The Constant Princess

A splendid and sumptuous historical novel from the internationally bestselling author, Philippa Gregory, telling of the early life of Katherine of Aragon.
I was born a princess, destined to be queen, and I know my duty.

1491. Henry VII’s eldest son Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, has been betrothed since childhood to the Spanish princess Katherine of Aragon. Their marriage will cement the alliance Henry Tudor craves to secure his country.

But when Arthur’s sudden death leaves an 11-year-old boy heir to the kingdom, Henry Tudor must choose whether to send Katherine back to Spain, or to marry her himself. Katherine has no son from her brief marriage to secure her future; her substantial dowry and his powerful contract are at stake.

Henry has reckoned without the determination of a young woman set on fulfilling her own destiny to be a queen – and the ambition of Prince Harry, the future Henry VIII.

Short-listed for British Book Awards: Popular Fiction Award 2007

“'One of Gregory's great strengths as a novelist is her ability to take familiar historical figures and flesh them into living breathing human beings. The Constant Princess is a worthy successor to her previous novels about the Tudors.' Daily Express 'Gregory's research is impeccable which makes her imaginative fiction all the more convincing.' Daily Mail 'Gregory is great at conjuring a Tudor film-set of gorgeous gowns and golden-lattered dining. She invokes some swoonsome images…while the politics are personal enough to remain pertinent.' DailyTelegraph 'The contemporary mistress of historical crime fiction is Philippa Gregory. Her novels are filled with strong, determined women who take their fate into their own hands…Gregory brings to life the sights, smells and textures of 16th-century England.' Kate Mosse, Financial Times Acclaim for Philippa Gregory THE VIRGIN'S LOVER: 'A book to lose yourself in…a simmering mixture of intrigue, lust and betrayal at the court of Elizabeth I, it breathes new life into the suspected love affair between the young queen and Robert Dudley' Daily Mail 'Convincing and entertaining' Daily Telegraph 'Historical fiction at its best' Choice 'An enjoyable read, and Gregory's energetic writing carries one along' Sunday Telegraph 'A fascinating new take on a story we thought we knew' Eve 'Highly readable, highly enjoyable' Manchester City Life 'History has a sexy makeover in an erotic account of Elizabeth l's relationship with the married and tantalisingly unavailable Robert Dudley' Glamour, Books of the Year 'Gripping and often moving' Image 'Packed with court intrigue and sumptuous detail' Dublin Evening Herald 'Gregory's success lies in restoring humanity to her historical figures' Daily Mail 'Gregory vivdly portrays court life all the political intrigue, divided loyalties, love and betrayal' Woman and Home 'Gregory is one of the best chroniclers of the ups and downs of the turbulent Tudors…This superbly plotted drama unfolds like an exquisitely embroidered Tudor ruff' Sainsbury's Magazine 'Queen of the historical novel' Mail on Sunday 'Gregory creates an intriguing tale with many an unexpected twist' Glasgow Herald THE CONSTANT PRINCESS 'If romantic historical novels are your cup of tea, The Constant Princess will not disappoint. Gregory vividly reconstructs life in the Spanish royal household, and contributes to the sense of Katherine's foreignness.' The Times 'Sweeping historical romance…..her tale almost reads like fiction rather than real history, at least in Gregory's very capable hands.' The Mirror 'Philippa Gregory is bang on form again as mistress of the Tudor chronicle, bringing to life all the intrigue of the era with great finesse.' Daily Express 'Full of gorgeous scenery, emotional moments and passionate sex' Sunday Telegraph”

'One of Gregory's great strengths as a novelist is her ability to take familiar historical figures and flesh them into living breathing human beings. The Constant Princess is a worthy successor to her previous novels about the Tudors and deserves to be a bestseller.' Daily Express 'Gregory's research is impeccable which makes her imaginative fiction all the more convincing.' Daily Mail 'Gregory is great at conjuring a Tudor film-set of gorgeous gowns and golden-lattered dining. She invokes some swoonsome images!while the politics are personal enough to remain pertinent.' Telegraph 'The contemporary mistress of historical crime fiction is Philippa Gregory. Her novels are filled with strong, determined women who take their fate into their own hands!Gregory brings to life the sights, smells and textures of 16th-century England.' Kate Mosse, Financial Times 'If romantic historical novels are your cup of tea, The Constant Princess will not disappoint. Gregory vividly reconstructs life in the Spanish royal household, and contributes to the sense of Katherine's foreignness.' The Times 'Sweeping historical romance!..her tale almost reads like fiction rather than real history, at least in Gregory's very capable hands.' The Mirror Acclaim for Philippa Gregory THE VIRGIN'S LOVER: 'A book to lose yourself in...a simmering mixture of intrigue, lust and betrayal at the court of Elizabeth I, it breathes new life into the suspected love affair between the young queen and Robert Dudley' Daily Mail 'Convincing and entertaining' Daily Telegraph 'Historical fiction at its best' Choice 'An enjoyable read, and Gregory's energetic writing carries one along' Sunday Telegraph 'A fascinating new take on a story we thought we knew' Eve 'Highly readable, highly enjoyable' Manchester City Life 'History has a sexy makeover in an erotic account of Elizabeth l's relationship with the married and tantalisingly unavailable Robert Dudley' Glamour, Books of the Year 'Gripping and often moving' Image 'Packed with court intrigue and sumptuous detail' Dublin Evening Herald 'Gregory's success lies in restoring humanity to her historical figures' Daily Mail 'Gregory vivdly portrays court life - all the political intrigue, divided loyalties, love and betrayal' Woman and Home 'Gregory is one of the best chroniclers of the ups and downs of the turbulent Tudors...This superbly plotted drama unfolds like an exquisitely embroidered Tudor ruff' Sainsbury's Magazine 'Queen of the historical novel' Mail on Sunday 'Gregory creates an intriguing tale with many an unexpected twist' Glasgow Herald

Philippa Gregory is an internationally renowned author of historical novels. She holds a PhD in eighteenth-century literature from the University of Edinburgh. Works that have been adapted for television include A Respectable Trade, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool. The Other Boleyn Girl became a major film, starring Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Eric Bana. Philippa Gregory lives in the North of England with her family.

A splendid and sumptuous historical novel from the internationally bestselling author, Philippa Gregory, telling of the early life of Katherine of Aragon. I was born a princess, destined to be queen, and I know my duty. 1491. Henry VII's eldest son Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, has been betrothed since childhood to the Spanish princess Katherine of Aragon. Their marriage will cement the alliance Henry Tudor craves to secure his country. But when Arthur's sudden death leaves an 11-year-old boy heir to the kingdom, Henry Tudor must choose whether to send Katherine back to Spain, or to marry her himself. Katherine has no son from her brief marriage to secure her future; her substantial dowry and his powerful contract are at stake. Henry has reckoned without the determination of a young woman set on fulfilling her own destiny to be a queen - and the ambition of Prince Harry, the future Henry VIII.

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