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The Palace Diaries

Written by Sarah Goodall and Nicholas Monsoon

* Introduction*

Written in 2006 and published in 2007, this 318 page hard back book had me gripped in almost every chapter. Hailed as "Racy, outrageous and hilarious - there's never been a Royal book like it. The Palace Diaries is a unique insider's view of what really went on during the most tumultuous period for the British monarchy, since the abdication of Edward VIII. On the cover is Miss Goodall, looking slinky and sassy in a Audrey Hepburn type pose, complete with Corgi. Her adoration and respect for Charles is paramount but I think this mostly comes from her loins, not from her heart.

To be honest, I had never heard of this Miss Goodall. This book came upon be by pure chance whilst browsing through a leading book website. It was on offer at 75% off the retail price and as I was about to embark on a holiday, I decided to buy it for a bit of easy reading.

Sarah was born in 1964 into a very privileged family and was raised in Shropshire. She went onto study chartered surveying at the Royal Agricultural College of which she eventually ran away from as well as her latest love interest. Life as a farmer's wife was not for her.

In May 1988, she was employed as a secretary for an auction house in London, living in a flat share in Fulham. This too became boring for her and was badly paid so it was then she approached a job agency in the city. Her details were forwarded to Kensington Palace for the role of a "Lady Clerk".

* The Story Behind the Book*

From the beginning of the book it is clear that she has grand affection for the younger male Royals. The flat which she rented overlooked the house of Viscount Linley and she would often peer over to his bedroom window and watch his silhouette against the curtain with his then partner Susannah Constantine, Trinny Woodall's other half in the series What Not to Wear. From her comments it is obvious she wished it was her in that bedroom whilst she was playing at "peeping Tom".

The role of a Lady Clerk in laymen's terms is an administrator come secretary. Prince Charles has quite a large congregation of Lady Clerks in his employment and Sarah was to be given the task of reading his fan mail and dealing with as she deemed appropriate. This position gave her a meagre salary of 162 per week, just 1000 more than her previous role. However it was the title and working for Royalty that made her accept this job, only after she signed the Official Secrets Act.

Sarah started

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