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The Daughters of George III: Sisters and Princesses
From secret marriages to scandalous pregnancies and leeches to love affairs, the six daughters of George III and their isolated world are bought vividly back to life.
In the dying years of the 18th century, the corridors of Windsor echoed to the footsteps of six princesses. They were Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia, the daughters of King George III and Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Though more than fifteen years divided the births of the eldest sister from the youngest, these princesses all shared a longing for escape. Faced with their father’s illness and their mother’s dominance, for all but one a life away from the seclusion of the royal household seemed like an unobtainable dream.
The six daughters of George III were raised to be young ladies and each in her time was one of the most eligible women in the world. Tutored in the arts of royal womanhood, they were trained from infancy in the skills vial to a regal wife but as the king’s illness ravaged him, husbands and opportunities slipped away.
Yet even in isolation, the lives of the princesses were filled with incident. From secret romances to dashing equerries, rumors of pregnancy, clandestine marriage and even a run-in with Napoleon, each princess was the leading lady in her own story, whether tragic or inspirational. In The Royal Daughters of George III, take a wander through the hallways of the royal palaces, where the king’s endless ravings echo deep into the night and his daughters strive to be recognized not just as princesses, but as women too.
In the dying years of the 18th century, the corridors of Windsor echoed to the footsteps of six princesses. They were Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia, the daughters of King George III and Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Though more than fifteen years divided the births of the eldest sister from the youngest, these princesses all shared a longing for escape. Faced with their father’s illness and their mother’s dominance, for all but one a life away from the seclusion of the royal household seemed like an unobtainable dream.
The six daughters of George III were raised to be young ladies and each in her time was one of the most eligible women in the world. Tutored in the arts of royal womanhood, they were trained from infancy in the skills vial to a regal wife but as the king’s illness ravaged him, husbands and opportunities slipped away.
Yet even in isolation, the lives of the princesses were filled with incident. From secret romances to dashing equerries, rumors of pregnancy, clandestine marriage and even a run-in with Napoleon, each princess was the leading lady in her own story, whether tragic or inspirational. In The Royal Daughters of George III, take a wander through the hallways of the royal palaces, where the king’s endless ravings echo deep into the night and his daughters strive to be recognized not just as princesses, but as women too.
186 pages, Hardcover
Published November 23, 2020
About the author
Catherine Curzon
65 books179 followersCatherine Curzon writes books about old Hollywood and even older royals. She writes WW2 sagas for Orion as Ellie Curzon.
Catherine’s work has been featured on the official website of BBC History Magazine, and in publications such as The Daily Telegraph, All About History, Who Do You Think You Are?, and Jane Austen’s Regency World. Further afield, she has appeared in the pages of publications including The Washington Post, Town & Country, Elle Australia, Der Bund, La Vanguardia and Metrópole.
She has spoken at venues including Kenwood House, Wellington College, the Royal Pavilion, the National Maritime Museum and Dr Johnson’s House. Her first play, Being Mr Wickham, premiered to sell-out audiences in 2019. It was streamed worldwide in 2021, followed by a nationwide tour of the UK.
Catherine holds a Master’s degree in Film and when not dodging the furies of the guillotine, can be found by following the distant sound of Dino. She lives in Yorkshire atop a ludicrously steep hill with a rakish gent, a relaxed cat, and an excitable dog.
Catherine’s work has been featured on the official website of BBC History Magazine, and in publications such as The Daily Telegraph, All About History, Who Do You Think You Are?, and Jane Austen’s Regency World. Further afield, she has appeared in the pages of publications including The Washington Post, Town & Country, Elle Australia, Der Bund, La Vanguardia and Metrópole.
She has spoken at venues including Kenwood House, Wellington College, the Royal Pavilion, the National Maritime Museum and Dr Johnson’s House. Her first play, Being Mr Wickham, premiered to sell-out audiences in 2019. It was streamed worldwide in 2021, followed by a nationwide tour of the UK.
Catherine holds a Master’s degree in Film and when not dodging the furies of the guillotine, can be found by following the distant sound of Dino. She lives in Yorkshire atop a ludicrously steep hill with a rakish gent, a relaxed cat, and an excitable dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 7, 2020
This was not my first book on the six princess, however, I still enjoyed reading about their their lives. Ms Curzon adapts a chatty style for telling the tales and not a scholarly language, which means that this non-fiction reads smoothly and is written in a way accessible to all readers. Moreover, this book can be treated as an introduction to the family life of George, Charlotte and their children, and is a good starting point for further studies should any of the characters become particulalry interesting.
I especially appreciated the focus on the tight-knit family relations between the parents and their multiple offspring and among the sisters. It is interesting that despite royal blood their were brought up like average children, which was rather unorthodox in that period, on the other hand, Queen Charlotte was selfish, especially when her daughters grew up, and was unwilling to allow them 'leave home' and start their own lives.
*Many thanks to Catherine Curzon, Pen & Sword and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
I especially appreciated the focus on the tight-knit family relations between the parents and their multiple offspring and among the sisters. It is interesting that despite royal blood their were brought up like average children, which was rather unorthodox in that period, on the other hand, Queen Charlotte was selfish, especially when her daughters grew up, and was unwilling to allow them 'leave home' and start their own lives.
*Many thanks to Catherine Curzon, Pen & Sword and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
December 13, 2020
This book provides an in-depth look at each of George III’s six daughters’ lives. Well researched this book was quite the intriguing read. The author supports her narrative with fascinating tidbits and quotes which makes it all the more interesting and adds a personal touch. A short, quick flowing read this is a great informative read for history lovers.
February 12, 2024
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this easy to read, well-researched look into the lives of the six daughters of King George III and Queen Charlotte. While the princes in the family had the freedom to do whatever and whomever they wanted, the princesses were kept on a short leash by their controlling mother. The three princesses who were eventually (and reluctantly) allowed to marry were able to grab a modicum of freedom, while the other three were left to be their mother's companions in what was referred to as “the nunnery,” as their father grappled with mental illness. But have no fear, their lives were far from boring (rumored secret marriages/ babies and romances with equerries etc.) The short, tragic life of the youngest daughter, Princess Amelia was particular moving. I think my main issue is that Curzon tries to pack the lives of 6 people into one book. I think a short book for each princess would've been better (OR PERHAPS A MINISERIES ABOUT THEM HINT, HINT). But overall, this was a great read that I would recommend to royal history buffs.
