A Tribute Website Inspired by Diana, Princess of Wales

11 Must Read Books About Princess Diana Written by People Who Knew Her

The number of books, both fiction and nonfiction, written about Diana, Princess of Wales would fill an entire wall of the library in Belle’s Castle. Beloved, controversial, royal Diana has inspired many of the people who knew her in real life to write down their stories about their time spent with the princess. Some of them are more flattering than others – but all of the following books are full of quotes and anecdotes about the one and only Diana. This is a list of 11 Must Read Books for anyone who adores Diana and wants to understand more about the amazing life she lived, told from the perspectives of the people who really knew her.
  1. Diana: A Closely Guarded Secret
    $13.70

    Ken Wharfe was the first royalty protection officer to ever publish a memoir about a member of the British Royal Family. He was Princess Diana's personal protection officer from 1987 to 1993, a period of approximately six years. This book details numerous moments in her life, told by a man who spent endless hours in her company. Ken uses humor to detail his interactions with the princess, even describing one of her ideas to travel on commercial airlines as ‘hare-brained’. His tone is kind and funny and warm as he details stories about the princess and her boys, from Easter egg hunts to adventures at water parks to her attempts to escape police protection. It is obvious that Wharfe cared about his charge, and this book is worth reading because of the intimacy of his narrative.

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    03/07/2026 05:11 am GMT
  2. Diana: Her True Story--in Her Own Words
    $10.99

    Updated by Andrew Morton in 2017, this is the biography (autobiography?) that directly challenged the monarchy and told Diana’s true story from her own recorded words. Shockingly honest, the Princess shared her sensational anecdotes about her life with the Prince of Wales and the Royal Family. Often raw, often unfiltered, this account of the life and experiences of Diana during her life as the wife of Charles has been accepted as a personal account of her anguish and sorrow during her marriage. There are dark memories, understandings of bulimia, and depression that are openly discussed; if you have never read one of the many versions of this book, this is the best one to start with.

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    03/07/2026 05:11 am GMT
  3. The Bodyguard's Story: Diana, the Crash, and the Sole Survivor
    $14.22

    Trevor Rees-Jones was the only survivor of the 1997 tragedy that took the life of Diana, Princess of Wales. As bodyguard to her companion Dodi Fayed, he was with the couple when, hounded by paparazzi and with a driver who turned out to be drunk, their Mercedes crashed into the thirteenth pillar of the tunnel under the Place de l'Alma in Paris.This is his story about days and weeks that he spent with Diana leading up to the wreck, as well as his story about his recovery.

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    03/07/2026 05:11 am GMT
  4. A Royal Duty
    $14.10

    Burrell is a polarizing figure in Diana’s life. Love him or hate him, it cannot be denied that he played a pivotal role during her years as a princess, particularly after her divorce from Charles. According to his own recollections, he was her best friend, confidant, butler, advisor, and traveling companion. Burrell’s book reads like a love note to Diana, with intimate stories about her relationships, her children, her highs and her lows. Of all the books written about Diana, this one is the most poignant. In his 21 years of service to the British Royal Family and Diana, Burrell’s words hold a lot of weight, despite the scandal that haunts the man. His perceptive account of the months leading up to her death, as well as his touching memories about her funeral preparations and final moments managing her estate are a must-read.

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    03/07/2026 05:11 am GMT
  5. The Housekeeper's Diary: Charles and Diana Before the Breakup
    $42.54

    Of all the books about Diana, this one is the most controversial. Banned in Britain after Prince Charles obtained an injunction preventing its publication, Highgrove Housekeeper Wendy Berry, who worked for Charles and Diana at their country estate Highgrove from 1985 to 1992, fled Britain and published the book in the United States with publisher Barricade Books, citing the First Amendment as its legal right to do so. But what was the big deal? Berry’s book was a deep dive into the painful disintegration of the marriage between Charles and Diana. She detailed their arguments, bedtime habits, extramarital secrets, parenting styles, and temperaments. Neither Charles nor Diana come off as particularly sympathetic people; Berry’s writing is an impersonal portrayal of two people who were in a chronically unhappy marriage. The writing is simple and informative, even when it is not flattering. 


    The book is no longer in publication. In order to obtain a copy, it must be purchased on secondary market places like Ebay, Amazon Used Books, or other sources.

