'Courtiers' by Valentine Low

[RandomPenguinHouse]

Extracts of this were being discussed on a previous thread ('The Times) which just finished.

I'm interested in buying this book, despite never having ever bought any other book about the Royal Family and never having watched The Crown.

I'm interested however in the archaic rituals of the Royal Court and how it works as an employer, and also how the courtiers advise.

Yes the excerpts were focused on Harry and Meghan but presumably that's just for clicks given the relevant timing, and that the book goes well beyond that.

Poignant that in the synopsis for it on The Foyles website it says:

The Queen, after a remarkable 70 years of service, is entering the final seasons of her reign without her husband Philip to guide her. Meanwhile, Charles seeks to define what his future as King will be, with his court wielding ever greater influence as he plans for his imminent accession.

www.foyles.co.uk/witem/biography/courtiers,valentine-low-9781472290908

Anyone else thinking of buying this?

Yes, @smileandjoy - third time of asking???

Excerpts of the book are helpfully linked to on the first page, if you haven’t yet read them @smileandjoy

Weird to join the thread if people aren’t actually interested in the book…

I think to know what a person thinks/feels/experiences it’s better to go to the source. That’s why I’m anticipating the release of Harry’s memoir.

What about the feelings and experiences of those who worked with Harry and Meghan? Are they not important enough for you to bother with?

Primary sources are not without issues such as creator bias and purpose

@smileandjoy So you’re not interested in how the plebs courtiers feel?

🥲

Reckless Harry!
I can only imagine what that must have been like-
I’d heard Harry was obsessed with looking at Twitter as well.
It seemed to be a lot of
“Oh Harry! What hast thou done?!”

So are third-party sources. But these sources are cited on here without question. Hmm!!!

So why are you willing to believe Harry's account rather than the many respected courtiers @smileandjoy?

I didn’t want to write a rse
There is a very obvious effort to get a bum swing in there .

What wasn't clear?

I think that question should go to you??

I certainly don't believe anything without question.

However, this account seems to be pretty solid, with specific names, times and places. Some high profile individuals are mentioned by name. None of them have come out to refute the account. Nor have the Sussexes sued or denied the claims. Valentine Low himself is a highly respected 'serious' journalist, not just a 'royal rota' hack. The Times, which has serialised the book, is no grubby tabloid.

None of which 100% guarantees that the everything in the book is true, of course, but putting all this together 'Courtiers' seems to be a pretty impressive account. Can you tell us specifically what you take issue with?

I can't know what's confused you.

I think you're being deliberately obtuse so never mind!

@smileandjoy
your Jedi mind tricks aren’t working

😂Are you sure?

As I said to know what I person thinks/feels/ experiences the first task should be to go to the source. I’m looking forward to hearing about Harry – in his own words. I’m sure I’m not the only one - bestseller, I bet. As someone here highly recommended it I’ll suggest that my book club add it to the reading list.

Don't you think Valentine Low has gone to the source?? Do you honestly think Harry is going to address the bullying claims from the courtiers?

As I said to know what I person thinks/feels/ experiences the first task should be to go to the source

Well then, you’ll doubtless be pleased to know that there are plenty of direct quotes in the extracts from Courtiers of the people interviewed by Valentine Low setting out in their own words their personal testimony of what they thought/felt/experienced

So this is confirming that the thoughts, feelings and experiences of those who worked with Harry are of no importance to you?

In general, do you think it's a good policy that people only read books about public figures which have been written by said public figure? If, say, you were interested in Donald Trump, would you recommend only reading books in his own words, and treating with contempt the accounts of those who worked with him?

The fact that he is constantly edited and monitored by his older, wordlier spose guarantees that she will be heavily involved in policing it's content.