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Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan
Featuring unreported details and stunning revelations, the long-awaited follow-up to the bestseller Diana’s Boys explores the last twenty years in the lives of Princes William and Harry and the evolution of their relationship as adults, with one brother the designated heir, and the other doomed to life as the spare.
Diana’s Boys revealed the powerful bond between the teenaged princes, and how it strengthened even more in the wake of their mother’s tragic death. Now, twenty years later, Queen Elizabeth II is in her mid-nineties, Prince Charles is in his seventies, and all eyes are turned increasingly toward William and Harry again. Christopher Andersen picks up where he left off, covering everything that has happened to the brothers as they have grown up, gotten married to two remarkable women, and had children—all while facing continual waves of controversy and questions about the ways their relationship has shifted.
Andersen examines how the Queen’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering to mold her grandsons in the Windsor image after Diana’s death, and her expectations of William as the future king, played out. He questions whether the brothers’ famously close relationship can survive Harry’s departure from the Royal Family—the first time this has happened since their great-great-uncle King Edward abdicated the throne to marry a divorcée. He delves into the impact sisters-in-law Kate and Meghan have had on each other as well as on their princes, and how marriage and fatherhood have changed the brothers and, in some ways, also driven a wedge between them. Andersen also looks with an honest eye at how the princes and their wives have been continuously buffeted by scandal—including headline-making allegations of bullying, racism, betrayal, and emotional abuse that has pushed more than one royal to the brink of self-destruction.
Based on in-depth research and writing, Andersen leaves no stone unturned in this intimate and riveting look into the private lives of the world’s most famous princes.
Diana’s Boys revealed the powerful bond between the teenaged princes, and how it strengthened even more in the wake of their mother’s tragic death. Now, twenty years later, Queen Elizabeth II is in her mid-nineties, Prince Charles is in his seventies, and all eyes are turned increasingly toward William and Harry again. Christopher Andersen picks up where he left off, covering everything that has happened to the brothers as they have grown up, gotten married to two remarkable women, and had children—all while facing continual waves of controversy and questions about the ways their relationship has shifted.
Andersen examines how the Queen’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering to mold her grandsons in the Windsor image after Diana’s death, and her expectations of William as the future king, played out. He questions whether the brothers’ famously close relationship can survive Harry’s departure from the Royal Family—the first time this has happened since their great-great-uncle King Edward abdicated the throne to marry a divorcée. He delves into the impact sisters-in-law Kate and Meghan have had on each other as well as on their princes, and how marriage and fatherhood have changed the brothers and, in some ways, also driven a wedge between them. Andersen also looks with an honest eye at how the princes and their wives have been continuously buffeted by scandal—including headline-making allegations of bullying, racism, betrayal, and emotional abuse that has pushed more than one royal to the brink of self-destruction.
Based on in-depth research and writing, Andersen leaves no stone unturned in this intimate and riveting look into the private lives of the world’s most famous princes.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published November 30, 2021
580 people are currently reading
3634 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Andersen
55 books214 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Christopher Peter Andersen is an American journalist and the author of 32 books, including many bestsellers. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Andersen joined the staff of Time Magazine as a contributing editor in 1969. From 1974 to 1986 Andersen was senior editor of Time Incorporated's People Magazine. He has also written for a wide range of publications, including The New York Times, The New York Daily News, Life, and Vanity Fair.
While his early nonfiction books veered from psychology (The Name Game) to true crime (The Serpent's Tooth) to art collecting ('The Best of Everything', with former Sotheby's chairman John Marion), he is best known for his controversial biographies. Between 1991 and 2011, he published 14 New York Times bestselling biographies. Andersen wrote Mick: The Wild Life and Mad Genius of Jagger to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones in July 2012. The book quickly became Andersen's 15th New York Times bestseller.
Christopher Peter Andersen is an American journalist and the author of 32 books, including many bestsellers. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Andersen joined the staff of Time Magazine as a contributing editor in 1969. From 1974 to 1986 Andersen was senior editor of Time Incorporated's People Magazine. He has also written for a wide range of publications, including The New York Times, The New York Daily News, Life, and Vanity Fair.
