Battle of Brothers: William, Harry and the Inside Story of A Family in Tumult

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by Hallo girl

I loved the Tudors, I liked the earlier series of the Crown but I do not take it all as fact. We cannot know what conversations went on but we know Henry got rid of Anne Boleyn. I think what they do is give an insight into royal life, and the roles of the courtiers. I find that all quite interesting.
Let's be honest we will never know the real truth of what goes on behind closed doors in any generation. It is all opinion and gossip.
.

It was probably highly entertaining, but these types of shows take huge liberties, not just with smaller scenes, and that’s my biggest issue. I did watch Wolf Hall (at least several episodes) and White Princess, but they did actually attempt to be accurate. Still, I prefer documentaries like the Smithsonian Channel’s Private Lives of the Monarchs (which is a British produced series hosted by Tracy Borman) and anything with Lucy Worsley. The Henry VIII episode of Private Lives was especially good.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

It was probably highly entertaining, but these types of shows take huge liberties, not just with smaller scenes, and that’s my biggest issue. I did watch Wolf Hall (at least several episodes) and White Princess, but they did actually attempt to be accurate. Still, I prefer documentaries like the Smithsonian Channel’s Private Lives of the Monarchs (which is a British produced series hosted by Tracy Borman) and anything with Lucy Worsley. The Henry VIII episode of Private Lives was especially good.

WOlf Hall isn't accurate, its based on a novel by Hilary Mantel who seems to have her own ideas about historical characters and isn't always fair to them. But it is a novel and not a historical serial per se.
And these series vary in how inaccurate they are. The Tudors was quite risible, I dont know how bad the Crown is but it doesn't see too good. So if I were a historian or biographer I wouldn't take a job as historical consultant to these sorts of things because they are not going to listen if you tell them something si wrong...

[Osipi]

Perhaps there's value in the dramatization of anything. Even a book that supposedly gives the scoop on the intimate relationship between two brothers, William and Harry.

Sometimes epic dramatization of history like, for example, The Last Kingdom, appeals to someone first off because of certain appeals such as handsome actor, a whole lot of pillaging and violence or even sex opens up a window in someone's mind to actively seek out the real history and research facts for themselves and explore the lives and times of the era whether it be the medieval ear or the Tudor era or the other really well researched histories out there of the British Royal Family.

Baby steps. We have to crawl before we walk and walk before we run. Sometimes the baby steps is what attracts us to crawl in the first place.

[LauraS3514]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

It was probably highly entertaining, but these types of shows take huge liberties, not just with smaller scenes, and that’s my biggest issue. I did watch Wolf Hall (at least several episodes) and White Princess, but they did actually attempt to be accurate. Still, I prefer documentaries like the Smithsonian Channel’s Private Lives of the Monarchs (which is a British produced series hosted by Tracy Borman) and anything with Lucy Worsley. The Henry VIII episode of Private Lives was especially good.

Well, "White Princess" got at least one huge thing wrong: the first time Elizabeth Wydville was introduced to Edward IV's little brother Richard and Richard's future wife Anne Neville, Richard was twelve and Anne was eight. Not teenagers at a formal court banquet but children, with Anne just out of the nursery. I didn't dare watch that one either - my daughter, who watches such programs with me, hates when I correct the history...


And since we've gone waaay off topic, I'll stop here.

[AC21091968]

A new book on the relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry in leading up and following on from the Sussexes stepping back from Royal Duties will be published on 15 October. The author of Battle of Brothers: William, Harry and the True Story of the Royal Family in Tumult is Robert Lacey, who is British historian and author. He is also known for "consulting on Netflix's hit royal series The Crown".

There seems to be so many books on the Sussexes. There is already a book on the tension between the William & Catherine and Harry & Meghan.

