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Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III
In this sumptuous group portrait of the six daughters of “Mad” King George III, acclaimed biographer Flora Fraser takes us into the heart of the British royal family during the tumultuous period of the American and French revolutions.
Drawing on their extraordinary private correspondence, Fraser gives voice to these handsome, accomplished, extremely well-educated Princess Royal, the eldest, constantly at odds with her mother; home-loving, family-minded Augusta; plump Elizabeth, a gifted amateur artist; Mary, the bland beauty of the family; Sophia, emotional and prone to take refuge in illness; and Amelia, “the most turbulent and tempestuous of all the Princesses.” Never before has the historical searchlight been turned with such sympathy and acuity on George III and his family.
Drawing on their extraordinary private correspondence, Fraser gives voice to these handsome, accomplished, extremely well-educated Princess Royal, the eldest, constantly at odds with her mother; home-loving, family-minded Augusta; plump Elizabeth, a gifted amateur artist; Mary, the bland beauty of the family; Sophia, emotional and prone to take refuge in illness; and Amelia, “the most turbulent and tempestuous of all the Princesses.” Never before has the historical searchlight been turned with such sympathy and acuity on George III and his family.
480 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2004
44 people are currently reading
5380 people want to read
About the author
Flora Fraser
18 books45 followersFlora Fraser Soros (born 30 October 1958) is an English writer of historical biographies.
She is the daughter of historian and historical biographer Lady Antonia Fraser and the late Sir Hugh Fraser, a British Conservative politician. Her stepfather was the playwright Harold Pinter, the 2005 Nobel Laureate in Literature, her mother's second husband until his death in 2008. Her maternal grandparents were the late Elizabeth Longford, also an eminent biographer, and the late Lord Longford, a well-known politician, social reformer, and author.
She was named after Scottish Jacobite Flora MacDonald. Using her maiden name Flora Fraser, she has written biographies of Emma Hamilton, Caroline of Brunswick, the daughters of George III, and Pauline Bonaparte.
She is the daughter of historian and historical biographer Lady Antonia Fraser and the late Sir Hugh Fraser, a British Conservative politician. Her stepfather was the playwright Harold Pinter, the 2005 Nobel Laureate in Literature, her mother's second husband until his death in 2008. Her maternal grandparents were the late Elizabeth Longford, also an eminent biographer, and the late Lord Longford, a well-known politician, social reformer, and author.
She was named after Scottish Jacobite Flora MacDonald. Using her maiden name Flora Fraser, she has written biographies of Emma Hamilton, Caroline of Brunswick, the daughters of George III, and Pauline Bonaparte.
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May 1, 2025
Historian Flora Fraser has a passion for uncovering the lives of great women whom at times are overshadowed by their more famous husbands or family lines, and with Princesses, she succeeds in bringing to life the history of “Mad” King George III’s six unique daughters. While it is evident from the title as well as the opening pages that the main focus of Fraser’s work is indeed on Princesses Royal, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia, it’s worth noting that their brothers are featured extensively as well—along with the likes of Queen Charlotte, King George III, and the future Queen Victoria. Beginning with the young Hanoverian George III’s courtship of a charming and elegant Princess Charlotte, we see all of the customs and secrets of aristocratic England through their lives.
She draws meticulously from their very letters and archives of primary sources, at times almost too much—as it feels the pages are scattered with various quotes, random facts and detail, which may leave the reader a bit carried away from the actual subject of the given chapter. With George III and Charlotte on the throne in 1761, they waste no time in their efforts to build a strong family line. Indeed, they would have a remarkable total of fifteen children—beginning with their first born son in 1762, and Princess Royal would follow two other boys in 1766. As the girls grow from adolescence into young adults, the grip and overall love from their father gets tighter alongside his growing madness. Their defensive father goes to great lengths to keep them close and innocent, even fending off the charm and advances of eligible suitors. Near the middle of Fraser’s account, scandals begin to take place between their brothers, themselves, and their various liaisons:
Lord Glenbervie learnt from the Princess of Wales twelve years later details that she had heard from the Duke of York about this Worthing sojourn–that ‘being engaged one day’ there, Keate had sent his nephew to Amelia, ‘who communicated an infection to her from whence all her subsequent illness originated.’ We shall see that this gossip chimes with fears about her fertility–and with detailed descriptions of symptoms that tally with those of venereal infection–that Amelia herself expressed later in extremely confidential letters.
Fraser ties in the accounts of numerous governesses, family friends, servants, cousins, lords and chambermaids, in order to get a broad visual of the Royal Family’s actions and experiences—but the text can become dry and unenthusiastic at certain parts. Nonetheless, this is without a doubt the definitive chronicle of each of the Princesses lives collectively, and Fraser takes a scholarly and exact approach to their day-to-day magisterial lives—not unlike her mother Antonia, also a notable historian in her own right. Illustrations are provided, as well as an extraordinarily helpful Family Tree to revisit throughout the reading.
She draws meticulously from their very letters and archives of primary sources, at times almost too much—as it feels the pages are scattered with various quotes, random facts and detail, which may leave the reader a bit carried away from the actual subject of the given chapter. With George III and Charlotte on the throne in 1761, they waste no time in their efforts to build a strong family line. Indeed, they would have a remarkable total of fifteen children—beginning with their first born son in 1762, and Princess Royal would follow two other boys in 1766. As the girls grow from adolescence into young adults, the grip and overall love from their father gets tighter alongside his growing madness. Their defensive father goes to great lengths to keep them close and innocent, even fending off the charm and advances of eligible suitors. Near the middle of Fraser’s account, scandals begin to take place between their brothers, themselves, and their various liaisons:
Lord Glenbervie learnt from the Princess of Wales twelve years later details that she had heard from the Duke of York about this Worthing sojourn–that ‘being engaged one day’ there, Keate had sent his nephew to Amelia, ‘who communicated an infection to her from whence all her subsequent illness originated.’ We shall see that this gossip chimes with fears about her fertility–and with detailed descriptions of symptoms that tally with those of venereal infection–that Amelia herself expressed later in extremely confidential letters.
Fraser ties in the accounts of numerous governesses, family friends, servants, cousins, lords and chambermaids, in order to get a broad visual of the Royal Family’s actions and experiences—but the text can become dry and unenthusiastic at certain parts. Nonetheless, this is without a doubt the definitive chronicle of each of the Princesses lives collectively, and Fraser takes a scholarly and exact approach to their day-to-day magisterial lives—not unlike her mother Antonia, also a notable historian in her own right. Illustrations are provided, as well as an extraordinarily helpful Family Tree to revisit throughout the reading.
