Red, White & Royal Blue

{{For|the film adaptation|Red, White & Royal Blue (film){{!}}Red, White & Royal Blue (film)}}

{{infobox book

| name = Red, White & Royal Blue

| image = Red, White & Royal Blue Book Cover.jpg

| caption = First edition cover

| author = Casey McQuiston

| cover_artist = Colleen Reinhart

| country = United States

| language = English

| series =

| genre = {{hlist|LGBT|romantic comedy}}

| publisher = St Martin's Griffin

| release_date = May 14, 2019{{cite web |title=Red, White & Royal Blue |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41150487-red-white-royal-blue |website=Goodreads |access-date=27 November 2020}}

| media_type = Print (hardback, paperback)

| pages = 421

| isbn = 978-1-2503-1677-6

| preceded_by =

| followed_by =

}}

Red, White & Royal Blue is an LGBT romance novel by American author Casey McQuiston, originally published on May 14, 2019, by St Martin's Griffin. It centers on the character of Alex Claremont-Diaz, a first son of the United States, and his romantic relationship with Prince Henry, a British prince.{{cite web |title=Red, White & Royal Blue |url=https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Red-White--Royal-Blue-by-Casey-McQuiston-author/9781250316776 |publisher=Blackwell's |access-date=28 November 2020}} Upon release, the novel received positive reviews with praise given to the representation of a queer male relationship. A film adaptation was released on August 11, 2023.

Background

McQuiston first came up with the idea for what would become Red, White & Royal Blue during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.{{Cite web|url=https://shereads.com/casey-mcquiston-interview/|title=An exclusive interview with Casey McQuiston|website=She Reads|date=7 May 2019 |access-date=2019-05-28}} While watching a season of the HBO comedy series Veep and reading a Hillary Clinton biography by Carl Bernstein, A Woman in Charge, and The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, McQuiston became intrigued by the extravagant, high-profile lifestyle of the royals and wanted to take on a story featuring a royal family.

Plot summary

Alex Claremont-Diaz is the son of Ellen Claremont, a Democratic politician and the first female President of the United States, who is running for re-election in 2020. Alex, alongside his sister June and their friend Nora (granddaughter of the Vice President), attend a wedding of a member of the British royal family. Alex has always despised Prince Henry, the younger brother of the groom, and after a confrontation at the wedding reception in Buckingham Palace, the two end up in a physical altercation which culminates in them both falling into and destroying the wedding cake.

The incident is photographed and highly publicised, and Alex and Henry are forced to pretend to be friends with each other to prevent a full-blown diplomatic and media crisis that would distract from Alex's mother's re-election bid. While the effort is initially to control the damage, during the diplomatic visit the two young men become friends, apologise to each other and exchange numbers. Over time, the two become close and Henry is later invited to an annual New Year's Eve party at the White House, where Henry kisses Alex. Henry comes out as gay and Alex realizes he is bisexual. They begin a secret "friends with benefits" relationship and begin writing flirtatious emails while simultaneously building a close bond with each other. Alex eventually begins to develop feelings for Henry.

Alex turns to his mentor and friend, Senator Rafael Luna for help, only to find that he is the running mate for Ellen's opponent, the Republican Jeffrey Richards. He eventually comes out to his mother, who is supportive but reminds him that he needs to make sure the relationship is real and not just a fleeting moment. Henry begins ghosting Alex and after Alex confronts him, Henry lets him know that because of the royal family, they would not be able to have a proper relationship. He gives Alex his signet ring, continuing their secret relationship.

Their relationship becomes public when their emails and photos are leaked to the press. They are forced to stay away from each other while Ellen's team handles the situation. Alex flies to England and supports Henry as he comes out to his family, including his grandmother, the Queen, who argues that the world will never accept them for who they are. As this happens, a growing number of people gather around the palace to express support for both Henry and Alex. Nora eventually finds out, with the help of Luna, that it was Richards' campaign that leaked the emails and photographs. After confronting Luna, he tells Alex he switched sides to expose Richards as a sexual predator. Ellen wins the election and Henry joins Alex onstage as an official couple.

Characters

=Main characters=

Alex Claremont-Diaz is the first son of the United States and the brother of June Claremont-Diaz. The book is written from his perspective.
Prince Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor is a British prince and fourth in line to the British throne.
June Claremont-Diaz is the first daughter of the United States and the older sister of Alex Claremont-Diaz.
Ellen Claremont is the first female president of the United States. A Democrat from Texas, she is the mother of Alex and June Claremont-Diaz and the ex-wife of Oscar Diaz.
Zahra Bankston is the deputy chief of staff for Ellen Claremont and the fiancée of Shaan.
Nora Holleran is the granddaughter of Vice President Mike Holleran. Along with Alex and June Claremont-Diaz, she makes up the 'White House Trio'.
Percy "Pez" Okonjo is the best friend of Prince Henry. He is the founder of several charities and non-profit organizations.
Princess Beatrice Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor is the elder sister of Prince Henry and younger sister of Prince Philip. She is a recovering cocaine addict, an addiction which she developed after her father's death. She is third in line to the British throne.

