The Making of a Royal Romance

William, Kate, and Harry - A Look Behind the Palace Walls

By: Katie Nicholl

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

William and Harry was an overnight sensation when it was published a week before Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement announcement in November 2010. Now the author, a royal insider and the royal correspondent for the Daily Mail, has updated and added crucial material that completes the story of this fairytale romance. In addition to providing fascinating insight into the lives and loves of two young men who are very much in the public spotlight worldwide, this updated version now becomes the definitive book that brings their story - and that of Kate Middleton, the future Queen Catherine - up to date.

The author now fully reveals the secret marriage pact that William and Kate have had for several years, dispelling the notion that Kate Middleton has been "Waity Katie". It paints a portrait of Kate by looking back at her family and childhood, her close friends and former boyfriends, and her ever-present devotion to the love of her life, Prince William. It reveals the domestic life that the two have been living in Wales and provides a look at what the future holds for their new commitment. The epilogue focuses on the wedding preparations.

This book is the most authoritative and entertaining guide to the royal family's most widely anticipated public event since the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles.

©2011 Katie Nicholl (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"If you want to know what really happens behind those closed palace doors, then this is the book for you." (Piers Morgan)

Interesting Account of William, Harry, & Kate

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I wouldn't change anything. It is certainly not a work of Literary Masterpiece, but it does the intended job well and covers the subject matter thoroughly.

Would you recommend The Making of a Royal Romance to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about the Royal Family. If you hate the Royal Family or if stories about the royalty bore or annoy you, then I advise you to stay away. This reads like a very LONG article in People Magazine. So whether I'd recommend it or not depends very much on who I am talking to.

What aspect of Justine Eyre’s performance would you have changed?

This was a decent reading and there was nothing that bothered me about the performance.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No, I don't think so. It always makes me uncomfortable to see actors trying to act out the lives of famous people who are currently living. It never rings true.

Any additional comments?

This was an interesting book. I already knew some of what was covered here, but I thought the author of this particular account came across as well informed, balanced, honest and compassionate. If everything told here is accurate then I think it might round out our impression of the most famous family in the world. A big "IF", since a lot of the story is public knowledge and the more private things are up for grabs as to their truth or not.

Assuming that everything Ms. Nicholl reported is true, I think this has changed my opinion of the Royal Family and the tragic events that shaped William and Harry.

Contrary to much of what is told about this family, there are no heroes and villains in this book. Everyone is treated fairly but honestly. Diana comes across as the compassionate and unique, but troubled woman that she was. Charles's side of the story is given an attention that I hadn't heard before and I came away with a better understanding of what he went through in his disastrous marriage. No one is justified, but we see a balanced story of a tragic relationship that produced two very interesting young men. After listening to this book, I do realize that both Charles and Diana were good and loving parents, and the troubles in their relationship didn't change that.

William and Harry themselves come across as completely normal people who were born into a very abnormal situation. They aren't portrayed as saints, and their faults are covered without glossing anything over. However the "higher angels of their nature" are also covered, leaving me with an impression of people who are real and down-to-earth.

I was surprised that Kate Middleton is given a little less attention than I expected, probably because this book was originally intended as a biography of the two royal brothers. Kate was added into the story in a later revision after she and William became engaged. In order to get that full story, we'll just have to read one of Katie Nicholl's other books that focus more on the Duchess of Cambridge and her life. As it is, we hear a LOT about Chelsea Davy, and plenty about William's other girlfriends as well as Kate. At the end we know that Kate is "the one", but Kate's story is another book for another time.

Repetitive and Misleading

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Based on the title and cover picture, I was expecting something that focused on the romance on William and Kate. In fact, the first half of the book was almost William and Harry prior to college. It felt like there was almost more of Chelsea and Harry than there was William and Kate.

The story was repetitive. They used the same quotes multiple times and there was a lot of guessing on what people were feeling or doing with little to back it up.

The performance was pretty decent.

Overall, I probably would have spent the credit on something else, but it wasn't awful.

Has The Making of a Royal Romance turned you off from other books in this genre?

Probably won't get another on the royals.

Could you see The Making of a Royal Romance being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Nope.

Story of True Love

I relished this tale of the development of true love, culminating in a beautiful , strong and loving family.

Disappointing

The book was more about Harry than William and Kate!. Misleading title, very very disappointed.