April 18, 2017
On my biographical journey, I have come across a number of interesting characters, as many who have been following my reviews will surely know. Those who have made their mark on history are of particular interest, as it allows me to delve into curious parts of their past and determine how their choices eventually helped shape the world in which I live today. While many will know some rudimentary events surrounding George III (both fact and fiction), Flora Fraser seeks not only to shed some light on his life, but the role his daughters played at Court and throughout Europe. Fraser presents a strong biographical piece to exemplify what these six ladies of the House of Hanover did during their lives. With three who never married and only one who bore a legitimate child, their impact proved somewhat buried in historical tomes, eluding the amateur history buff. Curious and attentive readers will applaud the detailed analysis offered by Fraser in this unique piece, which explores their lives, sandwiched between two long-reigning English monarchs.
George III, whose Hanovarian bloodline had ruled England for much of the 18th century, proves to be the central character in this biographical piece, or at least his impact is felt throughout. George III and his wife, Princess Charlotte, began building their familial empire by having children soon after they wed, producing a few princes, which would eventually total nine male heirs. The six princesses, peppered amongst their brothers in order of birth, could be used to fortify the bloodline and expand the king's control into foreign lands. Princesses Charlotte (called Royal), Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia all found their lives woven into the larger narrative of their father's reign. As Fraser shows throughout, George III loved his daughters deeply, though they came in such succession and became so numerous that he was not able to have strong individual relationships with any of his children. George III had Parliament pass the Royal Marriages Act, which required the sovereign's approval of any marriage before it could be permitted, to stave off marriages that would bring no lasting power to the English Throne or might dissipate control, should a female offspring be married off. This proved a strong attempt to curb less than useful marriages amongst some of the older princes, but did not negate them, as Fraser recounts that many married in secret. Without their father's sanction, the princes could not have their marriages approved and therefore left any offspring out of the line of succession, thereby leaving it up to the princesses to marry well and potentially bear a future king.
George III's brood eventually totalled fifteen(!), throughout much unrest, particularly through the American colonial upheaval. Fraser shows that the Sovereign's focus was firmly rooted in quelling these issues and the princesses matured without a strong paternal figure. Maternally, Queen Charlotte was constantly with child, leaving her a less than powerful influence over her own daughters as well. It was expected that the princesses would remain at Court and act in accordance with their station, attending parties and balls, where many princes and men of influence might attend. However, then aforementioned Royal Marriages Act proved daunting as well, leaving the princesses to choose from a small group of men approved by George III. Looking to his Hanovarian past, Princesses Charlotte and Elizabeth were sent to the German states to marry and strengthen relations with England, the former having a child who died while Elizabeth remained childless. Princess Mary eventually married the Duke of Gloucester, though bore no children. The other three never did marry, therefore their role in the line of succession was nil and their personal exploits proved to be minimal, even as Fraser seeks to sketch out some of their time at Court.
George III's madness also played into the princesses lives quite significantly, as they were forced to watch their father's acuity deteriorate over time. Fraser mentions that this mental fog could, on occasion, keep the king from realising that one of his daughters had died, further questioning his ability to rule and instigating a panic in the line of succession. During a period of regency rule by the Prince of Wales, the princesses were forced to curry favour with their brother in order to find matches or live at Court that would appeal to everyone. Fraser mentions that this period proved a strain on the princesses and left the English Court in some disarray. A quick domino effect left the princesses to watch George III die, and the Prince of Wales become George IV. This was short-lived and soon William IV ascended to the Throne, but he was also struck dead. The only remaining legitimate heir was the daughter of Edward, the Duke of Kent. Queen Victoria thereby emerged and began her lengthy reign. Fraser uses the latter chapters to tie off the lives of the five princesses who lasted into adulthood and reflects their waning years against the early time of Queen Victoria. While the queen was able to foster strong relationship with her aunts, Fraser hints at the fact that these women, whose lives began during the lengthy reign of their father would end with another royal juggernaut pushing the monarchy through the 19th century. Fascinating to extract some historical context to these women, whose footprint is barely felt in history.
Fraser's approach proves to be highly unique and very interesting. Subtle arguments that the lives of these six princesses were significantly influenced by the life of their father cannot be lost on the attentive reader. Fraser seeks to individualise the lives of each, though the chapters that discuss them are superimposed with the progress (or regression) of George III's time as king. Equally strong in the arguments presented is the premise that with so many children, one might have suspected that a larger reach might have been procured for the English or that several monarchs could trace back to George III. The narrative remains crisp nonetheless and allows the reader to delve into a significant amount of history while not getting too bogged down by events. It is quite difficult to obtain a thorough and all-encompassing biography of the six princesses in one narrative, though Fraser offers a wonderful overview and weaves the impact each played alongside George III's reign. Surely this piece serves as a wonderful springboard to other works that might exist for the curious reader, though little is to be said that Fraser did not coax out of her diligent background research. A worthy investment by any reader who wishes to expand horizons and knowledge of the European scene at the time.
Kudos, Madam Fraser for this well-researched piece that introduces readers to some of the great advances women in the House of Hanover would make in decades to come. I will be sure to keep my eyes out for more of your work, which proves educational and entertaining in equal order.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
George III, whose Hanovarian bloodline had ruled England for much of the 18th century, proves to be the central character in this biographical piece, or at least his impact is felt throughout. George III and his wife, Princess Charlotte, began building their familial empire by having children soon after they wed, producing a few princes, which would eventually total nine male heirs. The six princesses, peppered amongst their brothers in order of birth, could be used to fortify the bloodline and expand the king's control into foreign lands. Princesses Charlotte (called Royal), Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia all found their lives woven into the larger narrative of their father's reign. As Fraser shows throughout, George III loved his daughters deeply, though they came in such succession and became so numerous that he was not able to have strong individual relationships with any of his children. George III had Parliament pass the Royal Marriages Act, which required the sovereign's approval of any marriage before it could be permitted, to stave off marriages that would bring no lasting power to the English Throne or might dissipate control, should a female offspring be married off. This proved a strong attempt to curb less than useful marriages amongst some of the older princes, but did not negate them, as Fraser recounts that many married in secret. Without their father's sanction, the princes could not have their marriages approved and therefore left any offspring out of the line of succession, thereby leaving it up to the princesses to marry well and potentially bear a future king.
