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  • Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages That Shaped Europe

  • By: Deborah Cadbury
  • Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
  • Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (59 ratings)
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Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages That Shaped Europe

By: Deborah Cadbury
Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
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Summary

Queen Victoria had over 30 surviving grandchildren, and to maintain and increase power in Europe, she hoped to manoeuvre them into dynastic marriages. Yet they often had plans of their own, and her matchmaking was further complicated by tumultuous international upheavals.

Queen Victoria's Matchmaking travels through the glittering, decadent palaces of Russia and Europe, weaving in scandals, political machinations and family tensions. It is both an intimate portrait of the royal family and an examination of the conflict caused by the power, love and duty that shaped these arranged marriages. At its heart is Queen Victoria herself: doting grandmother one moment, determined manipulator the next.

©2018 Deborah Cadbury (P)2018 Oakhill Publishing

What listeners say about Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages That Shaped Europe

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Beautifully written and exquisitely narrated!

This book was such a treat! "Queen Victoria's Matchmaking" examines not only the monarch's life-long mission to secure peace across Europe through marriage and familial ties but also breathlessly portrays the political and socio-economic situation across Europe throughout the second half of the 19th century. Rich and fascinating details of various events, decisions and turmoil within the royal family and its many branches - my favourite bits were all the diary entries - are accompanied by an excellent, in-depth analysis of continental political developments and why Queen Victoria's mission, as we all know, ultimately failed.
I revelled in listening to this book, excellently written and flawlessly narrated by the one and only Charlotte Strevens. It was so much fun and such a treat!
Thank you, Deborah Cadbury, for writing such an excellent book. And thank you, Charlotte Strevens, for the exquisite narration that felt like music to my ears!

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Great book with lots of additional info

Loved this. Was a great history of Europe in the time frame and went far beyond just a tale of marriage and matchmaking. Highly recommended.

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Interesting listen

Throughly enjoyed listening to this book. Very interesting topic and well narrated. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in this period of royal and European history.

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Fully of interesting information

Emotive, honest and engaging. If you love royal biographies as I do, then this is a must read and listen!

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Fascinating!

In-depth narrative of some of Queen Victoria’s grandchildren, their marriages, reigns in Europe and their often violent demise. Well read and extremely interesting

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