This is a lovely guide to English, Welsh, and Scottish castles. With illustrations, it details stories of the origin of each royal residence, its importance, and its continued existence in certain instances.

What a nice book.
Full of history and useful and interesting information.
I loved the illustrations that give the book that extra quid that makes it even better

What it must be like to live in echoes. To walk through gardens whose trees stood silent watch over James I, to peer into rooms where royal lives began and ended. If all the walls have changed, do any witnesses remain? Does one not know, or pretend not to? I, for one, knew nothing of Greenwich Palace when I walked the Old Royal Navy College, but I wish I had. I wish I’d had this book when last I lived in England, castle-hopping through so many of the painted histories in these pages with half so much knowledge of the footsteps I followed.
This book is, for the most part, delightfully composed. The beautiful illustrations are incredibly evocative of awe and brilliance, painting each palace in its full color as vibrant as the history quickly to follow in prose. Each picture invites you in to the next pages, and makes you wish to be standing in the place itself (even though some we will never reach). I was always curious in the back of my mind at the organization and presentation of the palaces, trying to figure the chronology of castles, though I do not believe I ever succeeded. It sometimes led to slight redundancies that bothered me some (I wish I could be trusted to recall names and anecdotes of palaces past with needing to be reminded in quite so much detail three castles later). My only considerable complaint with the composition of the book is the "New Yorker"-esque snipped quotes that would linger through the pages, summarizing or directly restating something that would be immediately repeated within the text itself. I could not understand the purpose of it, as though supposing I would not read the sentence for myself some lines later.
The layered significance of such buildings, from fortresses to stakes of power to family homes, was drawn toward with excellent attention. The book perfectly, painfully evoked much of the saddest histories, like Queen Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII walking through York Place and planning their new home for their new life together, only for Whitehall to be enjoyed in its completed splendor solely by Anne’s daughter, Elizabeth I, long after their deaths. I thoroughly enjoyed the throughline of tracking Royal Palaces by the royals who died within them, a theme set from the very first pages that paid off with every return.
I found almost all of the historical anecdotes fascinating, though some did feel more tangential from the overall history of palaces, sometimes venturing too far outside the parameters and perimeters of the topic at hand. But there was often an even balance of the stories that ought be told and those I truly wished to hear. I adored the inclusion of Shakespeare’s histories, and hearing stories like how James I renovated Henry VIII cockfighting pit into a theatre at Whitehall. And of course, I ate up every mention of fellow Wadham alum Sir Christoper Wren.
Some modern language, such as implying that Prince Philip was “meeting up with the then Princess Elizabeth” bothered me greatly in such an historic, storied presentation of fact, but airs of fiction must inevitably find their way, as though to present these palaces as settings for scenes in a story. And of course, the sections on castles I love and want to learn most about felt to fly too fast, and those on palaces I could care less for dragged. But perhaps I missed the understanding established by the author: this is the history of castles told through secrets and scandals, and architecture inevitably only provides the place for such intrigues. This book was very clear in how it presented its information through the stories of those who built and inhabited such castles, and held to that lens the whole time; the fault is only mine in wanting to hear more about the palaces themselves than the people within.
Even now, it’s hard to read anything regarding Queen Elizabeth II in the past tense, especially upon reading how much she cared for these palaces that made up her own history. As much as I care, it could never be half so much as her. I hope this book encourages those who read it to care the same.

This is the perfect book to give to anyone who loves British culture. It is a very informative and interesting read that will engage and delight anyone who i interested in learning more about the palaces. A definite must-have for fans of the genre!

With its beautiful watercolors, The Royal Palaces is the perfect keepsake for the places you’ve visited in Britain or ones that you wish to. But it’s more than that. Kate Williams is an expert on the British monarchy and she’s filled the pages with fascinating details—beyond when and which royals lived at each location, when it was built and in which architectural style, who made renovations, and if it’s still in use or in ruins and why.
For example, Windsor Castle was first built by William the Conqueror of 1066 fame and today is the oldest inhabited castle in the world. Henry VIII and his favorite bride Jane Seymour are buried there, but without all the pomp that he had planned. Windsor also was a favorite of Queen Victoria, even though she almost met her demise there eight times!

With Edward VI on the throne, young Elizabeth lived with her father Henry VIII’s widow Katherine Parr until improprieties forced her to leave. She was at Hatfield House when she found out sister Mary had died and she had become queen.

At Lochleven Castle, Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate her crown, shortly after a traumatic miscarriage of twins fathered by a man she’d been coerced into marrying. Yet George I and his son George II blithefully kept their mistresses and illegitimate offspring at St. James Palace while on the throne. And, not surprisingly, there’s at least one secret passage from one royal residence to another.

Amid the opulence or decay of these 30 royal homes, you’ll learn of intriguing stories that will bring history to life.

Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for the ARC.

Beautifully illustrated book and very interesting book! This would make a great gift for any fans of royalty and their amazing homes.

A delightful read!

The author was able to take readers along a journey via all the British royal houses and palaces. Pointing out the different historical information, fun facts, current cultural importance, and more. Easy and a joy to read, while learning quite a few different things.

The illustrations are amazing and really lifted the whole book up. Dare I say it that they were my favourite part of the book?

It made me laugh that of course a British book is called "The Royal Palaces" and not "The British Royal Palaces" or something along those lines. This is not a negative point, but in line with how they see themselves and others.

I will be sure to keep an eye out for a hardcopy of the book, this conservation architect working with royal buildings definitely needs one!

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

Kate Williams’ ROYAL PALACES beautifully transports you to the site of the many palaces that generations of royalty have called home. Some are familiar, some less so - but all of them have stories to tell. Scandal? Secrets? Gossip? I’m in. A must for anyone who eagerly watches The Crown and readily discusses Henry IIX’s many wives. The illustrations are a lovely touch, too. I could see this on a stack of books on my coffee table. Williams is an engaging historian and her book is an extension of that. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

This book had so much information with beautiful illustrations, it was a pleasure to read and learn about these royal palaces.

A lovely little coffee table book that provides some background history on the UK's many royal palaces.

I personally enjoyed reading the snippets of facts the author gives throughout the book, alongside the beautiful illustration which help give a feel of each palace.
(I also lent my mum a copy and she couldn’t put it down until she finished the entire book!)

I feel like this is meant to be aimed at adults, but the style of writing (short paragraphs that are straight to the point) and adorable illustrations make me think it would be better as an informative children's book. But, obviously, some of the more sensitive facts [eg: When talking about the trauma of Mary Queen of Scot went through] would have to be omitted, or rewritten slightly to fit a younger audience.

In both the digital ARC I received (with thanks from Netgalley & the Quarto Publishing Group) and the hardback copy I ordered, I did noticed one or two factual errors that should have been picked up by an editor or fact checker, and another instance of a repeat sentence in the same paragraph, but these did not ruin my overall enjoyment of the book, but that is the only reason I can't award it the full 5 stars it deserves.

The Royal Palaces: Secrets and Scandals by Kate Williams was an interesting book. A lot of the information in this book was new to me. I enjoyed learning more about the lesser-known locations. There was a lot of information so I had to take breaks from reading to absorb it all. The book seemed to be well researched and I appreciated the drawings.

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

I would like to thank netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations were beautiful, however I found some of the history was quite a basic overview of the palaces rather than the secrets and scandals that were promised. Still enjoyable.

Calling all royal & scandal lovers! THE ROYAL PALACE: Secrets and Scandals by Kate Williams is here for your reading pleasure! You will go on a riveting journey discovering the history of UK's palaces from the medieval times to the present, with a healthy seasoning of scandals that will entertain you!

This book boasts stunning illustrations that elevate your reading experience. They were quite gorgeous, making my visual experience a lovely one! The information offered by the author was pretty thorough. I already knew quite a bit, but it was nice to read about these landmarks again in this well-rounded copy. My favourites are Falkland Palace and Glamis Castle. The little 'scandalous' tidbits made this an entertaining book. Be prepared for a little: "oh my, I did not know that!" as you are reading.

As a child, I dreamed of castles and knights in shining armour, so this was a fun read for me, taking me back to my 'whimsical' days. I consider it a perfect gift for those interested in this topic, as well as a great addition to your bookish coffee table offerings.

(Kindly note this review was posted on Goodreads & Twitter.)

5/5

At first I thought that it was more about the architecture of the palaces, and while I didn’t really get that from the book I am pleasantly surprised by the stories that these sites can reveal. I love history and this was a compelling trip through these beautiful places.

The only down side for me, which is not something you could change really, is the sad and some barbaric stories that took place in the different locations detailed in this book. There were many things that I wasn’t aware of for sure, but I guess it is always good to know. Also, while some are not so much of a happy story, there is also a bright side to others which can restore your faith a bit.

Sometimes I did get lost in the family trees since we go back and forth a lot throughout the palaces. But overall I enjoyed this book a lot with its history and the illustrations bring a nice detail to the edition.

This book has been one of my favourite discoveries of this year. It’s a quick moving book- you get five to six pages on each castle with info on who designed it or had it built, which royals lived there, and major historical moments that happened there. I enjoyed that the book not only covers the official palaces and residences of the British monarch but also several others that are connected in other ways.