From reading the Tatler article, this book will focus on the relationship between William and Harry. There are some promises on the details of the Sandringham Summit and the alleged confrontation between Harry and the Palace following Harry and Meghan's announcement on leaving the roles of Senior working royals.

https://www.tatler.com/article/rober...m-prince-harry

Amazon UK link to the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Brot...=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Also attached to the Tatler article)

[Sun Lion]

Rebecca English is tweeting that Buckingham Palace is bracing itself for the release of this book.

Being published on October 15th.

Will be covering the Sandringham Summit and Her Majesty's angry response to the behaviour of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Another article with details -

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...mpression=true

I won't be suprised if this one is also serialised by this or that newspaper.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by Sun Lion

Rebecca English is tweeting that Buckingham Palace is bracing itself for the release of this book.

Being published on October 15th.

It will be covering the Sandringham Summit and Her Majesty's angry response to the behaviour of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Another article with details -

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...mpression=true

I won't be suprised if this one is also serialised by this or that newspaper.

I like Robert Lacey a lot, and he’s extremely reputable, so I think I can trust the information in the book. I’m looking foreword to reading about the Queen’s reaction to Megxit, but no wonder she’s “bracing” for the publication - I’m sure Charles is as well. What they hoped would remain private is now going to be laid to bare...

[Tarlita]

I have seen Robert Lacey interviewed many times during various documentaries on the royals and he comes across as credible and reputable.

[AC21091968]

Originally Posted by Sun Lion

Rebecca English is tweeting that Buckingham Palace is bracing itself for the release of this book.

Being published on October 15th.

Will be covering the Sandringham Summit and Her Majesty's angry response to the behaviour of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Another article with details -

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...mpression=true

I won't be suprised if this one is also serialised by this or that newspaper.

Thank you Sun Lion for the Daily Mail article. I apologise for not finding your thread earlier.

I wonder if this book could have an effect on the one-year review since the Sandringham submit. I also wonder what the Royal Family members and Palace staff are thinking right now.

[Curryong]

The senior royals might be pondering how they can stop possibly unfavourable leaks between the Press and writers of Royal biographies and their staff.

Having said that, the Fail always ups the ante. The Palace and Royal family is forever 'bracing' for something or other if a book or controversial article is in the offing. Just as their journalese comes into play with William and/or Prince Philip reportedly 'incandescent with rage' over something or other the Sussexes have done. The Fail has a certain MO which it finds successful with its readers when reporting Royal stories.

The Royal Family are probably mildly interested in Lacey's forthcoming book, and that's it.

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by AC21091968

Thank you Sun Lion for the Daily Mail article. I apologise for not finding your thread earlier.

I wonder if this book could have an effect on the one-year review since the Sandringham submit. I also wonder what the Royal Family members and Palace staff are thinking right now.

No apology needed AC. I think your post must have been moved to this thread by the moderators.

I think the Royal Court must be reeling a bit, so much of their normal workload must be getting lost in the ongoing Sussex business.

I agree with Betsypaige and Tarlita above, that Mr Lacey will give a good account of Prince Harry and Meghan leaving their Royal roles.

I think we will get a mature and insightful understanding from his book.

But I don’t think this will be the last word or final piece on the whole matter.

This will go on for years.

There will be no stopping the flow of information and commentary as the brothers branch ever further apart as their lives go on I think.

[Claire]

Actually I might even buy this one - maybe it will finally give us the real story. (gasp)
Personally after everything - what else needs to be said.

[MARG]

I just keep reminding myself that they are playing to a captive audience during Covid and "real" news is scarce. I also remind myself that the DM is one of the somewhat rare publications that cannot be used as a reference on Wikipedia due to its reputation for inaccurate reporting.

[Mirabel]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

I like Robert Lacey a lot, and he’s extremely reputable, so I think I can trust the information in the book. I’m looking foreword to reading about the Queen’s reaction to Megxit, but no wonder she’s “bracing” for the publication - I’m sure Charles is as well. What they hoped would remain private is now going to be laid to bare...

I agree as to Lacey's reputation, and I plan to read this book.

