Red, White & Royal Blue Review: Unfurling an Unexpected and Forbidden Love Amidst Public Duty and Social Norms

Red, White & Royal Blue is an LGBTQ+ contemporary romance novel that explores the story of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, who falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales. Alex's image is meticulously curated for political gain, but beneath the surface, he nurses a long-standing feud with Prince Henry. When a photo of their altercation makes headlines, it negatively impacts U.S.-British relations. To mitigate the damage, a plan is devised to stage a fake friendship between Alex and Henry. However, what starts as a mere facade gradually blossoms into a heartfelt and more genuine romance that could jeopardize political campaigns and impact the two nations.

This is a completed queer novel that is considered one of the editors' picks in the Best Romance category, garnering a 4.5/5-star rating on Amazon.

Prepare for a heartwarming and inspiring tale of love's ability to conquer adversity and reshape the world in Red, White & Royal Blue.

Author

Casey McQuiston is a talented author based in New York who made a sensational debut with the novel Red, White & Royal Blue, which became a New York Times bestseller in 2019. Her writing often revolves around the theme of intelligent individuals with less-than-perfect manners finding themselves entangled in the beautiful chaos of love.

Theme

This novel is a profound exploration of love, identity, and the intricate interplay between personal desires and public responsibilities. It delves deep into the notion that love has the remarkable ability to transcend boundaries and expectations, even when those boundaries involve nations and weighty political obligations.

Through the evolving relationship between Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry, the story sheds light on the challenges faced by two young men who must navigate the delicate balance between their personal desires and the demands of their prominent public roles. In doing so, it offers a thought-provoking examination of the transformative power of love.

Main Characters

Alex Claremont-Diaz

Alex is the 21-year-old son of the United States' first female president. With his dark, curly hair, brown eyes, and a height of five feet nine, he possesses an undeniable handsomeness. His aspirations extend to a desire to become a senator, yearning to make a meaningful impact on the world. While Alex exudes an outgoing temperament, his inner circle is quite exclusive, primarily consisting of his closest friends, June and Nora. His fascination with Prince Henry ignited from the moment he first laid eyes on a picture of the prince. However, their initial in-person encounter leaves Alex taken aback, as he finds himself repelled by Henry's seemingly cold demeanor.

Alex's own personality is characterized by warmth, frankness, and a knack for charming his way through life. It comes as a total surprise when he discovers a physical attraction to Henry, a revelation that leads him to recognize his own bisexuality. Unlike Henry, Alex is more of an optimist by nature and firmly believes that they can find a way to make their relationship work, despite the odds stacked against them.

Henry, Prince of Wales

Henry is the 23-year-old Prince of Wales and the youngest grandson of the Queen of England. He is a young man with imposing height, striking blond hair, and piercing blue eyes. His impeccable poise in all social settings sometimes gives off an impression of blandness and emotional detachment.

However, beneath this facade lies a deeply complex truth: Henry has always known that he is gay, yet he's never dared to envision a life where he could openly be his true self. The weight of his family's expectations and the looming possibility of ascending to the throne weigh heavily on him, often plunging him into bouts of depression. Henry's journey is a poignant exploration of the struggle to reconcile personal identity with the demands of tradition and responsibility.

Plot

Feud & Facade

Alex Claremont-Diaz, with a bright political future ahead as the son of the United States' first female president, has always been determined to make a meaningful impact on the world, following in his mother's footsteps. However, his well-laid plans take an unexpected twist when he's reluctantly thrust into the realm of British royalty, attending a royal wedding that includes his long-time nemesis, Prince Henry.

Alex's long-standing resentment towards Henry, fueled by the prince's perfect exterior and unflappable demeanor, reaches its boiling point at the wedding reception, leading to an unfortunate cake collision worth $75,000. In a bid to save face, both countries decide to orchestrate joint public appearances for Alex and Henry, making it seem they are friends.

Love & Duty

As fate would have it, their mutual disdain starts to soften as they get to know each other better through texts and emails. A shocking New Year's Eve kiss opens Alex's eyes to his unexpected attraction to the prince. Over the following months, they arrange secret meetings to nurture their budding romance. However, while Alex envisions a shared future, Henry believes it's an impossibility.

When their private correspondence is leaked to the press, Alex and Henry are faced with a monumental decision: can their love withstand global scrutiny and humiliation? To their astonishment, they received an overwhelming outpouring of support from both sides of the Atlantic. Even the traditionally-minded Queen Mary eventually bends to public demand and recognizes Alex as a suitor for her grandson's hand. Meanwhile, Alex's mother secures her re-election, carrying her home state of Texas.

Writing Style

The author's writing style in this novel is marked by a clever, witty, and self-aware narrative voice through a closed third-person point of view, following the character of Alex. McQuiston's prose reflects a sense of humor that is both sharp and playful, infusing the novel with a lighthearted and comedic tone.

The author's use of humor, cultural references, and the characters' internal monologues add depth and relatability to the story. The writing also skillfully explores the characters' self-discovery and their evolving understanding of their identities and desires, particularly in terms of their sexuality.

Hot Chapters

Chapter 6

The most-awaited passionate encounter between Alex and Henry in the Red Room of the White House. There's sexual tension between them, marking a significant turning point in their relationship. It's a moment of reckoning for Alex, who takes the initiative to kiss Henry and then invites him to his room for their first sexual encounter.

Chapter 10

After Henry ghosted Alex, leaving him lovesick and distraught, Alex takes matters into his own hands and flies to London to seek answers. When Alex declares his love, Henry's symbolic act of taking off his signet ring represents the weight of duty and the obstacles they face. The next morning, Henry finally declares his love and commitment, marking a turning point in their relationship and solidifying their love and official status as a couple.

Chapter 12

Henry and Alex's romantic relationship is finally exposed to the world. After a series of staged events and efforts to divert media attention away from their secret relationship, the leaked footage of Henry visiting Alex at the hotel during the Democratic National Convention becomes a turning point.

Final Thoughts

Red, White & Royal Blue is a delightful romance novel that combines fun and fluff with unexpected twists and turns, ensuring readers remain thoroughly engaged and emotionally invested in the narrative. The forbidden romance between Alex and Henry stands as a heartwarming and thought-provoking centerpiece, with both characters being exceptionally well-developed and relatable.

Readers can also appreciate the author's nuanced portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and the unique challenges they face, both on a personal level and in the unforgiving spotlight of the public eye. Also, if you're up for clever and self-aware storytelling that'll humor you and have you relate to the story, this piece is perfect for you!

Watch Alex and Henry's story unfold from faking their friendship to declaring their genuine love for each other in Casey McQuiston's novel, Red, White & Royal Blue.

FAQs:

Q: What is the novel Red, White & Royal Blue all about?

A: Red, White & Royal Blue is a story of gay romance where Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales.

Q: Does the novel Red, White & Royal Blue have a happy ending?

A: Yes, at the end of the novel, it is stated that Alex and Henry are finally together at the house where Alex grew up, relishing the memories of how they first met and ultimately saying their love has won.

Q: What chapter do Alex and Henry kiss in Red White & Royal Blue?

A: It was in Chapter 4 that Henry abruptly kissed Alex and then immediately disappeared before Alex could react. But it was in Chapter 6 that they both finally gave in and ultimately kissed each other, leading to them having sex for the first time.