The Constant Princess

The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Karina Fernandez

A new unabridged recording featuring an afterword read by the author!

From number-one New York Times best-selling author and “queen of royal fiction” (USA Today) Philippa Gregory comes the remarkable story of Katherine of Aragon, princess of Spain, daughter of two great monarchs, and eventual queen of England when she marries the infamous King Henry VIII.

Daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine has been fated her whole life to marry Prince Arthur of England. When they meet and are married, the match becomes as passionate as it is politically expedient. The young lovers revel in each other’s company and plan the England they will make together. But tragically, aged only 15, Arthur falls ill and extracts from his 16-year-old bride a deathbed promise to marry his brother, Henry; become queen; and fulfill their dreams and her destiny.

Widowed and alone in the avaricious world of the Tudor court, Katherine has to sidestep her father-in-law’s desire for her and convince him, and an incredulous Europe, that her marriage to Arthur was never consummated, that there is no obstacle to marriage with Henry. For seven years, she endures the treachery of spies, the humiliation of poverty, and intense loneliness and despair while she waits for the inevitable moment when she will step into the role she has prepared for all her life. Then, like her warrior mother, Katherine must take to the battlefield and save England when its old enemies the Scots come over the border and there is no one to stand against them but the new queen.

©2005 Philippa Gregory Limited (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Best in series!

This book was phenomenal. The narrator was perfect, the story was magnificent. I got complacent getting through the two previous, and have been completely renewed in enthusiasm and interest ! Marvelous!

Interesting perspective of Young Catherine

Like most Phillipa Gregory books, it is a new perspective on historical FICTION. It is not meant to be fact or truth. Fiction is just that, so I do not deduct stars for giving me fiction. It is a fun and intriguing read. The narrator does a great job, especially with accents. The recording is clear and perfect. I only deduct a star due to being somewhat slow in parts and redundant in the storyline. Most of the story takes place in Catherine's life before she was Queen- much reflection internally and reflecting on her early life in Spain and maturing from a girl to a woman in her own right. I found this the most interesting aspect.

Great

Great book and great listen I highly recommend this and all of her books and stories!

Surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did!

This is a great stand alone novel that incorporates all the Tudor/Plantagenet issues touched upon. Really well done. Makes me want to hear about Queen Katherine’s further individual years.

ended too soon!

Wish I could have heard even more from Catherine's perspective beyond where the book ends

Validity of historical data.

Loved the personal perspective from Katherine herself. This enhanced the validity of the historical data presented.

The Reading was so amazing!

The reading of the book was so good - different voices for Katharine, Henry, Arthur, and others!! So good! Also, it totally reminds me of The Spanish Princess on Starz (yes, I am aware that this book is the basis for that show)! And the writing is great too! Katharine has always been my favorite wife of Henry and this really shares so much more about her story and the history of the time in general. I was reading along in the physical book and it's really good!

Ditch the accent

I paid for this audio book but had to pay again for a different version. The reader’s bad Spanish accent would be OK for a minor character but to have to listen to it throughout the book for the main character was too much. I purchased this before audible had the return policy (or maybe I wasn’t aware of it.)
Listen to the sample. I hope audible sampled a section of Princess Katherine’s dialogue. Good luck.

The story meanwhile is terrific. Philippa Gregory is top notch at presenting history in an engaging format. She sticks to the facts, adding color through historically accurate details of medieval customs, clothing, food and the practical tribulations of living during that time.

Refreshing perspective

It was great to hear Katharine’s story from a different angle than usual. I enjoyed learning more about Spain as well.

Really Enjoyed the listen

Loved this different take on Katherine of Aragon and thinking of her as a woman of great strength and determination rather than sad and set aside. The narrator did a lovely job as well encompassing these feelings