Before the crown there was a love story… first met in London nine years before.
One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure.
But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court.
He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from taking…
Step through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.
Readers are LOVING Before the Crown:
‘Magnificent. It carries so much depth and warmness, and closeness to the characters that you do not want to part from them…a page-turner’ Best Historical Fiction Reviews
‘To say that I adored this book is an absolute understatement. Beautifully written, well crafted and researched. A must read for fans of The Crown’ Kim
‘Any fans of The Crown will adore this read…the story is well researched and written so beautifully I didn’t want it to end’ Lucy
‘What a pleasure it was to read this charming and heartfelt historical romance… never have I felt so romantically moved’ Jena
‘Magnificent… It carries so much depth and warmness, and closeness to the characters that you do not want to part from them’ Annette
‘I really enjoyed this book… Anyone who loved The Crown series will love this book!’ Pat
‘Perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Crown’ Elizabeth
‘This is the story that we ALL want to read…I loved every single page’ Vicki
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Lots of historical interest.
Excellent book. Very fluid narrative flow. Strong detail facts. Very easy to read and enjoyable
I had just read The Gown about Queen Elizabeth’s bridal gown so this was a must for me. Insights and info about her and her beloved Prince Philip, that rascal!
I enjoyed reading about Phillip’s background.
Enjoyed the possible chain of events mixed with real life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I found the authors descriptions of people & conversations very realistic. I wasn’t aware of how much the royal family & UK gov
were against the marriage or even the reasons for it. The amount of history regarding the palaces, war torn London & Germany, Greek royal family exile, and
after the war issues. I wish the book had gone on past the wedding day itself, I could have read on forever.
Must-read for any fan of the Queen
This was a wonderful look at the woman who would become such a worldwide inspirational icon for so many years. Starting at the beginning of Elizabeth’s romance with Phillip, it’s everything I was hoping for: all the intimacy that shows us their ordinary, private lives, plus all the pomp and circumstance inherent in their public lives.
It’s obviously well-researched and exquisitely detailed, even though it’s largely a fictional account. It’s a love story like no other, and I was thrilled to experience it through this book. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I loved this book and didn’t put it down until I finished it in spite of how incredibly jarring I found the present tense of the narrative. Aside from that, the language had lovely tension, the characters were interesting and believable, and beautifully vulnerable, and the fictionalized history was fascinating.
I am breathless having just finished Before the Crown by Flora Harding. This is such a beautifully told story, achingly romantic, so well researched and written as to seem a true account of the love story of a princess and her prince.
A triumph.
‘Before the crown there was a love story…
Windsor Castle, 1943
As war rages across the world, Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the dashing naval officer she first met in London nine years before.
One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure.
But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court.
He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from taking…
Step through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.’
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3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
Before the Crown is a stand-alone historical fiction following Princess Elizabeth’s path toward the altar with the exciled, Prince Philip of Greece.
I really enjoyed reading about the start of Elizabeth and Philip’s relationship. It was largely practical, but there was an underlying sweetness. It all begins very one-sided with a childhood infatuation, but grows over time into something more meaningful. It’s a far more realistic glimpse into royal and aristocratic marriages than in many historical fictions, which makes it interesting to read.
I’ve watched The Crown on Netflix and found that this book made them a little more human and relatable. Or at least Elizabeth was. I genuinely stil don’t understand why anyone would be head-over-heels for Philip; he just comes across as petulant and entitled.
This is a historical fiction, which obviously pretty strongly follows the facts. I think it would have been a great addition to the book if there had been an included historical note to give readers an idea as to how much the story followed the real events.
After closely following their emotions throughout the book, I was a little surpried and disappointed by the wedding itself which fades to black during the walk down the isle and is focused solely on Elizabeth’s point of view. There is very little emotion at all, mainly detailed descriptions, which made it feel a bit detatched from the rest of the book. Overall I enjoyed the book though and found it interesting.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for sharing e ARC of Before the Crown by Flora Harding with me. This is my honest review.
