This was fascinating for me to read. I have always had a myriad of feelings about Charles and this book opened my eyes to his upbringing and years of advocacy. He was a victim of circumstance.

A great read for anyone wanting to learn more about King Charles. Very interesting details about his cororation. Great narrator too!

"The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy" by Robert Hardman offers an insightful yet uneven exploration of the life and future reign of King Charles III. Hardman’s extensive research and access to royal insiders provide a comprehensive look at the man who has waited a lifetime to ascend the throne, but the book's execution sometimes falls short of its potential.

Hardman delves into Charles’ early years, his relationships, and his preparation for kingship with a meticulous attention to detail. The narrative sheds light on the personal and public challenges Charles has faced, painting a nuanced portrait of a complex individual. The author’s ability to capture the evolving role of the monarchy in modern times is commendable, providing context and depth to Charles’ anticipated reign.

However, the book’s pacing is uneven, with certain sections feeling overly detailed while others are skimmed over. This imbalance can make the reading experience somewhat laborious, particularly for those not already well-versed in royal history. Additionally, while Hardman’s admiration for his subject is evident, the narrative sometimes borders on overly sympathetic, potentially glossing over more controversial aspects of Charles’ life and public perception.

Despite these drawbacks, "The Making of a King" offers valuable insights and anecdotes that will interest royal enthusiasts. Hardman’s access to sources within the royal circle lends credibility and intrigue to his account, making it a worthwhile read for those looking to understand the intricacies of the modern monarchy and Charles’ role within it.

In conclusion, "The Making of a King" is a detailed and informative biography that provides a thorough look at King Charles III’s journey and the challenges of the modern monarchy. While it may not fully captivate all readers due to its uneven pacing and occasional lack of critical perspective, it remains a solid contribution to royal literature. With its in-depth research and thoughtful analysis, the book earns a respectable 3 stars.

This was an interesting book. It provided a nice insight into Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles III’s coronation. I enjoyed learning more about Queen Camilla and her interest in books and about King Charles on a more personal level. At times, some of the detail seemed to drag a bit, but overall I enjoyed listening to the author read his work.

Thank you to the author, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Robert Hardman’s biography of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the World, is one of my favourite biographies. (It looks at Queen Elizabeth II through the lens of her relationship with different countries, and I felt a unique take on the monarch’s life.) So, I had high hopes for Charles III, and I was not disappointed.

The book focuses on The King’s reign thus far, roughly from September 2022 through the end of 2023. Although this audiobook is fourteen hours long (the book is 456 pages), it does not in any way feel like too much for such a short period of time. I think that because we all feel like we “know” Charles so well, we all made a number of assumptions about what his ascension, coronation, and reign would look like. (Largely thanks to a lot of media reporting, as well.) However, things have turned out differently from these predictions in many cases.

Hardman compares Charles’ coronation with that of his mother’s for much of the book, and I thought it was a thoughtful and thorough comparison. I think it also serves to highlight that Charles has made more updates and changes than it might seem.

Hardman also spends a great deal of the book on Queen Camill and The Prince of Wales, as well as speaking with their close friends and family. One thing that I very much appreciated about The Making of a King is that never once did it descend into feeling like a tabloid story. Given that so many royal biographies and books out in the last two years have really hit the gossipy notes of the Royal Family, it was nice to see someone discuss them without a “he-said, she-said”. (An example would be when he discussed the newly-named Waleses and Sussexes undertaking a walkabout together after The Queen’s death- he point blank said that while it was celebrated at the time, all four individuals found it difficult and did not push it further.)

Hardman narrates this book himself, and once again, it is proving my theory that historians should narrate their own audiobooks whenever possible. He shows that he obviously knows the subject, and hits the right notes throughout.

I have been following the British royal family off and on for years but this was my first audiobook about them. I was looking forward to getting to know Charles better and information about the coronation / fun behind the scenes info.

Most of the good stuff within this book was blurbed early on but I found that the book was still enjoyable.

However, I really feel like this book would have been stronger had it been arranged in a linear fashion vs. stories kind of all over the place of the roughly year or so timespan they took place in.

Overall I think this is a worthwhile listen for those who like the royal family but not for those who are die-hard fans.

This book is about the King Charles III’s transition from Prince of Wales to King over the past few years. It gives details about Queen Elizabeth II’s death, funeral, and King Charles III’s coronation.

It was fascinating to read about the behind-the-scenes details of these important historical events. There were so many problems they had to solve that I hadn’t thought about, such as how the world leaders would travel to the events without causing too much traffic. This book made the new King and Queen seem so relatable through anecdotes about their every day lives. The Royal Family has entered a new era of being more open with the public, but it’s ironic that with the scandals of the past few weeks with the Princess of Wales, they seem to be hiding more secrets than ever.