While his early nonfiction books veered from psychology (The Name Game) to true crime (The Serpent's Tooth) to art collecting ('The Best of Everything', with former Sotheby's chairman John Marion), he is best known for his controversial biographies. Between 1991 and 2011, he published 14 New York Times bestselling biographies. Andersen wrote Mick: The Wild Life and Mad Genius of Jagger to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones in July 2012. The book quickly became Andersen's 15th New York Times bestseller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
December 9, 2021
I rarely pay full price on a kindle book (I wait for sales), but was suckered into an impulse buy after reading news articles one recent morning regarding bombshell revelations from this book. The primary one was that it was Prince Charles who speculated to his wife Camilla what Harry and Meghan’s future children would look like. The other was how Queen Elizabeth removed a framed photo of Harry, Meghan and son Archie from the table aside her prior to the broadcast of her annual Christmas message in 2020. I watched the notorious interview the Sussexes did with Oprah months ago and was truly aghast afterward. After reading this book, it fleshes out a lot that was said in that interview and I was left wondering if they participated additionally with this author. Why not, as Harry is getting paid 20 million dollars for his own memoir to be released in 2022…so nothing would surprise me.
I am an avid reader of all things Windsor, so I knew a lot of the background information provided which set the stage for recent revelations. This is a well respected royal author, so I expected and received a quality book offering. People who don’t read a lot about this subject will get a good overall summarization of the entire situation. The main thrust that propels this book is the fact that Harry was always “the spare” and not the heir, and was always made to feel that way. Many examples are given. Also, the importance of addressing depression and other mental maladies with therapy was stressed. Being made to walk behind their mother Princess Diana’s casket was the most traumatic experience royal brothers William and Harry ever endured, and they deal with the aftershocks to this day.
I am an avid reader of all things Windsor, so I knew a lot of the background information provided which set the stage for recent revelations. This is a well respected royal author, so I expected and received a quality book offering. People who don’t read a lot about this subject will get a good overall summarization of the entire situation. The main thrust that propels this book is the fact that Harry was always “the spare” and not the heir, and was always made to feel that way. Many examples are given. Also, the importance of addressing depression and other mental maladies with therapy was stressed. Being made to walk behind their mother Princess Diana’s casket was the most traumatic experience royal brothers William and Harry ever endured, and they deal with the aftershocks to this day.
December 12, 2022
2022 Reread Review:
I'm rereading these gossipy books about Harry & Meghan in anticipation of Harry's upcoming memoir, 'Spare'.
I wanted to see how the Sussex's were presented in 2018 with how they were presented in 2020 and beyond.
It's been interesting and educational.
What I am noticing as a theme in these books is that William always behaved badly, from childhood on, but the story in the media is ALWAYS about Harry behaving badly.
When Harry wore the unforgivable Nazi costume, Wills was with him and urged him to pick it out. When he smoked pot, Wills rolled the fucking joint🤣 but the conversation was only about Harry.
Harry's bad behavior has been exacerbated his whole life in an effort to cover for and take the focus off of his brother, Wills.
So they only had a good relationship as long as Harry agreed to be seen as the bad one so Wills could be seen as being without fault.
Yet the word behind the scenes is Wills is a bit of a jerk, a major player, handsy in his posh social circles and has always cheated on Kate.
So I'll be interested to see what the 2nd half of Harry & Meghan's Netflix doc says on the 15th🤔
Original 2021 Review:
Meh, mostly extremely trashy gossip.
I enjoyed this kinda but it adds little to the conversation and this story is advancing so quickly in real time these gossip rag books can't keep up.
For instance its public knowledge now that Prince William has been leaking information to the tabloids about his sister in law Meghan and his doing so is responsible in part for Sussexit. Clearly The Cambridges are both jealous and threatened by the popularity of the Sussexes.
I also believe it's William who made the skin tone remark🤷🏾♀️
I'm rereading these gossipy books about Harry & Meghan in anticipation of Harry's upcoming memoir, 'Spare'.
I wanted to see how the Sussex's were presented in 2018 with how they were presented in 2020 and beyond.
It's been interesting and educational.
