They rank among the world's most famous women - and the most misunderstood. Throughout history, royal women have been sanitised and sanctified by supporters, distorted and demonised by critics, pitted against each other, and misrepresented by the media.
In this extraordinary portrait, journalist Catherine Mayer examines the lives of the central players, and the echoes and parallels that have run throughout history. The stories of Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, Victoria, Elizabeth II, Diana, Camilla, Kate and Meghan uncovered by Catherine Mayer are far more fascinating, poignant, surprising and enraging than any of the myths. Divide and Rule reveals these extraordinary women in all their complexity, charting their achievements, quirks, kindnesses, cruelties and profound influence.
Drawing on key sources, many of whom have never spoken publicly before, this book also demonstrates the ways in which history repeats itself - to the detriment not only of royal women but all of us.
| ISBN: | 9780008730178 |
| Publication date: | 18th June 2026 |
| Author: | Catherine Mayer |
| Publisher: | HQ an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 432 pages |
| Genres: |
Autobiography: royalty Feminism and feminist theory Popular culture Social and cultural history European history |
They rank among the world's most famous women - and the most misunderstood. Throughout history, royal women have been sanitised and sanctified by supporters, distorted and demonised by critics, pitted against each other, and misrepresented by the media.
In this extraordinary portrait, journalist Catherine Mayer examines the lives of the central players, and the echoes and parallels that have run throughout history. The stories of Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, Victoria, Elizabeth II, Diana, Camilla, Kate and Meghan uncovered by Catherine Mayer are far more fascinating, poignant, surprising and enraging than any of the myths. Divide and Rule reveals these extraordinary women in all their complexity, charting their achievements, quirks, kindnesses, cruelties and profound influence.
Drawing on key sources, many of whom have never spoken publicly before, this book also demonstrates the ways in which history repeats itself - to the detriment not only of royal women but all of us.
Divide & Rule features in the following genres: Autobiography: royalty, Feminism and feminist theory, Popular culture, Social and cultural history, European history
Divide & Rule is available in Hardback
Divide & Rule was written by Catherine Mayer and published by HQ an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Divide & Rule has 432 pages
£19.80