I enjoyed this easy to read, well-researched look into the lives of the six daughters of King George III and Queen Charlotte. While the princes in the family had the freedom to do whatever and whomever they wanted, the princesses were kept on a short leash by their controlling mother. The three princesses who were eventually (and reluctantly) allowed to marry were able to grab a modicum of freedom, while the other three were left to be their mother's companions in what was referred to as “the nunnery,” as their father grappled with mental illness. But have no fear, their lives were far from boring (rumored secret marriages/ babies and romances with equerries etc.) The short, tragic life of the youngest daughter, Princess Amelia was particular moving. I think my main issue is that Curzon tries to pack the lives of 6 people into one book. I think a short book for each princess would've been better (OR PERHAPS A MINISERIES ABOUT THEM HINT, HINT). But overall, this was a great read that I would recommend to royal history buffs.
October 15, 2023
Catherine Curzon has undoubtedly done extensive research to produce this book and I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I was repeatedly put off by the writing style and the focus.
George III had six daughters, and writing a combined biography of six people is a complex challenge. Curzon organizes the book quite well, with a long introductory chapter introducing the whole family followed by chapters focused on the life of each daughter in turn. The structure entails some repetitiveness, but it’s hard to imagine an approach that would have been better.
The princesses lived mostly confined, private lives. Their mother kept them close and both parents set standards for potential marriage partners that were almost impossible to meet. Their options for contributing to the world or public affairs, therefore, was limited. But in Curzon’s telling, the princesses grew up solely focused on trying to get married and/or having affairs with courtiers, and I suspect there was more to them than that. The relentless focus of this book on romances and scandals felt like an authorial choice. I have to believe that such educated, cultivated women had more going on between their ears than is reflected here, and while each princess is assigned a talent, there is little exploration of the role played by those talents in their lives. This felt like tabloid history.
That Curzon tries to ingratiate herself with readers by deploying endless clichés and modern slang didn’t help matters for me. Phrases like “fat chance” and “one-nil to the governess” litter the pages, and I mean litter—the tone made the book a bit trashy. To me this was a missed opportunity for truly interesting biography.
George III had six daughters, and writing a combined biography of six people is a complex challenge. Curzon organizes the book quite well, with a long introductory chapter introducing the whole family followed by chapters focused on the life of each daughter in turn. The structure entails some repetitiveness, but it’s hard to imagine an approach that would have been better.
The princesses lived mostly confined, private lives. Their mother kept them close and both parents set standards for potential marriage partners that were almost impossible to meet. Their options for contributing to the world or public affairs, therefore, was limited. But in Curzon’s telling, the princesses grew up solely focused on trying to get married and/or having affairs with courtiers, and I suspect there was more to them than that. The relentless focus of this book on romances and scandals felt like an authorial choice. I have to believe that such educated, cultivated women had more going on between their ears than is reflected here, and while each princess is assigned a talent, there is little exploration of the role played by those talents in their lives. This felt like tabloid history.
That Curzon tries to ingratiate herself with readers by deploying endless clichés and modern slang didn’t help matters for me. Phrases like “fat chance” and “one-nil to the governess” litter the pages, and I mean litter—the tone made the book a bit trashy. To me this was a missed opportunity for truly interesting biography.
January 27, 2021
This is my first time picking up a through-and-through historical non-fiction and on a subject I've had no previous interest in, no less! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.
I worried that this was going to be factually very heavy, and so maybe not the easiest book to read, but straight away I could see that wasn't going to be the case. Curzon has a colloquial style of writing that made the book really easy to follow and understand.
This one was a great deep dive look into the lives of George III's daughters. While all their lives remained reasonably similar, it was nice to learn about the quirks in each of their personalities and the hobbies they enjoyed that made them all different. As the chapters went by, it was interesting to see the differing journeys their lives took, from marriage to secret love affairs to tragic illnesses diagnosed young.
In learning about the daughters, you also get so background on the King and Queen of England at the time too. I would be really interested in reading more about George III himself as he seemed to lead an intriguing life that deteriorated far too soon from a tragic illness.
I'm glad to have read this one and I've learned something new too! I read this one in the space of a day, so, for me, a very quick read that kept me entertained. Definitely recommended for history lovers.
(Thank you to Pen & Sword books who gifted me this book in exchange for an honest review)
I worried that this was going to be factually very heavy, and so maybe not the easiest book to read, but straight away I could see that wasn't going to be the case. Curzon has a colloquial style of writing that made the book really easy to follow and understand.
This one was a great deep dive look into the lives of George III's daughters. While all their lives remained reasonably similar, it was nice to learn about the quirks in each of their personalities and the hobbies they enjoyed that made them all different. As the chapters went by, it was interesting to see the differing journeys their lives took, from marriage to secret love affairs to tragic illnesses diagnosed young.
In learning about the daughters, you also get so background on the King and Queen of England at the time too. I would be really interested in reading more about George III himself as he seemed to lead an intriguing life that deteriorated far too soon from a tragic illness.
I'm glad to have read this one and I've learned something new too! I read this one in the space of a day, so, for me, a very quick read that kept me entertained. Definitely recommended for history lovers.
(Thank you to Pen & Sword books who gifted me this book in exchange for an honest review)
July 13, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and to Pen and Sword for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
4.5/5
I am very interested in the Georgians, specifically in George III's family. We tend to get a lot of the Prince Regent and a lot of Prince Edward via Victoria, but that's about it- I'm always happy to see his other children featured. This book is quite interesting, and would be a good read for anyone unfamiliar with his daughters. I think that after reading Flora Fraser's Princesses, I was expecting a little bit more from this. (A conclusion where Curazon could draw together some thoughts about all of the princesses would do it nicely!) If you are familiar with the six princesses, you will still learn from this, but it will be more individual stories/anecdotes, rather than a new way of thinking of the princesses.
4.5/5
I am very interested in the Georgians, specifically in George III's family. We tend to get a lot of the Prince Regent and a lot of Prince Edward via Victoria, but that's about it- I'm always happy to see his other children featured. This book is quite interesting, and would be a good read for anyone unfamiliar with his daughters. I think that after reading Flora Fraser's Princesses, I was expecting a little bit more from this. (A conclusion where Curazon could draw together some thoughts about all of the princesses would do it nicely!) If you are familiar with the six princesses, you will still learn from this, but it will be more individual stories/anecdotes, rather than a new way of thinking of the princesses.
May 28, 2020
George III and his wife Charlotte had a famously loving marriage (although tried by his later mental illness) that produced a total of 15 children, including nine sons, two of whom followed their father on the throne and one of whom was the father of Queen Victoria. While all of them were constrained to some extent by their loving but often tyrannical parents from living full lives, none of them suffered from this as much as their six sisters. The Daughters of George III by Catherine Curzon is the story of these princesses - all intelligent, talented, and accomplished, who lived out much of their lives in what one of them dubbed "the Nunnery."
