Books Like The Crown
Are you as obsessed with Netflix’s The Crown as I am? Then you will love these books like The Crown!
The Crown is QUALITY TV in my honest opinion. Politics, affairs, royal protocol, gorgeous fashions, and, of course, tiaras galore…what’s not to love?
I binged watched each season and learned so much about Queen Elizabeth’s life and rule. Now that QEII has passed away, I imagine the show will grow in popularity again.
I had no idea how many scandals Queen Elizabeth II has weathered over the years. From Wallis Simpson to a cheating husband to her own sister’s affair with a married man, there is so much to uncover.
It’s kind of not surprising given the history of the British Royal Family, but it sure is entertaining.
I decided to round up book recommendations for my fellow monarchy-obsessed friends.
You might also want to look at this post about books similar to Bridgerton, another amazing historical fiction TV show or our list of Royal Reads.
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.
Non-Fiction Books about the British Monarchy:
Plot
In revealing his own truths, however, he illuminated the dreadful antics of his family. Wills, Charles, Camilla, and the courtiers do not come out of this book without tarnish – and with good reason. At the end of the day, it’s hard not to judge everyone for lack of compassion but it’s a generational cycle that needs to be broken.
Why Kirsten loves it
I’m still reeling from the revelations and truths woven throughout Prince Harry’s narrative. His candor in taking us from the death of his mother to the death of Queen was refreshingly real and often poetic, no doubt thanks to the incredible skills of his ghostwriter. I was struck by how much I had believed the press’s story of his life; accurate or not. To think that an entire family’s stories could be so fabricated or twisted into untruth was astonishing.
Find this book in: Best Books of 2023 / Beach Reads 2023 / Books About the Royal Family / Best Non-Fiction Books / Royal Reads / Royal Nonfiction Books / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
Elizabeth the Queen
Author: Sally Bedell Smith
Year: 2012
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 14+
Plot
After reading Prince Harry’s memoir, I was keen to read a book about Queen Elizabeth II. Sally Bedell Smith examines not just the events of the Queen’s life but the people she was surrounded by as a way to explain how Elizabeth was shaped into a beloved monarch.
Why Kirsten loves it
While the book was originally published in 2012, I found the background knowledge within the pages to be helpful in framing the events Harry explores in his own book about the royal family.
Find this book in: Books About the Royal Family / Books About Queen Elizabeth II / Royal Nonfiction Books / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
The Palace Papers
Author: Tina Brown
Year: 2022
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This was like reading a JUMBO issue of People magazine. All gossip in the best way! This book covers every royal scandal from the Duke of Windsor and Wallace Simpson to Megan and Harry leaving, and Everything in between. You get juicy details of everything like Diana’s years and Prince Philip’s racist comments.
It’s perfect for our Beach Reads 2023 list! Tina Brown goes deep into the scandals of the British Royal Family over the past 40 or so years. I didn’t learn anything new, but I loved hearing the hot gossip laid out in book form.
Why Kirsten loves it
You know that I am a royal lover, and this book is right up my alley. Is there anything more fun than reading about a real royal scandal?
Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Books about the Royal Family / Books About Queen Elizabeth II / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Royal Nonfiction Books / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
Historical Fiction Books like The Crown about The House of Windsor and Queen Elizabeth II
Before the Crown
Author: Flora Harding
Year: 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I was wondering about how Philip won the heart of then Princess Elizabeth, and this fictional story filled in some fun details. Think of it as a prequel to the first episode of The Crown in the best way!
Why Kirsten loves it
After all the royal reads I’ve read over the years, I can’t believe this is my first story about The Queen’s romance with Prince Philip. With the Jubilee coming up now in England, this was a perfect fictionalized biography to read!
Find this book in: Best Biographical Fiction Novels / Books About the Royal Family / Books About Queen Elizabeth II / Books Like the Crown / Royal Historical Fiction
Plot
I don’t think enough is written about Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She was a dynamic lady who was a guiding light for her husband, King George, as well as Queen Elizabeth. This biographical novel focuses on her work behind-the-scenes during WWII.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Assault
Why Kirsten loves it
We get an inside look at the issues between her husband and his brother, King Edward, who abdicated to be with Wallis Simpson. Churchill’s relationship with the then Queen consort is also examined. We love the unique perspective of this pick from books about WWII.
