Listen free for 30 days

  • The Palace Papers

  • Inside the House of Windsor - the Truth and the Turmoil
  • Written by: Tina Brown
  • Narrated by: Tina Brown
  • Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (199 ratings)

1 credit a month, good for any title to download and keep.
The Plus Catalogue—listen all you want to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks.
$14.95 a month plus applicable taxes after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Palace Papers cover art

The Palace Papers

Written by: Tina Brown
Narrated by: Tina Brown
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $48.25

Buy Now for $48.25

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The “addictively readable” (The Washington Post) inside story of the British royal family’s battle to overcome the dramas of the Diana years—only to confront new twenty-first-century crises

“The beach read of the summer . . . juicy, satisfying entertainment.”—Town & Country

“Never again” became Queen Elizabeth II’s mantra shortly after Princess Diana’s tragic death. More specif­ically, there could never be “another Diana”—a mem­ber of the family whose global popularity upstaged, outshone, and posed an existential threat to the Brit­ish monarchy.

Picking up where Tina Brown’s masterful The Diana Chronicles left off, The Palace Papers reveals how the royal family reinvented itself after the trau­matic years when Diana’s blazing celebrity ripped through the House of Windsor like a comet.

Brown takes listeners on a tour de force journey through the scandals, love affairs, power plays, and betrayals that have buffeted the monarchy over the last twenty-five years. We see the Queen’s stoic re­solve after the passing of Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother, and Prince Philip, her partner for seven decades, and how she triumphs in her Jubilee years even as family troubles rage around her. Brown explores Prince Charles’s determination to make Camilla Parker Bowles his wife, the tension between William and Harry on “different paths,” the ascend­ance of Kate Middleton, the downfall of Prince An­drew, and Harry and Meghan’s stunning decision to step back as senior royals. Despite the fragile monar­chy’s best efforts, “never again” seems fast approaching.

Tina Brown has been observing and chronicling the British monarchy for three decades, and her sweeping account is full of powerful revelations, newly reported details, and searing insight gleaned from remarkable access to royal insiders. Stylish, witty, and erudite, The Palace Papers will irrevoca­bly change how the world perceives and under­stands the royal family.

©2022 Random House (P)2022 Random House Audio

What listeners say about The Palace Papers

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    154
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    134
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    134
  • 4 Stars
    25
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Palace Papers

This is a terrific insight into the lives of a cloistered privileged group of people. Interestingly, despite their power, they too are faced with every day issues that the rest of the world are, but because of that privilege they clearly don't suffer the consequences as the rest of us do. Just a fact check, Toronto is not our Nation's Capital, Ottawa Ontario is.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

riveting

Tina Brown has proven many times that she can find the words to first and foremost - entertain and articulate the scene as it most likely is - and not speak down to the reader.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Eva
  • 2023-02-06

well written but too superficial

I was a bit disappointed with this one. I loved "The Diana chronicalls", Tina Brown's previous book about the royal family. I love her style of writing, which is both informative and perceptive. In this book, however, I found her account to be more biased than observational. She glides over some events without showcasing the contradicting information that is associated with them, and so fails to show the full picture. Her atittude over Harry and Meghan is mostly indulging, and she doesn't illuminate to the reader all the inconsistencies and contradictions within their chosen narrative, nor the additional information to some events in their careers and lives, nor the full meaning of some of their desicions. These problematic areas have been well documented at the time of writing, and I get the sense that she is being careful and doesn't want to be too critical of H&M because she doesn't want to be canceled. Overall, this book feels a bit cowardly. I don't mind disagreeing with the author, I can still enjoy the book. But I'd like to have her give me all the information and nuances available and allow me to come to my own conclusion. I felt that she was very fair in her account of the Diana years, showing both her and others with their strengths and weaknesses in a well rounded way. Unfortunately, she failed to do that in this book. It is still an enjoyable read and useful as an overview of the royal family in the post-Diana years, but a grain of salt is advised to the user.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and insightful

I loved listening to this fascinating book. So much detailed history and personal insight. I couldn’t stop listening.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Be prepared for surprises

Enjoyed every minute, sometimes lost in the story, forgot how long I had been listening, highly recommend this listen.

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Wish I could ask her personally for my money back!

Ms Brown seems to be impartial for most of the Royal Family but couldn't set her personal feelings aside for the last part of this book & it shows through in the tone of her narration. It coloured the rest of the book for me & will have me questioning her credibility moving forward. If the professional ethics of the British Press are being called into question Tina Brown should most definitely be included in that lot.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great ‘read’!

Tina gives a thorough and balanced view of the Royals. She provided a thoughtful perspective without excuses. Would certainly read more from her.

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well Balanced (mostly) and Insightful

Overall a very respectable and deeply researched account of the players who make up the Windsor Royal family.

Ms Brown provides a mostly balanced profile of the actions and behaviours of the members of the firm, while offering her sharp witticisms and suggesting conclusions one can infer from them. If she observes hypocrisy, she’ll point it out. If there’s irony, even better. Still, if there’s pathos, she’ll leave some room for that.

She draws some pretty hilarious extended metaphors when she wants to point out a particularly scathing set of circumstances to characterize the Royal she’s unfolding. (My favourite being the cake metaphor attributed to Meghan and her offers of celebrity appearances… yes, please!).

