Looking at Royal books for the I newspaper

I know my Royal books as only a confirmed Republican champagne socialist can. I read them all with a strong suspicious gaze, entrenched in my lefty feminism. I am always looking for books at the sweetspot of fairness, a certain objectivity, and clever, funny commentary. If they are somewhat bitchy, all the better. The i newspaper asked me to pick my favourites, in the light of the new book by Charles Spencer on his sister, Diana Princess of Wales, who died 29 years ago. “Of course they can’t answer back” is the cry of those who defend the British Royal family. Read a few of these books and you would conclude They Never Shut Up – they are full of details coming from direct sources. As I say in the piece Troublesome parents, difficult children, sibling fights – maybe you can get all that at home, but it’s always encouraging to read about the problems of the rich and privileged, which is probably why books about the royals are so enthralling. There’s an awful lot of angry brothers in the…