George III's brood eventually totalled fifteen(!), throughout much unrest, particularly through the American colonial upheaval. Fraser shows that the Sovereign's focus was firmly rooted in quelling these issues and the princesses matured without a strong paternal figure. Maternally, Queen Charlotte was constantly with child, leaving her a less than powerful influence over her own daughters as well. It was expected that the princesses would remain at Court and act in accordance with their station, attending parties and balls, where many princes and men of influence might attend. However, then aforementioned Royal Marriages Act proved daunting as well, leaving the princesses to choose from a small group of men approved by George III. Looking to his Hanovarian past, Princesses Charlotte and Elizabeth were sent to the German states to marry and strengthen relations with England, the former having a child who died while Elizabeth remained childless. Princess Mary eventually married the Duke of Gloucester, though bore no children. The other three never did marry, therefore their role in the line of succession was nil and their personal exploits proved to be minimal, even as Fraser seeks to sketch out some of their time at Court.
George III's madness also played into the princesses lives quite significantly, as they were forced to watch their father's acuity deteriorate over time. Fraser mentions that this mental fog could, on occasion, keep the king from realising that one of his daughters had died, further questioning his ability to rule and instigating a panic in the line of succession. During a period of regency rule by the Prince of Wales, the princesses were forced to curry favour with their brother in order to find matches or live at Court that would appeal to everyone. Fraser mentions that this period proved a strain on the princesses and left the English Court in some disarray. A quick domino effect left the princesses to watch George III die, and the Prince of Wales become George IV. This was short-lived and soon William IV ascended to the Throne, but he was also struck dead. The only remaining legitimate heir was the daughter of Edward, the Duke of Kent. Queen Victoria thereby emerged and began her lengthy reign. Fraser uses the latter chapters to tie off the lives of the five princesses who lasted into adulthood and reflects their waning years against the early time of Queen Victoria. While the queen was able to foster strong relationship with her aunts, Fraser hints at the fact that these women, whose lives began during the lengthy reign of their father would end with another royal juggernaut pushing the monarchy through the 19th century. Fascinating to extract some historical context to these women, whose footprint is barely felt in history.
Fraser's approach proves to be highly unique and very interesting. Subtle arguments that the lives of these six princesses were significantly influenced by the life of their father cannot be lost on the attentive reader. Fraser seeks to individualise the lives of each, though the chapters that discuss them are superimposed with the progress (or regression) of George III's time as king. Equally strong in the arguments presented is the premise that with so many children, one might have suspected that a larger reach might have been procured for the English or that several monarchs could trace back to George III. The narrative remains crisp nonetheless and allows the reader to delve into a significant amount of history while not getting too bogged down by events. It is quite difficult to obtain a thorough and all-encompassing biography of the six princesses in one narrative, though Fraser offers a wonderful overview and weaves the impact each played alongside George III's reign. Surely this piece serves as a wonderful springboard to other works that might exist for the curious reader, though little is to be said that Fraser did not coax out of her diligent background research. A worthy investment by any reader who wishes to expand horizons and knowledge of the European scene at the time.
Kudos, Madam Fraser for this well-researched piece that introduces readers to some of the great advances women in the House of Hanover would make in decades to come. I will be sure to keep my eyes out for more of your work, which proves educational and entertaining in equal order.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
September 6, 2014
"Princesses" is about the 6 daughters of George III, and by extension their 9 brothers, and of course Fat George himself, and his wife (who does little, being pregnant constantly). Lots to love there, no?
But OMG! I read a lot of non fiction, and I am a history buff, but the writing is SO tedious I can hardly stay awake.
It's by Flora Frasier, and I recall having had the same problem a while back trying to read her mother Antonia's bio of Charles II The (not so) Merry Monarch, eventually just giving up.
I imagine it's a simple matter of taste, but for myself, I can't imagine why the Fraziers are so well thought of as writers. They suffer from the urge to include every scrap of research, whether it furthers the story or not. And the research on this looks like it was exhaustive.
It includes letter after letter after letter by the girls. Some are quite revealing of their personalities, and growth. Others just meander on and on - it reminds me of the way that a proud parent will sometimes show you several dozen photos of their child - fascinating to the parent, no doubt, but not the viewer....
I haven't given up yet, but I am going to check around to see it there are any other books covering the family.
But OMG! I read a lot of non fiction, and I am a history buff, but the writing is SO tedious I can hardly stay awake.
It's by Flora Frasier, and I recall having had the same problem a while back trying to read her mother Antonia's bio of Charles II The (not so) Merry Monarch, eventually just giving up.
I imagine it's a simple matter of taste, but for myself, I can't imagine why the Fraziers are so well thought of as writers. They suffer from the urge to include every scrap of research, whether it furthers the story or not. And the research on this looks like it was exhaustive.
It includes letter after letter after letter by the girls. Some are quite revealing of their personalities, and growth. Others just meander on and on - it reminds me of the way that a proud parent will sometimes show you several dozen photos of their child - fascinating to the parent, no doubt, but not the viewer....
I haven't given up yet, but I am going to check around to see it there are any other books covering the family.
September 23, 2017
3.5 Stars.
Good, but I think the author came to conclusions and made statements that she couldn't back up with factual evidence. You can say whatever you like about someone's character or actions, but it should be backed up with actual historical sources.
Good, but I think the author came to conclusions and made statements that she couldn't back up with factual evidence. You can say whatever you like about someone's character or actions, but it should be backed up with actual historical sources.