What I am noticing as a theme in these books is that William always behaved badly, from childhood on, but the story in the media is ALWAYS about Harry behaving badly.
When Harry wore the unforgivable Nazi costume, Wills was with him and urged him to pick it out. When he smoked pot, Wills rolled the fucking joint🤣 but the conversation was only about Harry.
Harry's bad behavior has been exacerbated his whole life in an effort to cover for and take the focus off of his brother, Wills.
So they only had a good relationship as long as Harry agreed to be seen as the bad one so Wills could be seen as being without fault.
Yet the word behind the scenes is Wills is a bit of a jerk, a major player, handsy in his posh social circles and has always cheated on Kate.
So I'll be interested to see what the 2nd half of Harry & Meghan's Netflix doc says on the 15th🤔
Original 2021 Review:
Meh, mostly extremely trashy gossip.
I enjoyed this kinda but it adds little to the conversation and this story is advancing so quickly in real time these gossip rag books can't keep up.
For instance its public knowledge now that Prince William has been leaking information to the tabloids about his sister in law Meghan and his doing so is responsible in part for Sussexit. Clearly The Cambridges are both jealous and threatened by the popularity of the Sussexes.
I also believe it's William who made the skin tone remark🤷🏾♀️
January 19, 2022
This is a book that covers very little new ground and what it does cover is tawdry
I am not Team Megxit I find the Duchess of Sussex to be neither believable nor credible.
The author is very Team Meghan
I really didn't enjoy the book but hey it was free
I am not Team Megxit I find the Duchess of Sussex to be neither believable nor credible.
The author is very Team Meghan
I really didn't enjoy the book but hey it was free
May 27, 2022
I don’t know what I was looking for with this book, but I didn’t find it. Overall it is informative for those who don’t follow the royals. You also get the the author Christopher Andersen's point of view.
There is lot on how the two princes were raised. Charles is shown to be mostly aloof, but steps in when needed. Diana while loving and involved when present is away a lot. Anderson says Diana confides details of her love to William as women often do with their intimate friends.
You learn how William met Kate and how she waited for him to propose. She tolerated his infidelity and a break up. You see Harry enjoying military service, dating different women and falling in love with Meghan. There is detail on the weddings, the planning, settling in as couples and becoming parents.
One of the author’s themes is that William is very much The Heir and Harry the spare. There is instance after instance of William in the limelight with Harry being ignored. You see Harry getting bad press for things for which “Fleet Street” would give William a pass.
Another theme was that Diana did not suffer in silence. Anderson says that William tried to shield Harry from the shouting and would slip his mother tissues what Charles made her cry. Diana in despair, once threw herself down the palace steps. While Charles was busy with Camilla, Anderson claims Diana was romantically busy too. I don’t follow the family enough the know that (or have heard the gossip that) Charles was skeptical that Harry was his son or that James Hewitt, the alleged father, was not Diana’s only lover.
Anderson shows Diana as a master in manipulating the press. For instance, she arranged photo ops to show herself as a good mother. Charles was not so savvy and looked like a poor parent. When she said there were “three persons in this marriage”, she did not, if you follow Anderson, include the people she added to it.
These brothers have a unique experience growing up as part of the “firm” which makes the parting of ways very sad. I did not detect a bias in how Anderson reported on the steps leading up to "Megxit"
Anderson reports the incident that made Kate, or was it Meghan, cry as being Meghan’s insistence that flower girls in her wedding not wear tights (as dictated by tradition) on a hot day. If this is the level of conflict, it seems that Meghan does not pick her battles very well. In several instances Harry did not keep the Queen, the PoW or his brother informed of his moves - they got them in the news. It seems that Harry has not thought through a winning strategy.
Royal watchers will most likely not find anything new. For those who only catch the headlines, there is a lot here; unfortunately, it is hard to tell what is a hard fact. Checking the sources section (one big narrative for each chapter) is not easy and a lot of the sources are news reports and interviews that may or may not be authoritative.
There is an OK index. There are 16 pages of color photos, many looking like the official photos of weddings, ceremonies and publicity portraits.
There is lot on how the two princes were raised. Charles is shown to be mostly aloof, but steps in when needed. Diana while loving and involved when present is away a lot. Anderson says Diana confides details of her love to William as women often do with their intimate friends.
