Review written by Miriam Stone, Director of the Oley Valley Community Library

The royal family spent a long time reinventing themselves after the traumatic years when the blazing comet of Diana’s celebrity ripped through the house of Windsor. After her tragic death, the Queen was heard to say “never again.”

Despite her valiant efforts and her stoicism, she is hit with a tour de force of scandals, love affairs, power plays, and betrayals. She faced the death of her partner Prince Phillip and she tried to give her subjects a triumphant jubilee never to be forgotten. Meanwhile, family troubles continue to rage around her, and “never again” is back.

Brown explores Prince Charles’s determination to be with Camilla Parker Bowles. She lifts the veil on William and Harry’s disintegrating relationship and the effect of Kate Middleton on the family enterprise. She talks about the downfall of Prince Andrew and the ensuing notoriety Harry and Meghan have generated after stepping down as senior royals.

The author of this work, Tina Brown, has been chronicling the British monarchy for three decades. She has been witness to the triumphs and tragedies experienced by its’ members.

This is a sweeping account of the royals, full of powerful revelations, new details, and searing insights written by an author who has remarkable access to royal insiders.

The Palace Papers may change how the world perceives and understands the royal family as it
now exists in the final years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign.