Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book! It tells the factionalized story of Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth’s courtship and engagement.

Stars: More like 3.5 but I rounded up. This was a very quick read. A pleasant diversion. Very chaste.

Wishes: I wish there would have been a little more romance actually! I personally have a difficult time reconciling what might have been with characters who are still alive and kicking.

What a pleasure it was to read this charming and heartfelt historical romance, based on the life of Princess Elizabeth, before she wore the crown as Queen. The story is as pure as the lavender soap that the Princess loved, yet never have I felt so romantically moved.

By telling the story in the present tense, we become Elizabeth’s shadow as she lives through the devastation of the WWII years, harboring her love for an ambitious navy officer, Prince Phillip of Greece. (We also get to peer in to Phillip’s heart as well.) Princess Elizabeth takes a deep breath before she begins the long walk down the aisle at Westminster on her wedding day, amid the roll of drums and trumpet voluntary. But, she has all ready faced a long journey to her wedding day and she has grown stronger for it.

Learning the everyday details of life at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Balmoral was a pleasure. And we travel with the Princess and the royal family on the White Train during their visit to South Africa. I highly recommend this beautiful story. Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

It’s no secret that I love a royal themed book - this one is basically a prequel to The Crown. Set from 1943-1947, it follows Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip as they begin their courtship. A fun fictional tale set across real events, people and places but it did feel a little slow at times. While watching The Crown, I felt the show focused too much on Phillip and he seemed so whiny - reading this it helped me understand that he didn’t fully know what he was signing up for and actually made me more sympathetic towards him

This is a story of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip of Greece, perhaps better known as Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. It brings a time when Philip is courting Elizabeth and fighting an uphill battle of monarchy’s disapproval of him.

Windsor Castle, 1943. Seventeen-year-old Princess Elizabeth is eager to see Prince Philip. They’ve met a few years earlier in London and she’s been smitten with him ever since. Philip is a handsome lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

Elizabeth is ready for a change in her life. Philip has that rough-edged charm which is very attractive to her. She doesn’t want safe. It’s too stagnant. To Philip’s surprise, there is something about Elizabeth that he likes. His restless spirit actually enjoys her serious side and being reserved.

His cousin, David, objects to his current love interest, announcing that Philip would “rub everyone up the wrong way.”

Elizabeth is patient, dutiful, “careful not to rock the boat,” but now she is ready to act, to change her life.

I enjoyed very much those two young characters of royal bloodline, who are different, but they align on their understanding and finding balance between what is expected of them and what they wish for in life.

Elizabeth is stoic. A good mediator between her father and Philip. Skillful in being calmly persistent: listens, nods and asks again – wearing another person down. She likes to do something, instead of just talking about it. She wants to make a difference.

Despite being penniless, without proper wardrobe, no skill in shooting, having German relatives, Philip is very comfortable in his own skin. When needed he is capable of eloquent conversation. But I enjoyed his “rougher” side, his honest thoughts without a need of polished talk.

I especially relished Philip’s character, but I think it’s because more thoughts were given to him and we get to know him a bit more than Elizabeth. I delighted in the layers revealing Philip's childhood and how it made him a very self-reliant child. Her restful restrain “only makes him want to tell her more about his unsettled childhood. (…) It is as if some quality in her absorbs some of his restlessness and smooths down his rough edges.”

The historical background in respect to WWII and post-war is very light. There are some details in regards to royal protocols and traditions, which are interesting. But above-all, this story is character driven, which is magnificent. It carries so much depth and warmness, and closeness to the characters that you do not want to part from them.

The prose is beautiful with engaging dialogue and interestingly believable characters, making it a page-turner.

This is a fascinating account of the long and awkward courtship of Elizabeth and Philip. Theirs doesn't come across as a romance for the ages, so much as two people finding companionship for life. I felt sorry for Philip having to be put through his paces by the stuffy Windsor family. Bertie and the Queen Mother are portrayed as being alternately grumpy and selfish. Life at court sounds exceedingly tedious and bitchy. I couldn't think of anything worse.

