"I enjoyed these essays on royalty, which range widely from the beauty of Queens to court dwarfs and royal circumcision. Readers will find an impressively wide span of history enjoyably investigated." – Hugo Vickers
Hugo Vickers, author of “Behind Closed Doors: The Tragic, Untold Story of The Duchess of Windsor,” is a writer and broadcaster who has written biographies of many twentieth century figures.


This is not your typical royal history book. The table of contents reads more like a menu at a good restaurant, where there’s something for everyone’s taste. Each of the 18 chapters tells a unique story about an overlooked or unusual aspect of royal history, spanning centuries and countries, but in no particular order. From first to last, they will take you on a journey through royal history you’ve probably never seen or thought of before.

In few – if any – other books will you find the British Monarchy compared to London’s sewer system, or read of the challenges of finding a suitable husband for a 200-plus pound Victorian princess who was nonetheless a “remarkably light dancer.” Rarely are the lives of historic and modern royals from Queen Victoria and Catherine the Great to Prince Charles and Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark “illustrated” not by paintings but by tattoos. Even more intimate topics, like the practice of circumcision among royals – including Princes William and Harry – are explored for the sake of inquiring minds.

Chances are, even readers who usually find historic royalty boring and stuffy or modern royalty anachronistic and detached will find something to enjoy. Who wouldn’t feel a bit satisfied reading about a celebrated 19th century courtesan being paid to steal the thunder of an old and frumpy queen just to prove that queens are expected to be beautiful? It can also be quite amusing to find that a supposedly formal portrait of the current British Royal Family holds hidden, enigmatic clues to family dynamics and individual personalities that amuse and baffle.

In short (much like the Court dwarfs you’ll read about), this book will leave you with a sense that you not only know royal history – and enjoy it – but that you have also journeyed through it and know the royals personally, from who exterminates their palaces right down to their infamous last words.

Nikolai has just discovered he's an estranged heir and to take the throne he must find a wife! Rose McCray's royal bloodline makes her Nik's bride of choice... But when the formalities are over it's time for them to get to know one another as man and wife...

Royal Doulton announces the international launch of the 100 Years of Royal Albert collection, celebrating a century of English craftsmanship through ten patterns representing design trends of each decade of the 20th century. Royal Albert’s success dates back to the late 1800’s, and the new collection celebrates the brand’s vitality, longevity and rich design history. The collection features all bone china with 22 karat gold accents on teacups, saucers, plates, mugs, teapots, creamers, sugar bowls and figurines. Every pattern included in the collection captures the true historical design statements and trends of each time period. Featuring Royal Albert brand signature delicate florals in many of the patterns, all items from the 100 Years of Royal Albert collection are packaged in unique deep pink and burgundy Royal Albert hatboxes with illustrations of all ten patterns.