Find this book in: Books With Secret in the Title / Best Biographical Fiction Novels / Books About the Royal Family / Books about WWII / Royal Reads / Books like the Crown
The Other Windsor Girl
Author: Georgie Blalock
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I knew a little about Princess Margaret from what I gleaned from
Why Kirsten loves it
She was most definitely a royal rebel. She’s still not my favorite royal but this historical fiction biography helped me understand her life, personality, and pressures. This book will give you a different perspective on being a royal.
Find this book in: Books Like The Crown / Books About Queen Elizabeth II / Books Like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Books About the Royal Family / Biographical Fiction Novels
Fiction Books about Wallis Simpson and The Duke of Windsor
Another Woman’s Husband
Author: Gill Paul
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor’s love story changed the trajectory of the British royal family, and this story dives into Wallis’s biography.
I had only a vague understanding of who Wallis Simpson was going into this royal novel, and boy was she a pistol. Cold, calculating, and selfish, I loved to hate her. It was so interesting to see her machinations from another point of view.
Why Kirsten loves it
Wallis was ruthless in her pursuit of what she wanted, as this story conveys well. Gill Paul also wove in a mystery set in London at the time of Princess Diana’s death, which I found to be well done, too. This is one of our favorite historical fiction books about the royal family in more recent parts of history.
Find this book in: Books About the Royal Family / Royal Reads / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
Plot
This intimate look at Wallis Simpson was wonderfully written. Never have I had compassion for the Duchess of Windsor in the way I did when I read this historical fiction biography.
Holden’s portrayal of this controversial historical figure focused on the time period when Wallis and King Edward fell in love, but also the time period after his death.
Trigger Warnings
Abuse, Infidelity
Why Kirsten loves it
I actually felt bad for both the king, who clearly didn’t want the crown, and the woman he both loved and used to get out of his royal duties. There is so much to talk about it this book about Wallis Simpson, which is why I love this book for book clubs.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Books About the Royal Family / Beach Reads 2022 / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
The Golden Hour
Author: Beatriz Williams
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling author of The Summer Wives
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This historical fiction story takes place in the Bahamas during WWII. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor are prominently featured, though the main story revolves around the murder of a man named Harry Oaks, life in Nassau, and the romance between the female lead and her beau.
There is also a bit of a flashback-type story that plays out in parts, too. It’s set in a tropical location, which sets it apart from most historical fiction stories.
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s a lovely little royal novel that had me flipping pages quickly and kept me entertained by the pool.
Find this book in: Books Like the Crown / Royal Reads / Books with Colors in the Title / Books Set in Tropical Locations / Royal Historical Fiction
Historical Fiction Books about The British Monarchy
An Indiscreet Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria’s Defiant Daughter
Author: Georgie Blalock
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Well before Princess Diana, Meghan Markle, and Wallis Simpson, there was another royal rebel – Lady Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. And what a rebel she was! Why are there not more royal reads about her?
In the late 1800s, Louise, an artist and sculptor, was seen as quite rebellious. She took courses for the arts at a public school, talked back to the queen, and even had pre- and extramarital affairs! Quite the scandal for the time.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved getting a look at one of the lesser-known (to me) royal figures. I hope to learn about more of Queen Victoria’s offspring in the future.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Books About the Royal Family / Royal Reads / Royal Historical Fiction
The White Queen
Author: Philippa Gregory
Year: 2009
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Now a Starz Original Series
Book 2 of 15: The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The White Queen is one of my favorite Philippa Gregory novels, revolving around Elizabeth Woodville and her relationship with the King of England. I love the magical elements of this book as Elizabeth and her mother were said to be witches.
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s a really wonderful story. I learned so much about the tumultuous history of Britain. Also of note, Elizabeth was the mother of the boys in the Tower, which this book covers as well. If you love biographical novels, Philippa Gregory has written more than a dozen for you to read.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction / Best Witch Books / Books with Colors in the Title / Historical Fantasy Books / Books Like The Crown
The Other Boleyn Girl
Author: Philippa Gregory
Year: 2001
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels #9, New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The modern-day monarchy has NOTHING on Henry VIII’s England. That man was a serial philanderer who literally changed the course of history over his love of Anne Boleyn. While everyone knows about Anne, this particular story is about Mary, her sister, whom he fell in love with first. We see the entire sequence of events through the eyes of Mary, the only member of Anne’s family to survive.
