After Diana: William, Harry, Charles, and the Royal House of Windsor

I've read a couple of other books and article about Diana and the Royal Family but this author has some new revelations including how Charles, William and Harry dealt with the news of her death. How Diana used William as a confidant and how Charles has and is working to make Camilla acceptable to the British people as his wife and eventually as Queen. I was saddened to read how much of the "tabloid" stories of William and Harry's drinking and carousing is actually true. I think if Diana were alive this would not be as bad but this has always been a typical behavior of Royals in England. I do applaud that they are now trying to honor their mother and follow more in her footsteps but this book leaves you feeling that this can only happen if they put the brakes on their reckless behavior of drinking, drugs and speeding. The author also offers some insight into some of Diana's behavior and more on her relationship with Charles and Queen Elizabeth II. None of the parties behaved very well but since Diana was only 19 when she married and very sheltered, it seems that Charles and the Queen could have protected her better. Finally the revelations of Charles' intriguing "other other women" is also very informative as to his true character and intentions when he married Diana. Mostly a sad story if you care about the Royal Family but some hope is offered. Recommended.

As a Diana-phile, I had hours of pleasure reading this book. The photos alone were worth the price of the book: the boys with their Windsor women in waiting -- Chelsea Davy & Kate Middleton -- of Charles with his other women, of Camilla at her best and worst. Nearly 10 years ago, I read Andersen's first book on the subject, "The Day Diana Died" and enjoyed the revelations. He hasn't disappointed with this new one.

"After Diana," an engrossing retrospective portrait of Princess Di and an up-to-the moment portrait of her sons ("The Heir and The Spare"); The House of Windsor; Prince Charles and Di's successor, Camilla Parker Bowles, is another great read from Chris Andersen. I say this as an unabashed Andersen fan who also was enthralled by "The Day Diana Died" and "Diana's Boy's" and many of his other 27 books. Andersen knows his subject inside out, a fact acknowledged by Scotland Yard, who consulted him during Operation Paget, their investigation of Di's death. In the ten years since the horrific crash in the Alma Tunnel in Paris, Andersen recounts the spellbinding evolution of the Royals--and the interconnects, and many disconnects--between them, their subjects, and the world at large. The big issues are covered comprehensively: The Palace power struggles over the role of Camilla Parker Bowles; Prince Charles's peccadilloes and indiscretions; the randy life style of William and Harry; Williams's love of speed and Harry's risk-taking, and their gradual maturation; the role of the Men in Gray (the Palace apparatchik); along with fascinating speculation about MI5 and MI6, Britain's secret Service agencies that know every move the Royals make. As counterpoint, Andersen provides intimate detail of this intriguing universe: The Palace hiring a P.R. firm to repair the tattered Royal image after their clumsy reaction to Diana's death; the Queen singing "The Star Spangled Banner" during a 9/11 Memorial at St. Paul's with tears welling up in her eyes when the choir sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"; Prince Charles--who always travels with a childhood Teddy Bear--telling his Mum that he refused to be the only Prince of Wales who didn't have a mistress; and much more. Great stuff, great read with over 50 engaging pictures, virtually all of which were new to me.

I guess I'm a royal-watcher because I've read a lot over the years about Princess Diana and was thrilled to receive Christopher Andersen's book as a gift. I couldn't put it down. I learned so much I hadn't known before. Andersen manages to take you beyond the headlines into the royal residences for an upclose view of Diana, the princes, Prince Charles and the queen. A scrumptious read.