 25. Can Elizabeth and Phillip reach an agreement that is acceptable not only to both of them, but also to the King and Queen?

Harding does her best to keep the story suspenseful even though nearly everyone in the English speaking world (and beyond) knows how the tale turns out. There are vivid descriptions of the time the couple spend together, and the struggles each face in trying to reach the outcome each desires. Harding particularly excels at making the reader feel the weight of the crown through her depictions of both Elizabeth and her father the king. But when all is said and done, there is not much that any writer can do about the limitations of the arc of this courtship story. It is something if a letdown to reach the end of the book and find that you know only a little bit more about the characters than you did before you started reading. If you enjoy Netflix's The Crown or are otherwise a fan of British royalty, thupis book is definitely for you. Recommended.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, Elizabeth Two - and the current incarnation of the Royal Family has been my remarkble person of the year. I had hoped to read novels about her and maybe even add in some Margaret, Charles, and Diana, and then finally watch the sixth and final season of the Crown. I haven't been much of a follower of Will and Kate, nor Harry and Megan, although I very much loved Suits. But I thought it would be an interesting time and family to put my attention towards. Truth be told, my remarkable person of the year, my series of the year, and my author of the year, has been more like two years a subject. I seem to need far more time to accomplish any of these goals. But here we are.

Elizabeth and Philip are a complicated love story. But a compelling one. Elizabeth and Philip each long to be loved beyond the trappings of titles and court and royalty and politics. But they both know their story and lives are also inextricably bound. That is a lot of pressure on a young couple. On any couple. They have to find their unique resonance as a couple, as well as their own individual selves, and they have to do it in the presence of the royal family with all its expectations and rites, and in the eyes of a country. Its more than a lot. But at its heart, we are learning about the lives and losses and early traumas of each of them, particularly Philip, who informs who he is. Coming to marriage and selfhood out of certain defining experiences is tough enough - but to have the royal expectations and pressure on top of that, well that is another layer.

There will be a few more Elizabeth and Philip Romance books, and one with a mystery twist. I dare say to predict that this one will not be the best written of the bunch. But I thought the author did a great job with the mindset and the character of the two. I thought it was not the best written book, or even most engaging, but she did stay true to the story. Historical fiction is limited to the story you've got, and I think she did a nice job of it. Lets see how the next one goes.....

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Before The Crown
By: Flora Harding


REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Historical fiction, particularly of the royal, regent or romantic variety, seems to be catching lately. I have always loved this genre, and I am glad to see others appreciating it, too. Before The Crown tells the tale of Queen Elizabeth and her husband of 70 years, Phillip, with a mix of historical fact and fiction. Told from their alternating perspectives, Elizabeth and Phillip were not an ideal match, and her family were, in fact, against it. Phillip was penniless, exiled from Greece, abandoned by his parents, and his sisters had Nazi husbands. Despite all of this, Elizabeth loved Phillip and stood by her decision. I wonder if her love was borne of infatuation and adoration rather than an abiding feeling. Phillip did not exactly feel the same. He saw Elizabeth as a means to an end for a title. I just despised Phillip for this mindset of using a woman to gain wealth and power and social standing. He didn't strike me as prince charming. Elizabeth is a strong woman, but she seemed weak in this story. Because of shyness, I see why certain characteristics were attributed to her. Phillip diminished her somehow, at least, in my opinion. As we know, they were married despite all obstacles, and that marriage has lasted a very long time. I always wonder if it's out of love or obligation? This story is well written and obviously researched in a thorough manner. It's a fascinating insightful behind the scenes look at a royal "event" many of us knew nothing about prior to reading this book. Very interesting indeed!

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4 Stars⭐️
I adored this, it was a charming story and what a beautiful cover!

Before the Crown is historical fiction and a behind the scenes look into the courtship of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. We follow their friendship, courtship and the lead up to their wedding. It wasn’t a passionate courtship but more of an arrangement between the pair.

In the wake of World War II Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the handsome Naval Officer Prince Philip of Greece who she had first met nine years earlier. She knew she was in love with him at thirteen when they played croquet at Dartmouth.

Philip came from royal blood in Greece but Princess Elizabeth’s parents thought he was not a suitable candidate to marry Princess Elizabeth who was destined to inherit the throne. Philip's three sisters were all married to senior German Officers so that was a major handicap and did not go down well with the British Royal family. The Princess could not marry without her father the King's permission until she was twenty five but she didn’t want to wait that long!

Princess Elizabeth affectionally known as ‘Lilibet’ even as a young woman succeeded in her duties and loyalties, she supported her country during World War II and was a poised and determined young woman.

A light and entertaining read. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.


I wish to thank Netgalley & Harper Collins Australia for an advanced copy to read in return for an honest review

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun. I really enjoyed the first half, after watching The Crown it really scratched an itch to be back in their world again. I liked reading about Philip’s family and childhood but about halfway it sagged for me and started to feel monotonous. Still a good read though.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For somebody who does not consider themselves to be a royalist, I have read alot of royal family based books this year. And I am a massive fan of The Crown! They are just such an interesting family, with their own unique way of life and traditions. While this is a work of fiction it is littered with historical facts. There is nothing wrong with learning something while you read!

Before The Crown is exactly what it sounds like. It is the story of Princess Elizabeth, the heir to throne, and Prince Phillip before her ascension to the throne. How they meet, how they fall in love and the struggles they faced to have their wish to marry granted. The King is opposed to the union as he doesn't believe he is the right fit for the family, but Elizabeth is sure of what she wants and will not give up without a fight.

It is a sweet story of their courtship right up to their wedding day, Lovers of the Crown will absolutely love this one.

Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After always being interested in the royal family, mainly because it is so different and fancy from what a rural farm girl from Iowa would ever see, I like to read about the royal family. Not much is known of Queen Elizabeth and her early years, how she met Philip, what their courtship was like, or even really their wedding, but this book brought that to life.

This book picks up in 1945 when Elizabeth and Philip really set eyes on each other and really begin the courtship that created the English royal family as we know them today. With the abdication of the thrown by her uncle, it put her father in as King of England and Elizabeth heir apparent to the British throne, along her the “most eligible woman in the world”. But what no one really knows is she found her Prince Charming when she just 13 years old. Philip, the son of Prince Andrea and Princess Alice former Greek royals, with German ties. A father who had multiple mistresses and lived in Monte Carlo, a mother all thought was mentally disturbed, and four sisters all married to high ranking SS officers. So how possibly could this work? I would say after almost 73 years of marriage and 68 years on the thrown, better than those who doubted and tried to sway Elizabeth and Philip from not marrying.

It was an interesting read, lots of information brought to life, even though fictionalized it brought that time to life and I enjoyed it very much.

Thank you Netgally and Harper Collins Publishers of Australia for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession: I am not a monarchist - at all. #voteonerepulbicforAustralia I don’t dislike the Queen and the royals, I just don’t see their point or relevance for Australia and our modern values. So, with that in mind, I have to say... Harding must be basically a genius because I LOVED this book.

You might be wondering why I wanted to read this book then. Well, another confession is that I picked it because of its gorgeous cover. I mean, seriously, that’s a great cover.

The plot is obvious. Young princess Elizabeth, heir to the throne of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth dominion, falls for Prince Philip of Greece. Philip is a bit of a wild child with enough controversies within his family to send her dad, King George VI, into a frenzy. Despite knowing the outcome (Liz and Phil have been married for 73 years now, after all), I couldn’t stop turning the pages, so engrossed was I with this story.

I must say that Harding wrote the book in a very respectful way. In particular, I think she wrote Philip well. Over the years he’s been accused of a lot of things and said a lot of things which most consider inappropriate. Harding seemed to show this side of his character but in an empathetic way which made him a very likeable ‘character’. I did learn a lot about Philip’s early life (no, I haven’t watched more than a handful of eppies of The Crown yet either) and although it's technically a piece of fiction, there must have still been a lot of research and fact checking involved in writing this book.

On that point, even though I was horrified that I was relishing a romance about two people who are still alive, I did like the way I could quickly google anything which came up in the novel, thus adding an extra layer of enjoyment. I couldn’t help but notice when I googled various images, Elizabeth and Philip always looked like they were smiling and laughing together in every photo. Up until now, I have never considered Elizabeth and Philip a particularly romantic pairing, despite their marriage's longevity, but Harding even made me change my mind about this.

Doing a bit more googling, I found that Flora Harding is a pseudonym and she also writes as Jessica Hart and Pamela Harshorne. I’ll definitely be checking out some other of her titles.

All in all, if a big pro-Republic chick like me can love Before the Crown, it’s got to be a high recommendation. 4 1/2 out of 5

[Stephanie Anze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth lives a fairly normal life that dramatically changes direction when her uncle abdicates the throne of England. Now her father is the king and she, the heir apparent. As the king, her father now has more royal responsabilities. One of them is to inspect the Royal Navy. That is when 13-year-old Elizabeth first meets a young and handsome lieutenant by the name of Philip. Elizabeth is quite taken by Philip and in the coming years the two begin to correspond. Soon a relationship blooms but Philip is hardly the man her parents want for their daughter, the future queen. But both Elizabeth and Philip are adamant that they want to get married and having their relationship approved will be an uphill battle.

It feels cliche to say this but if the shoe fits: this book is perfect for those of us that love The Crown. The cover is simply gorgeous and that beaconed me to read this book. Before she was Queen Elizabeth II, she was a young woman in love. Knowing fairly early on in her life that she had a big responsability on her shoulders, Elizabeth embraced her role. Her heart, however, is a different matter. Philip is a Prince, heir to throne of Greece but a tumultous country and family history makes him unsuitable for Elizabeth. On top of that, he is considered not to have the best temperament (he tends to rub people in the wrong way) to mild mannered and dutiful Elizabeth. But to everyone's surprise, they grow to love each other and fight for their relationship to be accepted. Concessions will be need to be made if they truly want to be together. There is certainly a dramatic aspect to this book and I am here for it. The pace compliments the tone of the book. The characters feel very aunthentic to what we know of the people they are based on. As I knew nothing about how Elizabeth and Philip met, I learned something new. Prince Philip is certainly an interesting character on his own. Harding mixed fact with elements of her own imagination and its all a rather enjoyable read.

While there are a number of royal marriages, Elizabeth and Philip's stand out. Typically a royal marriage (before the modern royals, I assume) was based on a social, economical and/or political alliance. Philip failed to meet any of these categories. The English Crown did not benefit from allying itself with Greece at the time of the marriage, for it was in turmoil. Philip had little money to his name (as a child he was at the mercy of his relatives). His family history was rather messy (his mother was thought to be mentally unstable. his father had a mistress he lived openly with, many sisters of his were married to high ranking officers within the Nazi regime and he was thought to be "rough" around the edges despite the fact that he was connected to many royal houses in Europe). Their marriage was based on love, which was quite unusual. To be able to marry Elizabeth, Philip had to renounce his Greek nationality and title and get Britsh citizenship. He had to make quite a bit of cencessions, actually. They married on November 20, 1947. They have now been together for more than seventy years and are the longest lasting marriage of any British sovereign in history.

[Laura Tenfingers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of the courtship and wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. I'm not a particular follower of Royals, and everything I know about Queen Elizabeth II I learned from The Crown, but this was really engaging and kept me hooked. The romance was pretty depressing in my opinion, but also very believable. I would recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. The opinions above are all my own.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fictionalized account of the courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, told from both their points of view. It’s an interesting read, very romanticized. The writing is very mundane, though. The author repeats over and over again that Phillip realizes that he will have to “work hard” to win over Elizabeth. Yeah, we got it the first time; no need to repeat it ad nauseum. The story behind Elizabeth’s engagement ring is an interesting factoid.

This is a very light read that you can get through quickly, but it’s really nothing special.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I felt like I knew young Elizabeth and Phillip as friends by the end. May sound silly, but it’s nice to be reminded that “Royals” are people just like everyone else, with the same inhibitions, hang-ups, and wishes to be loved fully for themselves.
A sure hit for anyone who enjoyed watching “The Crown” series. I’m going to re-watch it soon!

**I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.**

[Laura Frunza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Să scrii ficțiune istorică mi se pare cel mai greu lucru din lume. Dacă pentru a scrie ficțiune ai libertatea de a-ți crea personajele și întâmplările așa cum dorești, pentru a scrie ficțiune istorică nu ai aproape niciun fel de libertate, mai ales dacă personajele în chestiune sunt personalități binecunoscute pe plan mondial și mai și trăiesc. Flora Harding a reușit o narațiune excelentă și sunt convinsă că vine în urma a ani de zile de documentare și cercetare. Totul în carte sună natural, ca și cum s-ar fi întâmplat în realitate, ca și cum autoarea ar fi stat de vorbă chiar cu Regina și cu Prințul Philip și le-ar fi aflat povestea direct din gura lor.

Mi-a făcut mai mare plăcere decât mă așteptam să citesc cartea asta. E o poveste romantică absolută și, mai presus de toate, reală. Elisabeta e o prințesă care își cunoaște foarte bine datoria și nu se abate de la ea. Philip e un prinț fără țară, captiv între presiunile unchiului său de a-și asigura o poziție căsătorindu-se cu moștenitoarea tronului și dorința de a fi liber și neîngrădit. Ceea ce începe prin a fi un pact de afaceri se va transforma într-o căsătorie din dragoste, care va dura decenii întregi, în ciuda faptului că nimeni nu a fost de acord cu căsătoria lor la început. Cartea urmărește parcursul acestei relații din momentul în care Elisabeta are 17 ani și decide că pe Philip îl vrea de soț (se pare că moșenitoarea tronului era cea care trebuia să facă propunerea bărbatului ales pentru a-i fi soț), felul în care sentimentele lor se transformă în dragoste adevărată, cu toate piedicile de rigoare, și până în ziua nunții.

Ce e interesant e că noi, oamenii de rând, mereu am văzut viața regalității ca fiind foarte luxoasă și plină de strălucire. Însă foarte mulți oameni de viță regală au suferit enorm de-a lungul istoriei, în special în preajma și după WWII. Philip este descendentul unei familii regale sărăcite, exilate și deloc bine văzută la nivel european. Este angajat în Marină, cu un venit mic, locuiește într-o baracă și valeții de la castel îl privesc cu superioritate pentru că are ciorapii rupți și cizmele găurite. Are un singur rând de haine și este adesea luat în râs de suita regală pentru faptul că se îmbracă inadecvat. Elisabeta stă în frig pentru că nu vrea să consume cărbune pentru încălzire. Tot ce-și dorește este un săpun întreg cu miros de lăcrămioare, dar se spală cu coji subțiri de săpun. Mâncarea este frugală pentru toată lumea, iar răsfățurile sunt puține. În timpul și după cel de-al Doilea Război Mondial, familia regală a suportat consecințele raționalizării la fel ca toată lumea (sau mă rog, aproape la fel) și fiecare și-a adus aportul în sprijinul poporului, așa cum a putut.

Mi-ar fi plăcut să se fi păstra coperta originală, aceasta nu mi se pare că ar reprezenta-o pe Elisabeta, perlele alea pe spate sugereaza o cochetărie pe care ea nu o avea.

[Mari-WA160817 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fühlte mich gut unterhalten. Als absoluter Fan von "The Crown" ist das Buch für mich eine schöne Überbrückung bis zur 5. Staffel. Ein wunderbare Liebesgeschichte ohne Kitsch.

[Dawnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is one of those books i have no clue how to talk about it, let alone review it in a helpful way.

it was interesting to see snippets into the lives of this couple and how they meet and got married.

but because we only got snippets of specific moments, never got the introduction, never got the moment after the wedding or even the actual wedding which would have been interesting since it was the entire build up of the book.

on top of that the writing in this book was so over simplified that j have no idea which age group this book is targeted to.
ya? adult? on between? even younger? no clue!
if it’s adult it felt a bit too simple and i wish we could have been given more of the real struggles that elizabeth and phillip must have been going through with their decisions and how everyone around them reacted to their decision to marry.
if it’s ya i think it might have been helpful to give a bit more background infos?

i have no idea, which is why this book is confusing to rate.
it has so many middle ground moments that are hard to rate or talk about without the other person having read the book as well to understand what the “problems” are.

so to simplify:

- i liked how human and realistic the people are in this book.
elizabeth has a character, has feelings and emotions and sometimes struggles with her role that she didn’t pick but will take in because it’s what’s expected of her.
it was nice to see that a person who always seem so assured and strong be portrayed as someone struggling with self confidence sometimes.

- i didn’t like how this feels very much like an essay collection since we kept being dropped in moments that are already in full swing and while it gets explained over time would it have been easier to make it all connect better and not having to go back and explain after already starting?

- i didn’t enjoy how it’s so unclear what’s fiction and what isn’t.
is the way the queen and her husband meet real?
is the story about philips family real?
if so how come nobody ever mentioned that his sisters where married to SS officers?!?
and how the heck could he have really expected them to come to his wedding??
was that real if so dear god what kind of person is that man?!

so as someone that doesn’t know a huge amount of those two royals i wish we could have gotten a better overview of what’s actual fact and what’s fiction.


all in all?
it’s okay.
it’s not bad.

but it’s a strange type of book where i would guess that everyone that knows a lot about the royals wouldn’t find it overly interesting but if you don’t know a lot about them (the group i fall in) the book is skipping a lot that would be helpful and doesn’t give real facts to know what the author added herself.

it wasn’t a great one for me personally but i guess if you try jt and enjoy how it’s written it might be for you.

[Debby *BabyDee* · Rating 5 out of 5]

COVID-19 has enabled me to do a lot of extra reading at this time and I am thankful to have the opportunity to catch up on books on my “TBR” list. Always fascinated with The Royals, the Netflix series “The Crown” had me captivated as it was a very delightful and entertaining portrayal of the British monarchy.

Now on to Before the Crown by Flora Harding. This book is a fictional story of the courtship of Princess Elizabeth of England and Prince Philip of Greece. Prince Philip is from a family that has been exiled, however he has been raised by the Mountbatten family, specifically his uncle. Seeing an opportunity of marriage to the heir to the British throne, he is pressed by his uncle into pursuing Princess Elizabeth, who later is entrusted to the role as Queen due to the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII.

Truly enamored with regency type love stories, it was nice reading the makings of a romance between Elizabeth and Phillip, which I hope was one of love leading up to their marriage and not one because of duty or last alternative. As young adults, Elizabeth was deeply attracted to Philip early on in their courtship, but did he have the same attraction for her? One can only speculate and hope, in my opinion as it was hard to see that in his character in the story. Philip having come from a family plagued with everything that deemed him not a good prospect for marriage to Elizabeth, manages to get through the war as a penniless naval officer. Regardless of his shortcomings, he starts to deliberate on his future after war. He believes that Elizabeth is best for his circumstances and successfully captures her heart. I also love women in regency who exhibit independence and having a mind of their own. Although Elizabeth is meek, shy and a lover of horses and dogs, she is serious about her station as a young woman of nobility and headstrong in her role as Queen.

This was a well-written story of a love match and I say love match because of the longevity of their marriage…now +70 years that can’t be anything but love. Once I started my read of this book, I had a hard time putting it down as it captured my attention from start to end. It is always nice to read the different author’s views of notable individuals. I believe Flora Harding, a new author to this reader, has done a somewhat remarkable job, through her research, of presenting a credible account of the budding to continued romance between these two individuals of a purportedly HEA.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Zane B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pat ja esat redzējuši seriālu 'The Crown', grāmata piedāvās jaunus atklājumus. Tā ir veiksmīga vēsturisko faktu un autores fantāzijas saspēle. Lai gan autore tiekusies pēc maksimāla autentiskuma, ir skaidrs, ka grāmatā ne viss atbilst realitātei.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Before the crown there was a love story…

Windsor Castle, 1943

As war rages across the world, Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the dashing naval officer she first met in London nine years before.

One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure.

But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court.

He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from taking…

Step through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.'
________________________________

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

Before the Crown is a stand-alone historical fiction following Princess Elizabeth's path toward the altar with the exciled, Prince  Philip of Greece.

I really enjoyed reading about the start of Elizabeth and Philip's relationship. It was largely practical, but there was an underlying sweetness. It all begins very one-sided with a childhood infatuation, but grows over time into something more meaningful. It's a far more realistic glimpse into royal and aristocratic marriages than in many historical fictions, which makes it interesting to read.

I've watched The Crown on Netflix and found that this book made them a little more human and relatable. Or at least Elizabeth was. I genuinely stil don't understand why anyone would be head-over-heels for Philip; he just comes across as petulant and entitled.

This is a historical fiction, which obviously pretty strongly follows the facts. I think it would have been a great addition to the book if there had been an included historical note to give readers an idea as to how much the story followed the real events.

After closely following their emotions throughout the book, I was a little surpried and disappointed by the wedding itself which fades to black during the walk down the isle and is focused solely on Elizabeth's point of view. There is very little emotion at all, mainly detailed descriptions, which made it feel a bit detatched from the rest of the book. Overall I enjoyed the book though and found it interesting.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for sharing e ARC of Before the Crown by Flora Harding with me. This is my honest review.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know the story of what happens to Prince Phillip & Princess Elizabeth after their milestone date of November 20, 1947 but what happens before? If you've ever wanted a peek into what that could possibly have been like, I highly recommend you pick up historical fiction author Flora Harding's debut novel Before the Crown.

This novel takes us from December 1943 when at that time Princess Elizabeth had her eye on her "prince" and takes us all the way to their momentous date of November 20, 1947.

I started this novel the day before Netflix's original series "The Crown" debuted Season 4, and thought it was perfectly timed as this novel is such a wonderful prelude to this show.

The author does a wonderful job in many areas of describing either the surroundings or the events in question. For example, please see below for two of these examples:

1. Description of Scotland when Prince Phillip & Princess Elizabeth are at Balmoral Castle: "Majestic sweep of the mountains, where subtle shades of gold and brown blend seamlessly with grey rocks and purple heather"

2. Description of Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress: "White satin, embroidered with seed pearls and crystals in a flower design incorporating roses - York roses, of course - lilac, jasmine"

To end this review, I leave you with this phrase on what it meant to Princess Elizabeth to be the "Queen":

"Her duty, her purpose, is to serve the country and the Commonwealth"

[Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is 1943 and Elizabeth is a young woman who plays an important role in the British monarchy and has started thinking about who she will marry. She still thinks about the handsome Prince Philip of Greece that she met nine years ago. Her parents want her to marry someone stable, which is pretty much the opposite of Philip who is the epitome of a dauntless bad boy who loves adventure. After seeing Philip again, there's no denying that Elizabeth is smitten. Who wouldn't be? He is often described as an extremely good looking, tall Viking. Things with Philip aren't easy though. Behind the scenes he has issues with obtaining citizenship (he is a foreign prince!), his family isn't exactly stable or respectable in the eyes of the British monarchy, and he has a reputation of being someone who fights convention. Elizabeth's parents are certain that this is a match that cannot happen; however, Elizabeth's heart says differently. As Elizabeth and Philip's relationship progresses, they deal with many issues, such as separations, war, unsure feelings, and meddling parents. But we all know how this ends and the glimpse into their early years of courtship was definitely a captivating one. Flora Harding's Before the Crown is a fantastic and timely historical tale based on the real-life courtship of Elizabeth and Philip; it tugged on my heartstrings.
Read the rest of my review:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...