Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston was one of the biggest titles of 2019. It won numerous awards, received positive critics, and there is a movie adaptation just around the corner.
This is Casey McQuiston’s debut novel, and they did such a great job with it that no one would think that they were a first-time writer.
All about love and politics: a deeper dive into Casey McQuiston’s “Red, White and Royal Blue”
Red, White and Royal Blue is an LGBTQ rom-com novel from 2019. It was written by Casey McQuinston, and it received praise since its release. It tells the story of The First Son of the United States and his relationship with British Prince Henry.
While the love story is fictional, the characters are so well-written that it makes the entire story seem realistic. The book became the New York Times bestseller a month after it was published.
Everyone from Publishers Weekly to Kirkus loved what this book has to offer. And readers will love it too.
A look into the storyline
The main characters in the book are Alex Claremont-Diaz and Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor. Alex is the son of the first female president of the United States, and she is preparing for re-election.
During the royal wedding, there was an incident after which Alex had to pretend that he and Henry were just best friends. It is the only way to prevent the incident and hinder his mother’s re-election campaign. But keeping the secret has never been more difficult.
Main characters
There are a couple of main characters you will encounter while reading the book, and while Alex and Henry are the most important ones, other characters appearing in the book are still well-written and believable.
They have their own story to tell that only enriches the entire novel. Here is a quick guide to the main characters appearing in the novel.
Besides these main characters, there are other members of the White House, friends, and of course, the Republican nominee for the upcoming elections.
Alex Claremont-Diaz
Alex Claremont-Diaz is the First Son of the United States. Alex’s mom, Ellen Claremont became the first female U.S. president. This Mexican-American is the closest thing to royalty in the U.S., and he needs to play nice to avoid causing problems for his mother.
But things are never easy when love is involved. And he will soon discover that some things are not easy to hide. Alex is also the main character and readers follow the book through his perspective.
Henry Whitman
Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor is a Prince of Wales and a member of the royal family. During the events in the book, he is the third in line to the throne. The story follows a well-known idea of enemies becoming friends. In the beginning, Henry can barely tolerate Alex. And Alex feels the same.
After the incident during the royal wedding, the two need to pretend that everything is well and that no conflict is happening. But Alex’s arch-nemesis will soon become something a lot bigger.
June
June Claremont-Diaz is Alex’s sister and the First Daughter in the United States. Her full name is Catalina June Claremont-Diaz, but she uses her middle name. June is a journalist, or that is what she aspires to be.
She had to move to Washington D.C., after her mother won the elections, even though she planned on moving to California. She is an important part of the story not only because she is Alex’s sister, but because she is a part of the White House Trio.
Nora
Nora Holleran is the third member of the White House Trio, and she is the granddaughter of Mike Holleran who is the current Vice-President in the story. Nora is also Alex’s ex-girlfriend since he is bisexual, but they continued being friends.
This relationship happened during the first election campaign in 2016, and it was an interesting sight to see. Both Nora and Alex were convinced that they were the smartest person in the room. Nora is also bisexual.
Nora and Alex love messing with tabloids, pretending that they have a secret affair.
President Ellen Claremont
President Ellen Claremont is the first female president of the United States. She is a Democrat, and she is from Texas. Ellen has two children, Alex and June, and her ex-husband was Senator Oscar Diaz.
Ellen is a woman of courage. She is a single mother, she fought to reach the position of the most powerful woman in the world, and she is beloved by many. It is obvious that there is a huge chance that Ellen will win a second term. Unless a huge controversy spoils everything.
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FAQs
Can a 12 year old read Red, White and Royal Blue?
Read, White and Royal Blue is written for young adults and older teens. Many people suggest that the book is suitable for fifteen-year-olds. Of course, it is something that mostly depends on the person.
Is Red, White and Royal Blue going to be a movie?
Yes. In 2019, Amazon won film rights and they started working on the production. It was announced that Matthew Lopez will be directing it, while Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine will play main characters.
Uma Thurman will play Ellen Claremont, and many famous actors have also joined the cast such as Stephen Fry. The film finished with primary production in 2022.
Is Red, White and Royal Blue a good book?
Yes. Red, White and Royal Blue is one of the best books of 2019. It is a charming story filled with comedy, love, and optimism. If you are someone who is looking for the best romance novels, this is a must-read.
Red, White and Royal Blue received Goodreads Choice Award, and it reached the New York Times Bestseller list. Interestingly enough, the Swedish Netflix TV show Young Royals was often compared to Red, White and Royal Blue.
