The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin

#TheWindsorAffair #NetGalley

Historical Fiction

370 pages

Pub date: 02 June 2026

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description:

from the publisher

A scandalous affair. A power struggle for the throne. A sensational rivalry between an English queen and an American social climber. In this electrifying novel, the New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue tells the story of the Abdication of Edward VIII—and the two women at the center of it all.

“As deliciously dishy as an English cream tea and the royal gossip whispered over it!”—Kate Quinn, author of The Astral Library

Feuding Windsor brothers and their wives—some things, it seems, never change. The Windsor Affair recreates the cataclysmic events that nearly toppled the monarchy and incited the power struggle between Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Wallis Simpson. Told from the perspective of both women, the novel propels readers into the fabulous world of the debonair Prince of Wales, café society of the 1930s, and the glittering private lives of the Windsors. The first novel to be dedicated to this infamous rivalry, The Windsor Affair brings us all the gossip and intrigue between the two very different—yet perhaps more similar than they would admit—wives of royals.

As Queen, Elizabeth would become the symbol of British pluck and courage during World War II and remain a British institution the rest of her long life. Wallis would be forever forced to enact the World’s Greatest Love Story even after it sours, as she goes from being admired to vilified and, ultimately, pitied. Against the backdrop of the Abdication Crisis, World War II, coronations, funerals, births, and deaths, these two women maintain a biting, sharp-tongued feud—until age and the long arm of history bring about a kind of understanding. For the last communication between these bitter rivals was a simple, surprising message: “In friendship, Elizabeth.”

My thoughts:

Many are aware of the conflict between Princes Harry and William, and their wives. Of course, history often repeats itself and that is the case in some ways today. Because, of course, before Harry and William, there were David and Bertie, two brothers with wives who also did not like each other. In each of these eras, important decisions were made that affected the monarchy and the personal lives of family members.

In this book, Benjamin very enjoyably tells the stories of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Wallis Warfield Simpson and those around them. Their experiences growing up were so different as were their fates. Wallis grew up poor and wanted security. Elizabeth grew up secure and was not seeking to become Queen. Yet as each married a Windsor brother their lives were set on a course. There were trying times ahead for both.

Even those who think that they know a lot about these historical personages will find much to like in these pages. They will leave the book understanding more about the women’s relationships, responsibilities and decisions.

It is easy to recommend this title to those who enjoy historical fiction and/or those who enjoy stories about British royalty.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher:

From Library Journal:

VERDICT Both a sweeping account of nearly a century of royal history and an intimate look into the characters of the two women at the center of it all, this will please readers who enjoyed Benjamin’s previous novels or those who can’t get enough of the drama of the House of Windsor.