With seventeen years between the eldest and the youngest, the girls separated naturally by birth order into two groups of three: the first consisting of Charlotte (called "Royal" after her official title of Princess Royal), Augusta, and Elizabeth; and the second, born much later in their parents' marriage when George's illness had much more of an effect on their ability to have a normal childhood, consisting of Mary, Sophia, and Amelia. Curzon gives a lively and sympathetic portrayal of each, including her interests and accomplishments, relationships with her parents and siblings, and her frustrations with their parents' (particularly their mother's) unwillingness to let them live their own lives. Despite this, however, each - even Amelia, the youngest, who was the first to die at the age of only 27 - was able to find a measure of happiness on her own terms.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
With seventeen years between the eldest and the youngest, the girls separated naturally by birth order into two groups of three: the first consisting of Charlotte (called "Royal" after her official title of Princess Royal), Augusta, and Elizabeth; and the second, born much later in their parents' marriage when George's illness had much more of an effect on their ability to have a normal childhood, consisting of Mary, Sophia, and Amelia. Curzon gives a lively and sympathetic portrayal of each, including her interests and accomplishments, relationships with her parents and siblings, and her frustrations with their parents' (particularly their mother's) unwillingness to let them live their own lives. Despite this, however, each - even Amelia, the youngest, who was the first to die at the age of only 27 - was able to find a measure of happiness on her own terms.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2020
"In these six princesses, we see six lives lived in extraordinary circumstances."
I am sorry, Catherine Curzon, but there is absolutely nothing extraordinary in this biography. I didn't know much about the daughters of George III before and after reading this, I can see why. None of these women were worth writing home about in any way. Their lives were simply ordinary, their characters were not interesting and the story here just not engaging. They may have been born in the royal family, but so are many other people throughout history. Not all of them are book-worthy.
I think that the author felt that her research of this period shouldn't go to waste and that's how we got this book. Catherine Curzon is practically obsessed with Queen Charlotte and she keeps coming back to her. Other minor characters got so much unnecessary space. Introduction was way too long and wide - it should provide context, not derail us from the topic.
I really didn't enjoy this, but I can't deny the fact that, for a history student, this could be useful.
I got my ARC from Pen & Sword, through NetGalley.
I am sorry, Catherine Curzon, but there is absolutely nothing extraordinary in this biography. I didn't know much about the daughters of George III before and after reading this, I can see why. None of these women were worth writing home about in any way. Their lives were simply ordinary, their characters were not interesting and the story here just not engaging. They may have been born in the royal family, but so are many other people throughout history. Not all of them are book-worthy.
I think that the author felt that her research of this period shouldn't go to waste and that's how we got this book. Catherine Curzon is practically obsessed with Queen Charlotte and she keeps coming back to her. Other minor characters got so much unnecessary space. Introduction was way too long and wide - it should provide context, not derail us from the topic.
I really didn't enjoy this, but I can't deny the fact that, for a history student, this could be useful.
I got my ARC from Pen & Sword, through NetGalley.
May 20, 2020
208 pages
5 stars
King George III was certainly having problems – with the Americans, with his wandering brothers and with his mental health. He was of a nervous disposition and he and his Queen Charlotte believed strongly in decorum and tradition. When both of his brothers married secretly without his permission – and to commoners ! - he banished them. He pushed the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 through Parliament in hopes of keeping his many children in line as well as the rest of his siblings.
He and Queen Charlotte had fifteen children! And they all survived birth. This book discusses their six daughters.
Charlotte, Princess Royal, was not considered to be attractive or pretty, but she was very intelligent. She was quick to anger and had to write out apologies frequently. The princesses were all raised in a closed and insular court, away from their brothers. The years were passing Charlotte by and she still wasn't married. No wonder because the princesses were so overprotected. Her mother was a micro-manager. She did get a rather stubborn and somewhat deranged suitor (in his mind only), named Stone who was a commoner. He wrote the queen, he showed up at the palace...He wasn't even worth consideration, of course. She needed to be out of the palace.
Royal had to wait until she was thirty to finally marry. She was married to Frederick, Duke of Wurttemberg, who recently escaped Russia with his three children, while his ex-wife remained as a “guest” of Tsarina Catherine (the Great). She was very happy with Frederick.
The book then goes on to discuss a similar dilemma with the second daughter, Augusta, and her seemingly dwindling prospects for marriage and so on down the line of all the sisters.
This is a very well written and interesting book. I have never read anything about George and Charlotte's children before and found the material to be both entertaining and enlightening. I am very glad I had the opportunity to read this book. I liked it better than the last one of Ms. Curzon's books that I have read. I also really got a kick out of the little aside comments the author would interject here and there. They were a hoot.
I want to thank NetGalley and Pen & Sword/Pen & Sword History for forwarding to me a copy of this very nice book for me to read, enjoy and review.
5 stars
King George III was certainly having problems – with the Americans, with his wandering brothers and with his mental health. He was of a nervous disposition and he and his Queen Charlotte believed strongly in decorum and tradition. When both of his brothers married secretly without his permission – and to commoners ! - he banished them. He pushed the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 through Parliament in hopes of keeping his many children in line as well as the rest of his siblings.
He and Queen Charlotte had fifteen children! And they all survived birth. This book discusses their six daughters.
Charlotte, Princess Royal, was not considered to be attractive or pretty, but she was very intelligent. She was quick to anger and had to write out apologies frequently. The princesses were all raised in a closed and insular court, away from their brothers. The years were passing Charlotte by and she still wasn't married. No wonder because the princesses were so overprotected. Her mother was a micro-manager. She did get a rather stubborn and somewhat deranged suitor (in his mind only), named Stone who was a commoner. He wrote the queen, he showed up at the palace...He wasn't even worth consideration, of course. She needed to be out of the palace.
Royal had to wait until she was thirty to finally marry. She was married to Frederick, Duke of Wurttemberg, who recently escaped Russia with his three children, while his ex-wife remained as a “guest” of Tsarina Catherine (the Great). She was very happy with Frederick.
The book then goes on to discuss a similar dilemma with the second daughter, Augusta, and her seemingly dwindling prospects for marriage and so on down the line of all the sisters.
This is a very well written and interesting book. I have never read anything about George and Charlotte's children before and found the material to be both entertaining and enlightening. I am very glad I had the opportunity to read this book. I liked it better than the last one of Ms. Curzon's books that I have read. I also really got a kick out of the little aside comments the author would interject here and there. They were a hoot.
I want to thank NetGalley and Pen & Sword/Pen & Sword History for forwarding to me a copy of this very nice book for me to read, enjoy and review.
September 1, 2020
The Daughters of George III caught my eye because learning about royal women who have been overlooked by history is something that interests me as both a historian myself and as a reader. I thought this book would would illuminate the lives and the world of the daughters of George III, and it did, in part, but this book fell woefully short of my expectations.
What I liked: Obviously, the author knows her subject matter very well. This book is based on a wealth of primary and secondary sources, which helps in terms of its accuracy. The author did bring to light some interesting tidbits of royal history and covered the major events of the lives of these pricesses.