October 5, 2011
what an interesting biography. the blurb the cover exaggerates a bit though - i would not quite describe it as full of scandal, sex and illegitimate children. there are chapters on the basics - like growing up and in the end it chronicles the last weeks of the last surviving sisters married, widowed or single.
it does give a really intense and interesting insight into the lives of privileged women. i am still touched by the idea that the king was so very glad to finally have a daughter with his princess royal. aaaaaah. makes one's heart melt. otherwise also very sad seeing they were so at mercy at their father's hands. and to spend basically all your life seeing your dear female relatives almost every single day of your life? not being able to travel? and not being able to be with whom you love? that must have been a sad life.
ms fraser quotes extensively from letters which is highly interesting and the index is absolutely brilliant, sometimes you don't get one with these non-academic history books. the illustrations i liked too. more would have been better as several times she alludes to a portrait or other we don't get to see and are hard to find (for me anyway).
some other points:
it was also fascinating as in most other literature popular and academic the prince of wales is not portrayed favourably. in (most of) his sisters' accounts he comes across as more or less caring and considerate. mh. who'd have thought.
it turns out again how closely england and germany have been "allied" by marriage "policy". almost every spouse was german. i had not been aware that the prussian princess friederike had married an english son of george III. ah! the one who took over the throne in hanover. and who seems to have been a right rascal.
as another reviewer has said: in order to avoid flipping to the front continually do make a copy of the family tree at the front of the book. and then annotate while you go along or you will be lost (like me more than once).
well. and there i have run out of things i can say about it. a good book. read it if you're interested in the 18th and 19th century and don't mind a bit of gossip.
it does give a really intense and interesting insight into the lives of privileged women. i am still touched by the idea that the king was so very glad to finally have a daughter with his princess royal. aaaaaah. makes one's heart melt. otherwise also very sad seeing they were so at mercy at their father's hands. and to spend basically all your life seeing your dear female relatives almost every single day of your life? not being able to travel? and not being able to be with whom you love? that must have been a sad life.
ms fraser quotes extensively from letters which is highly interesting and the index is absolutely brilliant, sometimes you don't get one with these non-academic history books. the illustrations i liked too. more would have been better as several times she alludes to a portrait or other we don't get to see and are hard to find (for me anyway).
some other points:
it was also fascinating as in most other literature popular and academic the prince of wales is not portrayed favourably. in (most of) his sisters' accounts he comes across as more or less caring and considerate. mh. who'd have thought.
it turns out again how closely england and germany have been "allied" by marriage "policy". almost every spouse was german. i had not been aware that the prussian princess friederike had married an english son of george III. ah! the one who took over the throne in hanover. and who seems to have been a right rascal.
as another reviewer has said: in order to avoid flipping to the front continually do make a copy of the family tree at the front of the book. and then annotate while you go along or you will be lost (like me more than once).
well. and there i have run out of things i can say about it. a good book. read it if you're interested in the 18th and 19th century and don't mind a bit of gossip.
Read
February 27, 2009I was drawn to Princesses because I am trying to read more non-fiction, and because, as a I have discussed before, I love to read biographies of snooty aristocratic families, particularly families of sisters. This is the ultimately family of sisters - the six daughters of George III of England, of madness/American Revolution fame. It is an inherently interesting story to read about how these six women lived, in such times, with such a family. Furthermore, the book is ridden with scandal! The princes were notoriously dissapated, and at least one princess had an illegitimate child (and the rumor was that her own brother was the father - though Fraser says that was unlikely). Furthermore, although George III had 15(!) children, barely any of his children were married, and when he died, there was a mad scramble among the by then elderly princes to have a child to be heir. This eventually led to Queen Victoria, who I have a lot more respect for after reading this book. Oh sure, we think of Victorian times as being full of repression and stuffiness, but given how poorly the Hanoverians were thought of by the English, its pretty freaking amazing how Victoria managed to save the reputation of monarchy. Good show, I say!
But, even though the book was interesting, I was disappointed. Fraser merely acts as a reporter, and her writing story actually makes an interesting story dull, and a little sad. She doesn't explore the interesting issue - such as why a loving family had so few grandchildren, or why the King did not do more to arrange dynastic marriages for his children, and she certainly doesn't do enough with the scandal! I mean, hello, the Princess of England had an illegitimate child!! In 1789 (or so)!! That is mind-blowingly interesting history, and she barely touches it. Bad show, Flora. I don't know if it was because she needed royal approval for access to letters, or if she is just a dullard, but I was disappointed by Princesses. It was good, but it could have been awesome.
But, even though the book was interesting, I was disappointed. Fraser merely acts as a reporter, and her writing story actually makes an interesting story dull, and a little sad. She doesn't explore the interesting issue - such as why a loving family had so few grandchildren, or why the King did not do more to arrange dynastic marriages for his children, and she certainly doesn't do enough with the scandal! I mean, hello, the Princess of England had an illegitimate child!! In 1789 (or so)!! That is mind-blowingly interesting history, and she barely touches it. Bad show, Flora. I don't know if it was because she needed royal approval for access to letters, or if she is just a dullard, but I was disappointed by Princesses. It was good, but it could have been awesome.
abandoned
December 27, 2019Interesting subject, but I fall into the camp that found Fraser's writing to be very dry, which makes this quite a long book. It seems like a substantial amount of it is undigested research - the royal family went to such-and-such a palace to celebrate such-and-such an occasion - maybe because it was intended to be more of an academic biography that simply records facts, but as a non-academic what I'm looking for in biographies is meaning. With all these quoted letters from the young princesses to their governesses apologizing for bad behavior, for instance: what do they actually tell us about the princesses and their lives and culture? What sort of behavior were the girls getting up to, and were some less obedient than others? Did they write the letters of their own volition or because another governess told them to? Without any of this context - which Fraser doesn't provide - quoting a few of these letters doesn't actually tell us anything. Isn't the historian's job to sort through all this primary source material and sift narrative and meaning out of it to share with the reader? Maybe I'm asking for more hand-holding than the type of writing Fraser aspired to here is meant to provide, but at any rate I quit at page 100. I debated a lot whether to continue though, since there is a lot of interesting information here and the six princesses seem to have had interesting lives.
June 30, 2012
I enjoyed this book. It was unusual to read a book about royalty not focused on the heirs to the throne, but rather on the more behind the scenes characters, and the six daughter of "Mad" King George were indeed that. The book is based almost solely on information from letters, and it amazed me how many letters people wrote in the late 1700s and early 1800s! I wonder how anyone will be able to recreate lives now. Who has a box of emails lying around?
The book did have a very English feel to it. Everything felt understated, as if you'd already know which stories were the big stories, and would not need them to be spelled out. That has its merits, but I DIDN'T know, and the very interesting parts like the scandal around one of the princesses seemed to appear out of no-place for me, without much context.
This book would not be for someone who likes fast paced excitement, but if you are, like me, a fan of reading about English royalty and getting a glimpse into another place and time, it is a pleasurable read.
