The Royal We— about an American marrying a British prince— is probably the closest you’ll get to Harry and Meghan’s story without putting yourself through the secondhand embarrassment of the Lifetime movie based on their love. (There’s no way I’m watching, but if you livetweet it I’ll be following you). Authors Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan researched the heck out of this book, and wrote the best alternate history you’ll find in the game. The Royal We was inspired by Will and Kate’s romance, but this week, as the Markle Family Media Meltdown has blossomed into full flower, all the drama they took the license to add has felt a wee bit prophetic. Also, it’s on sale for Kindle at $2.99, so why would you not? (The audiobook’s good too!)
Earlier this spring I gave Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries series a complete audiobook reread. I love that the recent, grown-up sequel, Royal Wedding finally gives Michael Moscovitz, one of my favorite book boyfriends, his full due. (It’s also on sale for Kindle this week. $1.99!) Anne Hathaway’s performance of the first few audiobooks is a delight, and Cabot’s stories make great companions for chores. If there’s a middle grade reader in your life you’ll want to hand them her spin-off Middle School Princess series… I’m 37 and looking forward to the next installment in August.
Rachel Hawkins’ brand new Royals came out earlier this month and is good YA fun. Rather than creating a history without QEII like Cocks and Morgan, or an imaginary kingdom like Cabot, Hawkins gives us a world in which Scotland still has its own ruling family, so this one should make all you Outlander fans especially happy. I’m already looking forward to the geologist heroine of the sequel Hawkins is still writing. She also has an excellent Twitter— you’re going to want to follow for her #SexyHistory deep dives.
Alyssa Cole’s A Princess in Theory is the book I requested in my initial excitement about the Harry/Meghan engagement. I stand by my initial review, where I recommend it to “people who’ve fallen in love with Black Panther or wish they were Meghan Markle.” Also, I’d add, people who like skeptical lady scientist protagonists. So, pretty much all of us.
I’m waiting for my library hold to come through on Nadine Jolie Courtney’s Romancing the Throne, so this week I’m devouring Morgan Matson’s Save the Date. It’s not royal, but it is a wedding, and I have an advanced copy, which makes me feel fancy. If you’re short on reading time this week, Jasmine Guillory, (of The Wedding Date), wrote a cute photo-story for Cosmo you can enjoy in five minutes flat.
My wedding reception hall was totally this gorgeous. Source
There are plenty of good books about the British royal family, but what if you just need to just flop on the couch and stare at a screen? You can get a great sneak peep at Winsdsor Castle, where Saturday’s wedding is taking place, in one of my favorite documentaries, Windsor Castle: A Royal Year. There’s especially great footage of Saint George’s Hall, where the afternoon wedding reception’s happening, in Windsor Castle: After the Fire.
Last, but not least, I’ve been keeping up with pre-released wedding details and speculation via On Heir, a podcast hosted by two royals reporters. Listen back to the last few episodes while you run your errands this week and you’ll know all sorts of details about the wedding ahead of time. Will your viewing companions think it’s strange that you know who’s baking Harry and Meghan’s cake and what flavor it is? Meh. That’s totally normal.