Adapting the story of two eminent figures who are still very much alive and still very much married is no mean feat, and so the effort that the author has put forward in this novel must be applauded. Before The Crown brings a much-needed humanisation to the story of Elizabeth and Philip, and it brings forward a side of the royal family that is not seen as much. I think if anyone will enjoy this novel enormous amounts, it will be those who have an investment in the royal family in a more than casual sense, however, it's worth noting that if you liked The Crown that you'll enjoy this book.

The development of Elizabeth and Philip both as separate people, as well as a couple, is done really well, and the changing perspectives aren't very jarring at all. There are, of course, some assumptions to be made, as the royal family are rather private, but the author manages to draw on a wide sea of knowledge to give the narrative that bit of flavour that it needs.

Perhaps my one criticism is that the book could be a little simple in parts, and it seemed as though it was appealing to a little bit more of a young adult audience than adults. This resulted in a little bit of a lack of immersion in parts, and therefore there could be some difficulties with absorbing the book. All in all, though, this book shows a wonderful dedication to the story, and this book is a perfect primer for some things that 'The Crown' misses out on.

Thank you thank you to @netgalley and @onemorechapterhc for the chance to read this book.
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Before The Crown is about the “courtship” of Elizabeth and Phillip. While we will never know what is fact or fiction about this story (come on Lilibet, it’s about time to dish on the deets), I reallly enjoyed it. If you love the Netflix show “The Crown” or also can’t get over the fact that the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are questionably immortal, give this one a read.
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Side note is that my sister moved to London after she married a Brit and since then it’s become one of my favorite places/cities. I’m basically an adopted Brit now. Long live the Queen, everyone 😆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This is historical fiction about the courtship of Elizabeth and Philip. It was interesting to me that I had just read another book about Elizabeth's Nanny. Both show the royal family, not always in a good light. It was an enjoyable read.

Set in the time of WW2 and the end of the war that has been dreamed of by many, stands a love story between two people. One brought up with duty and with the constant public eye always looking up to her as a figurehead. The other, a man who was born into a royal family no longer existent with no true home to go to and a family scattered across the globe.

Elizabeth is a princess who has always known that duty is one of the most important things that she must hold in the highest regard in her life, especially knowing that she will one day be queen. This can be seen as being a blessing and a curse. However, this has created her in the character that she must always be on her guard and in the constant eye of her mother and father, so that she doesn't stray too far away.

Philip can be seen as being fairly opposite in his character and those that have surrounded him throughout this part of his life. Described as being more of a person who acts before he thinks of the consequences, this has allowed for him to live a more freeing life than Elizabeth. This is most likely why Elizabeth can be seen to be attracted to Philip, as he is regarded as being risky, when her life must be safe from any possible unpredictability.

The great thing about this book is the dialogue. The dialogue between Elizabeth and Philip can be seen as something else entirely. It shows how it can slowly reveal how important and beautiful this relationship is between them both, as it is shown to be more than just a relationship but a long-standing team always looking out for each other. However, it shows that a relationship such as this cannot be without faults, especially one which can be seen to show how different these people are and the backgrounds they have come from. Thus, highlighting that this is not a traditional relationship that other people may have, but it is certainly an interesting one watching their journey.

I actually enjoyed the writing style as it was simplistic enough to feel as though we are actually reading through what both these people were thinking at the moment in time, regardless of how this is actually a historical piece of fiction. In some ways it is able to bring us closer to them, even though in real life, we are all so far away from being in the same room that we know what they are truly thinking of.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, the British monarchy or even Netflix's The Crown this is definitely one for you. It can be resembled as being a prequel to Netflix's The Crown and I believe there will be many new fans of this time period from the book in the very near future. Thus, I have decided to give it a four star.

It’s almost easy to forget that the Queen and Prince Phillip are real people they are so iconic.

This is the story of their courtship and romance. And it makes them both seem very real.

Finding a husband for Princess Elizabeth after WW2 was an issue of national importance.

Everyone has an opinion:

King George is loath to yet his daughter become an independent woman and love the family unit of four.

Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) has a list of eligible men from good society families that she thinks are suitable.