The book did have a very English feel to it. Everything felt understated, as if you'd already know which stories were the big stories, and would not need them to be spelled out. That has its merits, but I DIDN'T know, and the very interesting parts like the scandal around one of the princesses seemed to appear out of no-place for me, without much context.
This book would not be for someone who likes fast paced excitement, but if you are, like me, a fan of reading about English royalty and getting a glimpse into another place and time, it is a pleasurable read.
September 1, 2021
Six little princesses grow up in a succession of big houses with their affectionate but crazy father, repressed & angry mom, & a houseful of brothers who range from the effeminate Prince of Wales to serial rapist Ernest. I totally have to write a novel about this group! Crazy dad (George III) loves his daughters so much he doesn’t want them to grow up, get married & leave home – no one is good enough for them. So they sit at home with their sewing, their books, their drawing & music lessons. And for some, their secret lovers, illegitimate children, & other less overt ways of escaping the family bird-cage! I don’t want to give away what happens to each sister because it really is a lot of fun finding out. Though these wealthy, pampered women may seem a world away from us reading about them today, what I thought about is how like us they really were. They wanted homes, partners & children of their own. They loved one another, their parents & brothers. Like all of us, they wanted lives of their own & to be happy & loved. Despite their wealth & privilege, they all had to struggle a great deal to achieve their wishes. I think in the end many of them got there, but not without great personal sacrifice. Straight from the world of Jane Austen, here you’ll find importunate lords, men in yellow wigs, & women who suffer mysterious fevers & “nervous complaints,” in addition to stillborn children & tuberculosis; promiscuous queens, clueless doctors, gossipy, back-biting relatives; the apparently endless contractor nightmares suffered by 18th century royalty in repairing their many homes, & an awareness of the vast amounts of alcohol & pastry that these people apparently consumed! Put some Mozart on, grab an éclair & prepare to kind of fall in love with six spoiled girls! If you don’t love them, you’ll at least be amazed that they got through life without ending up as crazy as their father!
November 3, 2021
Very long and expertly detailed. So much research. And yet the story of these 15 siblings (the brothers are highly featured as well) is so wide in one sense and so narrow to each individual in particular- that the sheer bulk of week to week or strong event "change" often gets lost, IMHO.
Very decent book for reading a deep monarchy and royals view of this period when the Revolutions were occurring. Also when the very systems of monarchy as government forms began to change in onus and structured "rights". Also if you want to get a real grasp of Queen Victoria's Grandmother, Grandfather and parents.
I much prefer the kind of long record of biography as Nancy Gladstone does with the footnotes which open a window to some duplicitous title or "outside looking in" to royalty real lives then this length without much overview levity. Very dry and long read. The portraits and color plated sections were fantastic in the hard copy. 6 stars.
Never forget that even in these very pampered, cossetted and monetary supreme lives TB, insanity and every other ilk of human sickness you can name is still just acceptable parts of every life. You lived with it. Regardless of what living with it contains.
Very decent book for reading a deep monarchy and royals view of this period when the Revolutions were occurring. Also when the very systems of monarchy as government forms began to change in onus and structured "rights". Also if you want to get a real grasp of Queen Victoria's Grandmother, Grandfather and parents.
I much prefer the kind of long record of biography as Nancy Gladstone does with the footnotes which open a window to some duplicitous title or "outside looking in" to royalty real lives then this length without much overview levity. Very dry and long read. The portraits and color plated sections were fantastic in the hard copy. 6 stars.
Never forget that even in these very pampered, cossetted and monetary supreme lives TB, insanity and every other ilk of human sickness you can name is still just acceptable parts of every life. You lived with it. Regardless of what living with it contains.
June 21, 2007
I was hugely disappointed by this biography, which should have been wonderful, considering Flora Fraser's literary lineage, but wasn't, for various reasons. Her approach to writing this biography chronicling the lives of the six daughters of George III was exhaustive, meticulous and detailed, but left me wondering why I was even bothering to finish the book. Fraser quotes almost exclusively from the seemingly endless collection of archived correspondence between the princesses, but what results is not much more than a catalogue of their every move, an inventory of their daily movements. Perhaps that is what Fraser wanted to achieve - to reflect the boredom that must have plagued these stifled women, living in a gilded cage, in her own book. What I wanted was more passion, more gossip, more subjectivity, and more analysis of what it must have been like for these princesses, whose situations were, by any standards, unique and exceptional. Father, the King, goes mad, doesn't let any of his daughters get married and tramples on their hopes of love and marriage. Brother, the Regent, has affairs with acresses and enters into hugely public divorce with his detested wife. Mother, the Queen, devoted matriarch, turns into wizened ogre as her life becomes more and more torn apart by tragedy. Sounds like a story full of potential for salacious juice, none of which is served up here by Fraser.
April 4, 2024
I was intensely immersed in Flora Fraser's impressive, high calibre tome. Historical royal biography is an addictive genre that leaves its readers ever hungry for something to top their favourites. This is a difficult call on authors. There are only limited options without repeating what others before have done brilliantly.
This author's notary mother, Lady Antonia Fraser, is an impossible act to follow. Think of most talented daughters living in their famous mothers' shadows and this syndrome becomes clear.
Being any such diva's daughter may have that advantageous head start insofar as many already know who you are and will finance your enterprise if only from curiosity. But there are accompanying soaring expectations, ones few mortals could realistically live up to.
Any established readership like Lady Antonia's is so loyal it can be wincingly unforgiving in its natural comparisons. That brilliant mother has already covered the most popular subjects and periods, leaving only the duller choices for her daughter to embark upon.
Flora Fraser has proven herself a chip off the old block to this first-time reader. Her characterisations are sublime, her detail meticulous, her research suitably mindboggling - I'd have expected nothing less and would have been greatly disappointed with less.
While this is admittedly not the most interesting period to me, the book covers a fascinating royal court. The civility and humanness of Mad King George III's cultured female offspring is striking. We like these women. They are deserving of such coverage. I came away better informed, further educated and entertained, if little more enthralled by the Hanoverians generally.
Perhaps only Lady Fraser's daughter could have achieved what has been pulled off here. A fine piece of work on a challenging group of subjects to document interestingly. As with her mother, I will read more of her, regardless which subjects.
This author's notary mother, Lady Antonia Fraser, is an impossible act to follow. Think of most talented daughters living in their famous mothers' shadows and this syndrome becomes clear.
