Read These 17 Books About the British Royal Family When You’ve Already Rewatched ‘The Crown’

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Was it the introduction of Meghan Markle? The royal wedding of Will and Kate? The drama between Prince William and Prince Harry? The fashion? Whatever it was, something got you interested in the British royal family and you can't get enough. Following the goings on of these princes and princesses can feel akin to watching a reality show, where the draw is taking in lives so different from your own. After all, they're wealthy, world famous celebrities who have to navigate life in the public eye and debates about their future simply because they were born in to a certain family. I mean, that's pretty weird—and intriguing!

And something else that comes with the territory of being a royal is knowing that not everything out there about you is totally accurate—just ask Prince Harry, who wrote a whole book about it. So, to expand your knowledge on the British royals and sort through the fact, fiction, and half-truths yourself, check out the 17 books below. They range from first-person accounts, to biographies, to photo books, to straight-up fiction inspired by the fam. Enjoy!

Spare by Prince Harry

Let's start with one of the latest and most talked-about releases. Prince Harry shared his account of his entire life, including losing his mother, Princess Diana, serving in the military, and stepping down from royal duties with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in this 2023 autobiography.

Diana: Her True Story — In Her Own Words by Andrew Morton

There are a lot of unauthorized biographies about the British royals—this one was authorized by Diana herself. She worked with author Andrew Morton on the 1992 book, though that involvement was only revealed after her death in 1997.

Remembering Diana: A Life in Photographs

More of a photo person? This book, released on the 20th anniversary of Diana's death, features photographs from her life taken from the National Geographic archive.

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith

This biography of Queen Elizabeth II documents her life from her childhood until 2012, when it was published. If you want a full account of the longest-reigning British monarch's life, this 720-page book should do it.

Meghan: A Hollywood Princess by Andrew Morton

Princess Diana's biographer Andrew Morton also wrote this 2018 book about Meghan Markle, which covers her life from being a young girl in California, to becoming an actor, to joining the royal family. But, take note of that publication year—this book was released around the time of Meghan and Harry's wedding, two years before they stepped down as senior royals.

Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand

For the next chapter in Meghan and Harry's story—the one in which they change the course of history by leaving the royal family—check out 2021's Finding Freedom.

The Prince of Wales: A Biography by Jonathan Dimbleby

Two years after Morton's book about Diana's was published, this biography of her ex-husband, then-Prince Charles, was released. Charles authorized the book and gave interviews for it, as well as other access into his life, including diaries and letters.

The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown

In 2008's The Diana Chronicles, Tina Brown tells the story of Princess Diana's life and focuses on her relationships with the other women in her life, including from her own family, the family she married into, and the "other woman" Camilla Parker Bowels.

The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor — the Truth and the Turmoil by Tina Brown

Brown followed up The Diana Chronicles with 2022's The Palace Papers, which focuses on the restructuring of the royal family following Diana. Again, it focuses on the women in the family—this time, that means Queen Elizabeth, Camilla Parker Bowles, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle.

Queen Consort: The Life of Queen Camilla by Penny Junor

Camilla only just became queen, so if you're curious, this book was previously published under the title The Duchess in 2018. It's a biography of Camilla's life and love story with King Charles that led to her becoming Queen Camilla.

Kate: The Future Queen by Katie Nicholl

After Camilla, the next queen with be Kate Middleton aka Catherine, Princess of Wales. Learn more about her life, from growing up outside of the royal family to happening to fall in love with a guy who's going to be the King of England.

HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style by Elizabeth Holmes

Elizabeth Holmes covered royal fashion in her Instagram series "So Many Thoughts" and it inspired a whole book. This one's for the royal watcher who is also fashion obsessed.

Victoria the Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire by Julia Baird

Clearly, there are a lot of books about the current royals, but if you want to travel into the past, check out Victoria the Queen, a hefty biography of Queen Victoria—King Charles' great-great-great-grandmother—and her reign from 1837 to 1901.

The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III by Andrew Roberts

More of a Bridgerton person than a The Crown person? The Last King of America tells the story of King George III, who was married to Queen Charlotte and was the monarch during the American Revolution.

The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

Now for some books of fiction. (Real fiction, not fiction masquerading as fact.) The Royal We is inspired by the story of Kate and Will, but is about an American college student, Bex, who falls in love with a British prince, Nick, and has to learn to adjust to royal customs and life in the public eye.

The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

In the sequel to The Royal We, Nick and Bex's story continues amid a scandal that involves Nick's Prince Harry-esque brother, Freddie.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue is another love story inspired by the British royals. In this novel, an English prince, Henry, falls in love with Alex, the son of the President of the United States. Double the intrigue! Double the media scrutiny!

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