The Royals

By: Kitty Kelley

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

They are the most chronicled family on the face of the globe. Their every move attracts headlines. Scores of books have tried and failed to penetrate the royal facade. Now Kitty Kelley has gone behind palace walls to provide the first three-dimensional, comprehensive, and evenhanded portrait of the men and women who make up the British Royal family.

Kelley spent more than four years investigating the royal family. In addition to meticulous research into documented sources, she conducted hundreds of exclusive interviews with past and present employees of the royal household, royal friends and relations, courtiers, members of Parliament, and other intimate observers, raising the curtain on this most secretive family. Here are lonely royal children brought up without a proper education in isolated and artificial surroundings, 20th-century adolescents with 19th-century touchstones. Here are the sexual ambiguities, the alcoholism, gambling, and womanizing that were common in the House of Windsor long before Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. No one is spared; here are the scandals of the last decades: the doomed marriages, and the husbands, wives, lovers, and children caught in their wake and damaged beyond repair.

Illuminating the Windsors' arrogance, naiveté , and lusts - as well as hard work, dedication, and ability to survive the most humiliating disclosures - The Royals is Kitty Kelley's richest, most iconoclastic, historically significant, and compelling work.

©1997 H.B. Productions, Inc. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Superb Behind the Scenes Account of the Royals

This was an excellent behind the scenes look at the British royal family. Noted author Kitty Kelley extensive research was superb. So much never before revealed information made this book hard to put down. It also spotlights the class divide in Great Britain, down to the smallest sniping. For example, Princess Margaret was born royal, so she was above Princess Diana who married into the royal family. Quite a bit was surprising. Prince William was only the third royal to earn a college degree. Most of the royals did not study subjects like science or math. Many are and remain out of touch with regular people and still don't understand why Princess Diana was loved around the World. I had no idea just how much the former HRH Fergie made and lost due to her greed. This book is a must read. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audio book. Jennifer Van Dyck did a stellar job on the narration. This book has it all, the scandals, tragedy and heartbreak.

needs updated for 2022

The only good thing to come out of the joke known as The Royals was Princess Diana. She's now dead and they need to go into the trash bin of history.

Narrators voice unpleasant

I almost stopped listening to this book shortly after starting it, due to the voice of the narrator. She sounds irritated or angry all the time. The story was compelling enough for me to see it through until the end.
I was not aware of a lot of the royal family “affairs” before Diana’s time. That’s when I became interested, being intrigued with her, as so many others were. No real surprises.
They sure were a dysfunctional, pathetic group of people at times.
I’m not sure what the draw is. It’s kind of like coming across a bad accident; you don’t want to look but you can’t help yourself!

DELICIOUS! Couldn’t quit listening!

An impending trip to the UK interested me in this 20-year-old book (which I had heard of 20 years ago but never read.) It was fascinating and wonderful, full of interesting tidbits. The narrator was great, but I wondered why they used someone with an American accent instead of British. As an 8th generation Texan, it’s hilarious that I, of all people, caught a mispronunciation. The Texas department store where Queen Elizabeth got her honeymoon negligee is pronounced JOSS-keys, not JOSS-kiss. Anyway, if you love royal gossip, this book is for you!

GREAT Book!

If you are a fan of Kitty Kelly, you will love this book! A little gossipy mixed in with truth. I suspect a lot of this is true, and if it is WOOOO! What a story! Keeps you enthralled and wanting more! You won’t regret THIS book (or audible) purchase!!

Enjoyable Read

This is a fascinating look into the Royals everyday life and proves they are just like us, only richer..

Fun and Informative expose on Royals!

Wonderful, witty writing, detailed research, insightful, poignant and laugh out loud funny. Fearless writing and excellent narration!

The Royals

Fascinating read. Grew up in England at the same time as the Princesses. Buy it.

The Royals

I like the book. I believe that some of the characters could’ve been more flushed out. I found it a little disjointed It
was interesting.

Very Informative, Excellent Narration

The narrator is excellent and makes this book, full of little known information, an amazing experience. Very comprehensive, factual and compassionate.