Courtiers, by Valentine Low (2022)
This book is an inside look at functioning of the British royal family. The advisors to the Queen, and other working royals carry immense power and influence. The courtiers are those whom Diana referred to as the “men in grey suits”. They are around the royal family at official events and are, in many respects, the power behind the throne.
The author takes the reader through the private secretaries, personal secretaries, assistants and deputy secretaries from before Elizabeth II’s rule through Harry and Meghan. Many courtiers held their positions for years before either retiring or moving on. They are the trusted advisors of the monarch’s inner circle. When the Queen was alive, Charles had his own courtiers and Kensington Palace (William and Harry) had their entourage. The author describes the conflicts of having three separate households, each with its own agenda and people.
The book focused on the current royal family and was written shortly before the Queen died. The book discussed the challenges the courtiers faced negotiated through the scandal of Prince Andrew and the explosive Megxit. The author spent a great deal of ink on Harry and Meghan. They didn’t come out well. While the book recognized that Meghan, as an American, had difficulty adjusting to royal life, it also acknowledge that she was difficult to work with and many underlings in the household left their employment rather than stay working for the Firm.
I found the book mildly interesting, but not fabulously so.
Read: May 18, 2023
3 Stars
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