{
  "id": 9067449,
  "title": "Feuds, power and entitlement: 5 revealing royal books",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/feuds-power-and-entitlement-5-revealing-royal-books",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T01:58:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/feuds-power-and-entitlement-5-revealing-royal-books-292268"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The world of British publishing thrives on the fascination with the royal family, as evidenced by the latest controversy surrounding Charles, Earl Spencer's memoir, \"Swan Song.\" Within the realm of royal literature, several books stand out for shedding light on the peculiarities of the modern monarchy.\n\nHilary Mantel's 2013 lecture, \"Royal Bodies,\" aptly describes the monarchy as having no breeding difficulties like pandas, but both are expensive to conserve and ill-adapted to a modern environment. They are constantly under scrutiny, no matter how \"airy\" their surroundings may be.\n\nThe Crown in Crisis, written by Alexander Larman, examines the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Larman delves into the romance between the pair and the political battles within the establishment to prevent their marriage. The book highlights the determination of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin to uphold the Anglican prohibition on divorce, despite later revelations of Edward's flirtations with Nazi Germany.\n\nBen Pimlott's \"The Queen\" provides a comprehensive look at the late Queen Elizabeth's influence on British affairs. Pimlott reveals that beneath the pomp and glitter, the monarch had significant sway. A notable example is her clash with former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over the role of the Commonwealth, an organization that few comprehend in Australia. The Queen's hard line against the white supremacist government in Rhodesia led her into opposition with Thatcher, and she successfully ensured Charles would be confirmed as head of the Commonwealth upon her passing.\n\nNorman Baker's \"And What Do You Do?\" offers a critical perspective on the monarchy, its vast wealth, and the behaviors of many royals. Baker, a former British cabinet minister, argues for a modern approach to the monarchy, urging a shift from the imperial model to more contemporary alternatives, similar to those found in other European countries.\n\nLastly, Andrew Lownie's \"Entitled\" provides another valuable contribution to the understanding of the modern monarchy, while the full impact of its revelations remains to be seen.",
  "summary": "Ahead of the release of Charles Spencer’s controversial memoir, Dennis Altman picks 5 reads shedding light on the British monarchy.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}