Notwithstanding, there’s a tone, at moments, of elitism, that could also be interpreted as an assessment of who preserves the traditions of the monarchy best. For example, in speaking of Harry’s love interest one prior to Meghan, Brown’s criteria for why she would have made a perfect Harry-match is all about lineage, alliance and acquiescence. In a similar vein, she hasn’t a bad word for Kate / Catherine nor the Queen. To Brown, both upheld their duties impeccably.

Nevertheless, she leaves room for the desire for reform, as the reader learns, in the epilogue, of Charles’ aspirations to open his home to the public to honour his mother’s legacy.

As many readers will do, I cheered at the outcome for Andrew (no Prince title warranted here) and loved how the truth was scathing in itself.

She neither condemns nor supports Harry and Meghan’s actions, yet draws attention to motivation and psychology to explain behaviour. As such, for the most part, she asks the reader to draw their own conclusions and make their own value judgements.

While I may have been led somewhat by the astute persuasive skills of the author, I did just that.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

Thoroughly enjoyable, Tina Brown’s recount of the Palace events entertaining and articulate. I recommend this book.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

To fast

The author reads to fast at some point. Can be hard to follow, good information tho

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Karen
  • Karen
  • 2022-04-26

Tina Brown reads her book

Given up listening. Will read it. She is racing through. Not a pleasant listen. I’m used to way better from Audible.

42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for M M.
  • M M.
  • 2022-05-03

Audible narration is dreadful

Did sophisticated, savvy Tina Brown listen to her ghastly narration? I am half way through my pricey Audible version, & I am giving up the spoken version for the first time ever. I can't tolerate a minute longer Ms. Brown's sprinting through the text at breakneck speeds. Slowing the speed button does not help. She consistently swallows words, mumbles at the end of sentences. You can't sit back and relax since one is on high alert to just understand the fast-paced, often indistinct spoken word. Good narration is integral to enjoyment, and I thankfully have enjoyed many well paced, clearly spoken narrations. Sorry this is not one. Buy the book and avoid the Audible version.

30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for prettyinparadise
  • prettyinparadise
  • 2022-04-30

nothing new

absolutely everything in this book can be found online. there's nothing new. it's an attempt to sell us queen Camilla and king Charles. save your money.

22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Heather
  • Heather
  • 2022-04-27

bad narration

Tina Brown is a great writer but an absolutely awful narrator. Authors shouldn't narrate the book.

21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 2022-04-27

Underwhelming

Having read Tina Browns “The Diana Chronicles” and enjoying her honesty, wit and even juicy gossip, I was looking forward to “The Palace Papers” . It’s certainly not a bad book, but it has very little new information. Brown seems to have seriously dialed back her acerbic observations. William and Kate come off quite well, and Harry and Meghan less so, although Brown takes a somewhat apologist tone with Meghan Markles more questionable actions. Diana isnt presented as the perfect martyr, which is refreshing. She was very media savvy and rather manipulative.

I think if there had been new revelations and possibly read by another narrator, I’d have given this book a higher score. It’s just ok. I preferred Lady Colin Campbells “The Real Diana.”

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kathleen A. Jae
  • Kathleen A. Jae
  • 2022-04-29

Don't Bother

There is absolutely zero new information in this book. Its simply a rehash of information from previously public interviews, other books and published accounts. Don't waste your money.

14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for OUChris
  • OUChris
  • 2022-05-02

Snooze Fest. Nothing new.

If you wanted more details about William and Harry, this isn’t the book for you. Their drama is barely touched. Nothing new revealed. Lady Colin Campbell’s book is the one you want to read. I can’t remember the name…I was HOPING this was something similar. Nope. Just the most boring, already known royal family biography.

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Carole Berry
  • Carole Berry
  • 2022-04-27

Reading is Too Fast

It’s not enjoyable when the reader is racing through the material so fast that I’m needing to keep rewinding to hear what’s being said. Isn’t there any way to slow the audio down????
Carole

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for WildRiver
  • WildRiver
  • 2022-04-28

Palace Papers is a hit!

I listened all the way through 2 days! I'm so impressed with this well written book by Tina Brown about all the major members of the British Monarchy. There is never a dull moment, and it moves right along without being salacious - packed full of so many bits of information. The stories are interesting indeed. The author manages to show us the humanity in all and allows us to see this hardworking family from all perspectives. I for one now appreciate them so much more and I'm an American🇺🇸. They carry the weight of the Common Wealth on their shoulders and do it for their love of the people.

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Grace M-T
  • Grace M-T
  • 2022-05-15

I quite liked it

I recommend a prospective buyer listen to Andrew Sullivan’s interview with Tina Brown on the May 13, 2021 episode of his podcast The Dishcast. You’ll get a sense of the way she speaks (British conversational style) and her attitude toward the protagonists in this saga. If you end the episode wanting more, this book is a great follow up.

You will not get a partisan take on anyone in The Firm. Instead, if you have chosen sides, you’ll probably find that Brown is too easy on some of the royals and top hard on the others, but which is which depends on your own point of view. What you will get is perspective , with current events given context and history by someone who has been reporting on the British monarchy for decades. Thumbs up.

6 people found this helpful