Being any such diva's daughter may have that advantageous head start insofar as many already know who you are and will finance your enterprise if only from curiosity. But there are accompanying soaring expectations, ones few mortals could realistically live up to.
Any established readership like Lady Antonia's is so loyal it can be wincingly unforgiving in its natural comparisons. That brilliant mother has already covered the most popular subjects and periods, leaving only the duller choices for her daughter to embark upon.
Flora Fraser has proven herself a chip off the old block to this first-time reader. Her characterisations are sublime, her detail meticulous, her research suitably mindboggling - I'd have expected nothing less and would have been greatly disappointed with less.
While this is admittedly not the most interesting period to me, the book covers a fascinating royal court. The civility and humanness of Mad King George III's cultured female offspring is striking. We like these women. They are deserving of such coverage. I came away better informed, further educated and entertained, if little more enthralled by the Hanoverians generally.
Perhaps only Lady Fraser's daughter could have achieved what has been pulled off here. A fine piece of work on a challenging group of subjects to document interestingly. As with her mother, I will read more of her, regardless which subjects.
Read
July 31, 2011So many princesses, so many princes, so many marriages, affairs, children, illegitimate or otherwise... my advice? Photocopy the family tree at the front and take notes! Geeky, yes, but oh so helpful!
Whatever you do, don't give up on it. It can be quite complicated with people having the same name or title and because it's quite fastpaced as there's so much to fit in, it can move quite quickly. However, the lives of these six sisters and their brothers makes for excellent reading. No daughter gets more attention or detail than another and by the end, you'll definitely have a favourite.
Other memebers of the the Royal Family, such as Queen Victoria and her cousin Charlotte also feature heavily, providing more substance to the character of each princess and her relationship with her nieces and nephews. And I haven't even begun to go into how Flora Fraser handles George III's illness and how his wife Charlotte slowly distants herself from him.
Overall, an excellent account of these sisters and their brothers' entwining lives and deaths, in front of a backdrop of political unrest in America and across Europe, concluding with the beginning of the reign of Queen Victoria, making it span the lives of four generations over nearly 100 years.
Whatever you do, don't give up on it. It can be quite complicated with people having the same name or title and because it's quite fastpaced as there's so much to fit in, it can move quite quickly. However, the lives of these six sisters and their brothers makes for excellent reading. No daughter gets more attention or detail than another and by the end, you'll definitely have a favourite.
Other memebers of the the Royal Family, such as Queen Victoria and her cousin Charlotte also feature heavily, providing more substance to the character of each princess and her relationship with her nieces and nephews. And I haven't even begun to go into how Flora Fraser handles George III's illness and how his wife Charlotte slowly distants herself from him.
Overall, an excellent account of these sisters and their brothers' entwining lives and deaths, in front of a backdrop of political unrest in America and across Europe, concluding with the beginning of the reign of Queen Victoria, making it span the lives of four generations over nearly 100 years.
March 31, 2008
Really illuminates the origins of what we call "victorian" customs. I could have used a bit more of the social history - what they ate, wore, etc. but that's just my taste. It was a bit long, too, and since they did so much art, decorating, etc, a few examples would have been nice. The plates included are quite lovely, though.
Wonder whether George III could have changed the course of European History by marrying the six off well and early, and doing a better job educating/occupying/marrying the sons (seven survived...) as well. Imagine the world if Victoria hadn't become Queen.
Wonder whether George III could have changed the course of European History by marrying the six off well and early, and doing a better job educating/occupying/marrying the sons (seven survived...) as well. Imagine the world if Victoria hadn't become Queen.
April 2, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed the social history of the royal family of George III, possibly because his control over his daughters was so overarching in all aspects of their lives to the extent that he would not allow any to marry. Great detail on all the daughters lives and a fantastic precursor to why Victoria actually made it to the throne, due in part to his sons leaving it far too late to produce any legitimate children. I found this a page turner!
December 31, 2016
Thorough, fascinating multiple biography of the six daughters of George III. They were all distinct individuals, but kept their close relationship all their lives by writing copious letters to each other. Only Charlotte, the Princess Royal, (she was never called by her name, but always "Royal") was permitted to marry while her parents were alive. There was a dearth of suitable European princes - non-Catholics and of good morals - and the King and Queen were protective and picky. Some of the Princesses chafed under the standards and rules of their strict mother, especially as adults. Their lives were very much a part of the greater history of the times - the wars and revolutions, the politics. It was interesting for me, as an American, to see the American Revolution and independence through the perspective of the royal family. I ended up with a great respect for George III, even when I didn't agree with him. The part that was hardest to read about was the King's "madness," the barbaric treatments he was subjected to, and the effect it had on both the royal family and the country. Fraser makes a passing reference to porphyria, which was a popular, long after-the-fact diagnosis of the 1960's, which has now been discredited. Bi-polar disease has been suggested more recently, but the fact is that it is nigh impossible to make a diagnosis of a mental illness that happened so long ago and which was so imperfectly documented by the King's doctors, who all touted their own different theories and methods of treatment.
I found this book compulsively readable and strongly recommend it.
I found this book compulsively readable and strongly recommend it.
June 10, 2013
Raccontare la vita di ben sei principesse, dalla nascita alla morte, si rivela un compito quanto mai arduo, se non altro per la gran quantità di materiale da gestire. Oltre alle vicende delle sei figlie di Giorgio III, assistiamo per forza anche a quella delle loro dame di compagnia, del Re, della regina Caroline, degli altri sette principi reali e delle loro consorti, di almeno una decina tra cugini e nipoti, alle travagliate vicende matrimoniali del Reggente, uno scorcio delle guerre napoleoniche, il regno di Giorgio IV e Guglielmo IV, la nascita l'ascensione al trono il matrimonio di Vittoria e per finire ancora una manciata di nipoti dell'ultima generazione.
Tenere dietro a tutti questi personaggi è a dir poco impegnativo, se si considera oltretutto che buona parte viene nominata a volte per nome, a volte per titolo (per esempio il principe Adolphus è chiamato anche Dolly e Duca di Cambridge). Troppo spesso non ho capito assolutamente di chi si stesse parlando in quel momento.
Tenere dietro a tutti questi personaggi è a dir poco impegnativo, se si considera oltretutto che buona parte viene nominata a volte per nome, a volte per titolo (per esempio il principe Adolphus è chiamato anche Dolly e Duca di Cambridge). Troppo spesso non ho capito assolutamente di chi si stesse parlando in quel momento.
March 1, 2014
The scholarship is excellent and, aside from a weakness for convoluted syntax, Fraser is an articulate writer. However, I was ultimately disappointed that she didn't shape the material into a more interesting story-- or six interesting stories. The detail about the daily lives of the princesses as children created charming if not exactly compelling scenes. But ultimately the little girls became adult women who were essentially trapped in a gilded cage by their father's madness, conflicts within the royal family, and a law that prevented them from marrying out of it. And at that point Fraser's smooth and rather tedious style disappointed me. Yes, she acknowledges the scandals, death, and heartbreak, but only briefly and interspersed with lengthy descriptions of gardens, embroidery, and seaside excursions. So while there is a wealth of information here, I think you have to be more of a history geek than I to enjoy it.
August 16, 2010
I wanted to like this book as I was curious how the 18th c. English nobility treated women. Not well, as it turns out, at least if you dad was George III: these six women led very limited lives due to the King's inability to let them go and the Queen's unwillingness to override his wishes. The book was frustatingly slow simply because much if it was about the princesses' largely homebound lives.
January 27, 2010
Well researched. King George the third had 7 sons and 6 daughter. Only 3 daughter ever married and very late in life. One daughter had an illigitmate child that she had to give away. All in all I felt very sorry for all of his children not just the daughters.
July 30, 2012
Not a bad book - I just didn't find these sisters that interesting so it took me a long time to finish it.
February 19, 2015
I really hate to give one star for a book that was obviously very well researched. Maybe it's my own fault for disliking this book. I should know by now that if you want to really read about the lives of any past British royal, and the foreword thanks the Queen of England, pass. The author is going to skim over everything you really want to know. The first half of the book could be called 'boring letters bored toddlers wrote their mother' and the second half should be titled 'things that wouldn't fit into my first book' (which as about the girls sister in law). For example. Royal- the oldest of the girls. She marries late in life. To a man that it was reported was abusive. It's hinted that maybe he wasn't nice. And maybe he was gay. I just used more words than those hints did. Royal was possibly the victim of domestic violence yet she was a saintly step mother and beloved by the nation she became queen of. We don't hear about her relationship with her husband. We don't hear very much about how wonderful of a stepmother/adoptive mother she was. We don't hear about the emotional pain that led her to eat herself to obesity. But we do get to read the letter she wrote to one of her caretakers when she was basically an infant! All six of the girls it seems took lovers, even had children. No clue how such supervised girls could carry on their affairs, how aware they were of each others partners, the impact their crazy lifestyles may have had on their niece Queen Victoria. But we do know every ache and pain they ever felt. They each in their own way rebelled against the denial of having their own families, but they are watered down and white washed into boring idiots.
November 27, 2017
The 6 daughters of “Mad” King George III certainly had their share of scandal and tragedy in the 91 year span between the birth of the first and the death of the last sister. Their isolation from society reminded me a little of the Romanov girls (also their distant relatives), only in greater number. Surrounded by an exclusive circle of servants, tutors, and a few gentlewomen, they lacked in friends and experiences typical of their station. Nearly every suitor was rejected by the king, thus the princesses were made miserable by their inability to start their own families. Adding to the difficulties of their father’s infirmities, their mother’s ill-temper was also suffocating, and she was referred to as, “…the woman whose will and authority had so dominated and crushed [the princesses’].”
As Princess Elizabeth once lamented, “Distress and misery had so long been my lot that I have no longer the power of tears.” Such was their existence, 6 girls among 15 siblings, denied independence and even individuality. I didn’t discern many distinguishing characteristics among them. Besides Royal having no musical inclination and Elizabeth being an accomplished artist, Augusta was an unremarkable spinster, Mary was unhappily married to her cousin, Sophia was frequently ill and was suspected of having an illegitimate child (!), and Amelia died too young. None of them would have children of their own, and their only legacy was their niece, Queen Victoria, which is actually pretty sad.
As Princess Elizabeth once lamented, “Distress and misery had so long been my lot that I have no longer the power of tears.” Such was their existence, 6 girls among 15 siblings, denied independence and even individuality. I didn’t discern many distinguishing characteristics among them. Besides Royal having no musical inclination and Elizabeth being an accomplished artist, Augusta was an unremarkable spinster, Mary was unhappily married to her cousin, Sophia was frequently ill and was suspected of having an illegitimate child (!), and Amelia died too young. None of them would have children of their own, and their only legacy was their niece, Queen Victoria, which is actually pretty sad.
March 13, 2016
Actually 4.5 on a scale of 5. The color illustrations are well-reproduced and sufficient in number. The writing is very clear particularly about political matters and the book is liberally illustrated in many quotes.
I feel pity for the princesses. The portraits in the book of their youth show poised, pretty young women, well-educated for elite women of the age. Unfortunately the marital experiences of their father's sister and aunt resulted in his adamant disinclination to arrange marriages for them. Given that these would have been political, perhaps this was wise of him, but he also did not wish for them to marry Englishmen, though several did fall in love. (Though two of these turned out to be scoundrels.) Yet the princesses did want to marry, hoped for love or at least affectionate companionship, and certainly for children. In this respect their lives were tragic. Then too, though a reasonably happy family before the first onset of the king's porphyria, his first onset resulted in the emotional and psychological collapse of their mother, other political events, brothers' profligacy etc. that cracked the firm family and affectionate relationships they had. They led very isolated lives with few true friends with whom they could share intimate thoughts. Fraser manages to make each princess come "alive" to the reader and writes sympathetically about their situations.
I feel pity for the princesses. The portraits in the book of their youth show poised, pretty young women, well-educated for elite women of the age. Unfortunately the marital experiences of their father's sister and aunt resulted in his adamant disinclination to arrange marriages for them. Given that these would have been political, perhaps this was wise of him, but he also did not wish for them to marry Englishmen, though several did fall in love. (Though two of these turned out to be scoundrels.) Yet the princesses did want to marry, hoped for love or at least affectionate companionship, and certainly for children. In this respect their lives were tragic. Then too, though a reasonably happy family before the first onset of the king's porphyria, his first onset resulted in the emotional and psychological collapse of their mother, other political events, brothers' profligacy etc. that cracked the firm family and affectionate relationships they had. They led very isolated lives with few true friends with whom they could share intimate thoughts. Fraser manages to make each princess come "alive" to the reader and writes sympathetically about their situations.
