Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle’s favorite books reveal stark contrast

Princess Kate and Meghan Markle both have an admirable love for reading, but their favourite books are quite different – with one favouring British classics and the other non-fiction

Books can be a contentious topic, as everyone has their own, so it comes as no surprise that the favorite reads of Princess Kate and Meghan Markle are quite different.

One prefers classic and timeless novels penned by British authors, while the other leans towards non-fiction, fashion books, and the occasional memoir. Let’s delve into the favorite books of Princess Kate and Meghan Markle.

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A candid snapshot shared on Instagram in 2020 gave us a glimpse of Princess Kate’s desk, revealing a collection of Penguin’s Clothbound Classics, complete with their signature vibrant foil jacket designs – including several Jane Austen novels. The one that caught our eye was Sense and Sensibility, which was actually Austen’s first novel, published in London in 1811.

It tells the tale of the three Dashwood sisters who, through a series of misfortunes and later good fortune, find love and discover themselves, reports the Express.

Among her collection is Emily Brontë’s only novel, Wuthering Heights. Published in London in 1847, the book is a classic example of Gothic fiction and romanticism.

It tells the tale of Catherine Earnshaw, a woman with ambitions of social advancement, and Heathcliff, an orphan boy brought to live at Wuthering Heights by Catherine’s father. Despite their deep love for each other, Catherine marries Edgar Linton due to Heathcliff’s low social status, adding a darker tone to the narrative.

The Princess of Wales also has a fondness for the works of renowned English author Charles Dickens. Bleak House, a story about inheritance and lost wealth, is among her favorites.

Originally serialized between 1852-1853 in London, the novel delves into the financial struggles of the Jarndyce family. The future queen’s admiration for Dickens is evident, as a copy of A Christmas Carol was also spotted on her desk.

Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles, first published in 1891, may not have been as widely read as works by Jane Austen or Charles Dickens, but it still resonates with modern readers. The mother-of-three has chosen a novel that tackles challenging themes such as the oppressive Victorian moral code, sexual assault, and rural England’s poverty.

However, Hardy’s skillful handling of these subjects has made the book a classic in English literature.

Another literary classic, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, also found a place on Princess Kate’s desk. This cherished novel, first published in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in 1890, tells the story of the narcissistic aristocrat Dorian Gray.

Obsessed with youth and beauty, Gray remains physically flawless while a portrait of him absorbs the physical changes that age and a hedonistic lifestyle would inflict on his body. Initially scandalizing its readers, the novel explores aesthetic beauty and vice.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has revealed her love for several books, including Brendan Burchard’s The Motivation Manifesto, which she praised on her blog, The Tig. She wrote: “Annoyed by your self-doubt and distractions? The noise that keeps you from reaching your potential? Okay, so yeah. Me too. Even on my most Sasha Fierce days there’s a mean little voice in there going, ‘Hmmm…I’m not sure if you can, or should, or if you’re good enough to’.

“Time to tell that little thief of joy to get outta your head. This book is a must-have for waking up your inner badass, and being the very best version of yourself,” she added.

Meghan also admires Grace Coddington’s work in the fashion industry. Coddington has been a driving force in fashion for over three decades, starting as a model in 1960s London before becoming a junior fashion editor at British Vogue in 1968.

She worked closely with photographer Norman Parkinson to produce a string of iconic location shoots. Another fashion choice from Markle, In Vogue is a fascinating exploration of the history of the world’s most influential magazine.

The book is adorned with hundreds of covers and archival interiors from past Vogue editions, showcasing the work of some of the twentieth century’s most esteemed artists, cover illustrators, and photographers. In 1909, an ambitious New Yorker named Condé Nast took over a struggling society journal and transformed it into the most glamorous fashion magazine of the century.

This collection of dresses celebrates the finest moments in fashion and takes the reader on a lavish journey through fashion history. From the elegant, such as Audrey Hepburn’s simple black shift to the quirky, like Bjork’s Swan Dress or Liz Hurley’s safety-pin dress, to the simply unforgettable – such as Madonna’s dangerous-looking conical bustier.

The Duchess of Sussex was captivated by the message from the #1 New York Times Best seller and Pulitzer Prize Finalist included in this inspiring, well-observed memoir that finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question: What makes a life worth living?

Markle shared this selection on her Instagram as a must-read while traveling.

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