Brothers and Wives

Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan

By: Christopher Andersen

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Featuring unreported details and stunning revelations, the long-awaited follow-up to the “fabulous, addictive” (Chicago Sun-Times) New York Times bestseller Diana’s Boys explores the last twenty years in the lives of Princes William and Harry and the evolution of their relationship as adults, with one brother the designated heir, and the other doomed to life as the spare—perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Crown.

Diana’s Boys revealed the powerful bond between the teenaged princes, and how it strengthened even more in the wake of their mother’s tragic death. Now, twenty years later, Queen Elizabeth II is in her mid-nineties, Prince Charles is in his seventies, and all eyes are turned increasingly toward William and Harry again. Christopher Andersen picks up where he left off, covering everything that has happened to the brothers as they have grown up, gotten married to two remarkable women, and had children—all while facing continual waves of controversy and questions about the ways their relationship has shifted.

Andersen examines how the Queen’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering to mold her grandsons in the Windsor image after Diana’s death, and her expectations of William as the future king, played out. He questions whether the brothers’ famously close relationship can survive Harry’s departure from the Royal Family—the first time this has happened since their great-great-uncle King Edward abdicated the throne to marry a divorcée. He delves into the impact sisters-in-law Kate and Meghan have had on each other as well as on their princes, and how marriage and fatherhood have changed the brothers and, in some ways, also driven a wedge between them. Andersen also looks with an honest eye at how the princes and their wives have been continuously buffeted by scandal—including headline-making allegations of bullying, racism, betrayal, and emotional abuse that has pushed more than one royal to the brink of self-destruction.

Based on in-depth research and with his “fascinating and insightful” (The Christian Science Monitor) writing, Andersen leaves no stone unturned in this intimate and riveting look into the private lives of the world’s most famous princes.

A story about Diana

The word Diana was probably said a good 150 times. All I took away from this listen was that Will and Harry are the only people who have ever lost a mother.

Good Read

This seems to have good documentation to details.
The book shares details that I must have not heard or it is being written in true details behind the scene information of why and why not the “Firm” related to scandal.

Brothers and Wives

I liked it. I have read several books on the subject and this one isn't the best, but isn't the worst either. Facts are not told in the same way as the other books.

Somewhat lacking

I enjoyed the backstory, some anecdotes but it felt very superficial and it also felt very biased toward Markle and didn’t really dive into all her lies. I was looking forward to more information about the dynamic of ‘the fab four’ and its eventual separation

Nothing new…

It was a good listen, but not really new insights or info if you follow the Royals.

A sad tale.

A good read, but sad tale of their ruptured relationship. I know we all hope that they can dig deep to repair their bond. In the end, they share so much and the distance between them Is heartbreaking.

Fascinating

You never know what’s true but you sure hear a lot of things. I liked this book because it seemed less sensational and more matter of fact. You realize the prison the royals must be in and the privileges they have, too. A fascination read!

Nothing new if you follow the royals

Nothing new to learn if you keep up with British Royal news. Definitely leans towards the Sussex / MM point view.

Good book

I have been a Royal Fan for years. I found the material to follow the correct time lines. I especially like some of the details that I was not aware of. I do consider myself very knowledge able about This Rein of QE2

Mixed messages

I’m not sure what to make of this book. Sometimes it feels like it’s bashing Harry and praising William. Bashing Meghan and praising Kate. Then bashing William and praising Harry and vise versa with Meghan and Kate. It really didn’t offer any new insight of what Prince Harry stated in his book “The Spare,” his personal account of the life inside the Royal bubble. This book is more Hersey accounting than factual accounting, which in life as we know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and doesn’t necessarily mean what they say to be gospel.