August 30, 2016
A big book and not a doodle. Flora Fraser has a lot of information by way of diaries and letters and six subjects to cover. In the beginning it was difficult to make out different personalities with so many vying for attention but the eldest, Charlotte, the Princess Royal (known by the family as 'Royal') was a real tartar from the beginning. It was good to check Google to see how they all turned out as I went along.
I got a vivid picture of the very insular family of King George the third and his wife Queen Charlotte with their sons running off the rails in reaction but parents and daughters kept at home and the girls on very tight leashes.
For all their secluded lives interesting things happened. Sophia had a child which was spirited away and then brought up by his father. The family feared this would come out in the to-ing and fro-ing of legal writs between her brother the Prince of Wales (later George the fourth) and his estranged wife. And Royal married into a German Principality that was overrun by Napoleon and her husband settled with the Emperor when the Holy Roman Empire was broken up and became the King of Westphalia, bitterly opposed by England who was at war with Napoleon.
The six personalities of the princesses do emerge and their lives are laid out before us. It is sad to see the small and controlled lives they led despite their wealth and the power of their family.
Flora Fraser is the daughter of biographer Antonia Fraser.
I got a vivid picture of the very insular family of King George the third and his wife Queen Charlotte with their sons running off the rails in reaction but parents and daughters kept at home and the girls on very tight leashes.
For all their secluded lives interesting things happened. Sophia had a child which was spirited away and then brought up by his father. The family feared this would come out in the to-ing and fro-ing of legal writs between her brother the Prince of Wales (later George the fourth) and his estranged wife. And Royal married into a German Principality that was overrun by Napoleon and her husband settled with the Emperor when the Holy Roman Empire was broken up and became the King of Westphalia, bitterly opposed by England who was at war with Napoleon.
The six personalities of the princesses do emerge and their lives are laid out before us. It is sad to see the small and controlled lives they led despite their wealth and the power of their family.
Flora Fraser is the daughter of biographer Antonia Fraser.
May 28, 2014
This a non-fiction book about the six daughters of King George III. Being the "villain" in the American Revolution and known primarily for his "madness" is only part of the story. I did not realize that he was quite the family man and preferred a quiet life to the pomp and glory of majesty. His disease did have a negative impact on these girls. Wanting what was best for them, hesitant to send them from home to foreign lands, and then unable to make decisions as he sickened, he kept them from homes and marriages of their own. They loved him dearly, however. Their relationship with their mother deteriorated over time which made their lives even more difficult as they tried to be "dutiful" daughters but saw their lives slipping away from them.
There are lots of quotes from primary sources in the book which might put off a casual reader, but it was interesting to hear these very literate women express themselves through their own words. Since none of them ruled anyplace particularly major, little seems to be written about them, and of course, as women in their day and age, their role was limited. However, seeing royalty from a different perspective was interesting.
There are lots of quotes from primary sources in the book which might put off a casual reader, but it was interesting to hear these very literate women express themselves through their own words. Since none of them ruled anyplace particularly major, little seems to be written about them, and of course, as women in their day and age, their role was limited. However, seeing royalty from a different perspective was interesting.
April 12, 2010
This book gives an interesting look into the surprising lives of the daughters of George III. Relying heavily on correspondence between the princesses and their brothers, parents, friends and each other, Fraser allows each woman's personality to reveal itself, which is the best accomplishment of the book. The letters, which begin in childhood, are often incredibly honest and offer great insight into their lives and contemporary events. Fraser, as many historians do, refers to all 15 children interchangeable with their given names and their ever-evolving titles. In a book detailing the lives of so many children, this convention becomes very confusing. I found myself reading the genealogical table at least once a chapter to remember each sibling's title. Also, the book tends to get lost in itself sometimes, creating an unclear trajectory. However, as a whole, it was a delightful and informative read.
September 8, 2016
I thought it would be really interesting reading about some of the royalty that no one else has really written about. WRONG! There's a reason these princesses weren't written about before, and that's because their lives were dreadfully, awfully boring. They really didn't ever do anything more than just exist. It wasn't all their fault, obviously; there just wasn't much to write about. I also didn't care for Fraser's writing style. It felt to me as though she couldn't write a complete sentence without inserting a few words taken out of one of the princesses' letters to prove a point. This would be fine if done judiciously. It just felt very jarring when it happened in every paragraph.
This would be a very good book for a scholar writing a thesis or dissertation. There's a lot of information here and Fraser's research is remarkable.
This would be a very good book for a scholar writing a thesis or dissertation. There's a lot of information here and Fraser's research is remarkable.
February 11, 2016
Ho hum...... on & on & on & on about everything surrounding the Princesses in minute detail. So much so, I gave up, because I don't care that one of the Nannies was a drunk, they really were not allowed to eat much meat, the King's brother married a Whig "Commoner"..... Needless to say I was very put off.
Also the writing style and tone was as if the author was writing back in the 18th Century, very affected.
I wanted to know about them, and I just didn't have the patience to wade through the history of George III, his family, England & the poorly behaved Colonies.
What I did find interesting was that George III & wife were very family oriented & preferred to spend much time w/ their children rather than court.
The book would have been better had she followed the writing style of: "Victoria's Daughters" by Jerrod Packard.
Also the writing style and tone was as if the author was writing back in the 18th Century, very affected.
I wanted to know about them, and I just didn't have the patience to wade through the history of George III, his family, England & the poorly behaved Colonies.
What I did find interesting was that George III & wife were very family oriented & preferred to spend much time w/ their children rather than court.
The book would have been better had she followed the writing style of: "Victoria's Daughters" by Jerrod Packard.
September 7, 2009
This book is a history of the six daughters of King George III, who were the aunts of Queen Victoria. Histories typically focus on those who succeed to the monarchy, and rarely concentrate on the stories of the women of the family. George III and his wife had 15 children, six of whom were girls. This is a full and rich history of these women, who struggled to have lives and families of their own, and were often used as pawns in royalty games. Through family correspondence and the skillful writing of Flora Fraser, they all come alive on the page. I always enjoy royal histories, and this one is especially rewarding. Every one of these women were accomplished and well-educated. I recommend this one for any of my friends that enjoy reading British history. This means you, Fran.
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