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the author and it was great! It was read like a story, so it was easy to follow.

The Making of a King is a fascinating inside look at the new monarch!

Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing a copy of this audiobook.

Amidst the challenges of redefining a thousand-year-old institution for the digital age, King Charles III faces a pivotal year as the head of the world's most famous family. In this revealing account by royal authority Robert Hardman, the intricacies of the monarchy's role, struggles with rewriting history, and the personal perspective of King Charles III unfold, offering unprecedented insight into a critical period for the British royal family.

Stepping into the shoes of someone who held a position for seventy years can be a difficult thing to do. Yet, that is exactly what King Charles III has had to do. I don’t follow the royal family closely, but I did find it interesting to see what the new king has done in his first year.

The author shows the differences between the new king and the late queen, how their coronations were different, and some of the different approaches to their duties. At times, it did get a little tedious at some points, but overall, it was interesting.

I listened to the audio version, which is read by the author. He has a soothing, calm voice, and it was relaxing to listen to him.

I would recommend this book to readers who have an interest in the British royal family.

This was a great telling of the life of King Charles III. It covers some of his early life, his life as Prince of Wales, and taking over after his mother's death.

I’ve mentioned that I love history, but have I mentioned that the British Monarchy fascinates me? What I mean is the traditions, the regalia, the jewels, robes and sashes, the secrecy and the ceremony.

Hardman begins this book with the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and goes on to describe the coronation of King Charles III. Each of these events is compared and contrasted with previous monarchs down to the finest detail, including the china used at meal times and which crown Queen Camilla would wear (it’s Queen Mary’s crown, btw).

If you love details, this is the book you want to read. From an inside look at QEII’s final days and hours, to the charities KCIII supports, this book honestly has it all. If you just want the tea on Harry and Meagan, this isn’t really the book you want to pick up. Although the author does touch on some of the Royal Family’s reactions to Harry’s book and choices, this isn’t a tell-all.

Definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys the intricacies of the British Royal Family. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Pegasus Books for this audio ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Making of a King
King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy
by Robert Hardman
(Narrated by Robert Hardman)

This is one of the most enjoyable Royal read for me recently. I love the idea that the author himself narrated his book, because he is the one who knows well of the book.

The book had a great transition from QEII to King Charles III. A well-researched, perfect constructed and informative content. When there are many books about the royal family, here’s the one that everyone should read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Jan 18, 2024

The Making of a King by Robert Hardman
Overall Grade: A
Narration: A
Story and details: A-
Best Aspect: This was far more entertaining and engaging than I expected. Thank you to @netgalley
Worst Aspect: A bit long in a few sections.

There has been LOTS of drama in the royal family so far this year, so it seems like the perfect time to dive into a royal read

My latest favorite is by Royal correspondent, Robert Hardman. It focuses on the transition from QEII’s rule to King Charles III ascension to the throne.

It covers the illness of the Queen, the day she passed, her funeral, the King's ascension, and the time between her passing and his coronation. There are lots of details about the very brief period - but this royal family book also paints a picture of the King's ideals and values.

Why We Like it: It rebuttals quite a few of the claims made by Prince Harry in Spare - making it a must-read in the world of modern monarchy nonfiction. #gifted by Dreamscape Media

Bottom line—though I’m avid about history, I’m surprised at how much I liked this audiobook. Who am I to be so interested? A Texas feminist lawyer, who still remembers waking up to the shocking, sorrowful news of Princess Diana’s death. I’d always viewed Charles through that lens. But I’m an avid “Crown”-er, as in the series and watching the important moments of the British monarchy during my life, as well as movies about Elizabeth II, and reading much about all the monarchs, to be honest. I believe that the monarchy and Shakespeare are what set the UK apart—for good and bad. I even turned to the Queen’s Christmas message starting in December of 2016. I just didn’t have much room for, or like of, Charles.

So, I was surprised to realize that the makers of The Crown viewed Charles in a more favorable light than I’d have thought probable. And as I learned more of him as a man—not just of him as a really not great spouse to Diana—I began to be more curious. Given that, when I saw this audiobook, I thought—well, why not? He is, after all, King Charles III (itself baffling, given what happened to the other two).