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    03/07/2026 05:10 am GMT
  6. Love and War
    $21.99

    When it comes to discussing the villains in Diana’s life, James Hewitt’s name inevitably comes up. Author of several tell-all books, seller of love letters, money hungry blabbermouth; Hewitt was Diana’s lover, but he never deserved her. He served in the Household Cavalry, specifically the Life Guards, a regiment serving the monarchy. He was a captain in the Life Guards when he met Diana in 1986. She mentioned him by name in the infamous 1995 Panorama Interview, declaring to disgraced interviewer Martin Bashir, “I was in love with him. But I was very let down.” The book is a necessary read only because it is a record of her love story, a moment in time that really happened and that mattered to her. Read it with a grain of salt, knowing that Diana cared about this guy once upon a time, and that some of the anecdotes are quite sweet.

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    03/07/2026 05:12 am GMT
  7. Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows
    $18.90

    Lady Colin Campbell is an interesting character in British Royal circles, and her various tell-all books tend to be more gossip than fact. Her first book about Diana covers various aspects of the Princess of Wales’ life, including her childhood, education, and her relationship with the Royal family before her marriage to Prince Charles. Collins likes to hint at rumors and controversies surrounding Diana’s life, tending to focus on the negatives like bulimia and insecurities. She takes pleasure in spilling the Royal Family’s beans, often hiding behind her self-proclaimed title of being a ‘royal insider’. Discussing the angst leading up to the divorce of Charles and Diana is a favorite topic. The only reason this book made the list is because there are nuggets of truth hidden within the obvious sensational text. Campbell has written more than one book about Diana; should you be interested in reading the other one titled The Real Diana, you will need to locate it on the secondary marketplace, as it is no longer in publication.

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    03/07/2026 05:11 am GMT
  8. Spare
    $12.52

    Well, this one is a natural addition to this list. Nobody knew or loved Diana better than her beloved sons William and Harry. The author of this book is Prince Henry Charles Albert David, Duke of Sussex - and he has made quite an international name for himself and his wife since leaving behind their duties as senior working royals of the Queen. In this autobiography, Harry gives in depth information about what it was like to be a privileged royal growing up cocooned within the House of Windsor. Famously claiming that his memories of Diana are few and far between, Harry does share how much he loved and adored his mother, and discusses the heartbreak of losing her when he was only 12 years old. Despite the unfortunate anecdote of using his mother’s Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream skin protectant for indelicate reasons, and the weird stories about his sexual liaisons, this is still a decent book worth reading. He was her son, after all

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    03/07/2026 05:11 am GMT
  9. The Diana I Knew: Loving Memories of the Friendship Between an American Mother and Her Son's Nanny Who Became the Princess of Wales
    $13.39

    A poignant, loving portrait of the young woman who would become the world's most famous Princess. In 1980, Mary Robertson, an American living in London, welcomed a shy young nanny into her home to care for her nine-month-old son. Little did she know that this was to be the beginning of an extraordinary friendship, for the young woman was Lady Diana Spencer - the girl who would later become Diana, Princess of Wales.


    In The Diana I Knew, Mary Robertson recounts her unique memories of this remarkable woman and describes the day-to-day building of a trusting, affectionate relationship that would develop into a seventeen-year-long friendship. From Diana's first moments in the spotlight, to her lavish wedding and the birth of her sons, to her tragic, untimely death, “The Diana I Knew” is a moving, eloquent tribute and personal glimpse of the captivating woman the world will never forget. Out of print now, it can only be found on the secondary market.  It is worth the effort to find it, because the Robertson Family provides a unique viewpoint about Diana before she became an international superstar.

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    03/07/2026 05:11 am GMT
  10. On Duty with the Queen
    $10.78

    As one of Queen Elizabeth II’s press secretaries, Dickie Arbiter served the British royal family from 1988 through 2002. He worked closely with Charles and Diana, coordinating their melodramatic media presence and navigating through what he refers to as “The Diana Years”. It is fascinating to hear his first-hand accounts of traveling with the unhappy couple, dealing with the fallout of their combined TV interviews, wire-tapped phone calls, and disintegrating marriage. But the real treasure is Arbiter’s detailed accounting of the hours and days following the death of the Princess of Wales; his involvement in the funeral planning and his role in lowering the flag at Buckingham Palace. Well written and reputable, with tons of information about the various characters that make up the royal family.



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    03/07/2026 05:11 am GMT
  11. Mandy (Julie Andrews Collection)
    $15.99

    Mandy, the first children's novel ever written by the beloved star of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews, is a modern classic.

    Mandy, a ten-year-old orphan, dreams of a place to call her own. Escaping over the orphanage wall to explore the outside world, Mandy discovers a tiny deserted cottage in the woods. All through the spring, summer, and fall, Mandy works to make it truly hers. Sometimes she "borrows" things she needs from the orphanage. Sometimes, to guard her secret, she even lies. Then, one stormy night at the cottage, Mandy gets sick, and no one knows how to find her--except a special friend she didn't know she had.

