The People’s Princess tells two stories. One is about Diana Spencer in the months leading up to her marriage to Prince Charles. The other is about Princess Charlotte who would have become Queen of England instead of Victoria had she not died at age 21. This reader wasn’t familiar with this royal so an online search was necessary. Her story is a tragic one. The author reveals Charlotte through the pages of her journal, and as Diana reads she finds many emotional similarities. Both women had a deep yearning for an all encompassing relationship with their prospective spouses. Ms. Harding has written a book about feelings and circumstances that should resonate with all women who once were young, idealistic and searching for a warm and safe place. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

The People’s Princess by Flora Harding is an excellent dual timeline historical fiction novel that weaves an entertaining, fabulous, and addictive story between two Royal Princesses. I just loved it!

This is the second book by Ms. Harding that I have read and loved. After reading Before the Crown, I knew I had to read this one.

This book weaves between Princess Charlotte in 1810s, and Princess Diana 1980-81. Both focus on their engagements and the decisions, thoughts, events, concerns, and happenings associated. With Princess Charlotte, it also includes her sadly short marriage to Leopold Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.

What seems at first two very different women in different centuries, with time reveals how similar both women truly are. Princess Diana is given a preliminary manuscript of (what is actually a fictional) diary that was found of Princess Charlotte. As she deals with her own internal and external struggles during her engagement and the day of matrimony to Prince Charles, she finds solace, strength, and understanding in Charlotte’s life and her own respective struggles.

I really love how real the author was able to depict both women. Their fears, insecurities, passions, hopes, desires, and obstacles are so beautifully described. I have read so much concerning both women in the Royal Family, but yet she was able to create a narrative that made it all feel new, fresh, and completely wonderful.

I truly loved this book and highly recommend it for anyone that loves historical fiction and also the Royal Family.

5/5 stars enthusiastically

Thank you NG and One More Chapter for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/31/22.

This book offers a great insight into Diana following her engagement to Prince Charles. She is bored and lonely in Buckingham Palace, and hates how much the staff talks down to her and tries to make sure she acts rigid and strict. Diana discovers a diary from the 1800s by Princess Charlotte of Wales, who grew up in a remarkably similar fashion to Diana. She resonates with Charlotte's struggles and her destiny as the future Princess of Wales. I thought the book did a wonderful job of giving us a behind-the-scenes look at life in the palace after the royal engagement and leading up to the wedding itself. So many stories center on the tension during the marriage and after the divorce, and the events leading up to Diana's death. I liked that this book took a different route. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the Crown and royal history.

I will be honest I was drawn more to the story of Charlotte of Wales than Diana. It was sometimes difficult to go between the two time periods but if you are a fan of The Crown, the story told by Diana was easy to get into but it was great to read about a not so well known member of the British Royal Family whose death led to Queen Victoria and her descendents to reign.

As soon as I saw the cover, I knew I had to read it. There was so much about Princess Diana that was a mystery. This book while fiction fills and some of the pieces. I really enjoyed it.

The People’s Princess
by Flora Harding
A beautiful historical novel which delves deep into the life of being royal. And the tension it brings along with it.
This was such an entertaining read from start to finish. Character driven stories are my absolute favourite when it comes to historical fiction and The People’s Princess doesn't disappoint.
The prose is beautiful with engaging dialogue and interestingly believable characters, making it a page-turner.
Rich in detail, beautifully written and hugely absorbing for those who enjoy good historical fiction.

One More Chapter,
Thank You so much for this earc!