Lord Mountbatten is ambitious and encourages his nephew Prince Philip to court the princess.

The British Government are concerned with anti-foreign feeling and Prince Philip’s family links to Nazi Germany.

Then you have Elizabeth and Philip themselves.

Elizabeth has long been in love with Philip but will put duty before her personal feelings and will not go against her family’s wishes.

Philip likes and admires Elizabeth. He enjoys her company but does he love her? He does not fit in with the Royal Family. He does not shoot and hunt, likes drinking with his friends and is penniless. He is concerned about his future role as consort to the future Queen and what that will mean. Is

Despite knowing the outcome of this romance – I don’t need to worry about spoilers here! – the book manages to convey the tension and doubts that the young couple have. The claustrophobic and surprisingly limited experiences of Elizabeth and Margaret and their life at Windsor Castle is vividly recreated.

Despite the pomp and ceremony of the Royal Family, Elizabeth’s life is horse riding, dog walking, nursery dinners and soap rations.

I really enjoyed this book. It takes you back to the 1940s and is completely compelling. Fans of the Crown are going to love this.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

If you love anything about the royals, the show The Crown or like me intrigued by living the life of a princess then this book is for you! I admittedly don’t know much about Prince Phillip and enjoyed reading this story and learning many interesting facts. I often found myself googling information (Nazi ties, etc) to see if they were true. It was refreshing to read a love story where even though we knew the ending of the Queen and Prince it still was told in such a compelling and captivating way. I found myself stealing an extra five minutes here or there throughout my day just to learn more. I felt as though the story progressed nicely and I enjoyed reading both perspectives. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends and will mention this for a possible book club book. I give this page turner five out of five stars. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the advanced read.

I am not sure what I was expecting, maybe to feel more attached to Elizabeth and Philip. It was a good point of view though, and I definitely learnt more about the couple.

I think this is a good read, different from the books that just tell historical facts. I liked how Elizabeth was a real person and not just a famous name.

Before the Crown is a fictional story of the courtship of Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Philip of Greece. The story is plausible but there is nothing new here.
It is well documented that Elizabeth had fallen in love with a handsome Philip as a teenager, and it is equally well known that Philip found that becoming a member of the British Royal family much harder than he had anticipated.
The book has been written in the slightly sensationalistic manner of “The Crown” with the same emphasis on Philip being a bit of a ladies man, and a bit of a rebel. As long as you read this as a work of fiction, not a work of fact, it’s an enjoyable read. It suits its target market well, but I just found it a little bit twee and sensationalist with no new information.
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

If you’re fascinated by the royal family, or even if you just enjoy watching The Crown, you will enjoy this book.

This historical fiction is written about Queen Elizabeth and Philip’s love story.
Their road to the altar wasn’t a smooth one.

I knew some of the issues (Philip’s family’s possible ties to Nazis and his mom’s health issues) but I never even thought about the age gap. We’re used to seeing the Queen and Philip as adults, but Elizabeth fell in love with Philip when she was a young teenager and he was five years older. I was only as she neared adulthood that the idea of marriage occurred to him. His family really pushed for the marriage but hers fought against it.
I had no idea they had such a hard road to marriage. Good for them for continuing to fight for it, after all of their years together so far it’s hard to picture things going differently.

There were lots of interesting bits of information in this book that I will definitely google to see which are true (the origin of her engagement ring for example).

I wish they would make a tv show out of this book too, it would be fantastic!

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley and have been recommending it to everyone! Thank you!

From the fans of the wildly popular Netflix series The Crown, to the book readers who loved The Gown, to the royalists who follow the British monarchy’s every move with adoration, the new upcoming book BEFORE THE CROWN is for you. Author Flora Harding explores Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth’s relationship from their first meeting until they were married to become the Queen and Duke we know today. They are the central figures in her book with a spotlight exposing their inner thoughts, ups and downs, and love’s journey. Although I did feel that Prince Philip had a bigger breadth of content and character dialogue in the book versus Queen Elizabeth.