Trigger Warnings
Miscarriage, Incest
Why Kirsten loves it
This story solidified my love for Philippa Gregory and my love for the Tudors. I seriously credit this book with my interest in the royal family. This fictionalized account of Anne Boleyn was captivating and so informative. When I had the chance to visit Hampton Court Palace, I recalled all I learned from this story!
Find this book in: Best Long Books / Royal Historical Fiction / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
Historical Fiction Books like The Crown about other European Royal Families
The Lost Daughter
Author: Gill Paul
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I was OBSESSED with Gill Paul’s book Another Woman’s Husband 
when I read it earlier this year so I was eager to try another of her books. The Lost Daughter follows a similar format of skipping between two different timelines, this time exploring the Romanovs. The first tells the story of Grand Duchess Maria in 1918 and the second is set in 1973 when Val Doyle seeks to investigate her father’s dying words.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death
Why Kirsten likes it
Maria’s story drew me in immediately, but I floundered a bit when it skipped over to Val’s portions. I just didn’t feel a connection to her and found myself wishing it would get back to Maria’s parts. Still, it was a good biographical historical fiction royal novel if you are interested in a lesser-known Romanov.
Find this book in: Books about the Romanovs / Books like The Crown
The Girl in White Gloves
Author: Kerri Maher
Year: 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The storyline is split between Grace’s rise to Hollywood stardom and her future as a settled princess. Kerri Maher brought Grace Kelly to life in this biographical fiction book about her life. I had no idea about her home life struggles, her many romances, or the state of her marriage to Rainer.
Why Kirsten loves it
I adored this royal read about Grace Kelly and had trouble putting it down. The writing was so captivating that I found myself sneaking pages on my Kindle all over town.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction / Books Like Evelyn Hugo / Books with a color in the Title / Books Like the Crown / Old Hollywood Books / Royal Historical Fiction
The Queen’s Fortune
Author: Allison Pataki
Year: 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I devoured the story of Napoleon, his former lover, and the dynasty that he helped her create with her eventual husband, who happened to be his #1 frenemy. They didn’t know what frenemies were back then, but Napoleon and Bernadotte were the OGs.
Why Kirsten loves it
The Queen’s Fortune had everything I love in a historical fiction novel – royalty, drama, a touch of romance, a strong female protagonist, and action. This book starts out all action, and it doesn’t let up!
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Books Set in France/ Royal Historical Fiction / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
Books for Fans of The Crown about American Royalty
Plot
I had no idea the Kennedy girls were just as interesting at the Kennedy boys. This Historical Fiction biography told the story of Kick Kennedy during her stay in London before and during WWII. I found her to be a fascinating character.
Kick was a rebel, following her heart and standing up for what she believed in. I had so much sympathy for everything she went through in her life.
Why Kirsten loves it
I always love Kerri Maher’s historical fiction novels and this was no exception. Kick was one of the most fascinating subjects for a biographical fiction that I have ever read. I spent so much time googling photos of her during this time of her life that I felt like I knew her by the time the book was finished.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Best Books about WWII / Books About Women in Politics
American Princess
Author: Stephanie Marie Thornton
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
We may not have an actual royal family, but dynasties like the Vanderbilts, Carnegies, Kennedys, and Roosevelts serve as good replacements. This story is about Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of our 26th president, Teddy Roosevelt. This historical fiction novel covers her life from the moment her father became President to her second breast cancer surgery.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death
Why Kirsten loves it
What a doozy of a life she led! I couldn’t help wondering how Alice’s antics would have been perceived had she lived in today’s society. I read it in a few days and adored it. #gifted by Berkley
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
Plot
The Bushes are modern-day American royalty. This story, while heavily fictionalized, is based on the life of Laura Bush. It covers her childhood, meeting her husband and his illustrious family, and his presidency.
I didn’t know much about the Bush dynasty before reading this, and while I realize it is political fiction, it gave me some good insight into the American political world.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is such an interesting and well-written book. It gave me such insight into a different world.
Find this book in: Fiction Books About Women in Politics / Books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Books Like The Crown for Fans of the Hit Series
One Comment