But I also think it's a shame about the rift between two brothers who used to be so close. Whatever happens, their relationship will never be what it once was.

[camelot23ca]

There’s already been so much written about the Sandringham meetings, the supposed fall out between the brothers and the reasons for it, who was most at fault, etc, most of it either flat out speculation or based on information from sources who insist on remaining anonymous.

Unless people in the position to know the facts are willing to speak on the record - which seems unlikely - I don’t think there’s anything new to be said on this matter. I’ll be interested to see if Robert Lacey manages to find any stones that have been left unturned.

I doubt the BRF is overly concerned about this book, or Finding Freedom, or any other book that may come along in the future. Anyone who was following them in the 90’s knows they’ve weathered worse. Going through what they did with Charles and Diana would have been hard but one good thing about that sort of crisis is that it helps keep future events in perspective.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by camelot23ca

I doubt the BRF is overly concerned about this book, or Finding Freedom, or any other book that may come along in the future. Anyone who was following them in the 90’s knows they’ve weathered worse. Going through what they did with Charles and Diana would have been hard but one good thing about that sort of crisis is that it helps keep future events in perspective.

I think you are correct. There was little in Finding Freedom that was particularly embarrassing from the perspective of the BRF, so I guess the War of the Wales' really did set them up to deal with far worse.

In my view, all that FF do was make H&M look immature, egotistical and lacking in understanding of their place in The Firm and the family.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by Mirabel

I agree as to Lacey's reputation, and I plan to read this book.

But I also think it's a shame about the rift between two brothers who used to be so close. Whatever happens, their relationship will never be what it once was.

Oh yeah, it's terrible.....I don't want to speculate about their future, but I do hope that they will one day truly heal their rift, and not because something happens to their father, either.

[Sun Lion]

Mr Lacey’s book is being serialised from tomorrow ... and from the details in the article below it looks like a lot of dust is going to be kicked up by this one as well.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ert-Lacey.html

[Curryong]

I will be buying this book. Interesting that Mr Lacey comments (about the Palace Palace presumably) that Meghan was 'treated appallingly'. However, I'm a bit apprehensive that it is the Fail that has decided to serialise the biography. They have never been sympathetic to the Sussexes and I can see cherry picking among the more sensational chapters.

I'm not surprised that this book was returned unopened, however. BP officials are positioning themselves in 'nothing to see here, move on' mode with regard to the last year's events.

[Betsypaige]

It is very telling that BP didn't bother to read anything and, in fact, sent the manuscript back unopened. I also think that's classy of Robert Lacey to do that, to given them the chance to respond.

That said....I'm sorry, there can be- IMO- no greater crisis than the abdication. The rift between William and Harry, to me, is a personal tragedy.

I feel like this is going to be almost over the top negative, and this in particular bothers me. "Lost his way" ? I find that hard to believe. I understand that William and Charles have had their ups and downs, but by all accounts they are closer than ever. Maybe William seeks advice more from his grandmother, but Lacey stating that he thinks his father has no moral compass, is misguided in his life, is really unfortunate and I'm not happy about that.

It has been a long time since William has sought counsel from his father, Robert suggests. ‘William looks to his grandmother for his values, not to his father. He thinks his father has . . . lost his way. But perhaps there is still time for Charles to act. I hope so.’

This below quote, IMO, is ridiculous. Meghan needed to accommodate to HM, and Royal Life, not the other way around. Maybe had she given the Royal Life a chance, given her new family a chance, things could have been reorganized in a way to allow for Meghan to shine in things she was interested in, but she didn't give them that chance.

‘There is only one self-made millionaire in the Royal Family and that is Meghan Markle. If they had sat down with her at the start and said, “Let’s talk about the things you are interested in”, things might have been different.

‘They just sent her off to watch the Queen opening the Mersey Bridge. There is nothing wrong with that, but they made the mistake of dealing with the spare’s wife thinking she was just a routine royal. She was never going to be a routine royal.’

This book comes off as over the top .........