You learn how William met Kate and how she waited for him to propose. She tolerated his infidelity and a break up. You see Harry enjoying military service, dating different women and falling in love with Meghan. There is detail on the weddings, the planning, settling in as couples and becoming parents.
One of the author’s themes is that William is very much The Heir and Harry the spare. There is instance after instance of William in the limelight with Harry being ignored. You see Harry getting bad press for things for which “Fleet Street” would give William a pass.
Another theme was that Diana did not suffer in silence. Anderson says that William tried to shield Harry from the shouting and would slip his mother tissues what Charles made her cry. Diana in despair, once threw herself down the palace steps. While Charles was busy with Camilla, Anderson claims Diana was romantically busy too. I don’t follow the family enough the know that (or have heard the gossip that) Charles was skeptical that Harry was his son or that James Hewitt, the alleged father, was not Diana’s only lover.
Anderson shows Diana as a master in manipulating the press. For instance, she arranged photo ops to show herself as a good mother. Charles was not so savvy and looked like a poor parent. When she said there were “three persons in this marriage”, she did not, if you follow Anderson, include the people she added to it.
These brothers have a unique experience growing up as part of the “firm” which makes the parting of ways very sad. I did not detect a bias in how Anderson reported on the steps leading up to "Megxit"
Anderson reports the incident that made Kate, or was it Meghan, cry as being Meghan’s insistence that flower girls in her wedding not wear tights (as dictated by tradition) on a hot day. If this is the level of conflict, it seems that Meghan does not pick her battles very well. In several instances Harry did not keep the Queen, the PoW or his brother informed of his moves - they got them in the news. It seems that Harry has not thought through a winning strategy.
Royal watchers will most likely not find anything new. For those who only catch the headlines, there is a lot here; unfortunately, it is hard to tell what is a hard fact. Checking the sources section (one big narrative for each chapter) is not easy and a lot of the sources are news reports and interviews that may or may not be authoritative.
There is an OK index. There are 16 pages of color photos, many looking like the official photos of weddings, ceremonies and publicity portraits.
December 13, 2021
This is Nonfiction/Biography. Overall, this was just okay for me. It glosses over the big drama moments...all things you can find with google.
It sounded like every member of that family carries their own pain and they use whatever power they possess (and let's face it some have far greater power than others,) and they use that power to hit/hurt back. One of them needs to be actively engaged in bringing that family back together, and I didn't see a single member of the family who cares more about that than themselves. It is so sad...and reading this was also a sad experience. So 2 stars.
It sounded like every member of that family carries their own pain and they use whatever power they possess (and let's face it some have far greater power than others,) and they use that power to hit/hurt back. One of them needs to be actively engaged in bringing that family back together, and I didn't see a single member of the family who cares more about that than themselves. It is so sad...and reading this was also a sad experience. So 2 stars.
December 4, 2021
I was really looking forward to reading this, but unfortunately it was just an assortment of previously-reported anecdotes and a retread of stuff that even the most casual followers of The Royals already know.
It’s a shame that the most salacious parts of the book had been leaked, but I felt I had already read it before — in the NY Post — and seen it before — the Oprah interview.
I guess in the end I was most disappointed that I didn’t learn anything new about the Sussexes, the Cambridges, and the Royal Family.
It’s a shame that the most salacious parts of the book had been leaked, but I felt I had already read it before — in the NY Post — and seen it before — the Oprah interview.
I guess in the end I was most disappointed that I didn’t learn anything new about the Sussexes, the Cambridges, and the Royal Family.
January 23, 2022
Sigh. Nothing really new. And I felt wrong reading it - on the scale of guilty pleasure, this was more guilt than pleasure. No one comes out looking good here and that is a sad shame. But it was free and I got what I paid for....
February 6, 2024
So much that isn’t new in this one. And an obvious slant. I prefer Tina’s book as I believe she gave more fairness and dirt equally and it was far more extensive.
December 17, 2021
Of course the world is aware who Prince William and Harry are. The world is also aware of their beloved mother, the late Princess Diana. You would have to be living under a rock to not know the drama between William and Harry.
