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5 Minutes for Mom Contributor Geri Chase received a copy of this book to facilitate a review. We were compensated to write the review, but all opinions about the book are her own.
While I am not someone who is infatuated with the Royal Family, I have enjoyed watching the William and Kate story unfold. At one point, as the world awaited the birth of Prince George, I wondered aloud how William has been able to overcome some pretty public and tragic childhood experiences to create the stable and happy life he leads now.
Just a week later I was offered the opportunity to review a new book which, as it happens, answers that question. The book, Diana’s Baby by Angela Levin, chronicles the details of events leading up to the baby’s birth, as well as offers some speculation on how William and Kate may be helping repair what many perceive to be a broken royal family.
About the Book
Diana’s Baby focuses mainly on Prince William’s life and the way he navigated the dysfunctional family dynamic into which he was born, with occasional side trips that delve into the damaged personal lives of both of his parents, Charles and Diana, because of their own harsh and neglectful upbringings. While some might argue that there are people whose childhoods were certainly more difficult than any in the royal family, the information presented in the book serves as a reminder that money and privilege do not necessarily negate the damaging effects that divorce, neglect or abuse have on a child.
Of course part of the narrative of William’s life is the Middleton family. The author shares details about Kate Middleton’s family as well, including how her parents met and built a successful business that allowed their children to attend the best of private schools. It was at school where Kate and William met and the story of their courtship, as well as the positive impacts Kate and her family have had on William are explored in as the author chronicles the couple’s relationship and subsequent marriage.
Photo: EPA/DANIEL DEME
Photo: EPA/DANIEL DEMEDiana’s Baby is a short summer read that explores the impact that generational dysfunction has had on the royal family and seeks to point out the positive changes that all involved, including parents and grandparents, are trying to make to repair the damage as they welcome their newest member into the royal circle. The book gives readers a quick glimpse into the personalities and events that helped mold the Duke of Cambridge’s character and turned him into the role model and leader he is today.
My Opinion
As someone who grew up in a similar kind of family dysfunction (without the money and royal heritage, of course!), I identify a little with William. Growing up with parents who don’t love each other comes with its own set of issues. Then having lost my own father under very tragic circumstances just months before my first son was born, I have an inkling of what William may have felt as he held his newborn son and lamented that his own mother was not there to celebrate this wondrous occasion with him.
The book, while a little tedious and judgmental at times, was a poignant, personal reminder that no one is immune from the negative and sometimes tragic aspects of familial life. But it also brought home the point that with we are not doomed to live an unhappy life because of how we were raised. We have choices. We can continue to behave in ways that perpetuate the dysfunction or we can choose to see life from a healthier perspective and walk a different path.
In choosing not to succumb to the hurt and pain he experienced growing up, William has established himself as a person of great strength and character. That doesn’t mean he ignored those feelings. It just means he found a way to deal with them that didn’t damage who he is as a person, nor did he use his pain as an excuse to behave badly or inflict pain on others.
He chose to break the cycle. And he seems to have chosen a wife who values those traits and who seeks to impart compassion and acceptance to all with whom she comes in contact. Now, with the birth of Prince George, they have become a symbol of hope to the world that the seemingly shattered traditional family can be repaired. To quote Melanie Phillips, who wrote the introduction to this book:
“It is the inspirational tale of an extraordinary prince who has sought salvation in the ordinary.”
Geri Chase is mom to 2 hilarious boys and wife to an insanely funny husband, all of whom like to remind her that the fact that she is a girl does not give her immunity from their testosterone induced humor. While she pretends not to be amused, she secretly laughs herself silly over their antics and frequently blogs about life and family friendly products over at I Am Boymom.
Richard Hicks says
Would like to read this as I find them to be very interesting
Carl L Smith Jr says
My wife would love this book, she is crazy for them, thanks for the review, i will get this for her
nikki says
sounds like a very interesting book
kymi a says
I’m so happy for them, I remember the death of Princess Di what a sad day it was, this looks like a great book to read and learn about the royal family. Thank you for sharing.
Robin Wilson says
I am not obsessed with the royal family, but I was def infatuated with Diana and heart broken at her death. Sorry that some of your life parallels the sad events of William’s ~ but it sounds like you have overcome just as he has. I probably would not pay for this book, but if it comes to the library or I can borrow it, I would read it.
Sonya Morris says
Looks like a great read, thanks for sharing!
Kelly Brown says
Bless poor Prince William! I hope he can continue to move on. Princess Diana was definitely one of my favorites and she still is!
Mozi Esmes mom says
I loved following the royal family when I was a teenager; it’s been fun introducing my daughter to the fact that princesses do really exist…
Jeanna says
I didn’t know there was a book about the new royal family! I must read it!
Eve says
I’m a fan! Best wishes to them all!
Tammy S says
I would love to read this book. I think it would be interesting to find out more about their family dynamics.
Heather King says
I love the reminder that we aren’t just trapped by the dysfunction of those before us, but have choices we can make to break those cycles. I hope that’s true for the royals and for all of us!
Jennifer Marohn says
I didn’t grow up in a house that was void of love, but my father passes away 7 years ago. 2 1/2 years ago when my daughter was born, it was so bittersweet because I knew that he was not physically there for that moment of joy in our lives and to physically watch my daughter grow up. I can identify with you and William in that way. It’s so very hard to lose a parent or even someone we love.
Helga says
I am creeped out by the circumstances of Diana’s death, it was very suspicious. The Royal family has a lot of curses I think too.
cheri says
I’m just happy to see the royal family looking happy and healthy for a change.
Jenny Martin says
This looks good–I always like the way Diana parented–and look forward to seeing how William and Kate do!
Barbara Platt says
He would make his mama proud
Jean says
It’s hard not to like Kate and William as a couple. They seem genuinely in love and both seem like good people.
michelle b. says
This sounds like a very interesting book.
LaVonne says
This sounds like an interesting book. I am really rooting for William and Kate and the success and happiness of their family.
June S. says
He and his brother have grown into fine young men. Diana would be so proud of them both.
happymomc says
I’d love to read this book!
Anne says
I am interested in this book.
Megan says
I am dying to read this book!
Ned says
I have been fascinated by William and Kate’s story from the very beginning.. It would surely like to read this book.
Susan says
It sounds like an interesting read. I also am not usually entranced by celebrity, but I loved Diana and I’m so impressed with William and Kate.
Bonnie Way says
Very interesting. I admit I’ve also been watching Will and Kate (in part because Will looks like my twin brother), though I think sometimes the media gets a bit too into their lives. Many of us have come from dysfunctional families for various reasons, so it is interesting to look at an icon like Will and Kate and how they are dealing with that – and hopefully that can help other people too. Thanks for sharing.
Tanya says
This would be a very interesting book to read. I will have to buy it next week after payday.