This book’s biggest strength is its illustrations, though- they are simply gorgeous. James Oses’ work captures the spirit of these immense buildings with his own distinct style. I will absolutely be buying this book in hardcopy when it's out!

"Royal expert and TV historian Kate Williams opens the doors to 30 palaces, castles and houses that have been connected with the British royals over the centuries.

Well known for her expert insights in the media and on countless royal documentaries, Kate takes you on a tour of the UK's most fascinating palaces, past and present, to unveil the scandalous and little-known stories hidden between their walls.

Included in the book are such famous royal residences as Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, but also lesser-known locations such as Falkland Palace and Beaumaris Castle. Covering the breadth of British history, there are tales from the medieval era to the present.

Among the palaces included are:
St James's Palace, wedding venue for the disastrous union of Caroline of Brunswick and the debauched Prince of Wales, George IV, who turned up drunk and already secretly married.
Holyroodhouse, where staff once ran a flourishing side hustle, charging visitors money to see the bloodstains from the murder of Mary, Queen of Scots' secretary in the queen's chamber.
Whitehall Palace and Banqueting Hall, home to Charles II's secret laboratory, where he tried to create an elixir of youth using human skulls.
Tower of London, the site of the unsolved mystery of the 'Princes in the Tower' - the disappearance of the two young sons of Edward IV.
Glamis Castle, the inspiration for Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Greenwich Palace, where Elizabeth I survived an assassination attempt when poison was placed in her saddle.
Windsor Castle, where princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were evacuated to during the Second World War, with a secret biscuit tin full of the Crown Jewels.
Marlborough House, home of Sarah Churchill, the passionate confidante of Queen Anne, before her cousin Abigail usurped her as the new favourite.
Revel in the glory and glamour of royal life, as well as the salacious scandals that defined these palaces. The book is vividly brought to life by numerous beautiful illustrations by James Oses, and will be irresistible to anyone interested in British royalty and the history of the United Kingdom."

For the Anglophile in all of us.

A royal romp! A great read with origins, stories, and as the title says, "secrets and scandals" about royal-held properties and how they came to be in those hands (not very often a square deal, actually - but that's all long in the past, right?).

A hint at the entertaining illustrations that will be in the final editions, ink and bright watercolor drawings that are attractive and pert. Would be a swanky improvement to any common space "for company only" presentation.

*A sincere thank you to Kate Williams, Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

‘The Royal Palaces’ by Kate Williams is a delightful and informative read that offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and splendour of royal residences. As a historian and author, Williams brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to this subject, making it an engaging book for anyone interested in royal history and architecture.

Accuracy: ★★★★☆

The book seems very well-researched, with detailed information about the history, architecture, and significance of various royal palaces. Williams' meticulous attention to historical accuracy adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, making it a reliable source for readers.

Perspective: ★★★★☆

Williams provides a great perspective, blending historical facts with interesting anecdotes and insights. Her approach is both scholarly and accessible, appealing to a wide audience, from history enthusiasts to casual readers.

Relevance: ★★★☆☆

While not the most relevant topic for everyone, ‘The Royal Palaces’ will undoubtedly attract those with an interest in history, royalty, and architecture. Its appeal may be niche, but within that niche, it is highly valuable.

Engagement: ★★★★★

The engagement is excellent. Williams' writing style is captivating, making the history of these grand palaces come alive. The vivid descriptions and fascinating stories keep readers hooked from start to finish, making it a highly engaging read.

Readability: ★★★★☆

The readability is very good. Williams' prose is clear and well-structured, making complex historical details easy to understand. The book is well-organized, with each chapter focusing on a different palace, which helps maintain a coherent and enjoyable reading experience.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★

This is a very enjoyable read. Williams' passion for the subject shines through, making the book not only informative but also delightful to read. The beautiful descriptions and interesting historical tidbits make it a pleasure for anyone who picks it up.


‘The Royal Palaces’ by Kate Williams is a well-researched and beautifully written book that offers a captivating look at the history and grandeur of royal residences. With its engaging narrative and thorough research, it is a must-read for anyone interested in royal history and architecture. While its relevance may be niche, within that niche, it is an exceptional read that both informs and entertains.

This book was a real disappointment for me.

Starting with the format: I expected to have at least some photos, not only illustrations; there is a lot of text, so it's not the light reading I expected, and the text itself is small and cluttered, without another caption beside the main one (the name of the palace). Another issue I had was the fact that the events were not in chronological order, which was quite annoying.

Regarding the content, it was quite interesting to read about all the events that took place there, it's just a shame that I couldn't 100% enjoy the information because it felt more like reading a book for collage, than something I would read for fun.

I wanted to read this one, but I am unable to download the book because it is unfortunately archived.