THE MAKING OF A KING might should be named THE CROWNING OF A KING, as it deals mostly with the very recent ascension to the monarchy. And though I’d been a spectator to some of it, watching or looking casually, I was fascinated to learn so much behind-the-scenes information. The book is favorable to Charles, undoubtedly, but perhaps it’s time we, the public, digest such a serving. I have found, in the end, much to consider admirable about the man, the King. Even though he’s the oldest coronated King, he has such ideas about things that, if he’s granted the time, it appears England will at least benefit from him, as is already proving true. Now HRH has been diagnosed with cancer, and who knows what’s in store, but I can’t help but hope that he’s given more time. I also see that his marriage to Diana was just doomed, so doomed; they were so wrong for each other and the country.

Who should read this? Not just historians and monarchists, but also those simply interested and, yes, novelists who might want an inside view to a variety of historical and lifey matters when there’s a changing of the guard. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed listening to Robert Hardman read his new book "The Making of a King"--I had suspected that I would be fast forwarding through "the boring bits" and was surprised that I never felt there were any! Granted, the history of England's royals, past and present, has always fascinated me, so I am the perfect audience for this book. And Robert Hardman is certainly a sympathetic chronicler of King Charles III--this is by no means the hatchet job that I suspect some of the more negative reviewers might have been hoping for. But I am perplexed by those who have grumbled that there is too much detail here, since part of Hardman's point is the incredible amount of coordination, planning and, yes, detail that undergirds royal events such as Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and funeral, and Charles III's subsequent coronation, all of which are presented at length in the book. I also suspect that those complaining that Hardman doesn't consider Britain's problematic history of empire and colonialism didn't bother to read or listen to the book through to the end, as most of the last two hours of the audiobook present these issues and cogently address the fact that they constitute a major challenge for the new king and his heir moving forward. In short, readers with genuine interest in royal history and affairs will thoroughly enjoy this well-written book and its many fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits gleaned from interviewees as highly placed as the king's sister Princess Anne, Queen Camilla's sister and many others. Those wanting anything else should spend their time elsewhere--perhaps with their copy of "Spare.".

Thank you to NetGalley and to Dreamscape for providing me with an audiobook ARC of this title in return for my honest review.

Disclaimer that I am not up to date with the Royal family at all, with that being said I found this book to be a bit slow, and a compilation of interviews and perceptions of what is and was behind the making of King Charles. Certainly, this author is a big fan. The details are very fascinating and if you are a big Royal Family enthusiast this is a book for you.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape media for an ARC.

The Making of a King by Robert Hardman is an interesting memoir of a prince who is coronated as a modern king. The book takes us to the unseen and unheard truths of a monarch. Although most of the details were already out in the media, it was still something unique. For me, the most interesting part was Harry and Megan's marriage and their book and show releases, which shook the whole monarchy. While listening to the audio, I felt that it is really not easy for a person to assume such a big responsibility, and that too when he is mourning his mother's death.
There is a part in the book where Charles III is acknowledged as a king for the very first time. It really gave me goosebumps. People may say a lot of things, but they don't know that with the crown comes great responsibility. The only thing that was a bit off for me was that the storyline got a bit monotonous after a few chapters. Definitely, I will give the book 4 stars.

This book is long, but if you love British Royalty and learning more of their history; primarily about the late Queen and present King Charles III, you will enjoy this book. I listened to the audiobook and loved it. I started this book before the announcement that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, so now I have a different appreciation of this book. I loved the history of the coronation of the late Queen and how some things were changed while planning the coronation of King Charles. I also loved hearing about what the future might look like for Prince William as he prepares to be King. Excellent book and I highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ALC of The Making of a King in exchange for an honest review.

As an Anglophile, this story was amazing to listen to. I really enjoyed hearing the different aspects of the new King’s life and his perspective on things. It was wonderful that he had added so much of the Queen’s life in his book. I highly recommend this to anybody who wants to know more about the royal family.

"The Making of a King: King Charles" offers a captivating and insightful journey into the evolution of Prince Charles into King Charles III. Robert Hardman, a distinguished royal biographer, provides readers with an unprecedented look into the inner workings of the British monarchy during a pivotal year of transition.

Hardman skillfully navigates through the challenges and triumphs faced by King Charles III as he assumes the throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. With unparalleled access to the royal family and court, Hardman delivers a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of royal duty and tradition in the modern age.

The book provides a comprehensive overview of King Charles III's ascent to the throne, from his years of preparation as the Prince of Wales to the solemnity of his coronation. Hardman explores the monarch's role as the custodian of an ancient institution grappling with the demands of the digital era and the pressures of historical revisionism.

One of the book's most compelling aspects is its examination of the relationships within the royal family, including the dynamics between King Charles III, his children, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Hardman navigates through the latest developments and controversies surrounding the royal household, offering readers a nuanced understanding of the personal and political challenges faced by the monarchy.