The Queen and Di

The Untold Story

De: Ingrid Seward

Narrado por: Emily Gray

The Manchester Evening News declared, it took "a biographer like Ingrid Seward to unleash a sober, challenging glimpse into the one relationship of such scrutiny." That relationship is the complex, troubled, and often turbulent association between Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth. According to conventional wisdom, the Queen and Di were at odds almost from the start, but as the author of this "explosive book" ( London Daily Mail) reveals, the Queen was for a long time one of Diana's staunchest defenders, from the moment the future princess set foot on the royal turf of Balmoral Castle as a weekend guest in the 1980s.

In this work, best-selling author Ingrid Seward, the longtime editor of Majesty magazine and perhaps the most authoritative writer on the royal family, takes the listener behind the palace gates of Buckingham, Balmoral, and Sandrigham, and shows us how the royals really live and operate among themselves.

Elizabeth herself as a young bride had to learn how to deal with all sorts of personal problems, including a sometimes difficult and wayward husband, so she was especially sympathetic to Diana's many idiosyncrasies and difficulties. From an insider's perspective, the author charts Di's ups and downs: her difficult childhood, bulimia, depression, and sometimes even paranoia, offset by her innate charm, compassion, and common touch. Diana just wanted to be loved . . . but love isn't part of the royal vocabulary. A few weeks before her death, Princess Diana called and invited Ingrid Seward to come to her house.

Drawing on her long association with Diana and what turned out to be Diana's last conversation with a member of the press, Seward provides astonishing insight into the Camilla Parker Bowles affair, as well as the views and opinions of one of the most adored and vilified women of the 20th century.

©2000, 2011 Ingrid Seward (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Good Audiobook

Learned some new things about the royal family and that’s always a great read for me.

Interesting but bias

Interesting information but very clear the authors opinion of Diana wasn’t terribly high. Interesting non the less

The Queen an Di are so different

Both of these women dealt with husbands who were cheaters. Phillip was a womanizer and had an ongoing affair with an actress for over 20 years. The difference was clear in how each of these women dealt with the problem. Diana became pretty disgusting with many men. I think the Queen was helped by Porchy, the Earl over at the Downton Abbey establishment and the man she should have married. They really cared for each other. The Queen would sneak out in a head scarf and meet him in the back of a close by restaurant.

Interesting But Polarizing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a glance behind the curtains in the lives of the well known.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Doesn't really apply to this book.

Which character – as performed by Emily Gray – was your favorite?

Doesn't apply.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

None in particular.

Any additional comments?

This is a fairly interesting look into the private lives of the world's most notable individuals. I cannot ascertain how much is fact or fiction or embellishment. At some points, I get the impression that the basis for some of the events are rooted in hear-say. I also had a difficult time deciding if the author is pro-Elizabeth II or pro- Diana. Overall, not a waste of time, but I wouldn't suggest one go out ofone's way to listen to it.

Good read, but ….

Good book and the narration is excellent. However, the storyline jumps around a bit and is a little too much in favor of Charles and critical of Diana. Doubtless, there were faults on both sides, but the author seems prone to accept the Prince’s version.