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Princes at War

The British Royal Family's Private Battle in the Second World War

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Princes at War

By: Deborah Cadbury
Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
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About this listen

King George V predicted that his son, Edward VIII, would destroy himself within a year of succeeding to the throne. In December 1936 he was proved right, and the world’s press revealed the king was abandoning his throne to marry Wallis Simpson.

A life spent in the shadow of his charismatic elder brother left the new king, George VI, magnificently unprepared for the demands of ruling the kingdom and empire.

Drawing on personal accounts from the royal archives, Deborah Cadbury uncovers the very private conflict between George VI and his older brother.

©2015 Deborah Cadbury (P)2015 Oakhill Publishing Essays Europe Great Britain Royalty King Western Europe England War Nonfiction Inspiring Imperialism Winston Churchill Military
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Critic reviews

"Gripping.... One of the most riveting tales of the nonfiction season, rendered with novelistic drama but deliberate detachment. The inner tensions of the palace during wartime and the inner tensions of a remarkable family make for one of the best, and ultimately most uplifting, stories of the war years." ( The Boston Globe)
"A moving and deeply researched account.... Her story is gripping, illuminating and generous in its recognition of the central, dramatic role of the monarchy in Britain’s finest years, and particularly the quiet heroism of King George VI." (William Shawcross, author of The Queen Mother)
"Impeccably researched, and written with all the brio and understanding of a major historical novel, Princes at War takes us intimately and even shockingly into the human dynamics of a barely functional family at the time of our greatest peril." (David Kynaston, author of Austerity Britain)
"Meticulous and measured analysis of the Windsor saga.... Hovering over the drama is the question of whether the Windsors endangered the monarchy itself at a perilous time in history. The strenuous attempts to suppress sensitive files touching on the collaboration between the Windsors and the Nazis reveal the anxieties at the heart of the British establishment.... Cadbury deftly weaves the stories of the royal dukes into the unfolding national crisis as appeasement gives way to war.... [She] covers the war years - Dunkirk, the Blitz, the Normandy invasion - in moving detail." ( Wall Street Journal)
"Does the author provide a fresh and original view of the Duke of Windsor? Slightly to my surprise, my answer to this question must be 'Yes'.... Princes at War is a well-researched and entertaining account of a particularly poignant period in history .... Cadbury writes uncommonly well and her book is definitely worth reading." (Philip Ziegler, Daily Telegraph.)
"The contrast between the two brothers - one dutiful and earnest struggling to deal with the responsibilities that had been forced upon him, the other blithe and solipsistic - is drawn with great dramatic effect in Princes at War.... Deborah Cadbury combines the family drama against the backdrop of the war with terrific narrative verve." (Daisy Goodwin, The Times)
"Cadbury has given it all a fresh analysis, cleverly unveiling in much detail the deep anguish of the brothers. This is a highly readable and finely written account of the drama which threatened to bring king and country crashing down. Only stammering Bertie emerges as a hero." ( Daily Express)

What listeners say about Princes at War

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It's like the best episode of The Crown, ever!

I was interested in the two brothers after watching the Crown on Netflix and I found this audiobook which...is so much better.


This is not only an interesting account of tensions within one of the most famous families ever but a well narrated timeline of that period. The author goes into detail on parts of the war that tend to be overlooked in history lessons at school: the role of the USSR, the war in Africa, Japan and Italy as Axis powers etc.

I honestly wish I had been taught about WWII through the lens of the Royal Family, back when I was at school.

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fantastic easy listen. A great overview

This has been a great overview of king George and his brothers and cousins during the second world war. it will leave you wanting further explaination of the Marlborough files and his cousins actions during the war.

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Excellent

Beautifully clear ramble through an often overlooked patch of history, well read and flowing, good clear enunciation by the narrator. well worth listening

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So well narrated

Really enjoyed this Audiobook
Interesting subject matter so well told by writer and narrator.i learnt a lot and enjoyed listening over 11 hours.
I Recommend this !

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Profile Image for Sonya

History at its best

An amazing account of four brothers with so much on their shoulders during the Great War. At times I felt the sarcasm towards the Duke of Windsor was a bit too much, but overall a must listen to everyone interested in the Royal family, the UK history and WW2. Five stars for story and performance. Will probably listen to this book again.

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Profile Image for Di

Such a powerful story.

I have never listed to a book that moved me so much. I thought I knew the general gist of the story. Goodness I had no idea at the deep scars that were left by the Duke of Windsor and “that woman” as the Queen Mother referred to her. What power Wallis Simpson wielded over a very weak, worshipping husband. The Dukes of Kent and Gloucester’s wartime roles were also interesting. That part of the book aside there is so much history about Churchill and the war in general. I was absolutely hooked as I have never been before by a factual book. It won my attention over bothering with television.
I know the story of King George VI and his stammer (I thought) from the film The Kings Speech. However I didn’t really know much more about the King other than the weight of Kingship and war possibly contributed to his early death. There was so very much more to know about this reluctant man who grew so in stature and really was the centre of stability and calm for so very many people during the war.
I knew also the general story of the king who abdicated for “love” I had no idea at the lengths the Duke of Windsor went to in an effort to put himself back in a position of power. Also if how much he concentrated on his own petty demands while such momentous times in the war were raging and he tried demanding Churchill’s attention. It really is staggering how self absorbed he could be.
I can only say the book is fascinating, The narration by Cameron Stewart is perfect. His strong deep voice gives weight to the words.
Now I know just what a special Father the Queen had as her guide. This book certainly shines a light on his contribution and loyalty to his country.

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Profile Image for Mrs. Ann M. Mcmahon

Sibling Rivalry - and Love

This was an absorbing read, shedding a very particular and valuable light on the events before, during and after World War II. The narration was outstanding and integral to the effect of the book as a whole.

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fascinating

really enjoyed listening to this. completely new perspective on ww2. Wallis what a horror and her husband too..

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Fascinating story ,

I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this audiobook,but I have to say it’s one of the best I have listened too. Gripping from start to finish and very well narrated.

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WWII from the inside

Intriguing angle into this period of history. Hearing more about their sister Mary Lascelles would have been better too.

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