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Courtiers

The Sunday Times bestselling inside story of the power behind the crown

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About this listen

 'Fascinating' The Times

'Tantalising . . . Low's conclusion is a valuable one.' The Telegraph

The gripping account of how the Royal family really operates from the man who has spent years studying them in his role as Royal correspondent for The Times. Valentine Low asks the important questions: who really runs the show and, as Charles III begins his reign, what will happen next?

Throughout history, the British monarchy has relied on its courtiers - the trusted advisers in the King or Queen's inner circle - to ensure its survival as a family, an ancient institution, and a pillar of the constitution. Today, as ever, a vast team of people hidden from view steers the royal family's path between public duty and private life. Queen Elizabeth II, after a remarkable 70 years of service, saw the final seasons of her reign without her husband Philip to guide her. Meanwhile, newly ascended Charles seeks to define what his future as King, and that of his court, will be.

The question of who is entrusted to guide the royals has never been more vital, and yet the task those courtiers face has never been more challenging. With a cloud hanging over Prince Andrew as well as Harry and Meghan's departure from royal life, the complex relationship between modern courtiers and royal principals has been exposed to global scrutiny. As the new Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate - equipped with a very 21st century approach to press and public relations - now hold the responsibility of making an ancient institution relevant for the decades to come.

Courtiers reveals an ever-changing system of complex characters, shifting values and ideas over what the future of the institution should be. This is the story of how the monarchy really works, at a pivotal moment in its history.©2022 Valentine Low Education Europe Great Britain Politics & Activism Royalty Monarchy England

Critic reviews

Low's enjoyable account... chronicles, and explains, the role of those courtiers whose role comes closest to public accountability... [and] there are tantalising unattributed snippets from private interviews... Low's conclusion is a valuable one
Fascinating
This book is riveting. Extraordinarily well written, it canters along, packed with impeccable inside information. Low . . . is one of the exceptional minds writing about the British monarchy today (Thomas Blaikie)
Courtiers is an excellent royal romp based on fact. (Sphere)
Courtiers is a suave history of the monarchy over the past century, seen through the prism of those who serve it . . . a remarkable insight . . . and an important addition (Mark Bolland)
Engaging and thoroughly researched . . . Low doesn't stint on insider gossip, thanks to his unprecedented access to royal households, and he has perceptive things to say about power and responsibility too.
All stars
Most relevant
was eagerly awaiting this book, but the narration was so absolutely ghastly, slurry sounded like a drink old posh man slurring into an old tape recorder i could barely listen to most of it, such a shame

dreadful narration

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This book has been overrated & over reported in the press. It is about so many trivial details regarding every member in living history of the royal family (and more). If you’re here for Harry & Meghan drama don’t hold your breath. Just another endorsement for the royals - including excuses for tax avoidance.

Overrated

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This book was okay, but I was expecting much better.

However, the worst part was the narration, which was truly awful, and made it very difficult to listen to. I should have bought the kindle version instead!

The author, who narrates the book, constantly sounds like he sucking on a boiled sweet, with very noticeable sounds of saliva and swallowing all the time. It was very unpleasant to listen to, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish the book. By far the worst narration I’ve ever listened to.

The book is possibly worth reading if you can get it in a deal at a discounted price, but I would highly recommend reading it and not getting the audio version.

Dreadful narration

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I was expecting more ‘bombshells’ but most of the stories were more detailed repeats of things I already knew about. It’s a good book if you don’t already know much about the royal scandal side of things.

Interesting but nothing new

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I enjoyed this book. The reader was easy on the ears. Most of it was already known but there were some things I had not heard before. It was interesting and informative. I would listen to it again.

Informative book

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