Before the Crown by Flora Harding allows readers to get a behind the scenes look at the courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. I found the book easy to read, but I did feel it had slow pacing and it lacked depth. Before the Crown seemed to be aimed at a younger audience. The point-of-view alternates between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. We get to see what each one thought and how they felt as the relationship progressed. We get to see different moments of their relationship. It is small snippets of time. I was disappointed that their original meeting was not included. The story builds up to the wedding, but the actual event is not included. I found the ending to be dissatisfying. I like how it made Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and the other members of the royal family seem like real people. Queen Elizabeth is so confident and poised, but she was not always this way. I liked seeing how she felt about being queen and dealing with her shyness. There is some mild foul language in the book. It is wise to remember that this is a fictionalized account of events. It would have been helpful if the author had added an afterward on what was fact and what was fiction. Before the Crown is a book that will appeal to those who are fascinated by the royal family and enjoy watching “The Crown”.
Whenever I read a book that is a fictionalized biography, I wonder where the fiction ends and the facts start. And, so is the case about this tale about Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
The book is about their relationship from early days, through the war, through their friendship, to their courtship up to their marriage. It is very interesting to see how each of their personalities are portrayed. From the research the author has done, I can assume there is a fair bit of accuracy.
It is not a passionate and romantic love affair. They are very respectful to each other. It is a marriage of political convenience but it is wanted by both of them. Directly from the book: They are two members of a royal family negotiating a marriage that will be beneficial for them both.
Of course, the Prime Minister and the heads of the Commonwealth governments must be informed. So far beyond the realm of my own thought process.
They both seem to care for the other more than they can admit or demonstrate. It is interesting to watch their relationship mature.
A very interesting peek into what life inside the Royal Family involves. No big surprises but a lot of affirmation.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review purposes.
Princess Elizabeth was just a teenager when she first met Prince Philip of Greece. While she was immediately taken with his handsomeness and joie de vivre, he took time to grow to appreciate the person she was. They saw one another off and on over the next years and their friendship continued to grow. It was Elizabeth who asked Philip if he wished to taken their relationship further and he agreed.
During this time, World War II was raging and Philip was fighting too. Elizabeth and the Royal family did all they could to join in with rationing just as the rest of the country was doing.
We learn about Philip’s Greek family in exile in various places. This information is a great addition to thie book. It’s the first time I have read as much about his family. We also learn how his Uncle Mountbatten pressed him to court Elizabeth with hopes of marrying her.
Due to Philip’s German relatives, Elizabeth’s parents are against the marriage. However, Philip is working to become a British citizen which should negate some of their feelings on this. However, Elizabeth is determined to marry him again despite anyone else’s objection. Will their be many more roadblocks to face before they can marry?
This book is delightful from start to finish. Included are some beautiful descriptions of the Scottish countryside and of a tour of South Africa.
As a long-time follower of the English Royal family, I really loved this book learning even more that I already knew. Well done!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Before The Crown by Flora Harding is the historical love story between our Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It is set between 1943 and November 20th 1947.
For anyone who has watched The Crown on Netflix, this is the perfect accompaniment. It is easy to picture the characters and there is a familiarity with the names too.
There is always the pressure to do ones duty above all else. This is set against the desire for love. The reader witnesses the conflict as these two things are held in tension.
It is a beautiful love story that unfolds of the princess and the playboy who needs taming. Both are called to sacrifice in the name of love as the King and Queen were against the match.
I thoroughly enjoyed Before The Crown. I was glad that I had watched the series first as it enabled the book to come to life.
I have always admired our Queen Elizabeth II. She has always behaved with decorum. Having watched The Crown and read this book, my admiration for the Queen has grown, as has my knowledge about her life. I can highly recommend this book.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Phillip and Elizabeth
This was an adorable romance. I loved how it came together. The history of the different kingdoms and the different backgrounds between Elizabeth and Phillip. The descriptions of the different castles and homes and the clothes they wore were so detailed I could picture them in my mind.