What I had an issue with can primarily be found in the author's writing style and the way she structured the book. Let me start with structure: there are 6 sections of the book covering each of the princesses. Curzon breezes through major life events of the sisters, but in separating things like this this book is left without a sense of coherency. Indeed, the book felt rushed. There was no explanation of historical context, the background of the British monarchy at the time, nor was the narrative weaved together to show how these princesses honestly got on with each other. The author's writing style is also very basic. She tries to write this book like she's having a conversation with the reader, but my word, this did not work for me. I didn't need the author's little comments here and there, and the writing came off as something more akin to a wikipedia post or a undergraduate paper. The prose was not refined, the quotes were randomly placed and not explained, and this just led me to not enjoy the book. This subject matter deserved a more professional and refined treatment. Good historians know how to weave a narrative from the facts that is seamless yet scholarly. So this book was not a winner for me and I was profoundly disappointed by it.
What I liked: Obviously, the author knows her subject matter very well. This book is based on a wealth of primary and secondary sources, which helps in terms of its accuracy. The author did bring to light some interesting tidbits of royal history and covered the major events of the lives of these pricesses.
What I had an issue with can primarily be found in the author's writing style and the way she structured the book. Let me start with structure: there are 6 sections of the book covering each of the princesses. Curzon breezes through major life events of the sisters, but in separating things like this this book is left without a sense of coherency. Indeed, the book felt rushed. There was no explanation of historical context, the background of the British monarchy at the time, nor was the narrative weaved together to show how these princesses honestly got on with each other. The author's writing style is also very basic. She tries to write this book like she's having a conversation with the reader, but my word, this did not work for me. I didn't need the author's little comments here and there, and the writing came off as something more akin to a wikipedia post or a undergraduate paper. The prose was not refined, the quotes were randomly placed and not explained, and this just led me to not enjoy the book. This subject matter deserved a more professional and refined treatment. Good historians know how to weave a narrative from the facts that is seamless yet scholarly. So this book was not a winner for me and I was profoundly disappointed by it.
May 31, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review this book! I enjoyed learning about the six daughters of "mad" King George III, of Revolutionary War fame (cue "You'll Be Back from Hamilton).
Stars: I enjoyed the author's sometimes cheeky tone, and she had definitely done her research. I didn't know much about these women beforehand; what a fascinating but sad time to be a royal woman. This was an easy, enjoyable read.
Wishes: I wonder if this would have worked more as a historical fiction novel. I found the introduction a little confusing, but caught on once each daughter was highlighted separately.
Stars: I enjoyed the author's sometimes cheeky tone, and she had definitely done her research. I didn't know much about these women beforehand; what a fascinating but sad time to be a royal woman. This was an easy, enjoyable read.
Wishes: I wonder if this would have worked more as a historical fiction novel. I found the introduction a little confusing, but caught on once each daughter was highlighted separately.
May 22, 2020
The Daughters of George III by Catherine Curzon
Genre: History, Non-Fiction
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publish Date: 30 August 2020
Star Rating 5/5
I was expecting to greatly enjoy this book, not to fall in love with it as much as I have come to do. For the size of the book it is, I would normally take on average four days to read through it but this one took me only two days. I'm sure it would have been one day if I could return to my teenage days and build a nest in my bed supplied with food and water.
I love that there is a movement in the historical world to shine a spotlight on the supporting cast of well-known characters. As we all know George III was known for his madness and his wayward sons but what of his daughters? George and his wife had 15 surviving children, a great feat in the Georgian era, and six of them were daughters: Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia. Their childhoods' are all similar, growing up trained to be perfect princesses, with a view to marring highly, into a very loving family. However, as their father's illness begins to flare, their futures are neglected and their mother hangs onto them desperately, to the extent they become prisoners trapped in what they nicknamed “the nunnery”. The daughters might be trapped in “The Nunnery” but it started out from a place of love. George was determined to make sure that the terrible fate of his sister Caroline Matilda never became that of his daughters. Only one daughter managed to escape before the slightly ajar door slammed shut (although she was not a spring chicken) and the other married either extremely late in life or not at all. Curzon explores each princess's life, within which we discover depression, desperation, isolation, illegitimate children, love from a distance, author of published books, illness, and perhaps secret marriages.
Each princess is as interesting as the last and interestingly to me they are the aunts of Queen Victoria. This is of interest because there are similarities that can be made between Queen Victoria and her children and the daughters of George III and their mother. Like Queen Victoria, Queen Charlotte was strict with the children, though more tender, but when George became sick as did Victoria after the death of Albert, Charlotte held unhealthily onto her daughters, expecting them to care for her and not to live their own lives. Likewise, each daughter's reaction to this situation can be glimpsed in those of Victoria. For example, we have Victoria's, Princess Louise, who has similarities with the artistic child of Charlotte's Princess Elizabeth that published her works in books, etc.
Curzon has done a fantastic job of creating this highly researched book. Though many events overlap they are not repetitive and as we move from one sister to the next previous backspaces are filled. The princess's voices come across in a very human way. My only quibble would be that every now and again the author's remarks informing the reader that in today's world this would be shocking... but it's personal taste and it certainly isn't enough to downgrade any stars from this book. Please read this book, these princesses are wonderful and their stories are those of survival in extraordinary circumstances. Now I'll have to look out other works by Curzon.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Pen and Sword, for an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Genre: History, Non-Fiction
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publish Date: 30 August 2020
Star Rating 5/5
I was expecting to greatly enjoy this book, not to fall in love with it as much as I have come to do. For the size of the book it is, I would normally take on average four days to read through it but this one took me only two days. I'm sure it would have been one day if I could return to my teenage days and build a nest in my bed supplied with food and water.
I love that there is a movement in the historical world to shine a spotlight on the supporting cast of well-known characters. As we all know George III was known for his madness and his wayward sons but what of his daughters? George and his wife had 15 surviving children, a great feat in the Georgian era, and six of them were daughters: Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia. Their childhoods' are all similar, growing up trained to be perfect princesses, with a view to marring highly, into a very loving family. However, as their father's illness begins to flare, their futures are neglected and their mother hangs onto them desperately, to the extent they become prisoners trapped in what they nicknamed “the nunnery”. The daughters might be trapped in “The Nunnery” but it started out from a place of love. George was determined to make sure that the terrible fate of his sister Caroline Matilda never became that of his daughters. Only one daughter managed to escape before the slightly ajar door slammed shut (although she was not a spring chicken) and the other married either extremely late in life or not at all. Curzon explores each princess's life, within which we discover depression, desperation, isolation, illegitimate children, love from a distance, author of published books, illness, and perhaps secret marriages.
