Disclosure: This blog post contains some links to books on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Our first "Read like a Royal" mini-book review takes inspiration from HRH Princess Eugenie, in honor of her recent Royal Wedding. We choose these five books because Princess Eugenie has read the book or she has a connection to the subject matter.
****
During Princess Eugenie's wedding, her sister and Maid of Honor, Princess Beatrice, did a reading from The Great Gatsby. The novel has a special place in Princess Eugenie's heart as she read the book shortly after meeting her husband, Jack, for the first time and thought Jack had kind eyes similar to the character Jay Gatsby.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald takes place in New York, USA in the 1920s during the Jazz Age. The title character, Jay Gatsby, is a mysterious multi-millionaire who holds extravagant parties at his lavish mansion in the fictional village of West Egg, on Long Island.
The story begins with the arrival of Nick Carraway, a Yale Univesity Graduate and war veteran, who moves next door to Gatsby after taking a job in New York as a bond salesman. Nick Carraway is the 2nd-cousin to the beautiful, married, socialite, Daisy Fay Buchanan, who is having an affair with Gatsby.
The novel explores themes of the American Dream, greed, excess, decadence, the pursuit of pleasure and the decay of moral and social values.
Of course, instead of reading the book, you can just watch the 2013 movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, etc.
Princess Eugenie is a huge fan of contemporary & modern art. And focuses that in both her job at the art gallery Hauser & Wirth, and her patronage of a number of contemporary art museums. Eugenie even included her love of modern art into her wedding, with Mark Bradford's artwork incorporated into the bridesmaids and page boys sashes.
At University, Princess Eugenie did her dissertation on John-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), an American graffiti and street artist. Eugenie has said in multiple interviews that he is one of her biggest art inspirations.
Elephant Family was co-founded by Duchess Camilla's late brother, Mark Shand (1951-2014).
“For many years now I have been a huge supporter of Mark Shand and all his work with Elephant Family. His legacy lives on with all the wonderful work the charity does for saving these beautiful creatures. I have been so lucky to see elephants in their natural habitat and it’s a very special memory.” - Princess Eugenie
This trip to India inspired Shand to co-found the charity, Elephant Family.
During an event for Elephant Family in 2015, Princess Eugenie read an excerpt of this book to school children.
Back to Book Reviews - Main Page
****
At University, Princess Eugenie did her dissertation on John-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), an American graffiti and street artist. Eugenie has said in multiple interviews that he is one of her biggest art inspirations.
By John-Michel Basquiat
During his life, John-Michel Basquiat filled numerous notebooks with ideas for his work, it includes drawings, notes, poems, observations etc. The Notebooks is a reproduction of pages from eight of these notebooks.
****
Princess Eugenie has been Patron of Elephant Family since 2016. Elephant Family works to protect endangered Asian elephant by creating elephant and wildlife habitats, reducing human-elephant conflicts and promoting education programs in the UK about these endangered elephants.
Elephant Family was co-founded by Duchess Camilla's late brother, Mark Shand (1951-2014).
“For many years now I have been a huge supporter of Mark Shand and all his work with Elephant Family. His legacy lives on with all the wonderful work the charity does for saving these beautiful creatures. I have been so lucky to see elephants in their natural habitat and it’s a very special memory.” - Princess Eugenie
by Mark Shand
Travels on My Elephant is a book by Duchess Camilla's late brother, Mark Shand. The book tells his account of his 600-mile ride across India on an elephant named Tara. When Mark bought Tara, the elephant, she was sad, scrawny and had been mistreated. Throughout the story, Mark learns to take care of the elephant and develops a close friendship.
This trip to India inspired Shand to co-found the charity, Elephant Family.
****
Family is very important to Princess Eugenie. And she has said in an interview with Harper Bazaar in 2016, that she fills her home with photographs taken by her parents.
Moments: Reflections in Words and Pictures
Moments: Reflections in Words and Pictures
by Sarah, Duchess of York
Moments is a book of photographs by Princess Eugenie's mother, Sarah Duchess of York. The book features photos of Sarah's travels, as well as a number of rare, personal photos of the York Family. The photos are accompanied by a short description.
Proceeds from this book went to Children in Crisis, a charity founded by Duchess Sarah. In 2018, Children in Crisis merged with Street Children UK.
Street Children UK is a UK based charity that works to provide a quality education to children in poor, or conflicted countries. Duchess Sarah is their Founding Patron, while Princess Eugenie & Princess Beatrice serve as ambassadors.
Be Cool Be Nice
Princess Beatrice recorded two short videos for the app and gave a short quote for the book.
Proceeds from this book went to Children in Crisis, a charity founded by Duchess Sarah. In 2018, Children in Crisis merged with Street Children UK.
Street Children UK is a UK based charity that works to provide a quality education to children in poor, or conflicted countries. Duchess Sarah is their Founding Patron, while Princess Eugenie & Princess Beatrice serve as ambassadors.
****
Princess Eugenie & her sister, Princess Beatrice, have both spoken out about bullying in various speeches & interviews. They have both been involved with the Be Cool Be Nice anti-bullying campaign, attending/hosting a number of their events. 
Be Cool Be Nice
Be Cool Be Nice is a "journal and interactive manual" created by the Be Cool Be Nice anti-bullying campaign in collaboration with Snapchat. The book is features fun artwork, stickers, inspiring quotes, writing prompts, activities, games, etc.
And the book comes with a free app & Snapchat filter. The paired app allows you to scan certain pages with your phone and do a fun activity or watch a celebrity video message.
And the book comes with a free app & Snapchat filter. The paired app allows you to scan certain pages with your phone and do a fun activity or watch a celebrity video message.
Princess Beatrice recorded two short videos for the app and gave a short quote for the book.
"Be Cool Be Nice is a fun and important motto, especially for young people. When you can reach out and be kind to another person that is what life is all about." - Princess Beatice as quoted in the book
The book features a lot of celebrity involvement, from Kendall Jenner, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Marc Newson, Lenny Kravitz, etc. And even collaborated with The Diana Awards, and Royal Foundation of Duke & Duchess of Cambridge & Duke & Duchess of Sussex which both focus on Anti-Bullying.
Hi! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for your great information you've got right here on this post.
ReplyDeleteI'll be coming back to your blog for more soon.