Debrett's Book of the Royal Wedding (1981) Hardback (UK) 1981 Hardback (US) 1981 A gloriously illustrated book to commemorate the marriage of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer. Its account of Prince Charles's life follows the Prince from his birth in post-war Britain to the end of his bachelor days. It traces his early education at Hill House, Cheam and the cold bath world of Gordonstoun. It relives his adventures at Geelong Grammar School in Australia, his burgeoning at Trinity College, Cambridge, and his challenging weeks at Aberystwyth. The great ceremonies in the Prince's life, his installation as a Knight of the Garter and as Great Master of the Order of the Bath are vividly described - the author attended both - and the Investiture at Caernarvon Castle comes to life with entertaining happenings behind the scenes. The author followed the practice of Sir Harold Nicolson in using his subject's words to make him his own biographer. Hugo Vickers drew on the many interviews on radio and television and writings in books and magazines to reveal how the Prince faced his education and his emergence into public life. So we see how the only person in this land whose life has been predestined since birth developed from shy and sensitive boyhood into the confident parachutist, naval officer and steeplechaser we came to know. The author also drew on what others said about the Prince to form a balanced and intelligent portrait of him. Prince Charles told us that he thought thirty would be a good age at which to marry. But he kept the world waiting before naming his bride. The author took an amused look at the Prince's tentative steps towards matrimony and inspected the various candidates. Invariably he struck them off the list one by one as they married elsewhere. But in the last chapter the Prince reveals his hand, and the book ends with a joyful chapter about the lady who was to become the first Princess of Wales in seventy years, and about her distinguished forebears over five centuries. * * * * * Author's note: This book has an added poignancy in the light of subsequent events. It fitted the market well in the summer of 1981 and was in the bestseller list the entire summer, selling over 205,000 copies in six months. Out of print - copies can be found on Bookfinder.com Copies are available via this site, which can be signed by the author. Apply: booksales@wyeford.co.uk