Each princess is as interesting as the last and interestingly to me they are the aunts of Queen Victoria. This is of interest because there are similarities that can be made between Queen Victoria and her children and the daughters of George III and their mother. Like Queen Victoria, Queen Charlotte was strict with the children, though more tender, but when George became sick as did Victoria after the death of Albert, Charlotte held unhealthily onto her daughters, expecting them to care for her and not to live their own lives. Likewise, each daughter's reaction to this situation can be glimpsed in those of Victoria. For example, we have Victoria's, Princess Louise, who has similarities with the artistic child of Charlotte's Princess Elizabeth that published her works in books, etc.
Curzon has done a fantastic job of creating this highly researched book. Though many events overlap they are not repetitive and as we move from one sister to the next previous backspaces are filled. The princess's voices come across in a very human way. My only quibble would be that every now and again the author's remarks informing the reader that in today's world this would be shocking... but it's personal taste and it certainly isn't enough to downgrade any stars from this book. Please read this book, these princesses are wonderful and their stories are those of survival in extraordinary circumstances. Now I'll have to look out other works by Curzon.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Pen and Sword, for an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 25, 2021
In the dying years of the 18th century, the corridors of Windsor echoed to the footsteps of six princesses. They were Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia, the daughters of King George III and Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
This was a really fascinating book about the six daughter of George III. Catherine Curzon's chatty and informal writing style, is really easy and enjoyable to read. The way the book was presented and laid out was really nice, it was split into 7 chapters, the first one giving a history of the family, and a background of how the children were all raised, and the following 6 chapters were each dedicated to one of the princesses.
The six princesses each have their own story to tell, but generally all six had fairly sad lives. Only three of them were married, at least legally, and none of them would have children of their own. They all lived under the shadow of their father's madness and their overbearing mother, who didn't want them leaving her. The author also includes some wonderful primary source evidence within the book, which was really interesting to read.
This would be perfect as an entry level book for someone starting out in historical non-fiction, but equally for someone who already enjoys non-fiction.
Thank you to Pen and Sword books for sending me a review copy of this wonderful book.
This was a really fascinating book about the six daughter of George III. Catherine Curzon's chatty and informal writing style, is really easy and enjoyable to read. The way the book was presented and laid out was really nice, it was split into 7 chapters, the first one giving a history of the family, and a background of how the children were all raised, and the following 6 chapters were each dedicated to one of the princesses.
The six princesses each have their own story to tell, but generally all six had fairly sad lives. Only three of them were married, at least legally, and none of them would have children of their own. They all lived under the shadow of their father's madness and their overbearing mother, who didn't want them leaving her. The author also includes some wonderful primary source evidence within the book, which was really interesting to read.
This would be perfect as an entry level book for someone starting out in historical non-fiction, but equally for someone who already enjoys non-fiction.
Thank you to Pen and Sword books for sending me a review copy of this wonderful book.
May 30, 2020
This is a really enjoyable read and introduction into the lives of the six daughters of George III.
The writing style is informal and chatty which works well when exploring what is known about the princesses and their (mostly) private lives, particularly the gossip that surrounded them at the time!
A section is devoted to each Princess, providing an overview of their entire life. Impressively, the book remains quite succinct and while the girls lived very interconnected lives there is little replication of details and events.
There were some occasions when a big time jump in the narrative would occur but overall it felt like everything important was covered and I’d rather it stuck mostly to what is known rather than speculation to fill the gaps
Quotes and extracts from newspapers of the time and letters from principle players are scattered throughout the book and were well chosen, adding another layer to the narrative.
Finishing this book, I really feel I have come away with a better idea of the Princesses as individuals. Surprisingly, my opinion of the Prince Regent (future George IV) has also changed somewhat after considering him from the perspective of his sisters rather than his parents which is more commonly explored.
The writing style is informal and chatty which works well when exploring what is known about the princesses and their (mostly) private lives, particularly the gossip that surrounded them at the time!
A section is devoted to each Princess, providing an overview of their entire life. Impressively, the book remains quite succinct and while the girls lived very interconnected lives there is little replication of details and events.
There were some occasions when a big time jump in the narrative would occur but overall it felt like everything important was covered and I’d rather it stuck mostly to what is known rather than speculation to fill the gaps
Quotes and extracts from newspapers of the time and letters from principle players are scattered throughout the book and were well chosen, adding another layer to the narrative.
Finishing this book, I really feel I have come away with a better idea of the Princesses as individuals. Surprisingly, my opinion of the Prince Regent (future George IV) has also changed somewhat after considering him from the perspective of his sisters rather than his parents which is more commonly explored.
May 29, 2020
I have read all the other books by Catherine Curzon. I have especially enjoyed the books on the Georgian kings and Georgian Queens. Now I have had the pleasure of reading about King George III's and Queen Charlotte's six daughters. George and Charlotte had fifteen children, nine sons, and six daughters. This is truly remarkable because not only did Charlotte survive fifteen births in an age of high maternal deaths but all fifteen children survived infancy and only two died in childhood.
The author starts the books by giving a brief overview of the parents, their early marriage, the early days of the family, and the parenting style of George and Charlotte. The book also explains the spectacular failure of George's sister's marriage in Denmark and the unsuitable marriages of George's brothers. These incidents explains George's extreme reluctance to marry off his daughters. Charlotte wanted to keep her daughters with her as George's mental and physical health declined. After this overview the author gives each daughter her own chapter to tell her own story. Each account is lively, not just dry history. I enjoyed the book. The book is complete with footnotes, a bibliography and photos. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book by a favorite author in exchange for a review.
The author starts the books by giving a brief overview of the parents, their early marriage, the early days of the family, and the parenting style of George and Charlotte. The book also explains the spectacular failure of George's sister's marriage in Denmark and the unsuitable marriages of George's brothers. These incidents explains George's extreme reluctance to marry off his daughters. Charlotte wanted to keep her daughters with her as George's mental and physical health declined. After this overview the author gives each daughter her own chapter to tell her own story. Each account is lively, not just dry history. I enjoyed the book. The book is complete with footnotes, a bibliography and photos. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book by a favorite author in exchange for a review.
September 11, 2020
***I was granted ARC of this via Netgalley from the publisher.***
It has become more common to look at the lives of the women who were part of the European royalty than in the past. This book, The Daughters of George III: Sisters and Princess by Catherine Curzon looks at the lives of the six daughters of George III of Great England and his wife, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz: Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia. The author first tells the reader about their parents and what their childhood routine would have looked like. Then the next six parts are dedicated to the lives of one of the princesses. Curzon does a great job of bringing the personality of each princess to life. You get a good portrait of young women trying to live their own lives while their father goes mad and their overbearing mother tries to keep them under her wing even into adulthood. I wished we could have gotten more details of their lives in this book but this serves as a survey of their lives. I'd recommend this book to those interested in European royalty and history.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars. Would recommend to a friend.
