REVIEW: Raising Royalty

Raising Royalty
Author: Carolyn Harris

Raising a prince or princess is much more than the Once-Upon-A-Time of fairy tales. Bringing up a royal child is parenting on a grand scale - preparing the next generation of rulers, setting political alliances, and maintaining the grandeur and expectations of a 24/7 public role. Raising Royalty presents the stories of 20 different royal families and their children over the past 1000 years. From grand palaces to lonely exile, arranged marriages and political intrigue, to armed rebellion, overindulgence and even abuse, the stories tell an ever evolving tale of what it means to be royal.

I loved this book! From Edgar the Peaceable to the modern Prince William and Catherine Middleton, it shows not only the progression of monarchy over time but the changes in the way royals parent their children. Some had only rare contact with their children. Others saw them as political rivals. And some were doting, loving parents. Harris writes in a style that makes the family history of 20 royal families interesting and accessible.

I've read many books on European history, but this is the first I've read that focuses on royal family life and parental relationships. So interesting! The book is organized by date and ruling couple. Harris gives information on the rulers' childhoods and how their youth formed their parental style (or lack thereof in some cases). Any reader with interest in the history of Europe and royals would enjoy this book!

Harris, who teaches history at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, has also written two other books on history - Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada, and Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website at: .http://www.royalhistorian.com/

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Dundern via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**