=Minor characters=

Amy Chen is a trans Secret Service agent and security detail to the first family.
Cassius (also referred to as 'Cash') is another security detail to the first family. He is pansexual.
Oscar Diaz is a U.S. senator from California, the father of Alex and June Claremont-Diaz, and the ex-husband of Ellen Claremont.
Mike Holleran is Ellen Claremont's vice president. He is the grandfather of Nora Holleran.
Rafael Luna is a young independent U.S. senator from Colorado. He is Latino and openly gay. Alex Claremont-Diaz campaigned on Luna's campaign and the two are close friends.
Jeffrey Richards is the far-right Republican nominated to face Ellen Claremont in the 2020 presidential election.
Shaan Shrivastava is an equerry to Prince Henry. During the course of the book he gets engaged to Zahra Bankston.
Prince Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor is the elder brother of Prince Henry and Princess Beatrice and the second in line to the British Throne.
Princess Catherine Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor is the mother of Prince Philip, Prince Henry and Princess Beatrice. She is the heir apparent to the British throne.
Queen Mary is the British monarch, mother of Princess Catherine, and grandmother of Prince Philip, Prince Henry and Princess Beatrice.

Reception

File:Casey McQuiston 2019 Texas Book Festival.jpg holding a copy of the original novel]]

The novel received generally positive reviews, especially for its representation of a gay relationship.{{cite magazine |last=Hill |first=Harrison |title=Unthinking Pleasure: On Casey McQuiston's "Red, White & Royal Blue" |url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/unthinking-pleasure-on-casey-mcquistons-red-white-royal-blue/ |magazine=Los Angeles Review of Books |access-date=27 November 2020 |date=28 December 2019}}{{cite news |last=Esteban |first=Alexandria |title=The Book Nook: 'Red, White, and Royal Blue' explores mature themes surrounding a long distance relationship |url=https://www.highlandernews.org/72589/the-book-nook-red-white-and-royal-blue-explores-mature-themes-surrounding-a-long-distance-relationship/ |newspaper=The Highlander |access-date=27 November 2020 |date=6 April 2020}}{{cite news |last=Finefrock |first=Daisy |title=Review - Casey McQuiston's 'Red, White & Royal Blue' |url=https://www.independent.com/2020/04/16/red-white-royal-blue/ |newspaper=Santa Barbara Independent |access-date=27 November 2020 |date=16 April 2020}}{{cite magazine |last=Yee |first=Hannah-Rose |title=This Super Sexy, NSFW Book About The Royal Family Is The Perfect Beach Read |url=https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/mind-body/wellbeing/this-super-sexy-nsfw-book-about-the-royal-family-is-the-perfect-beach-read/news-story/596f20c8a97b18158dc58d4bc04e4bb2 |magazine=Body and Soul |access-date=27 November 2020 |date=29 October 2019}} Kirkus Reviews said that "McQuiston's strength is in dialogue" and their "rich, well-drawn characters" and Publishers Weekly called Red, White & Royal Blue an "extremely promising start".{{cite magazine |title=Red, White & Royal Blue |magazine=Kirkus Reviews |date=15 March 2019 |volume=87 |issue=6}}{{cite magazine |title=Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston |magazine=Publishers Weekly |date=2019 |volume=266 |issue=9 |page=65 |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=135051122&site=ehost-live |access-date=28 November 2020}} The Nerd Daily said the novel was "an absolute gem" and praised McQuiston's "exquisite care" in creating their characters, awarding it a ten out of ten.{{cite web |last=DeFelice |first=Nathalie |title=Review: Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston |url=https://www.thenerddaily.com/review-red-white-and-royal-blue-casey-mcquiston/ |website=The Nerd Daily |access-date=27 November 2020 |date=15 May 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209171039/https://www.thenerddaily.com/review-red-white-and-royal-blue-casey-mcquiston/ |url-status=dead }} The Hoya also reviewed the novel positively, noting its "distinctive millennial humor" and the "spectacular supporting characters".{{cite web |last=Kendall |first=Catriona |title=MANAGING READS: 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Portrays Authentic Modern Love |url=https://thehoya.com/managing-reads-red-white-royal-blue-portrays-authentic-modern-love/ |newspaper=The Hoya |access-date=27 November 2020 |date=7 September 2019 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207063301/https://thehoya.com/managing-reads-red-white-royal-blue-portrays-authentic-modern-love/ |url-status=dead }} It was noted, however, that the plot was not necessarily realistic.{{cite web |last=Hunter |first=Truly |title=The LGBTQ Review - Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston |url=https://www.martlet.ca/the-lgbtq-review-red-white-and-royal-blue-by-casey-mcquiston/ |website=The Martlet |access-date=27 November 2020 |date=7 February 2020}}

