If you’re as much of a The Crownie as I am, you’re probably ~obsessed~ with monarchies, royal families, and all the crazy ass drama that comes with them. But alas, you can only binge The Crown for so long—which is why I’ve compiled this handy little list of royal family books. Below, you’ll find some truly juicy, goss-filled page-turners on anything and everything “royal,” including the inside scoop on the lives of the former royals, Harry and Meghan (in case you need more info after their Oprah interview). You’re welcome. *sips tea coyly*
This book will rip your heart out. I have so much love and admiration for who Princess Diana was, and this book takes you into her world in a way that is unexpected, heartbreaking, and so unbearably real. Forget everything you think you know and just toss it out the window before you start reading this.
If you're finished binging The Crown and have no idea what to do with yourself while you wait for season 5 (same), this is the book for you. It's fast-paced and witty and goes just in-depth enough to keep you going "whoa, that actually happened?"
I really wish there were more books written about Princess Margaret because she is truly the most fascinating, complex, and interesting person. At times, her life was lush and beautiful, and other times, it was troubled and heartbreaking. This biography is illuminating and definitely worth a read.
This is such a fun little novel inspired by Kate and William's romance. It's sassy, laugh-out-loud funny, and basically just a total dish. It's not super focused on accuracy, but that's probably one of the most fun parts of the whole thing. Also, can we please get a sequel with Meghan and Harry? Thanks, bye.
I truly cannot get enough of the salacious behind-the-scenes scoop of the Windsor family. Join me in learning more about the formidable Queen Mary (Elizabeth's dear old mum), won't you?
If you watch The Crown like I do—meaning furiously Googling everything Elizabeth does, thinking, "OMG, did that actually happen?"—this is the book for you. Deep dive into her life as a monarch and a little bit of the history of the modern monarchy.
The Windsors aren't the only royal family to have drama on tap. The Romanovs are juicy AF. It's like the Real House Royals of Russia up in here. And OK, this book is intense. It is over 700 pages long, but if you are, in any way, interested in the Romanov family, this is the book to read. It defines "epic." It's fascinating, complex, and winding, and you will learn many things you didn't know. It's definitely a I'll-read-this-all-of-fall-and-winter-2021 kind of book.
Were you as shocked as me when Harry and Meghan said “see ya later” to the royal family? Well, this book finally goes into detail about what led up to their departure and their determination to start a new life outside of the royal palace. Also included in this book are some cute wedding and Archie photos, so what more could we really ask for?
Have you already binge-watched all of The Crown? If you want to learn more about all the historical events that are brought up on the show, read this. Covering seasons 2 and 3 (we’re still patiently awaiting one on the 4th!), historian Robert Lacey tells us all about the real events that inspired this binge-worthy drama series.
Can you imagine being friends with the queen? Anne Glenconner became friends with the queen and her sister, Margaret, at a young age and actually became the lady in waiting for Margaret. After several years, Anne decided to open up and tell her own story of what life is like when you’re in the royal family inner circle. Turns out, it’s not as glamorous as most people think.
The book that we didn’t even know we needed is here. An inside look at all of the modern royal family’s style? I think yes! I still want to try and pull off Princess Diana's effortlessly chic model-off-duty look. Plus, we get to chart how much royal style has changed over time from Elizabeth II to Meghan Markle.
What's it like to spend 25 years dressing the queen? In The Other Side of the Coin, the queen's personal dresser gives readers insight into her relationship with Queen Elizabeth II (and with the queen's blessing, I might add). The result is a book that reveals a personal side of the queen that us royal stans don't typically get to see.
If all you know about Prince Charles is from the tabloid stories of the early '90s, read this. It chronicles the life and trials of the future king with insight that we rarely get for the royals. If you've been itching to know more about Charles, Diana, and Camilla, this should be an immediate add to your cart.
If the dynamic between Elizabeth and Philip in The Crown intrigued you (the tension!!), My Husband and I is perfect for you. It discusses the challenges Prince Philip faced as he had to learn to play second fiddle to the queen in all their public engagements and reveals insight into how their relationship operated behind closed doors.
We know Diana's story, we may know some of Charles', but the third part of the triangle that rocked the world in the '90s? Not so much. The Duchess is the first in-depth biography of Camilla Parker Bowles and is guaranteed to shed new light on the woman who was, for so long, hated by the public for perceivably ruining a royal marriage.
