Fiction inspired by royalty (not fan fiction)

[CasiraghiTrio]

I know there is obviously Danielle Steel's HRH which I just saw has its own thread, and which I think is pretty good, But does anyone know of other works inspired by royal people?

I want to be careful to distinguish here between this kind of work and fan fiction. The kind of works I am hoping to find more of are fiction based on or loosely based on royalty but where the names and certain details are changed, to make it absolutely fictionalized, so that no actual reputations are infringed upon. "Fan fiction," generally, is a story about royalty where such details are named as they actually exist: i.e. fake stories about real people.

I'm looking for royalty-inspired fiction, not fake stories about real people.

[Avalon]

Dumas is another good example.
His books are most entertaining, but he was basically taking a couple of facts, a couple of people and then would just create a story around them.

But from historical point of view, his books are nothing to trust. Which doesn't make them any less interesing, mind.

[selrahc4]

My personal favorites of this type of fiction are Susan Howatch's books Penmarric, Cashelmara, and The Wheel of Fortune. In these she takes royal characters and events (Plantagenet era), sets them in the late 19th - early 20th centuries as ordinary family sagas. But the way she parallels history and the people is deeply fascinating. Penmarric (set in Cornwall) is a version of the Henry II - Eleanor of Aquitaine & family story. Cashlemara (set in Ireland) is based on Edward II. The Wheel of Fortune (set in Wales) mimics the story of Richard II, John of Gaunt, et al. They are really good reading on many levels.

[EmpressRouge]

The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. Mia is definitely based on Jazmin and Genovia on Monaco. Mia even has Grimaldi as one of her last names.

[Beck]

The Tudor series by Philippa Gregory? They aren't completely factual, but are a fun read.

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by EmpressRouge

The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. Mia is definitely based on Jazmin and Genovia on Monaco. Mia even has Grimaldi as one of her last names.

I thought Mia's surname was Renaldi, or Rinaldi. That's a good example, btw.

[EmpressRouge]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

I thought Mia's surname was Renaldi, or Rinaldi. That's a good example, btw.

In the books, her full name is Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo. In the movie, they changed/shorted her name to Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi. Maybe Disney didn't want to risk getting sued? The books are actually fairly accurate at depicting royal titles, inheritance, protocol, etc. The movie Disney-fied everything and made no sense at all, but probably made it more understandable to their intended audience.

[Russophile]

Elizabeth Adler's "Property of a Lady" wove the missing Alexi and Anastasia with the Yussopovs. Fun read.

[highpriestess]

"Desiree" by Selinko. It's still my favorite historical fiction based on real historical figures in the Napoleonic period.

[udyusa]

One of my favorites also! I love historical fiction!!!

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by EmpressRouge

In the books, her full name is Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo. In the movie, they changed/shorted her name to Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi. Maybe Disney didn't want to risk getting sued? The books are actually fairly accurate at depicting royal titles, inheritance, protocol, etc. The movie Disney-fied everything and made no sense at all, but probably made it more understandable to their intended audience.

Yeah, I see what you mean. They had to mainstream it. How Pointless of them to worry about a lawsuit though. What did they think Prince Albert could do? Sue them for using his name, like the Grimaldi name is exclusive only to his family? It's not. Can anyone actually hold a trademark on a surname anyway?

[candygirl_68]

Originally Posted by highpriestess

"Desiree" by Selinko. It's still my favorite historical fiction based on real historical figures in the Napoleonic period.

oh no! you preceded me!i was going to write it...
i recommend this book to everyone, it's a great lecture, wonderful!

[attaininggrace]

There are tons of historical novels by Jean Plaidy, Margaret Irwin and Anya Seton about kings and queens. Norah Lofts is another good author.

[GlitteringTiaras]

Originally Posted by EmpressRouge

In the books, her full name is Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo. In the movie, they changed/shorted her name to Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi. Maybe Disney didn't want to risk getting sued? The books are actually fairly accurate at depicting royal titles, inheritance, protocol, etc. The movie Disney-fied everything and made no sense at all, but probably made it more understandable to their intended audience.

I've always wondered about the PD series. The book was first published in 2000, but Jazmin wasn't known to the majority of the public until 2006. Sure there were vague rumors circulating amongst royal watchers, but what are the chances of American author, Meg Cabot, knowing about the story of Jazmin, her Mom, and Albert?

[Leslie2006]

Danielle Steel's latest novel focuses on a modern-day princess. HRH centers around 22-year-old Christianna, Princess of Leichtenstein. She is the only daughter and second child of HRH Prince Hans and his late wife, a Bourbon princess. Christianna joins the Doctors Without Borders shortly after graduating from Berkley University in the States. Her brother, HSH Prince Frederick, whom she calls Freddie, is heir to Leichtenstein's grand ducal throne, due to salic law that bars all women from the succession. A car accident changes Christianna's life forever, and that of her American boyfriend, Parker.

The book ins't all that great---not enough detail. But the plot is a good one.