Prince William & Kate: A Royal Romance

Biographies or Autobiographies or even Non Fictions are not my thing but i do love to read them if the person in question is interesting and yes if the subject is the English royal family then they are pretty much included in the interesting faction and I chanced upon netgalley and got to read this ARC(advanced reader copy) of Prince William and Kate: A Royal Romance by Matt Deoden.


Here is the summary :

On April 29, 2011, the whole world watched as Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton exchanged marriage vows. This royal wedding was one of the most anticipated events in England in recent years. Ever since the couple officially announced their engagement in November 2010, every detail of the wedding has captured headlines around the globe. Why all the excitement? William is second in line to become Britain’s king. William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales is the firstborn child of Charles and Diana, Prince and Princess of Wales. And through marriage to William, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton—known as Kate—turned from a commoner into a duchess. If William becomes king one day, Kate will be the Queen Consort. Follow the couple’s royal romance from their first meeting at the University of St. Andrews, through the ups and downs of their relationship, to the romantic wedding ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey.

Although the entire details presented in the book was pretty much showcased on news channels around the world during their wedding preparations but most of audience to which this book is targeted wasn’t yet born when Diana’s death happened, so the short review within the first few pages was just perfectly sized, considering that this isn’t the story of Diana and her children, but of William himself and of his history with Kate. Not too long, not too short, and perfectly reverent.

The titular character - personality of the book are upon whom the whom the whole thing is based upon. The book goes on to chronicle William’s history up until he meets Kate, and then it’s a joint history leading up to their wedding. Considering that this is a middle-grade book that will probably be ending up in elementary and middle school libraries all over the States (and other places too), there is a lot of information contained within these few pages that will hold the attention of these readers quite easily. The glossy pictures and the articulated pages don’t hurt, either, especially when it comes to digesting all of this information.

The writing is straightforward, with very little in the way of speculation or gossip and the author has included definitions of some words that may be new to the intended audience. (Example: “perceptive” – able to see and understand things clearly.) The new Royals seem to have given hope back to the world, even though their power is more or less just constitutional anyway. Everyone roots for the underdog, and for a long time William was the underdog due to the obstacles thrown at him by life and his family.

While not for the seasoned royal watcher, Prince William & Kate: A Royal Romance is, all-in-all, a good introduction to the newlyweds for the pre-teen crowd. 

Prince William & Kate: A Royal Romance

Here Comes The Bride

What began at the University of St.Andrews was sealed with a balcony kiss yesterday. It took just over an hour but shortly after midday the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – and future king and queen – emerged from Westminster Abbey.

The couple emerged to the cheers of thousands of wellwishers and waved to crowds before stepping into the open-topped 1902 State Landau to make their way to Buckingham Palace.

A guard of honour made up of forces personnel lined the route out of the Abbey as William and Kate emerged.

And hundreds of thousands of people lined the couple’s mile-and-a-half route which passed through The Mall, Whitehall and Parliament Square. Not to forget the viewers all around the globe.

The new royal couple were to travel in the same horse-drawn carriage used by Charles and Diana on their wedding day 30 years earlier.The world got their first look at Kate’s dress as she made the nine-minute journey from the Goring Hotel to Westminster Abbey. She beamed with delight for the enthusiastic crowds.

As many had predicted, Kate had her hair down and wore a tiara. Completely coming out of the shadow of the standards set during Lady Diana's wedding to Prince Charles.

After the three-and-a-half minute walk down the aisle, it looked like it had all been worth it as Prince William was seemed to say “you look beautiful” as he turned to look at her for the first time. William, 28, and his brother Prince Harry, 26, who is his best man, arrived at the historic 1000-year-old church at 10.15am. 

The groom looked resplendent in red, wearing the famous scarlet tunic of an Irish Guards officer, rather than an Air Force uniform. The Queen wore a primrose dress with matching hat. While Kate’s mother Carole chose a sky blue silk dress. Huge cheers and applause erupted from the crowd as the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were driven from their official residence at Clarence House to the Abbey. Charles wore his most formal military uniform, his blue Royal Navy ceremonial dress. Camilla looked elegant in a timeless Anna Valentine champagne silk dress. Tension and excitement had been mounting throughout the morning as guests filled the Abbey from 8.15am. Friend happily greeted friend as if this was Royal Ascot or Wimbledon rather than the ancient Abbey.

Thus, she may not have any blue blood, but Kate Middleton's fairy-tale wedding once again ushered in a new era for the usually conservative royalty. Three decades back, a princess-y 20-something Diana walked down the aisle to her Prince Charming and she won hearts instantly. Kate brings in a fresh whiff of youth to the royal family, just like the People's Princess had.

Here Comes The Bride