Courtiers: The Secret History of Kensington Palace - Hardcover

'Perhaps now the definitive work on the early Hanoverian court ... The depth of Worsley's scholarship is demonstrated by the absence of fudged details. She clarifies points of etiquette and toilette, for example, that most historians of the 18th century only half understand ... As in her previous book, Cavalier, Worsley's style is wonderfully readable and her talent for empathy enormous.' --Ophelia Field, Sunday Telegraph

'As chief curator of the Historic Royal Palaces charity Worsley couldn't have been in a better position to winkle out the secrets of one of the palaces under her aegis. She has written a book that vividly brings to life the reigns of the first Hanoverian monarchs and almost humanises the two Georges ... One of the most appealing characters is Caroline of Ansbach, queen to George II, a woman who would rather have been a philosopher than a ruler, ill-treated yet loved by her husband. Her agonising end, brilliantly described, brought me to tears ... A compelling book.' --Peter Burton, Daily Express

'Worsley is excellent in her descriptions of court life and the tedium endured by those whom ambition subjected to it. She has a keen eye for oddity, offering nice character sketches. She is very agreeably informative about the lives of below-stairs servants, as well as ladies-in-waiting and equerries and other officials... This is an engaging, splendidly readable account of the first two Georgian courts.' --Allan Massie, Spectator

Ambitious and talented people flocked to court in search of power and prestige, but Kensington Palace was also a gilded cage. While its inhabitants were cocooned in comfort and splendour, successful courtiers had level heads and cold hearts; their secrets were never safe. Among them, a Vice Chamberlain with many vices, a Maid of Honour with a secret marriage, a pushy painter, an alcoholic equerry, a Wild Boy, a penniless poet, a dwarf comedian, two mysterious turbaned Turks and any number of discarded royal mistresses. An eye-opening portrait of an enthralling group of royal servants, "Courtiers" also throws new light on the dramatic life of George II and Queen Caroline: a lover murdered, babies snatched, horrific illnesses and tearful deathbed reconciliations.