It has become more common to look at the lives of the women who were part of the European royalty than in the past. This book, The Daughters of George III: Sisters and Princess by Catherine Curzon looks at the lives of the six daughters of George III of Great England and his wife, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz: Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia. The author first tells the reader about their parents and what their childhood routine would have looked like. Then the next six parts are dedicated to the lives of one of the princesses. Curzon does a great job of bringing the personality of each princess to life. You get a good portrait of young women trying to live their own lives while their father goes mad and their overbearing mother tries to keep them under her wing even into adulthood. I wished we could have gotten more details of their lives in this book but this serves as a survey of their lives. I'd recommend this book to those interested in European royalty and history.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars. Would recommend to a friend.
August 11, 2020
The many children of George III and Queen Charlotte certainly deserve a closer look. Going through the daughters one by one was a bit tricky though because the relationships between the siblings would have been what may have brought them to life for the reader. Rushing through the illnesses, marriage prospects and rumoured scandals of each one separately was not what I had hoped to find.
The chatty, almost gossipy writing style didn't serve the purpose to be taken seriously as a historical book at all, but it was a quick and easy read. Unfortunately it did not manage to make the daughters of George III any more interesting.
The chatty, almost gossipy writing style didn't serve the purpose to be taken seriously as a historical book at all, but it was a quick and easy read. Unfortunately it did not manage to make the daughters of George III any more interesting.
May 21, 2020
This historical book was written so well, it was an easy read that took a few hours to read.
We rarely hear about the ladies of the Georgian era, so I definitely loved this.
If you love royals, princesses, or women we don't usually hear about in history, I highly recommend this.
We rarely hear about the ladies of the Georgian era, so I definitely loved this.
If you love royals, princesses, or women we don't usually hear about in history, I highly recommend this.
July 15, 2020
Thank you to the publisher for granting me this wish on netgalley.
Unfortunately, I found that I could not engage in the book. The author talks directly to the reader which I found irritating. Whilst I do accept that she did her research, I think you would have to be far more dedicated British Royal Family historian than me to enjoy this book.
Unfortunately, I found that I could not engage in the book. The author talks directly to the reader which I found irritating. Whilst I do accept that she did her research, I think you would have to be far more dedicated British Royal Family historian than me to enjoy this book.
August 8, 2020
3 stars
Had they been born in a different time it might all have been very different, but what ifs aren't our currency here.
Curzon’s book provides an in-depth look at each of George III’s six daughters’ lives in turn. She begins with a description of their births and childhood before moving into an examination of each daughter in turn. As is to be expected with royal biographies, this book is full of scandals and rumours, despite the cloistered nature of the daughters’ lives. The six daughters were born in two distinct groups of three, separated by a number of years. The fact that all six of them survived into adulthood is not unsurprising, as they were all born in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.
George III’s daughters lived as simple a childhood as can be expected in a palace. Notably, the children ate simple meals and spent their days studying or with their parents. The daughters received a separate education from the sons. They were preparing for life as a royal wife. Unfortunately, most of them would never actually become wives, which would have been their only way of leaving their childhood home and discovering the outside world as princesses in this time period. Initially, Queen Charlotte maintained that the eldest of the daughters--Royal--had to be the first to marry. As George III descended into insanity, Queen Charlotte kept her daughters closer and closer. Their talents and young lives were wasted. Those who married did so in their forties. None of them had any legitimate children. It wasn’t until Queen Charlotte’s death that the remaining two unmarried daughters were finally allowed some freedom.
Curzon paints a detailed picture of the effects of George III’s insanity on his family, which disproportionately landed on his daughters. She shows how all six talented young women were prevented from blossoming and discovering the world outside of their mother’s protection. While none of the daughters were given the chance to have children of their own, those who were able to marry in their later years did find some happiness, being able to make a home for themselves in other locations.
With biographies of multiple people, the author can either choose to examine all subjects together in chronological order or examine each individually. While I think it is preferable to separate the book when there are six subjects, this could have been improved. There were very little references to the relative ages of the six sisters. It would have been nice to have some reminders of what was happening with the daughters the reader had already read about at the same time. The descriptions of each sister’s lives were completely separate, almost as if they existed as separate books and not separate chapters. The book felt very disjointed for this reason, and could have been clearer had there been some reminders of the differences in age between the daughters past the very first chapter. Aside from this, the book was clearly very well researched and was an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pen & Sword History for the free copy in exchange for the honest review.
Had they been born in a different time it might all have been very different, but what ifs aren't our currency here.
Curzon’s book provides an in-depth look at each of George III’s six daughters’ lives in turn. She begins with a description of their births and childhood before moving into an examination of each daughter in turn. As is to be expected with royal biographies, this book is full of scandals and rumours, despite the cloistered nature of the daughters’ lives. The six daughters were born in two distinct groups of three, separated by a number of years. The fact that all six of them survived into adulthood is not unsurprising, as they were all born in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.
George III’s daughters lived as simple a childhood as can be expected in a palace. Notably, the children ate simple meals and spent their days studying or with their parents. The daughters received a separate education from the sons. They were preparing for life as a royal wife. Unfortunately, most of them would never actually become wives, which would have been their only way of leaving their childhood home and discovering the outside world as princesses in this time period. Initially, Queen Charlotte maintained that the eldest of the daughters--Royal--had to be the first to marry. As George III descended into insanity, Queen Charlotte kept her daughters closer and closer. Their talents and young lives were wasted. Those who married did so in their forties. None of them had any legitimate children. It wasn’t until Queen Charlotte’s death that the remaining two unmarried daughters were finally allowed some freedom.
Curzon paints a detailed picture of the effects of George III’s insanity on his family, which disproportionately landed on his daughters. She shows how all six talented young women were prevented from blossoming and discovering the world outside of their mother’s protection. While none of the daughters were given the chance to have children of their own, those who were able to marry in their later years did find some happiness, being able to make a home for themselves in other locations.
With biographies of multiple people, the author can either choose to examine all subjects together in chronological order or examine each individually. While I think it is preferable to separate the book when there are six subjects, this could have been improved. There were very little references to the relative ages of the six sisters. It would have been nice to have some reminders of what was happening with the daughters the reader had already read about at the same time. The descriptions of each sister’s lives were completely separate, almost as if they existed as separate books and not separate chapters. The book felt very disjointed for this reason, and could have been clearer had there been some reminders of the differences in age between the daughters past the very first chapter. Aside from this, the book was clearly very well researched and was an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pen & Sword History for the free copy in exchange for the honest review.
April 14, 2023
3.5 stars. This work is perfectly suited to round out the princess' Wikipedia entries (especially if you don't want full biographies.) While I felt it needed to be a bit longer to better fill out the separate personalities of these women, it hits the spot as an George III's princesses introduction work. I will read more by the author.
