I love British, really British Royal, history. My favorite monarch to read and watch tv about is Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth II is my second favorite monarch. Her determination to marry whom she wanted, just like Queen Victoria, amazes me. Prince Philip was pennyless and didn't want to give up his freedom.
This story follows both Philip and Princess Elizabeth during the war up to their wedding.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced readers copy of this novel.

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
Although I really enjoyed the beginning Of this book, it eventually became boring. There was a lot of monotony.

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.

A pretty interesting fictional look at the relationship between Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth. I felt like I had too much royal knowledge and also not enough royal knowledge. I knew the whole story so it was a little boring but at the same time there were characters that weren’t properly introduced that I didn’t know who they were. But an enjoyable read.

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overall I liked before the crown! but that was about it. it didn't really draw me in, but I liked it enough to finish. it's a very calming book... I read a couple chapters at night before bed. it's a perfect book for a rainy day! it's a must-read if you liked the crown on netflix 👑

sometimes it felt very emotionless, but maybe that's because elizabeth was the princess and the pinnacle of regality? I loved how philip seemed very.... real. like he was just a dude who lucked out by marrying the most eligible bachelorette in the world

I didn't particularly like any of the characters except philip. everyone felt underdeveloped, like I finished the book and still didn't really know them, ya feel?

a family tree at the beginning would have been really helpful... there were so many people mentioned once or twice that I had no clue who they were. maybe I'm just not british enough to know of everyone and all the background that went into this

susan was my fav 🐶🐾

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 360 One More Chapter, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read anything about how Elizabeth and Philip met before this beek. It gave fantastic insight into tgeir relationships to their family, friends and themselves. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves tge history on Queen Elizabeth.

Before the Crown is the story of Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth from both of their POV during their early years. It was interesting to "see" how their life was prior to her becoming Queen and how they got together. The writing was well done and if you like The Crown and reading about the royals then this is the book for you. I found it a bit slow going but I did enjoy it overall. Thank you to Netgalley and Harpery 360 for this ARC but all opinions are my own.

Flora Harding has done her research to transport us back in time to the courting days of Queen Elizabeth and the handsome, ladies man, Prince Philip. If the story is accurate-and it seems the author tried to stay as close as possible to facts, then I can't help but feel sorry for them. First, Queen Elizabeth barely gets to pick who she marries and then isn't really allowed to spend any time with him. I would not have guessed the long-lasting marriage these two had would have started out this way. If you like slow burn, character-driven books, or you're a fan of anything to do with the Royal family, you will enjoy this book. I loved the cover!

As I was reading I had to keep reminding myself that this was not a non-fiction book. It was written so well, with so many facts in it that I kept thinking how accurate this story was. I am not your typical historical reader - I only read a few each year. I picked this one and it was a very good choice.

I liked where Flora Harding ended this love story. I hope she chooses to write another fiction for the next part of their story. It would be interesting to see her perspective.

Prose wise, it feels very dull and stilted…it’s billed as the beginning of the love story between Elizabeth and Philip, but it was just super boring. And the present tense didn’t help either…I mean, it’s not happening now, Prince Philip literally died recently and everyone else is either also dead or also quite old?

Before the Crown by Flora Harding tells the fictional courtship of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. If you are a fan of The Crown, you will devour this story! Even though I knew the ending, I could not put the book down.

I've seen The Crown, so when I came across this book, I just had to read it. Was not disappointed and would recommend it to fans of the show.

I really enjoyed this one. I have been on a kick reading Margaret and Elizabeth books so when this one came available on NetGalley I requested it. Right after I requested it, Prince Philip died. It was not quite the cute story I thought it would be about two people falling in love. There are many obstacles when trying to date a Princess. I liked that we had Philip's point of view and Elizabeth's in the book. I realized I know nothing about Prince Philip so I may have to read a biography about him now.

This book is the fictitious account of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip before they became married. The Flora Harding writes about how the two of them possibly met, grew closer, courted and eventually decided to become married. There are so many challenges for both Elizabeth and Phillip and countless things they have to give up in order to be together. This book tells the story of how they overcame the obstacles together and became Queen and King.

If you like historical fiction books about royalty, especially the royal family, give this book a try!

While we all enjoy scrolling People magazine and British publications to see the latest news about the Queen or what Kate Middleton is wearing now, we truly forget that at the heart of it all they are real people. With real wants and needs. This is the fictional account of the love story of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth. Beginning from their first meeting all the way up to their wedding day, this book gives you an inside peak into just how they were probably feeling and what they had to go through to be married. Philip came from a family that had titles but no riches and Elizabeth was devoted to a life of service to her country. While these things could have stood in the way of their Happily Ever After, they persevered and were married for over seventy years before Philip's recent passing. This book takes you inside their hearts and minds and gives you an insiders view on what they may have honestly had to endure to be able to walk down the aisle.

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Five big stars. With the recent passing of Philip, this book couldn't come at a better time. The story is rich and you truly feel for both of them and you truly feel happy when you get to the end and she's walking down the aisle to him. Beautiful story of a beautiful marriage. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Flora Harding for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

If you love The Crown and are a bit of an Angliophile like me. Before the Crown is a fictionalized, but well researched story about the courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It was an entertaining read and gives you a peek into one of the longest lasting royal marriages. It lacks the drama of the more recent royal marriages and separations, but that's what is endearing about the Queen and her husband.

If you love Netflix's The Crown, then this is the book for you! Before the Crown is a fictionalized take on Princess Elizabeth and Princess Philip's courtship and marriage.

I just read the Rose Code, so it was fun to read another story with many of the same characters and events, but from a different perspective. I also appreciated that Before the Crown focused on Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philips, and the pressures that came with their positions in society rather than other major current events (like WWII) -- makes it a bit different than other books I've read recently.

I wished there was more of conflict and a bigger climax than there was. However, I think the climax was perhaps less exciting for me since it's common knowledge that they get married.

This is feel-good read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a good love story and historical fiction. I've just read several heavy books, so it was nice to read something so pleasant and easy.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to preview this book.
Like most little girls who dream of being a princess, I am fascinated with the royal family. This book was a wonderful book telling the story of a young lady, who was destined to be queen. Knowing that she may never get to choose her own husband, she took matter into her own hands. With a quiet agreement between two people that turns into the timeless love story every princess dreams of unfolds.

If you are a fan of The Crown on Netflix I have a must read for you! Thank you to @netgalley and @onemorechapterhc for a copy to read and review. Comes out May 18.

This story is like a prequel to The Crown and tells the “fictionalized” story of Elizabeth and Phillip from 1943 until they walk down the aisle in 1947 with true facts added in. For example, I never knew that Queen Elizabeth’s engagement ring was made from Philips mothers wedding tiara.

Visiting England has always been on of my favorite vacations and in college I studied at Oxford during one summer! I have also always been a fan of the history of the monarchy/ British Royalty. I have read books on so many past monarchs. This book was so interesting and I couldn’t put it down. It combined so many of my interests and of course I have always enjoyed The Crown. You could tell the author did her research on Elizabeth and Phillip! I throughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend it!