Review: the Prince George Diaries by Clare Bennett

The Prince George Diaries by Clare Bennett

Publisher: Michael Joseph (Penguin UK)

Release date: 5 November 2015

Rating: *** and a half

Back cover blurb: The Prince George Diaries is an hilarious new comedy about the Royal Family told from the inside out. Great diarists have changed the course of history, charted the swell of revolutions, the rise and fall of empires through the power of their pens. But for the first time ever, the gimlet eye of a tiny literary colossus - small in stature but mighty in influence -unlocks the closely guarded secrets of the British monarchy. How? He's one of them. The Prince George Diaries is a no-holds-barred exclusive never-before-seen fly-on-the-wall, behind the scenes rollercoaster exposé written from the inside. From David Cameron's weekly meetings with the Queen ('I've given up bread, Ma'am - can you tell?') Princess Anne's terrifyingly combative party game tactics ('Who's got the cojones to take me on?') to Prince Harry's lessons on family history ('Did you know Great Grandpop's first pet was a dinosaur and that he invented fire?') - it is all here. And much, much more. As George's position as the world's most influential baby suddenly becomes under threat, following the shocking news that he's going to have a sibling - things get interesting. He knows how to be a media superstar. He doesn't know how to be a brother. What will the future hold now an imposter looms large on the horizon...? 

 

Clearly given its content, this book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but as a parody it certainly works wonders. 

Told through the eyes of toddler, Prince George, it details some key aspects of the Royals in recent years, not least the arrival of Baby Princess Charlotte or Ringo as she is hilariously referred to prior to her birth.

In fact it is exactly how I imagine the Royals to be, providing that they haven't had a sense of humour failure obviously....

The Queen's exchanges with David Cameron are particularly hilarious, and I do wonder whether this author has considered concentrating on other royals in the future. 

I would certainly be curious to read anything else published - particularly if it were to feature Prince Harry, whose portrayal I personally think is probably quite accurate!

Very funny and brilliantly written, the Prince George diaries is a feel good book that won't disappoint (but maybe not one to read if you don't like satire... or if you're a royalist!)

  The Prince George Diaries is available to buy now from Amazon online and all good book shops.       Thank you to the publishers who invited me to read this novel via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.