So now we have all of our girls, with sixteen long years separating the eldest for the youngest. We have a king with a recurrent mental illness and a strong-willed queen who didn't like to be alone, not to mention princes to whom gadding about was a way of life. ... It is time to see what became of them.
What is so clear is that each princess did rebel from their overbearing mother Queen Charlotte in their own way; several had lovers, one may have had an illegitimates child, one may been secretly married, all were desperately unhappy to be trapped at Charlotte's companion in what they called "The nunnery"
"Poor old wretches as we are, four old cats, four old wretches, a dead weight upon you, old lumber to the country like old clothes," Sophia wrote to her eldest brother ... "I wonder you do not vote for putting us in a sack and drowning us in the Thames."
Again, a slight problem is the lack of an overall timeline or dates within each narrative: While each princess has their own chapter, as the lives of the daughters are overlapping and dependent on each other so it would be nice to have some dates (and their AGES!) specifically called out. So much of their time was spent trapped by their mother's side it was hard to realize how old they were when they finally escaped - all of them in their 40s I believe (if they escaped at all!) A bit to much time was spent saying how unhappy they were with Q Charlotte but then not enough when they escaped. So the women somewhat blur together.
Again, this + Wikipedia gives a great grounding. But if you want more detail you will not be impressed by this.
230 pages of text with 60 pages of bibliography and footnotes.
So now we have all of our girls, with sixteen long years separating the eldest for the youngest. We have a king with a recurrent mental illness and a strong-willed queen who didn't like to be alone, not to mention princes to whom gadding about was a way of life. ... It is time to see what became of them.
What is so clear is that each princess did rebel from their overbearing mother Queen Charlotte in their own way; several had lovers, one may have had an illegitimates child, one may been secretly married, all were desperately unhappy to be trapped at Charlotte's companion in what they called "The nunnery"
"Poor old wretches as we are, four old cats, four old wretches, a dead weight upon you, old lumber to the country like old clothes," Sophia wrote to her eldest brother ... "I wonder you do not vote for putting us in a sack and drowning us in the Thames."
Again, a slight problem is the lack of an overall timeline or dates within each narrative: While each princess has their own chapter, as the lives of the daughters are overlapping and dependent on each other so it would be nice to have some dates (and their AGES!) specifically called out. So much of their time was spent trapped by their mother's side it was hard to realize how old they were when they finally escaped - all of them in their 40s I believe (if they escaped at all!) A bit to much time was spent saying how unhappy they were with Q Charlotte but then not enough when they escaped. So the women somewhat blur together.
Again, this + Wikipedia gives a great grounding. But if you want more detail you will not be impressed by this.
230 pages of text with 60 pages of bibliography and footnotes.
August 5, 2020
"The Daughters of George III" gives readers familiar with King George and his sons a different take on the royal family. While the Prince Regent (George IV) and his brothers are (in)famous for their bad behavior, illegal marriages, drinking, gambling, and every other sort of scandal it was humanly possible to cause, most people don't read much about their 6 sisters. Princesses Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia led very different lives from their brothers and had very different relationships with their parents. Catherine Curzon does an excellent job of looking behind the throne to show readers an intimate, and stifling, family portrait. All were beloved by their father, and his episodes of insanity were to mark each daughter's life in different ways. It was fascinating to read how different the sisters' lives were- not only from their brothers, but from other women and other royals of the time. Cloistered away by an emotionally controlling (some might say today, abusive) mother and watching their father fade away, these were women who fought back against restrictions of their society and their mother. Geniuses in the arts had any of them been able to pursue music, or art as a career, only a few of the sisters managed to escape home and marry.
Curzon's light style of writing and tongue-in-cheek method of storytelling make "The Daughters of George III" both memorable and quick, easy reading. A book perfect for those who know nothing about the King and his daughters or those who think they know it all, this is a great glimpse into some little celebrated women's lives.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Curzon's light style of writing and tongue-in-cheek method of storytelling make "The Daughters of George III" both memorable and quick, easy reading. A book perfect for those who know nothing about the King and his daughters or those who think they know it all, this is a great glimpse into some little celebrated women's lives.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 20, 2023
King George III and Queen Charlotte had 15 children together, of which 6 were daughters. He has been famously quoted as saying, "I cannot deny that I have never wished to see any of them marry: I am happy in their company and do not in the least want a separation."
Several of their daughters either remained unmarried or married so late in life that they were unable to become mothers. The eldest, Charlotte, Princess Royal, married the future King Frederick of Württemberg at the age of 30. Her only pregnancy ended in the stillbirth of a daughter. The second daughter, Princess Augusta Sophia, never married. The third daughter, Princess Elizabeth, married the future Frederick VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg, at the age of 47. The fourth daughter, Princess Mary, married her first cousin, Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, at the age of 40. The fifth daughter, Princess Sophia, never married. The sixth daughter, Princess Amelia, also never married.
The Daughters of George III: Sisters and Princesses by Catherine Curzon explores the lives of these women, who were trapped in a life they wished they could escape. Princess Sophia bitterly gave her address as "the nunnery." There's no shortage of rumours of illegitimate children and relationships concerning some of these women, but as there is simply no evidence, rumours they shall remain.
You can tell that a lot of research has gone into this subject, and this isn't the first book about the Georgians by this author either. I enjoyed how easily this book flowed, and it didn't get boring. However, I am not sure it can top Princesses: the six daughters of George III by Flora Fraser. If you prefer a more chatty read, I'd go for this one.
Several of their daughters either remained unmarried or married so late in life that they were unable to become mothers. The eldest, Charlotte, Princess Royal, married the future King Frederick of Württemberg at the age of 30. Her only pregnancy ended in the stillbirth of a daughter. The second daughter, Princess Augusta Sophia, never married. The third daughter, Princess Elizabeth, married the future Frederick VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg, at the age of 47. The fourth daughter, Princess Mary, married her first cousin, Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, at the age of 40. The fifth daughter, Princess Sophia, never married. The sixth daughter, Princess Amelia, also never married.
The Daughters of George III: Sisters and Princesses by Catherine Curzon explores the lives of these women, who were trapped in a life they wished they could escape. Princess Sophia bitterly gave her address as "the nunnery." There's no shortage of rumours of illegitimate children and relationships concerning some of these women, but as there is simply no evidence, rumours they shall remain.
You can tell that a lot of research has gone into this subject, and this isn't the first book about the Georgians by this author either. I enjoyed how easily this book flowed, and it didn't get boring. However, I am not sure it can top Princesses: the six daughters of George III by Flora Fraser. If you prefer a more chatty read, I'd go for this one.
September 2, 2022
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 4 stars
Favorite Quote: "The life of Princess Amelia was agonizingly short and for one who lived with such determination, at the end of her life, she simply faded away."
