"Step behind the palace doors in this gripping historical novel that is a must read for fans of The Crown and Princess Diana!
Buckingham Palace, 1981
Her engagement to Prince Charles is a dream come true for Lady Diana Spencer but marrying the heir to the throne is not all that it seems. Alone and bored in the palace, she resents the stuffy courtiers who are intent on instructing her about her new role as Princess of Wales…
But when she discovers a diary written in the 1800s by Princess Charlotte of Wales, a young woman born into a gilded cage so like herself, Diana is drawn into the story of Charlotte’s reckless love affairs and fraught relationship with her father, the Prince Regent.
As she reads the diary, Diana can see many parallels with her own life and future as Princess of Wales.
The story allows a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life in the palace, the tensions in Diana’s relationship with the royal family during the engagement, and the wedding itself.
Praise for Flora Harding:
‘If you’re a fan of The Crown, you’ll love this’ Woman’s Weekly
‘Fascinating…a beautiful love story’ Woman
‘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"
"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"
