The Constant Princess

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Kate Burton

From #1 New York Times bestselling author of Boleyn Traitor and “queen of royal fiction” (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory comes the remarkable story of Katherine of Aragon, Princess of Spain, daughter of two great monarchs, and eventual Queen of England when she marries the infamous King Henry VIII.

Daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine has been fated her whole life to marry Prince Arthur of England. When they meet and are married, the match becomes as passionate as it is politically expedient. The young lovers revel in each other’s company and plan the England they will make together. But tragically, aged only fifteen, Arthur falls ill and extracts from his sixteen-year-old bride a deathbed promise to marry his brother, Henry; become Queen; and fulfill their dreams and her destiny.

Widowed and alone in the avaricious world of the Tudor court, Katherine has to sidestep her father-in-law’s desire for her and convince him, and an incredulous Europe, that her marriage to Arthur was never consummated, that there is no obstacle to marriage with Henry. For seven years, she endures the treachery of spies, the humiliation of poverty, and intense loneliness and despair while she waits for the inevitable moment when she will step into the role she has prepared for all her life. Then, like her warrior mother, Katherine must take to the battlefield and save England when its old enemies the Scots come over the border and there is no one to stand against them but the new Queen.

Critic reviews

"Philippa Gregory is a mesmerizing storyteller."
-- The Sunday Telegraph (UK)

"When it comes to writers of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory is in the very top league."
-- Daily Mail (UK)

Ends too abruptly

I didn’t realize there’s a second book called the constant princess, that tells the whole story? I’m hoping… this ends way too abruptly, and feels more like a few chapters rather than a book.

Really good.

This was a really good listen. I wish it were not abridged! The author really gets you involved in the court intrigue, the fight for power, the need for a male heir, and the life of the queen from Spain. I really cared about Queen Catherine. When she is put on trial by her 2nd husband, King Henry of England, I felt her pain. I would suggest this book to start off in the courtly world of Philippa Gregory, then move on to "The Other Boleyn Girl".

Disappointed

The story was too disjointed at the end. From the victory over the Scots to the end is too abrupt an ending leaving out the birth of Mary and the turmoil that ensued.

loved it

A wonderful story told from another angle. I was sorry it was so short.

Interesting yes, historically accurate, who knows?

We may never know how Katherine truly felt about Arthur or Henry but the book was entertaining enough to make you want to read more accurate accounts of her life. If you liked any of the other Philippa Gregory historicals, you'll like this one just as well. I have to say that Kate Burton's stilted accent was a bit irritating in some stretches. Was it because the character was royal, or does she actually over-enunciate when she speaks? I couldn't be sure. But it wasn't irritating enough to take the joy out of the book. The fact that this book was abridged may have cut out somethings that might have added some richness and depth to the story, but 5 1/2 hours was a good length for the telling of this particular tale.