Harding lays forth the struggles and hardships the Prince from Greece endured growing up that made him into the man that he is. Although loving both his parents dearly, his mother battled mental illness, while his father and family lived in exile from their home of Greece. The hot button amongst British circles even more than Philip being a foreign prince was his sisters’ marriages to Germans with Nazi connections. Perhaps though the largest takeaway was that although he was a Prince, his financial resources and clothes wardrobe were sparse. He was a Prince in name, but his lifestyle and wealth were not.

On the other hand, Elizabeth is smitten with Philip from the onset. She falls in love with him at thirteen and there is no other man for her — he is her first, last, and only love. Although her family is against the love match, Elizabeth is staunch in her resolve to marry the Prince. The Princess has been thrust into the role of being heir to the throne and is resigned, ready, and willing to fulfill her duty and serve her people but this is the one thing she is asking for for herself, as Elizabeth. Even though her feelings go unreciprocated and unrequited for years, Philip begins to see the kindness, goodness, and strength in the Princess, and realizes he loves her as well. A marriage that at first proposal is designed for a partnership, a royal team as it were, grows into a dynamic love between opposites that completes them both.

After reading this novel, I’m ready to finish catching up on the third season of The Crown or watch the movie A Royal Night Out! If this sounds like you too, look for BEFORE THE CROWN scheduled for a Publication Date of 18 Sep 2020.

I really enjoyed this book! Fans of the royals and anyone who loved The Crown series will love this book!

There is nothing new here, but what you get is a lively, page-turning historical fiction tale that takes you inside Elizabeth and Phillip's courtship. You know what's going to happen, obviously, but it was still a fun read.

The dialogue is well-written and appropriate to each character; it all fits with what we already know about these characters. I enjoyed the descriptions of the various castles, palaces, and homes. An of course, Princess Margaret can always steal a scene!

There is a certain refreshing innocence in these young royals just coming of age in a time of war and rationing. Elizabeth is always conscious of her duty and appreciative of the sacrifices made by the people.

Well done!

It's a bold move to write a novel based on a sitting monarch, but Queen Elizabeth II's romance is too tempting to resist. Thank you for colouring in one of England's most romantic and complex couples in recent history. I've always looked forward to a novel about their story, and now it's finally here.

In fairy tales, the prince and the princess fall in love and live happily ever after. In the real world, many a prince and princess marry for the good of the people or their families, not for love for themselves. Can Elizabeth have it all? Before the Crown by Flora Harding captures the courtship and eventual marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Before the Crown was an interesting read that gave insight into the relationship of Elizabeth and Philip. As someone, who enjoys learning about the British Monarchy and stays up to date on their news, I was excited to receive this book. Admittedly not a big fan of the Duke of Edinburgh, I came away with a bit more respect for him. While not a fast paced love story the book takes on much of Elizabeth's qualities in itself. It is reserved and shy in some areas. There were chapters where the story lagged but with the author being authentic is the storytelling, she only has so much to work with. Overall, I believe that anyone interested in the House of Windsor or history in general, will enjoy Before the Crown.

Perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Crown, Before the Crown by Flora Harding tells the story of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. Harding drew me in with her wartime descriptions of England, I loved that this book alternated between the two royals. I especially loved her descriptions of the royal family tour to Africa after the war and the story of Elizabeth’s engagement ring. They have been married so long I never gave too much thought to their love story, Harding tells it in a remarkable engaging way.

1943-Seventeen-year-old Princess Elizabeth is eager to meet Prince Philip of Greece again now that she is grown up. They have exchanged letters, but they have merely been polite. Prince Philip, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, has resisted his uncle's encouragement to pursue the princess, but will he think differently once he meets her again?

The dutiful heiress to the throne and the charming prince who bucks tradition for a modern quest to enjoy life. It is difficult to believe this pair might fall in love. It is even more hard to understand how it could have happened while everyone watched them for their infrequent meetings. The author does an excellent job showing us each viewpoint, Elizabeth's and Philip's, showing the hesitation and doubts that *may* have happened.

It is told in the present tense (Philip thinks; she says) which I don't personally like. Still, it moves at a good pace and is a believable theory for how it happened.

Fans of the TV show "The Crown" will find this an enjoyable read.