AN INDISCREET PRINCESS - Georgie Blalock
A Novel of Queen Victoria's Defiant Daughter
William Morrow & Company
ISBN13: 9780063083288
September 2022
Historical Fiction

Great Britain During Queen Victoria's Reign

Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria's fourth daughter, aches to escape the boring, bleak existence of Windsor Castle where her mother expects obedience to her, and her alone. After the death of Prince Albert, the queen's mourning engulfed her, and wearing black, avoiding the public, and demanding her children to follow suit has, even years after the prince's death, made for a dull life for all within the walls of the castle. For Princess Louise, it is a prison. Lively, pretty, and artistic, Louise is determined to pursue a lifestyle that is less royal, and much more free. But the queen has no intention of giving any of her children that opportunity.

When Queen Victoria sends Princess Louise to represent her when Parliament opens, the doors seem to open a bit for Louise to venture further. With the assistance of her art tutor, as well as some of her family members, Louise is allowed to enroll in the National Art Training School, an establishment that Prince Albert founded. She is determined not to allow her royal position to interfere, and makes friends with some of the students. The school is where she meets Joseph Edgar Boehm, the sculptor, and she falls in love with him. 

Life for a royal princess requires trust in one's closest friends, as well as the ability to hide one's emotions. With the help of her close friend, Sybil, who accompanies her about London, Louise is able to spend time with Edgar, while still completing her royal duties. She is also able to promote Edgar's talent by getting the queen to appreciate his works. But how long can this last? The queen wants Louise to marry.

Eventually Princess Louise marries the Marquess of Lorne, a Scottish commoner, and he is appointed Governor General of Canada, much to Louise's horror. Being separated not only from Edgar, but her artist friends is devastating. But her royal upbringing, and her ability to deal with the public put her in a great light with the Canadian people. It's only after a terrible accident that Louise returns to England, and, upon her recovery, she sets out to live her life free of her mother's control. 

Each chapter of AN INDISCREET PRINCESS begins with actual letters, newspaper articles, or notes from the queen, and others. Beautifully researched, the author has brought to life a woman of talent, intelligence, as well as compassion who lived through a stifling, but an enlightening era. Princess Louise was outspoken, but only when necessary, and she was one of the few of Victoria's children able to stand up to her domineering mother. An excellent read, don't miss AN INDISCREET PRINCESS.

Jani Brooks