Mary Ross | Site Director
Growing up, I wanted nothing more than to be a princess. I would watch the Disney Princess movies all the time. My sister and I would constantly play pretend that we were princesses. When the Disney Channel Original Movie, Princess Protection Program, came out, I pretended that I was just like Princess Rosalinda or one of the agents for months. All these stories practically glorify being a princess, without explaining the immense pressure all these women are under or how remarkable they are despite the pressure. The following stories and memories tell the true story of what it is like to be a woman in a royal family.
African Princesses: The Amazing Lives of Africa’s Royal Women by Joyce Hansen
Hansen’s book tells the stories of six royal woman who lived in Africa from 1473 B.C. to now. Some of them lived wonderfully in their home countries, while others were freedom fighters or living in exile. Each woman in this book changed the course of history by challenging expectations of them during times of changing politics and culture.
Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia by Jean Sasson
Sultana, a Saudi Arabian princess, lives in a world where she has no freedom, no control over her own life, no value except as the bearer of sons. She has seen and experienced horrible acts of oppression that many would view as human rights violations. These in thirteen-year-old girls being forced to marry men five times their age, and women being killed in brutal ways such as drowning, stoning or isolation. To make it so this way of life is not passed down to her daughters, Sultana decided to speak to Jean Sasson to tell her story. Read Sasson’s book to gain insight on what it is truly like to be a royal woman in Saudi Arabia.
DIANA – Her True Story by Andrew Morton and DIANA – Her True Story In Her Own Words by Andrew Morton
These stories are all about the life of Princess Diana. The first story, DIANA -Her True Story, first published in 1992, tells Diana’s story through interviews with close friends. It includes discussion of her unhappy marriage, restricted social life and the high expectations of her. After its publication, Princess Diana and Andrew Morton swore that they had no contact throughout the book.
However, when Princess Diana died in 1997, Morton was quick to copy a new edition of the book. This book evidently showed that the main source in the first book was Princess Diana herself, not just close friends. It includes specific anecdotes that weren’t published before, showing the strict rules that Princess Diana had to follow and that she occasionally broke. To read more about Princess Diana’s personal life, hardships, strict rules and all, check out these books.
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Family by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have continually made headlines for the past few years. Some say Meghan Markle is another Princess Diana, who will challenge the expectations the English Crown has of her. Others have said she has corrupted Prince Harry which is why they ultimately moved to North America and decided to leave the royal family. Well wonder no more! Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, two reporters who cover the British Royal Crown, detail the lives of the couple and their son Archie. They explain the reasoning for leaving the royal family and the plans they have in store for their family.
Mary Ross is a third-year English major at BGSU. She enjoys all types of books, with a special love for historical fiction, poetry and Mitch Albom’s books. When she is not reading, you can find her taking care of her plants, writing content to hopefully publish her own book one day, or studying for her classes, always with a coffee nearby. Any questions about her thoughts or opinions in these blog posts can be sent to her email, mkross@bgsu.edu.
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