This book is well researched however it provided no new insight in the lives of Prince William and Harry. There was a lot of back story about Princess Diana and things she dealt with, but also nothing new.
This book is well researched however it provided no new insight in the lives of Prince William and Harry. There was a lot of back story about Princess Diana and things she dealt with, but also nothing new.
January 18, 2022
If you are a royal follower this book won’t tell you anything that you don’t already know. Also, after Meghan enters the book it all skews very slanted as anti Cambridge and pro Sussex which makes me wonder how involved Harry and Meghan were with the author in the writing of this book? It’s entertaining and would make any woman rethink dreams of wanting to be a princess in this family. They are royally messed up!
December 2, 2021
Not even 1 star.
So off the charts liberal, like the Sussex et al friends. Sadly written, as lived. Truly not worth the read. Waste of money.
So off the charts liberal, like the Sussex et al friends. Sadly written, as lived. Truly not worth the read. Waste of money.
March 20, 2022
This book was like 85% pre-Kate/Meghan. I really expected some good insider info on the state of the brothers’ relationship, but instead all I got was a rehashing of Diana drama.
December 27, 2021
This book confirmed what I had thought for a long time—that Harry was Hewitt’s son and not Charles’. Once Charles saw his “rusty hair” any closeness that had developed between he and Diana evaporated. The book discloses how William was a little tyrant in school, hitting other children and acting like an entitled brat. Both boys needed surgery as children. Charles refused to return from his romantic idyll with Camilla for Harry’s hernia surgery ( Diana slept on the floor of his hospital room so he wouldn’t feel alone). And the golf club incident with William was far more serious than anyone knew, requiring brain surgery and 7 weeks of rest. This time Charles had a pressing opera performance to attend. He certainly wasn’t father of the year.
The Queen Mother’s favoritism of William was shocking. When the boys would come for tea, William would be seated next to her and offered sandwiches and cake. Harry would be across the room and get nothing. From Charles’ refusal to take Harry’s calls and cutting him off financially, to the family’s comments about his children’s skin color, the favoritism for the heir is pretty galling. William and Kate believed all the tabloid nonsense about Meghan and tried to talk Harry out of marrying her. Not smart.
Like many Americans I used to think the royals were pretty cool. But the gray men run the palace and clearly will destroy anyone who gets in their way. Most of the royals are awfully petty and there’s a lot of competition and jealousy in the family. Harry was smart to leave the obnoxious attacks of the tabloids, the lack of support of his family and the hold the gray men have over every aspect of the royals lives’ and be able to live his life as he chooses. When the gray men refused to allow him to get grief counseling after his mother’s death and help for his wife after the papers lied about her day after day, I’d have left too.
The Queen Mother’s favoritism of William was shocking. When the boys would come for tea, William would be seated next to her and offered sandwiches and cake. Harry would be across the room and get nothing. From Charles’ refusal to take Harry’s calls and cutting him off financially, to the family’s comments about his children’s skin color, the favoritism for the heir is pretty galling. William and Kate believed all the tabloid nonsense about Meghan and tried to talk Harry out of marrying her. Not smart.
Like many Americans I used to think the royals were pretty cool. But the gray men run the palace and clearly will destroy anyone who gets in their way. Most of the royals are awfully petty and there’s a lot of competition and jealousy in the family. Harry was smart to leave the obnoxious attacks of the tabloids, the lack of support of his family and the hold the gray men have over every aspect of the royals lives’ and be able to live his life as he chooses. When the gray men refused to allow him to get grief counseling after his mother’s death and help for his wife after the papers lied about her day after day, I’d have left too.
Read
April 11, 2022I'm a sucker for any books relating to the "Fab Four", this group of brothers and wives, and this was a really interesting read. However, not much of the material was new to me, as I've read other books about the princes and the women they love before. In some instances, the timeline jumped around in a little bit of a confusing way. Still, fascinating to read as we are two years after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
January 24, 2022
Enjoyed the audio version. Some new details here and there that were new to me. I do a lot of reading about the Royals so a lot of it I felt I had heard but I enjoyed it very much. Although on the audio version anytime they read for an American accent I had to crack up a bit. I recommend it if you’re into the Royals.
