Not in Front of the Corgis: Secrets of Life Behind the Royal Curtains [Hardcover]

Brian Hoey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2012

Interest in the British royal family is inexhaustible. Just take the amazing clamor over the recent wedding of William and Kate! But who are the Royals, and what do they get up to when we aren't watching them?

In Not in Front of the Corgis, a veteran Royal commentator and author of more than twenty books on the Royals peeks behind the curtains to tell us what they really get up to in their spare time. The book asks questions like what the Queen watches on TV and why she does not have a driving license, and answers thousands of questions about the world's most famous family, including who are the most popular Royals to work for, and who the least? Who is the grandest of the Queen's children and why? Why do Edward and Andrew pay less than Charles' private secretary for the rent of their homes, and what records did the Queen Mother like to dance to?

Not in Front of the Corgis is a unique and fascinating miscellany containing everything you ever wanted to know about the Royal Family, away from the spotlight.

Brian Hoey has been a writer and broadcaster for over forty years, covering countless Royal events, including the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 and Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Hoey has been a writer and broadcaster for over 40 years, covering countless Royal events, including the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 and Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. He has written over 25 books, many of them about the British Royal Family given his extensive access. They have all been serialized in leading international newspapers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: The Robson Press (May 15, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1849541760
• ISBN-13: 978-1849541763
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #256,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Mildly Interesting Account of the Royals January 30, 2012

By Ms Winston TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

(Kindle edition) Brian Hoey has written about the Royal Family for over 40 years, so one assumes that he has more than a passing interest in, and knowledge of, the subject. While some of the stories were new to me (Prince Charles's underwear is new each day, as the previous day's undergarments are thrown away after one wearing), other stories have seemed to make the rounds for years (the late Princess Margaret dismissing a maid for wearing one of her gowns for a night out on the town).

Much time was allowed for detailed descriptions of royal homes, but with no photographs or line drawings to accompany the text these were not exactly the highlights of the book. For me, the most valuable sections dealt with the attitude of the Royals for their servants -- an accident of birth alone makes one person the mistress or master and the other their social "inferior." While we Americans may have gone too far the other way, not being able to sit in the royal presence without permission is something with which I cannot identify. Is it any wonder that those of us who follow the Royals look for the human moments in their stories? I do not think it is an accident that the most popular members of the family (the Princess Royal and the late Princess Diana, to give just two examples)are the ones who seem more involved in "real life." In that regard, Hoey gives good thumbnail sketches of the more prominent members of the family. Having always had a secret admiration for Prince Phillip, I was glad to read that his staff is very loyal to him and that much of his reputation as a martinet is overblown. In most of the stories, dismissed staff members had overstepped their bounds by being too familiar, bounds of which they must have been aware when they were hired.

I think the book will be of great interest to those who can never get enough of the Royals and those who want to know salary grades, duties of the staff and servants, with some personal information on the royal family thrown in. I disagree with the reviewer who feels that the author dislikes the Royal Family. Just because one doesn't worship at the shrine doesn't mean one hates or dislikes one's subject matter. As to the Kindle edition, I appreciate that we were given the cover of the book with the picture of the adorable Corgi, not just the title page as is often the case with e-books. There were a few typos, but nothing of significance. My e-book was without pictures, and I do not know if that was the case with the print edition. It is a book that cries out for illustrations!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Brits are always interesting March 19, 2012

By funnygirlglenna

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have always felt interested in how the other half (so-to-speak) live. I found it very interesting that no one speaks to the corgis' except the Queen. I just wonder if the Queen is lonely. The book doesn't inform if she ever talks to anyone except the Royal Family or the elite that she deals with in reference to the business of running the country. I remember watching Queen Elizabeth crowing on TV when I was about 8years old. That was when I learned of the reference and respect in which the Queen is shown. I have always been interested in the Royal Family their connections with othe people and the commoners. This book was a very good read, very informative. Thanks

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Oh, it's just fun! April 5, 2012

By A.C. Doyle

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love a good gossip, and this book is full of it. What lives these people lead! I doubt that they can appreciate their money and pampering since they have never known anything else. With the exception of the Queen - poor lady,she seems to do her best with her silly relatives - I can't help but find most of the Royals to be beyond quirky. I wonder if they could "make it" if they had to deal with the reality of most peoples's lives. I can see Charles as a clerk in a shop but not much else. An interesting read, though, if you like that sort of thing as I do.