    This is the perfect book for ten-year-old girls who love tiny houses and stories filled with hope.

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    03/07/2026 05:07 am GMT
  12. The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
    $6.39

    The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles was the second children’s novel ever written by Julie Andrews. Perfect for young readers who love whimsical stories about magic! 

    The Whangdoodle was once the wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world. Then he disappeared and created a wonderful land for himself and all the other remarkable animals—the ten-legged Sidewinders, the little furry Flukes, the friendly Whiffle Bird, and the treacherous, "oily" Prock. It was an almost perfect place where the last of the really great Whangdoodles could rule his kingdom with "peace, love and a sense of fun"—apart from and forgotten by people.


    But not completely forgotten. Professor Savant believed in the Whangdoodle. And when he told the three Potter children of his search for the spectacular creature, Lindy, Tom, and Ben were eager to reach Whangdoodleland.


    With the Professor's help, they discovered the secret way. But waiting for them was the scheming Prock, who would use almost any means to keep them away from his beloved king. Only by skill and determination were the four travelers able to discover the last of the really great Whangdoodles and grant him his heart's desire.

    The novel was originally published in 1974. This edition includes a foreword by Julie Andrews.

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    03/07/2026 05:09 am GMT
  13. The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi
    $8.35

    Featuring the illustrated lyrics to “Do-Re-Mi”, this stunning new picture book from beloved icon Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, introduces readers to the remarkable story of the development of written music. Also includes an author’s note about Julie Andrews’s connection to the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein song!


    Centuries ago, a young Italian monk named Guido longed to find a way to write and teach music. Eventually, he created the musical scale, using the words Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do...one syllable for each note. Though the other monks thought it was a waste of time, Guido's music couldn't be silenced. His discovery remains the foundation for learning music today, and inspired the famous song “Do-Re-Mi,” which Julie Andrews sang in the beloved movie The Sound of Music.


    This richly illustrated picture book from beloved icon Julie Andrews and her daughter, bestselling author Emma Walton Hamilton, introduces readers to the remarkable story of Guido d’Arezzo’s development of musical notation. In addition to the lyrics of "Do-Re-Mi" illustrated in full color, the backmatter includes an author’s note, extensive historical notes, and a glossary.

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    03/07/2026 05:12 am GMT
  14. Dragon: Hound of Honor (Julie Andrews Collection)
    $7.86

    In the noble and dangerous times of medieval France, the young knight Aubrey de Montdidier, nephew of the Count of Montargis, has been strangely murdered. His friend the brave Sieur DeNarsac, captain of the count's men-at-arms, and Thierry, a young page, must now solve the tragic mystery. Yet it is a magnificent white wolfhound by the name of Dragon -- Montdidier's faithful companion -- who brings an unexpected, shocking conclusion to the puzzle of his master's untimely death.


    New York Times best-selling authors Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton weave a tapestry of intrigue, power, loyalty, and friendship in this novel based on the captivating French legend of Montargis.

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    03/07/2026 05:09 am GMT
  15. The Great American Mousical (A Broadway Tale)
    $7.90

    *This title is in pre-order status. Will be released on October 21, 2025


    In this loving valentine to life in the theater, we join a delightful cast, follow a daring adventure, and welcome a brave new hero. This delicious tribute to the Broadway musical is written by two bestselling authors who have firsthand experience of this much-adored world.


    In the heart of the great metropolis of New York City, the bright lights of Broadway shine. And down, down, down, beneath a theater known as the Sovereign, there sits a long-forgotten architect’s model—the Sovereign’s miniature replica.


    In this secret space, an adorable troupe of theater mice busily prepare to stage their own show, Broadway Airs. Among the cast and crew are Emil, the director; Harold, the character actor; Adelaide, the diva; and young Pippin, the intern. Rehearsals are in their usual state of chaos when suddenly the production is threatened by the imminent demolition of the theater and the devastating disappearance of Adelaide.


    As the clock ticks toward opening night, everyone is worried. Will the little Sovereign survive? How can they pull off the most important night in mouse theater without their star? Somehow, the show must go on!

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    03/07/2026 05:07 am GMT
  16. The Very Fairy Princess
    $9.60

    The book that launched the #1 New York Times bestselling series about believing in yourself and finding your own inner sparklefrom the mother-daughter team of musical icon Julie Andrews and author Emma Walton Hamilton!


    While her friends and family may not believe in fairies, Geraldine knows, deep down, that she is a VERY fairy princess. From morning to night, Gerry does everything that fairy princesses do: she dresses in her royal attire, practices her flying skills, and she is always on the lookout for problems to solve. But it isn't all twirls and tiaras - as every fairy princess knows, dirty fingernails and scabby knees are just the price you pay for a perfect day!


    This new picture book addition to the Julie Andrews Collection features the joyful illustrations of Christine Davenier, and is sure to inspire that sparkly feeling within the hearts of readers young and old.

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    03/07/2026 05:07 am GMT
  17. Waiting in the Wings
    $8.58

    Inspired by a true event, the tale of a duck family waiting in the wings for their moment in the spotlight—from the #1 bestselling mother-daughter team of musical icon Julie Andrews and author Emma Walton Hamilton!


    Mr. and Mrs. Puddleduck have found the perfect place to nest: a cozy planter by a theater in a sunny seaside village. While Mrs. P is warming the eggs, Mr. P is drawn to the spellbinding songs, fabulous feathered costumes, and dazzling dances he’s secretly watching during rehearsals. He’s even showing off some fancy new footwork to Mrs. P!


    But it turns out he’s been learning much more than how to put on a show. When the chicks begin hatching right by the roadside, it takes a chorus line of parading performers—and Mr. P’s clever choreography—to come to the rescue!


    From the bestselling mother-daughter team musical icon Julie Andrews and author Emma Walton Hamilton comes a delightful story inspired by the true tale of ducklings who stopped traffic and charmed a community, all the way to their splashy grand finale!

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    03/07/2026 05:07 am GMT
  18. Julie Andrews: A Little Golden Book Biography
    $5.57

    This Little Golden Book about Dame Julie Andrews—Broadway icon, film star, and author—is a great read-aloud for young children as well as their parents and grandparents. Her iconic roles in My Fair LadyMary PoppinsCinderella, and The Sound of Music make her a household name for all ages!

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    03/07/2026 05:12 am GMT
  19. Where s Ma am? By Muick, The Queen s Corgi
    $16.00

    Queen Elizabeth II was famous for two things: she loved corgis and she was the longest-ruling queen in British history. Now we have this beautiful gift book that tells the sad story of the last days of Queen Elizabeth II from the point of view of Muick, the Queen's corgi. Muick and his sister Sandy were the last corgis that the Queen ever owned; between the two of them, they decided that Muick should be the one to write their story.


    Now, Corgi Muick is very loyal to the Queen. Wherever Ma’am goes, her corgis go with her. Loving and caring, barking and playing, but sometimes Muick has a habit to nip ankles.


    But one day, Muick can't find his Queen.  The servants won't let him into the bedroom. The people taking care of the corgis won't tell him what's going on. Why are all of your family members here at once, Ma'am? In order to make sense of his loss and find a way forward, Muick tells his own story of what happened the day the world lost Queen Elizabeth II.


    This heartfelt tribute with beautiful pictures is great for pet lovers and people who loved Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II.

    Encouraging Review: Lovely, touching book. I didn't expect to need Kleenex — Placeholder
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    03/07/2026 05:07 am GMT
  20. The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor--the Truth and the Turmoil
    $16.81

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The “addictively readable” (The Washington Post) inside story of the British royal family’s battle to overcome the dramas of the Diana years—only to confront new, twenty-first-century crises

     

    “Frothy and forthright, a kind of Keeping Up with the Windsors with sprinkles of Keats.”—The New York Times (Notable Book of the Year)


    ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, Elle, Town & Country


    “Never again” became Queen Elizabeth II’s mantra shortly after Princess Diana’s tragic death. More specif­ically, there could never be “another Diana”—a mem­ber of the family whose global popularity upstaged, outshone, and posed an existential threat to the Brit­ish monarchy.


    Picking up where Tina Brown’s masterful The Diana Chronicles left off, The Palace Papers reveals how the royal family reinvented itself after the trau­matic years when Diana’s blazing celebrity ripped through the House of Windsor like a comet.


    Brown takes readers on a tour de force journey through the scandals, love affairs, power plays, and betrayals that have buffeted the monarchy over the last twenty-five years. We see the Queen’s stoic re­solve after the passing of Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother, and Prince Philip, her partner for seven decades, and how she triumphs in her Jubilee years even as family troubles rage around her. Brown explores Prince Charles’s determination to make Camilla Parker Bowles his wife, the tension between William and Harry on “different paths,” the ascend­ance of Kate Middleton, the downfall of Prince An­drew, and Harry and Meghan’s stunning decision to step back as senior royals. Despite the fragile monar­chy’s best efforts, “never again” seems fast approaching.


    Tina Brown has been observing and chronicling the British monarchy for three decades, and her sweeping account is full of powerful revelations, newly reported details, and searing insight gleaned from remarkable access to royal insiders. Stylish, witty, and erudite, The Palace Papers will irrevoca­bly change how the world perceives and under­stands the royal family.

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    03/07/2026 05:07 am GMT