March 26, 2022
Brothers and Wives was a good book. It explored the relationship between prince Harry and Prince William and their wives. The book shows also the relationship between the rest of the royal family. A must read for anyone who likes non fiction
October 23, 2022
The latest tell all book about royal Brothers Harry and William revisits a great deal of what everybody has already heard about just by glancing through today's gossip media. A quick read to breeze through to get an overview of the state of the brothers' relationship to one another, their wives and the crown.
December 1, 2021
Exactly what you want from this type of book!
January 9, 2022
Didn’t tell me anything I already didn’t know.
February 12, 2022
i won this book in the GoodReads give-away - Thank you Very Much!
i found it to be very informative and exciting to read, like getting the 'inside scoop'! all things Royal!
i found it to be very informative and exciting to read, like getting the 'inside scoop'! all things Royal!
May 19, 2022
DNF: the reporting felt murky at best on this one.
May 1, 2024
I enjoyed reading about the relationships between the two princes but if you're an avid royal fan there's not much new that you didn't already know being that there's always something being written about them.
December 14, 2021
Very biased and disappointing. I was hoping, and expecting, an unbiased account of the situation, but it's the same old tabloid fodder with blame being placed on Prince William for being the heir, on Charles for being a father, Duchess Catherine for not treating Megan like a best friend. Save yourself some money and read the tabloid articles online instead.
December 12, 2021
I felt it could have been better considering the reputation of the author. He is a reputable journalist & I felt at times he didn't do any homework just copied what certain people said without back-checking.
January 29, 2022
The author did a poor job. He had a wealth of information and did not present it as he should have. Very disappointing
January 20, 2022
It was okay.
Not a lot of new information that hasn't already been reported in the dozens of tabloids. Let them do as they please.
Not a lot of new information that hasn't already been reported in the dozens of tabloids. Let them do as they please.
May 5, 2023
I'm not quite sure how to review this book. As a preface, I read this as part of a reading challenge. I would not typically pick a non-fiction book about royals personally and only read it because of a challenge.
Having said that, from a writing stand point, I thought it was well written. It was written chronologically and was very easy to follow. He made a subject I would not usually read about interesting enough.
Having said that, reading about the royals is not something I want to spend a lot of time doing! I know a lot of people love reading about the royals and knowing everything about them, but I just find it all a bit sad. Sad that they have no private life, sad about the relationships they have and the strain of so many of those relationships, the hypocrisy of the establishment, etc. But that's just my opinion :)
Having said that, from a writing stand point, I thought it was well written. It was written chronologically and was very easy to follow. He made a subject I would not usually read about interesting enough.
Having said that, reading about the royals is not something I want to spend a lot of time doing! I know a lot of people love reading about the royals and knowing everything about them, but I just find it all a bit sad. Sad that they have no private life, sad about the relationships they have and the strain of so many of those relationships, the hypocrisy of the establishment, etc. But that's just my opinion :)
April 14, 2022
What a bunch of assholes.
February 7, 2022
I only became interested in the royal family once Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, so I was pretty eager to read
Brothers and Wives
but as some readers have noted, there's nothing much that's new here.
I learned a few things, but nothing I couldn't possibly find digging around online.
I have to say that it feels more that the rift occurred between the brothers because William is choosing The Firm over his brother, and that is just so sad.
I don't care who your family is or where you come from, but your sibs come first.
Unless your brother is Prince Andrew.
I learned a few things, but nothing I couldn't possibly find digging around online.
I have to say that it feels more that the rift occurred between the brothers because William is choosing The Firm over his brother, and that is just so sad.
I don't care who your family is or where you come from, but your sibs come first.
Unless your brother is Prince Andrew.
January 26, 2023
If you follow royal news then I would give this book a miss. The majority of the book is very Diana focused, and it’s only about William, Harry and their respective wives in the last bit of the book - and even this part doesn’t add anything new. The overall book also feels like it’s very geared towards an American audience.
So this is basically a rehashing of old news and repackaged for anyone who doesn’t know anything about royals.
So this is basically a rehashing of old news and repackaged for anyone who doesn’t know anything about royals.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews