Shadows of a Princess Audiobook By Patrick Jephson cover art

Shadows of a Princess

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Shadows of a Princess

By: Patrick Jephson
Narrated by: Patrick Jephson
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Reissued for the twentieth anniversary of Diana’s death, this sensational bestseller is an explosive account of her life, from the man who was by her side throughout its most turbulent period.

In 1981 Lady Diana Spencer was seen by many as a lifeline for the outdated Windsor line. But Diana didn’t follow the script. Instead she brought a revolution.

Patrick Jephson was Diana’s closest aide and adviser during her years of greatest public fame and deepest personal crisis. He witnessed the disintegration of her marriage to Prince Charles and the negotiation of the royal divorce.

Rooted in unique first-hand experience, Shadows of a Princess is an authoritative, balanced account of one of the world’s most famous and tragic women.

©2000, 2017 Prospect Media Ltd (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Europe Great Britain Politics & Activism Royalty England United Kingdom

Critic reviews

‘A compelling page-turner.’ Sunday Times

‘The most indelible, authentic word-portrait ever painted of the People’s Princess.’ Daily Mail

‘Never has so senior a servant of the Royal Family decided to reveal his secrets and rarely has one witnessed such turbulent times.’ The Times

‘Mr Jephson was a witness to significant events … he is in a position to reveal the truth.’ Daily Express

‘Jephson’s revelations are important. They are a stark corrective to the baroque fantasies constructed around the Princess immediately after her death.’ Evening Standard
Balanced Account • Insider Perspective • Nuanced Portrayal • Compelling Details • Honest Narrative • Detailed Diary
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Well written and detailed. The author shows sincerity and integrity and depth in the day to day knowledge of his boss who happened to be Diana, The Princess of Wales.

Truthful Account of Diana’s Life

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It was great to see another perspective of the princess by someone who worked within the royal system. It was hard to hear just how nasty she could be at times from other royals. However hearing it from those who worked for her or with near proximity, it was far easier to digest. Citing The Housekeeper's diary, and the torment the staff faced from both Charles and Diana. So this was great view of seeing it from a clerical/courtier's view. It really encapsulated the entirety of Diana's personality and way of being.

very insightful

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I liked it felt bad for Di...the royal family used her. I really question how she died.

his point of view although not flattering to Di

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She was not perfect. Far from it, but she is not as criticized for her poor choices as their causes are examined. This is not a romanticized portrayal absolving her from the situations she made worse, but she'd never been taught differently. She seems to have developed complex trauma from the circumstances of her childhood, and never truly delved into it, pulled it apart, and replaced it with healthier choices. She wanted to be loved, but having had so little, she didn't know what healthy love looked like. I don't know of any 19 year old, betrayed on the eve of her wedding by a man she'd met 13 times, with the eyes of a billion people on her, would have handled it any better. it's especially difficult when everyone wants something from you and few people will tell you a hard truth. She searched her whole life to fill the void that was created so early and which never healed. Without strong and directed intervention, many people carry that wound from childhood to the grave. Sadly, this seems to have been the case for her. And she did it with every move documented by photographers. The fact that she survived it as long as she did without effective treatment is testament to her inherent strength. She never believed she was whole and worthy of love for herself and from others. It's heartbreaking. It is also treatable, but cannot be done alone. Let her life encourage those with similar emotional damage not of their own making, to seek help not available to her.

The most well balanced and yet compassionate viewpoint

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, he tells the story wonderfully.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shadows of a Princess?

Diana in New York

Which scene was your favorite?

The anti-nuke protestors

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

She should have been Queen

Great book, great voice

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Different from other books of the genre. Interesting read. Few new insights stands out as smashing Diana myth

Candid and honest

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I love Patrick Jephson. He is my favorite person in Diana’s life to listen to. I feel he treats her with the respect she deserves. He is also highly intelligent, and I enjoyed this book so much more than many others written about her.

Review

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This memoir is personal, and it’s written as though there is no agenda about the qualities of the primary subject

Mr. Jephson both admired the princess and was victim of her failings.
He seems to carry no resentment some years later as he wrote this book

His psychological and personal perspective are complex detailed and are full of empathy and inside

Recommended.

Recollection of what seems to be an honest man

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What a great read. This writer knew Diana, Princess of Wales better that most people. This is a very frank but fair assessment of a highly complex woman. I learned that Royalty without humility rots the soul. Diana was fortunate to die young. She couldn’t keep up the pretenses of being a wonderful, compassionate, giving person for much longer, and would ultimately have had a huge public ugly fall. Rest In Peace Diana.

Thank you for the whole truth

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Private Secretary kept diary of details while working for Diana which leads to compelling account of behind the scenes

Diary of details that help story!

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