Royal Service: My Twelve Years As Valet to Prince Charles

by Stephen P. Barry

An intimate account of life at Buckingham Palace and a revealing portrait of England's future king, his princess, and the royal family

Genres: Nonfiction, Royalty, Memoir, Biography, History, Autobiography

246 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book when it was published in 1983. Having been a fan of the Royal Family, I thought it would have some interesting insights on the subject. I wasn’t disappointed. It was a nice read, informative, clear and it was written well.

I decided to read this book again after so many years because I wanted to see if perhaps I’d been too hard on the authors of “Finding Freedom”. Mr. Barry may have gone from school to being a nursery footman at the palace, but the writing of this book shows an educated and capable storyteller. I enjoyed the perspective he provided of the people, the relationships between people and I feel like I came away with a better understanding of how things work behind the scenes at the House of Windsor and about what they are like as people. It is everything that “Finding Freedom is not, I am happy to say.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prince Charles has a valet to put the toothpaste on his brush for him. What a terrible life.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like the pre Diana/Charles feud books just to see how much has changed and to try and read between the lines to see just how much people realized the marriage was doomed before it even took place.
I read the sequel first earlier this year, that was more anecdotes this was a bit more autobiography. Stephen Barry initially started working at the palace while Charles was still in school and as many people do he worked his way up to valet to the Prince of Wales. Unlike Wendy Berry of Housekeeper's Diary fame he was around before the hot mess of the late 80s early 90s and sadly died young of AIDS. Wonder if Diana visited him since people want us to think she was the only one who cared about AIDS and the people dying from it. She wasn't even the only royal as I'm pretty sure Princess Margaret did the same, but by that time her popularity had faded to make room for Diana and Fergie. Anyway he also quit in before the birth of William so he missed the drama and scandal.
Like almost every royal book Andrew was a terrible person from the start, and I'm not sure why they keep saying he's the best looking of the Queen's children. Anne or Charles were at least when they were younger at least in my opinion. Andrew always looked a bit creepy to me.
This book does paint Charles in a very positive light and while it makes the book seem biased it is nice to see Charles get some positive press considering the shit kicking he's gotten since the 80s that has barely let up since. He's been dubbed, weak, ruthless (how can you be both?), and uncaring husband and father, an adulterer (which is true but Diana was no innocent either), someone who manipulates the press to his own advantage which if true he's doing a garbage job of it considering it's rare the press is on his side and a narcissist which seems to be the go to word for any public figure people don't like. People have been calling for him to step aside for William since the 90s when Diana put the thought in our heads during her Panorama interview. So it was nice to see a kinder gentler side to him here. I like to believe he is a mostly good person who wants to help serve his country and the commonwealth. Has he done stupid or shady things probably but I'll bet every other wealthy powerful person has too.
Anyway the book was okay. It was just different enough from Royal Secrets to be interesting. I found it fascinating that he refers to the infamous "suicide attempt " while pregnant with William to be a slip on the stairs. This is why early 80s books about the royals interest me. What was also interesting was that this book was accepted warmly by the palace while the sugary sweet Little Princesses got Marion Crawford blacklisted and shunned. Still I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in seeing how things are behind the scenes with the royals through the eyes of the staff who we all know see and hear everything.

[Gale Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend passed on some books from her attic and this was one. I started reading and decided to finish it. It is rather a day to day diary of the young prince’s duties and responsibilities. He does not speak ill of anyone and gives a good impression of Prince Charles. The royal family has a privilege life in many respects but a horrible life too. No privacy, always gossip that is not necessarily true and really a life that is not your own.

He did break protocol by writing the book which puzzled me since he was so dedicated to duty. So I did some research- he died a little over four years (1986) after leaving service . He died of ADIS. The book was published in 1983. I suppose money could have been the motivation. Is it a book I would recommend- not really. I learned a few things about royal life but other than that, nothing else.

[Sandra K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mr. Barry is a story-teller, and I mean "stories". The "girlfriends" and newlywed to the Princess chapters are more interesting for what isn't said--a real "read between the lines" moment, foretelling the tragedy yet to come. Least truthful line in the book: "The Prince is simply not the type of man to dally with married women, and most certainly not with women who are married to his friends." This line appears directly following the book's introduction of "Mrs. Camilla Parker Bowles" as a member of the prince's circle.

[Kaitlyn Nightingale · Rating 3 out of 5]

In acknowledging the issues in the ways that the Royals have historically treated minority groups or colonized nations, or the vast about of wealth and resources that is consumed in this lifestyle and mindset, I quite enjoyed this book. Keep in mind that many of the reviews for this book focus on berating the Royals themselves rather than commenting on Barry’s writing, so many are skewed and say nothing of the book’s content or delivery. It was well written and very easy to read. I do wish that it had been in order of events to be a little easier to follow along. I have never read something written before the divorce or Diana’s death, so it was a fresh perspective to read this without the lens of what is now known about this story. It also is far from modern television and film that try only to guess what the day to day life of these individuals or narrow in on drama or scandal: it is from the very real perspective of someone who has witnessed it all. It doesn’t cite truly dramatic of crazy stories of the Prince or the family, and Barry speaks highly of his time in his various service positions, overall making it a quick and light-hearted read. It is difficult to find information on the reception of this memoir during that time or from the Royals’ perspective, or to confirm the information given by Barry about his departure from service—he passed away only a few years after his left his valet positions and after writing two books, so we also can’t gain his perspective following the events of the late 90’s and 2000’s. If you are curious about the British Royal family, I think you will enjoy this book.

