Courtiers

The Sunday Times bestselling inside story of the power behind the crown

By: Valentine Low

Narrated by: Valentine Low

'Fascinating' The Times

'Tantalising . . . Low's conclusion is a valuable one.' The Telegraph

The gripping account of how the Royal family really operates from the man who has spent years studying them in his role as Royal correspondent for The Times. Valentine Low asks the important questions: who really runs the show and, as Charles III begins his reign, what will happen next?

Throughout history, the British monarchy has relied on its courtiers - the trusted advisers in the King or Queen's inner circle - to ensure its survival as a family, an ancient institution, and a pillar of the constitution. Today, as ever, a vast team of people hidden from view steers the royal family's path between public duty and private life. Queen Elizabeth II, after a remarkable 70 years of service, saw the final seasons of her reign without her husband Philip to guide her. Meanwhile, newly ascended Charles seeks to define what his future as King, and that of his court, will be.

The question of who is entrusted to guide the royals has never been more vital, and yet the task those courtiers face has never been more challenging. With a cloud hanging over Prince Andrew as well as Harry and Meghan's departure from royal life, the complex relationship between modern courtiers and royal principals has been exposed to global scrutiny. As the new Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate - equipped with a very 21st century approach to press and public relations - now hold the responsibility of making an ancient institution relevant for the decades to come.

Courtiers reveals an ever-changing system of complex characters, shifting values and ideas over what the future of the institution should be. This is the story of how the monarchy really works, at a pivotal moment in its history.©2022 Valentine Low

Critic reviews

Low's enjoyable account... chronicles, and explains, the role of those courtiers whose role comes closest to public accountability... [and] there are tantalising unattributed snippets from private interviews... Low's conclusion is a valuable one

Fascinating

This book is riveting. Extraordinarily well written, it canters along, packed with impeccable inside information. Low . . . is one of the exceptional minds writing about the British monarchy today (Thomas Blaikie)

Courtiers is an excellent royal romp based on fact. (Sphere)

Courtiers is a suave history of the monarchy over the past century, seen through the prism of those who serve it . . . a remarkable insight . . . and an important addition (Mark Bolland)

Engaging and thoroughly researched . . . Low doesn't stint on insider gossip, thanks to his unprecedented access to royal households, and he has perceptive things to say about power and responsibility too.

Well written and worth your time

if you are here for a book about Harry and Meghan, you're in the wrong place.
however, if you are here for a well researched, well written and balanced book - then just lay back and enjoy it.
I enjoyed the fact that the author himself read it - I always enjoy that, I feel it gives the author the possibility to convey exactly what they meant when writing l. and I was pleasantly surprised by the opinions expressed - Valentine Lowe can sometimes be the devil's advocate. I would give it an even higher rating if any higher rating was available.

Insight into the world of the Royals

Enlightening! Listening felt like an intriguing, long lazy afternoon conversation with a secret insider who knows a lot about the running of the Royal households. I enjoyed the author’s narration. His voice makes for an authentic listening experience.

Remarkable insights into the role of a Ccourtier

Insider information on the role of the Courtiers an eye opener.

Narrator was so out of breath that I got tired and struggled to continue the book (I got tired just by listening to him struggeling) which is a pitty as it is a truly remarkable book

Not worth the hype.

I did not enjoy listening to the book because parts of it are boring and do not contribute to a storyline. It does get more interesting in the second half of the book. Another disappointment is the narrator -he is not articulating well and swallows his words.

Sensible and coherent (and real).

How easy it is to get confused, not always the source of the information is correct, or real, or authentic (as "someone" said in a pseudo "documentary"). How is one to believe what someone who half knows what they are talking about in the very short time they have been there, versus someone who has been there, who has been very close there for many, many years and knows what they are talking about with no other intention than to tell the truth? Mr Low's narrative is admirable, the best line, as courtiers, they are there to get the best out of them. Wonderful book.