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Brian Hoey
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Not in Front of the Corgis: Secrets of Life Behind the Royal Curtains Hardcover – May 15, 2012

by Brian Hoey (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 1,899 ratings
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Interest in the British royal family is inexhaustible. Just take the amazing clamor over the recent wedding of William and Kate! But who are the Royals, and what do they get up to when we aren't watching them?

In Not in Front of the Corgis, a veteran Royal commentator and author of more than twenty books on the Royals peeks behind the curtains to tell us what they really get up to in their spare time. The book asks questions like what the Queen watches on TV and why she does not have a driving license, and answers thousands of questions about the world's most famous family, including who are the most popular Royals to work for, and who the least? Who is the grandest of the Queen's children and why? Why do Edward and Andrew pay less than Charles' private secretary for the rent of their homes, and what records did the Queen Mother like to dance to?

Not in Front of the Corgis is a unique and fascinating miscellany containing everything you ever wanted to know about the Royal Family, away from the spotlight.

Brian Hoey has been a writer and broadcaster for over forty years, covering countless Royal events, including the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 and Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The Robson Press
  4. Publication date
    May 15, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1849541760
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1849541763
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Robson Press (May 15, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1849541760
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1849541763
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 1,899 ratings

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Brian Hoey

Brian Hoey

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Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
1,899 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Nancy Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars If Only They Could Talk
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019
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Well Brian Hoey speaks for them The stories told by him are charming and informative so if ever you find yourself at The Palace, you will have been prepared if you have read this delightful , small but fascinating, book.
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LESLEIGH R HERSHKOWITZ
3.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Anglophiles and Royalists
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2014
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I have read a great deal about England's Royal Family and its modern day mechanization and function. This is a nice concise guide and it serves to dispel myths-such as the widely held belief that the Queen is the richest woman in the UK.

This is a fascinating look into what it takes to make and keep the Firm running.
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JAK
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2022
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While I enjoy reading about the Royals, I never cease to be amazed by the sycophantic self-delusion exhibited by diehard Royalists like this author. " The Monarchy brings in millions in tourism". "the Queen supports the family from her private funds" ..... . Rubbish. Tourists to England go to see its beauty and revel in its history, all of which would exist without the royal family. No one expects to see the royals. And the Queen's personal funds? Come from the fabulous wealth of the Duchy of Lancaster, to which she alone is entitled by virtue of her royal birth. Monarchies in the British style are anachronisms. If a national mascot with no power is needed, let them follow the wise lead of the Scandinavians; still stylish and ceremonial, but truly in tune with the 21st Century. If they fail to remake themselves, they may find, too late, that the changes will be made for them, and be far more drastic than expected. This book and others like it may serve as a manifesto for change.
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Jenny Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Job Brian Hoey!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2015
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"Not is Front of the Corgis" is for lovers of the Royal family. I enjoyed this book immensely. I willingly admit that I am a fan of the Royal family, I love the pomp and ceremony that goes with all the Royals. Just for the record I am not a fan of the corgi breed of dog but am a dog lover and have been all my life.

Getting a humorous insight into the life at the various royal homes and palaces, along with the titbits of gossip regarding the different aspects of each and every 'department' that is responsible for the daily running of Buckingham Palace is amusing to say the least. The mystery that surrounds the goings on of the royals will always fascinate people. They are different, pompous, spoilt, consider themselves above the normal run of human society, and have become accustomed to every type of luxury that we only dream about! However would I change places with anyone of them? Not a chance! I have absolute admiration of the Queen. She is one amazing lady with the ability to never turn a hair in public over any aspect of wild antics that the royals get up to. Prince Charles will never be able to step into her shoes as the Crown Head of the United Kingdom. More is the pity!!
5 people found this helpful
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Penny
3.0 out of 5 stars An Overall View Of The Royal Family
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2018
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If you're looking for a way to see what the family members are like as people, there is some of that, but nothing all that personal. If a writer who planned to write about any royalty anywhere, even fictional royalty, this book gives a very good look at how the royal puzzle is put together and why. Who speaks to whom, and how, and what their relationship is likely to be. How does the staff prepare to support a royal or royals on a state visit, and what clothing is taken just-in-case. You get to see how all the arrangements are made, who is responsible for what, and why. Do not expect a personal book, such as a Buckingham Palace equivalent of BACKSTAIRS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
4 people found this helpful
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Debster
4.0 out of 5 stars Meaningless Fun!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2014
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Interesting and sometimes unimaginable tidbits about the royals.

Their odd habits and lavish lifestyles were fascinating to me. However, I found the information about their wealth, how much the servants are paid and other financial facts, meaningless because there was no US dollar equivalency noted. This really lessened my enjoyment of the book.

The fact that someone has to iron shoestrings after Prince Charles takes his shoes off was something that is unimportant in the grand scheme of things, but yet the kind of scoop I was hoping for! If you are looking for a short, fun read that won't tax your mind then this is it.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars because I thought it was good for the type of book it was meant to be. It's not a great literary work that will stand the test of time, but rather a guilty pleasure for someone desiring the inside 411 on how those born with a silver spoon in their mouth (literally!) live.
8 people found this helpful
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Susan M. B
2.0 out of 5 stars Facts not "secrets"
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2018
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This book is basically job descriptions (and salaries which are likely already outdated) of the many ,many job titles and duties of those working for the British Royal family and the related enterprises. A good read for anyone looking and hoping for Royal employment. Surprising number of positions and varying degrees of education and expertise described.
One person found this helpful
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TheBoysGrandma
5.0 out of 5 stars Quite Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2018
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I loved the title of this book and caught on very quickly! The author did a fantastic job of describing what happens upstairs and downstairs among the British Royalty. Quite interesting to see the difference between the the different Royals and how they treat the people who work for them.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kindle-Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars Hinter den Kulissen
Reviewed in Germany on June 2, 2023
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Interessant, einmal einen Blick hinter die königlichen Kulissen zu werfen.
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Don Saunders
5.0 out of 5 stars Of interest
Reviewed in Canada on August 17, 2018
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Interesting insight into a world one never sees, but retains an interest as to what goes on behind closed doors.

Don s
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G.M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Entretenido y perfecto para potenciar la lectura en inglés.
Reviewed in Spain on December 16, 2018
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Entretenido. Con una fina ironía muy brithis hablan de los miembros de la casa real.
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Angie8329
5.0 out of 5 stars Not in Front of the Corgis
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2018
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Wasn't sure what to expect but title encouraged me to purchase and read. Well written with the right amount of fact and humour. Interesting titbits revealed and monetary amounts could be put into today's equivalent.
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marina
2.0 out of 5 stars Boring
Reviewed in Italy on July 25, 2016
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I have been disappointed and bored by lots of too detailed descriptions of the Royal Household and of the incomes of the Firm and relatives which are not so interesting, especially if the author goes on writing for pages
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