Books are a topic of great dispute and are very subjective to each individual. So it may not surprise you to learn that the favourite books of Princess Kate and Meghan Markle are quite starkly contrasting. One of which enjoys a certain type of genre in the classics and timeless novels written by British authors, with the other opting for a bit of non-fiction, many books about fashion and the odd memoir. Here, the Express takes a look at Princess Kate and Meghan Markle’s favourite books.
Princess Kate
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
A candid photo shared on Instagram in 2020 revealed Princess Kate’s desk and allowed the world to see a collection of enguin’s Clothbound Classics, complete with the signature colorful foil jacket designs – including several Jane Austen books. The one that stood out the most however, was Sense and Sensibility, actually Austen’s first, published in London in 1811. It is a story about the three Dashwood sisters, who, through misfortune and later luck, find love and themselves.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Another notable novel in her collection is Emily Brontë’s only book, Wuthering Heights. Published in London in 1847, the story is steeped in the traditions of Gothic fiction and romanticism. It follows Catherine Earnshaw, a woman determined to socially advance, and Heathcliff, an orphan boy whom Catherine’s father brought to Wuthering Heights to live with them. Catherine and Heathcliff fall in love, but because of Heathcliff’s lack of social standing, Catherine instead marries Edgar Linton. The book is darker than some from its time.
Bleak House by Charles Dickens
Another great English novelist beloved by the Princess of Wales is the legendary Charles Dickens. Bleak House is a novel about inheritance and lost fortune. The famous story was originally published in serial form between 1852-1853 in London and explores how the aforementioned financial implications impact the Jarndyce family. The future queen is obviously a fan of Dickens as a copy of A Christmas Carol was also visible on her desk.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Originally published in 1891, Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles was not nearly as widely read as Jane Austen’s works or Charles Dickens’ novels, Hardy’s masterpiece still holds its own amongst modern readers. It’s a curious choice for the mother-of-three, as the novel deals with difficult subjects, like the oppressive Victorian moral code, sexual assault and poverty in rural England. However, because Hardy deals with these topics so masterfully, the novel has become a classic within the canon of English literature.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Irish writer Oscar Wilde’s famous novel The Picture of Dorian Gray held its own place on Princess Kate’s desk. The beloved novel was first published in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in 1890 and follows the life of the vain aristocrat Dorian Gray. In his obsession with youth and beauty, Gray magically remains physically perfect while a portrait of himself absorbs the physical transformations that age and a hedonistic lifestyle would have on his own body. The novel scandalized readers at first and deals with aesthetic beauty and vice.
Meghan Markle
The Motivation Manifesto by Brendan Burchard
Through her Instagram and a reading list shared on the Tig, we have uncovered some of Markle’s favourite books and this includes Brendan Burchard’s The Motivation Manifesto, published in 2014. On the book, Markle said: “Annoyed by your self-doubt and distractions? The noise that keeps you from reaching your potential? Okay, so yeah. Me too. Even on my most Sasha Fierce days there’s a mean little voice in there going, “Hmmm…I’m not sure if you can, or should, or if you’re good enough to.” Time to tell that little thief of joy to get outta your head. This book is a must-have for waking up your inner badass, and being the very best version of yourself.”
Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington
Grace Coddington’s celebration of fashion has danced along its cutting edge for over 30 years. Abandoning a highly lucrative career as a leading model on the 1960s London scene, alongside the likes of Twiggy, Coddington signed on in 1968 as a junior fashion editor at British Vogue. She quickly established herself on the other side of the camera, coordinating photo shoots and a close working relationship with royal photographer Norman Parkinson produced a series of vibrant location shoots that have come to be considered classics.
In Vogue: An Illustrated History of the World’s Most Famous Fashion Magazine by Alberto Oliva, Norberto Angeletti and Anna Wintour
Another fashion pick from Markle, In Vogue is an intriguing look at the history of the world’s most influential magazine. The book is illustrated with hundreds of covers and archival interiors of past Vogue editions, featuring the work of some of the twentieth century’s most respected artists, cover illustrators, and photographers. In 1909, an entrepreneurial New Yorker named Condé Nast took charge of a struggling society journal and transformed it into the most glamorous fashion magazine of the century.
The Dress: 100 Iconic Moments in Fashion Hardcover by Megan Hess
This collection of dresses celebrates fashion’s finest moments and takes the reader on a decadent romp through fashion history. From the elegant, such as Audrey Hepburn’s simple black shift to the quirky, such as Bjork’s Swan Dress or the Liz Hurley safety-pin dress, to the simply unforgettable – such as Madonna’s perilous-looking conical bustierre.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
The Duchess of Sussex fell in love with the message from the #1 New York Times Best seller and Pulitzer Prize Finalist included in this inspiring, well-observed memoir that finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question of: What makes a life worth living? Markle shared this selection on her Instagram as a book to dig into while flying.