[Deb Stratas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written by Prince Charles's private valet, this is an interesting read about the engagement and first year of the royal marriage. As Charles' valet for twelve years, there are lots of "goodies" about working for the Prince. He is quite gracious in his recollections of the young princess, but since he was pretty much fired by her, he likely didn't have the highest regard for Diana. It was rumored that she didn't like having anyone around that knew the Prince when he was dating a lot of other women - especially Camilla. I have my own private theory that it was Stephen Barry that laid out the intertwining C cufflinks that Charles wore on the Britannia honeymoon. Diana was furious and made a scene with Charles but I've always wondered if Stephen was behind this little act of resentment.

[Ingrid Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although hopelessly out of date and almost historical, this is a narrative that opens or refreshes the mind regarding P Charles to the pre-media onslaught initiated by his first wife. I grew up thinking of him as a decent, reasonable type of a person, and it is reassuring to find someone working closely with and for him who thinks the same way. A discreet behind the scenes viewpoint and an obviously loyal opinion. I enjoyed this and was sorry to hear of the authors early demise.

[Verna Carre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any royalist will like this book. The author writes about the 12 yrs of service, mostly during the 1980’s. There is no criticism of the Prince or any Royal. While the book mentions Camilla, it doesn’t impart her importance to the Prince even during his marriage. It is a kind book and written by a very loyal servant. For those expecting new and daring tales, don’t bother.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding chronical of a time now past. Stephen Barry shared his heart and his honor quite eloquently. I so appreciate a picture of the royal family that feels straightforward, honest, and heartfelt.

[Meghann Vdv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mehhhh, wasn't juicy enough for me.

[Marize De Klerk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a nice read. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Relaxing read.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Knowing what is known now, the author seems either extremely loyal or shockingly naive. Either way, he comes across as a decent person but an unreliable narrator.

[Barbara Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. Author was very tasteful in describing his duties with the Prince.

[Stephanie MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to look back at the beginning of King Charles' life.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given it a higher rating if it wasn't for all the racism, misogyny, and clear bias towards Prince Charles

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles- so spoiled! Diana- a saucy minx!

[Ute Weiß · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed listening to Shauna from the Vintage Read Show reading the book chapter by chapter.
She has a great way to read and is very funny.

[Surreysmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

[These notes were made in 1984:]. Well, Mr. Barry didn't get to be a royal valet for a dozen years by being either indiscreet or a Royals-hater, so it comes as no surprise that, far from containing any scandalous anecdotes, this book is pretty mushy on the royals. I cannot believe that there was quite the personal distance between Charles and his valet that Barry implies with all his "sirs" and "your highnesses." But I found the account of palace hierarchy interesting: I had no idea it was so extensive. Barry attempts to defend himself against the charge that he left Charles' service after the wedding out of jealousy or ill-feeling over Diana. But it seems pretty clear that he and Diana, even if they didn't have a blazing row, never really hit it off. (The other woman who doesn't come at all well out of the book is poor old Anne, who is never mentioned without a sneer). In any case, if one puts aside the slightly sickening servility of tone, one is still left with a very interesting glimpse inside the private lives of a family whose privacy has, of necessity, become something of a fetish with them. Low-keyed though the revelations are, I wonder how the Royal Family took them.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen Barry served as valet to HRH Prince Charles for 12 years, leaving shortly after Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. This account of what it was like to work for a member of the British royal family is fairly circumspect, although the royals were reportedly unhappy about the book anyway. In response to many questions from readers of this book, Stephen Barry went on to write another book that was more of a tell-all type, "Royal Secrets" (which I have already reviewed).

It's hard to imagine a life where someone comes into your bedroom to wake you up, lays out your clothes for the day and draws a bath for you. This was a typical day for Mr. Barry. He also enjoyed some perks such as traveling to various parts of the world with the Prince. He doesn't explicitly say so, but one gets the idea that Diana "cleaned house" of staff that had been close to her husband once she was the lady of the house.

**#63 of 100 books pledged to read/review in 2015**

[Shannon Breen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a person who has a minor obsession with reading about servants, particularly ones to royalty, this book was mildly interesting. It's not a salacious tell-all about the royal family. It talks about his experiences with Prince Charles in a respectful way, perhaps a little TOO respectful, verging on a boot-licking worshiping mentality. This man reminds me a lot of the butler on UPSTAIRS-DOWNSTAIRS. He very much understands the class division and seems to totally accept it, which is a little off-putting to me. I have a fascination with royalty while at the same time finding it ridiculous that someone is put in a higher station simply by being born. I would be too rebellious to not at least THINK the system was absurd, even if I accepted working in it.

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting "tell-all" written by the former valet to Prince Charles. The book is full of fun tidbits of gossip. It is dated now, however.

[Angie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stuff. It's in my box of give-aways if anyone feels compelled to read it.

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those nice trashy reads that make an afternoon fly by. How much to believe? Who knows, but it was entertaining.

[Leila Kern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was okay, nothing special.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It must be nice to have a servant do everything in life for you. Prince Charles is pretty helpless and he feels entitled. What a terrible job to have.

[Alyssa Rana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. Just like every other book about the Royals.