I loved the romance that eventually developed between Phillip and Elizabeth and it was finally Elizabeth that asked Phillip to marry her. How they wore down the Kings resistance to Phillip. That what was once an arrangement between Phillip and Elizabeth became a romance between the two.
The insistence of Phillips uncle that he pursue Elizabeth, the reluctance at first of Phillip and the times he had doubts before the wedding. The times the King made them wait before announcing the engagement and their patience and loyalty in waiting for the King to finally allow them to announce the engagement.
There was a bit of humor in Phillip, the playboy sailor, trying to fit into the Royal picture much to the annoyance of the King. Phillip’s response when he found out he had to wear a Kilt at the hunting retreat in Scotland as well as his resistance to hunt. I could just picture his face putting on the kilt..I was chuckling at that.
The grand wedding at last and the dress sounded beautiful. I loved that at the church it was just Elizabeth and Phillip taking their vows, not a prince, not a princess, between the two of them it was just them.
This was as a good historical fiction book, I really enjoyed reading it. I would highly recommend it.
Thanks to Flora Harding, Harper Collins Publishers, Australia, One Chapter Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the book for an honest review.
4 stars
My sweet mother-in-law was a war bride. I loved learning about English royalty including watching movies my father-in-law took of the Queen’s Coronation along the streets of London. I wish she was still here to talk about Before the Crown by Flora Harding.First the cover is stunning! I enjoyed reading this book told from both Elizabeth’s and Philip’s points of view. At times, I felt the writing was rather dry. I did feel for the most part the author caught what it was like to live in the bubble of Buckingham Palace. I was disappointed in the ending. It was very abrupt, and I felt a better ending would be at the end of the wedding day. My thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars for this light historical fiction of what it could have been like when Elizabeth was a princess and Philip renounced his title for her. Quite a few historical facts thrown in for all history buffs. This book gave a lighter side to the formidable Queen we all see today on TV. I would love to think there was a little spark between these two, and not just what was best for the Commonwealth as an arranged marriage. For once, Margaret is in the background and Elizabeth shines front and center.
Quick read giving a ‘human’ side to the royal family and life in Buckingham Palace and England during a tumultuous time.
Thanks to Ms. Harding, Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
This was a lovely insight into royal romance. I cannot imagine being royal, let alone heir to the throne, and dating! I really enjoyed this behind the scenes look into Elizabeth and Philip’s courtship, if it can be called that. All of the political implications that have to be considered leave little romance but it seems like they managed to create their own. Even after all these years later, they seem happy enough. Really good writing.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
“Before the Crown” is one of my favorite books this year. For lovers of the Netflix series, “The Crown” or fans of books that imagine what goes on in the minds of royalty like “The Royal We” by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, “Before the Crown” will not disappoint.
Following the courtship of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the book does a beautiful job of describing the complications and challenges of finding love when you are destined to be the next Queen of England. The story is told from the point of view of both the future Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It spends time on topics I was previously unaware of, from Prince Philip’s multiple Nazi brothers-in-law to the nasty way Prince Philip was received by the court when he was courting Elizabeth.
What I loved most about the story was that it managed to describe a plausible tale of how Elizabeth and Philip might have met and fallen in love. It doesn’t gloss over some of the more famous issues in their marriage such as Philip’s wild ways or Elizabeth’s stoicism. Rather, it shows how the two might have found each other despite these challenges.
For anyone who is interested in the royal family or enjoys historical fiction, this book is going to be a delight. Even for the occasional fiction reader, this will be a fun read. I only wish that there was already a sequel – I didn’t want this one to end!
While it was a nice journey through the lives of royalty and the historical parts. But the writing was so simple that I felt like I was reading a young adult book. Not sure if that is how it will be presented for readers, but the reader should not open the cover assuming they will enjoy a well written, deeply thorough, entertaining story of Elizabeth and Phillip. There are struggles they experience, but you don’t really get a deep knowledge of them. Not sure I would recommend this and I would not purchase it as a gift for friends or family.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.