Summary: The six princess daughters of King George III and Queen Charlotte all shared a longing for escape. A mad father and a domineering mother kept the six princesses from achieving their potential as the most eligible daughters in the world. Lives lived in isolation dashed with dashing equerries, clandestine marriage, and rumors of a scandalous pregnancy. A tale of princesses trying to be seen as women in their own right.
Review: What made this historical biography easy to connect to and get invested in was Curon’s casual, almost chatty, way of presenting history. This biography read like a gossip conversation, and this lent itself to the content very well. I did struggle to remember who was who when referenced, but this could be an impairment on my part due to being a beginner in European history. Curzon really made it easy to empathize with the princesses and see them as actual humans. What I admired most was the clear care with which Curzon regarded the woman and girls she was writing about. A fascinating glimpse into these mysterious and elusive Royals. I hope to read more from Curzon!
Rating: 4 stars
Favorite Quote: "The life of Princess Amelia was agonizingly short and for one who lived with such determination, at the end of her life, she simply faded away."
Summary: The six princess daughters of King George III and Queen Charlotte all shared a longing for escape. A mad father and a domineering mother kept the six princesses from achieving their potential as the most eligible daughters in the world. Lives lived in isolation dashed with dashing equerries, clandestine marriage, and rumors of a scandalous pregnancy. A tale of princesses trying to be seen as women in their own right.
Review: What made this historical biography easy to connect to and get invested in was Curon’s casual, almost chatty, way of presenting history. This biography read like a gossip conversation, and this lent itself to the content very well. I did struggle to remember who was who when referenced, but this could be an impairment on my part due to being a beginner in European history. Curzon really made it easy to empathize with the princesses and see them as actual humans. What I admired most was the clear care with which Curzon regarded the woman and girls she was writing about. A fascinating glimpse into these mysterious and elusive Royals. I hope to read more from Curzon!
June 14, 2020
Rarely is enough attention given to royal ladies, particularly when they are dwarfed by a father who suffered from a debilitating mental illness and a slew of havoc wreaking brothers! While some might argue that the daughters of George III are.....'just not that interesting'.....I beg to differ.
The power behind Curzon's biographies of the princesses lies in the fact that they were never truly allowed to reach their full potential due to the nature of their upbringing and their tyrannical royal parents. As a reader, we are provided with glimpses of the women whom they perhaps could have become if they were actually allowed to naturally grow into their talents. Instead, we are presented with delicious scandal and heartbreaking monotony in the ways in which the princesses attempt to rebel and carve out a little slice of life that can simply be their own.
Taking you through the trajectory of each royal daughter, Catherine Curzon manages to draw the reader in quite masterfully.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The power behind Curzon's biographies of the princesses lies in the fact that they were never truly allowed to reach their full potential due to the nature of their upbringing and their tyrannical royal parents. As a reader, we are provided with glimpses of the women whom they perhaps could have become if they were actually allowed to naturally grow into their talents. Instead, we are presented with delicious scandal and heartbreaking monotony in the ways in which the princesses attempt to rebel and carve out a little slice of life that can simply be their own.
Taking you through the trajectory of each royal daughter, Catherine Curzon manages to draw the reader in quite masterfully.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2020
Solid, very accessible, summary driven account of the daughters of George III.. I went in not knowing too much about them, and felt this was a really solid crash course. I feel like there could've been more covered, but I feel the author also accomplished her goal. The structure of the book worked too (covering each sister as a whole in a single part), though sometimes when she had to address something primarily addressing a younger sister that tangentially affected an older sister, I wish she would've just covered the whole situation when it first needed to be mentioned. She also tries to tactfully deal with gossip and claims, though sometimes (Like the Duke of Cumberland's alleged rape) I felt she just named the scandal without explaining it.
My biggest takeaway was just how terrible Queen Charlotte seemed to be - utterly controlling and domineering over her daughters, I'm surprised that hasn't found more adaptive footing in movies before.
Solid crash course for some royal lives and a generally quick read - good choice for someone interested in an overview of these Princesses' lives.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC!
My biggest takeaway was just how terrible Queen Charlotte seemed to be - utterly controlling and domineering over her daughters, I'm surprised that hasn't found more adaptive footing in movies before.
Solid crash course for some royal lives and a generally quick read - good choice for someone interested in an overview of these Princesses' lives.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC!
June 22, 2020
Mad King George III and his wife, Charlotte, had 15 children - 6 of them daughters. Educated and trained to be married to royalty, they were for the most part instead confined to stay with their mother, and only allowed to be married much later in life. They still managed to find their own particular talents and occasionally to create their own happiness - or scandal. This is an overview of the lives of the six girls, with additional information on their brothers and parents. Very informative, and a pretty quick read. I knew nothing about this family, for the most part, so I found it interesting, if not completely riveting. I particularly enjoyed learning more about King George himself. If you like British history, or the history of royals, then you should enjoy this book. Many thanks to Netgalley and Pen and Sword History for the e-arc. I always enjoy learning something new! 4 stars.
September 1, 2020
This book was a great introduction to the lives of the daughters of George III, all of whom played lesser roles in making history than the sons, particularly the three eldest, did. I appreciate that Curzon worked to distinguish the sisters from one another, highlighting their different personalities and life choices. However, I also didn’t feel like there was much here to engage or enlighten me, because of the fact that the princesses were largely bound by tradition. It would have been interesting to observe more in terms of the daughters in relations to their parents, which is touched on but not the focus, Queen Charlotte, who Curzon seems to enjoy writing about more.
However, while I did not enjoy it a ton personally, from a historical standpoint, I have few complaints, and feel that it would be suited to the historian audience more.
However, while I did not enjoy it a ton personally, from a historical standpoint, I have few complaints, and feel that it would be suited to the historian audience more.
August 27, 2020
I know very little about the children of George III (except the Prince Regent) so I found this book an interesting and enjoyable introduction to his 15 children. This books focuses on his daughters but we do learn about their relationships with their brothers. Despite being princesses, the six women did not have the happiest of lives. Not only did they have their father's deteriorating mental illness to deal with but also with a demanding and, often, manipulative mother who restricted their freedom. This is a well researched book and very useful for anyone interested in the Georgian period.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 6, 2020
Interesting, almost juicy account of the lives of George III’s daughters. Well-researched and put together by a biographer who is obviously very invested in her subject. I enjoyed reading this book, but I’d have liked a bit more of an objective approach. The author supports her narrative with fascinating tidbits and quotes, which is very helpful in showing us that these royal personages of a time long past were human too, and that’s wonderful. However, she doesn’t always give the source of her information, and what also bothered me a little is that we are reading the author’s interpretation of events, feelings and motivations of the people discussed, presented as fact and not as the subjective conclusions of a modern day perspective.
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