Summary
Red, White & Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston's debut novel, took the literary world by storm upon its release in 2019. This LGBTQ+ romantic comedy quickly became a New York Times bestseller and garnered widespread acclaim for its witty dialogue, lovable characters, and refreshing representation of queer relationships.
The novel centers on Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and his unexpected romance with Prince Henry of Wales. Set against the backdrop of a high-stakes presidential re-election campaign, the story explores themes of identity, duty, and the power of love to overcome political obstacles.
Plot
Alex Claremont-Diaz, the charming First Son of the United States, finds himself embroiled in a diplomatic crisis after a physical altercation with his longtime nemesis, Prince Henry of Wales, at a royal wedding. To salvage U.S.-British relations, their handlers concoct a plan: Alex and Henry must pretend to be friends for the public eye. What begins as a reluctant truce soon blossoms into a genuine friendship as the two young men spend time together during staged photo ops and events.
As Alex and Henry grow closer, their relationship takes an unexpected turn when Henry kisses Alex at a New Year's Eve party at the White House. This revelation leads Alex to question his own sexuality, eventually realizing he is bisexual. The two embark on a secret romance, exchanging flirtatious emails and stolen moments together. However, their burgeoning relationship is complicated by their high-profile positions and the potential impact on Alex's mother's re-election campaign.
The couple's world is turned upside down when their private emails and photos are leaked to the press, forcing them to confront the reality of their relationship in the public eye. Alex flies to England to support Henry as he comes out to his family, including the disapproving Queen. Meanwhile, Alex's mother's team works to manage the political fallout of the revelation. As public opinion sways in their favor, Alex and Henry must navigate the challenges of their newfound openness while remaining true to themselves and each other.
In a dramatic turn of events, it is revealed that the leak was orchestrated by the opposing campaign in an attempt to derail the President's re-election bid. Despite the scandal, President Claremont wins re-election, and Alex and Henry are finally able to stand together publicly as a couple. The novel concludes with the two young men looking forward to a future where they can balance their personal happiness with their public responsibilities, having found the courage to let their true colors shine.
Themes
Political intrigue and international relations
LGBTQ+ romance and representation
Coming of age and self-discovery
Family expectations vs personal desires
Media scrutiny and public image management
Friendship and loyalty
Social change and activism
Setting
Set in an alternate contemporary timeline, Red, White & Royal Blue takes place primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom during the early 2020s. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a fictional U.S. presidential election, where Ellen Claremont, the first female president, is running for re-election.
The novel's setting spans several iconic locations, including the White House in Washington D.C. and Buckingham Palace in London. These high-profile venues serve as the stage for pivotal moments in Alex and Henry's relationship, from their initial confrontation at a royal wedding to clandestine meetings as their romance blossoms.
McQuiston's narrative also explores the broader political landscape of both nations, touching on themes of diplomacy, public scrutiny, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in positions of power. The author crafts a world that feels both familiar and slightly idealized, allowing readers to imagine a more progressive and accepting political climate than the one that existed at the time of the book's publication.
Characters
Alex Claremont-Diaz: The First Son of the United States and main protagonist. Alex is charismatic, ambitious, and initially dislikes Prince Henry. He discovers his bisexuality over the course of the story. Alex balances his political aspirations with his growing feelings for Henry.
Prince Henry: A British prince who becomes romantically involved with Alex. Henry struggles with his royal duties and hiding his sexuality. He is kind-hearted but initially reserved, opening up more as his relationship with Alex deepens.
Ellen Claremont: The President of the United States and Alex's mother. She is a strong, supportive figure running for re-election while managing the fallout from Alex and Henry's relationship.
June Claremont-Diaz: Alex's older sister and part of the White House Trio. She is supportive of Alex and helps manage their public image.
Nora Holleran: The Vice President's granddaughter and part of the White House Trio. She is brilliant and uses her analytical skills to help uncover political plots.
Zahra Bankston: The deputy chief of staff for President Claremont. She is efficient and helps manage crises involving Alex and Henry.
Percy “Pez” Okonjo: Prince Henry's best friend. He runs several charities and provides comic relief and support.
Rafael Luna: A U.S. Senator and Alex's mentor. He plays a complex role in the political intrigue surrounding Alex and Henry's relationship.
Queen Mary: Henry's grandmother and the reigning British monarch. She represents the traditional views that conflict with Henry's relationship with Alex.
Quick facts
The book was inspired by the 2016 U.S. presidential election and HBO's Veep series.
Author Casey McQuiston wrote the first draft in just 8 weeks.
In 2023, Red, White & Royal Blue made its way to the silver screen with a highly anticipated film adaptation.
The novel debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list.
It won Goodreads Choice Awards for both Best Romance and Best Debut Novel in 2019.
A collector's edition was released in 2022 with a bonus chapter from Henry's perspective.
References to Harry Potter were removed from newer editions of the book.
The film rights were secured by Amazon Studios in a bidding war.
Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine star as Alex and Henry in the film adaptation.
The book has been added to the Library of Congress LGBTQ+ collection for preservation.
McQuiston has hinted at the possibility of writing a sequel to the novel.
About the Author
Casey McQuiston is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for their romantic comedies. Born in southern Louisiana in 1991, McQuiston now resides in New York City. Their writing has been featured in prestigious publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Bon Appetit.
McQuiston's debut novel, Red, White & Royal Blue, catapulted them to literary stardom in 2019. This contemporary queer romance follows the fictional son of America's first female president as he falls in love with an English prince. The book's success led to Amazon Studios acquiring the film rights, with Ted Malawer attached as writer and Berlanti Studios as producer.
Following their breakout success, McQuiston continued to captivate readers with One Last Stop in 2021 and their young adult debut, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, in 2022. Their writing often explores queer themes and characters, drawing from personal experiences. McQuiston, who identifies as queer and non-binary, has spoken about writing stories that would have made them feel less isolated as a queer teenager.
McQuiston's impact on the literary world has not gone unnoticed. They were included in Time magazine's 2022 Time 100 Next list and have received numerous accolades for their work. McQuiston continues to push queer romance into the spotlight and create inclusive stories for readers of all backgrounds.