The novel was included in the New York Times Bestseller list in June 2019.{{cite news |date=2 June 2019 |title=Paperback Trade Fiction Books – Best Sellers – Books |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2019/06/02/trade-fiction-paperback/ |access-date=27 November 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times}} McQuiston said they were "blown away" by the response to the novel and have discussed the potential for a sequel.{{cite magazine |last=Griffiths |first=Emmy |date=10 September 2019 |title=Red, White and Royal Blue author Casey Mcquiston talks potential sequel |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2019091077524/red-white-royal-blue-casey-mcquiston-book-sequel-details/ |access-date=27 November 2020 |magazine=Hello!}} Red, White & Royal Blue won a 2020 Alex Award and the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Romance and Best Debut.{{cite web|url= https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ariannarebolini/winners-goodreads-best-books-2019 |title= Here Are The Winners Of The 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards |first= Arianna |last= Rebolini |work= BuzzFeed News |date= December 11, 2019 |access-date= December 22, 2023 |archive-date= December 22, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231222090624/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ariannarebolini/winners-goodreads-best-books-2019 |url-status=live}}

The 2021 Swedish Netflix television series Young Royals was compared to Red, White & Royal Blue due to the similarity of some of the plot points.{{cite magazine|last=Carr|first=Fiona|date=2021-06-28|title=Young Royals review: Netflix's predictable but heartfelt Swedish teen drama leans into the intensity of first love|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/young-royals-review-netflix/|magazine=Radio Times}}

In August 2023, the novel was added to the Library of Congress LGBTQ+ collection for preservation in the library.{{Cite web|date=August 4, 2023|title=Library to Formally Add 'Red, White & Royal Blue' By Author Casey McQuiston to National Collection in Advance of Film Adaptation of Novel|url=https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/library-to-formally-add--red--white---royal-blue--by-author-casey-mcquiston-to-national-collection-i/s/f1b8db99-9b1c-4353-99c0-6d4a2ead33a8|access-date=January 2, 2024|website=Library of Congress}} In a December 2023 interview with Forbes, McQuiston reflected on the possibility of a sequel, saying "I would love to see more too. I think that's all I can say about that".{{cite web |author1=Jeff Conway |title='Red, White & Royal Blue' Author Reflects On The Movie's Success And A Possible Sequel |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffconway/2023/12/11/red-white--royal-blue-author-reflects-on-the-movies-success-and-a-possible-sequel/ |website=Forbes |access-date=6 January 2024 |date=11 December 2023}}

Collector's edition

On October 11, 2022, a collector's edition was released with an alternate cover and a new chapter written from Henry's perspective.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/89201-q-a-with-casey-mcquiston.html|title=Q & A with Casey McQuiston|access-date=June 9, 2023|magazine=Publishers Weekly|last=Schulman|first=Martha|date=May 3, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/red-white-and-royal-blue-what-we-hope-to-see/|title=Red, White, & Royal Blue: Moments We Hope to See From the Book|access-date=June 9, 2023|website=MovieWeb|last=Young|first=Liz|date=July 9, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250856036/redwhiteroyalbluecollectorsedition|title=Red, White & Royal Blue: Collector's Edition|publisher=Macmillan Publishers|access-date=July 23, 2023}} Multiple references to the Harry Potter series were removed from newer editions of the novel, which The Mary Sue writer Alyssa Shotwell wrote was "likely due to the quadrupling down on transphobic activism by author J.K. Rowling".{{Cite web|url=https://www.themarysue.com/harry-potter-references-more-removed-from-bestselling-gay-romance-novel/|title=Harry Potter References Removed from Bestselling Gay Romance Novel. Good.|access-date=June 9, 2023|website=The Mary Sue|last=Shotwell|first=Alyssa|date=June 23, 2022}} A line in the story regarding the conflict in Israel was also changed.

=<span class="anchor" id="Extended_plot_anchor">Extended plot</span>=

In the bonus chapter of the collector's edition, it is revealed that in the years following the book, Alex and Henry are still living happily together with Alex pursuing a law degree and Henry continuing his prior work as a philanthropist and pre‑emptively abdicating his place in the British line of succession. The two also plan a small, private wedding.{{cite web |last=Schultz |first=Cody |date=11 August 2023 |title=What happens in the Red, White and Royal Blue bonus chapter? |website=Fansided |url=https://hiddenremote.com/2023/08/10/happens-red-white-royal-blue-bonus-chapter/ |access-date=August 17, 2023}}{{cite web |last=Cadenas |first=Kerensa |date=16 August 2023 |title=How the Red, White and Royal Blue ending sets up a potential sequel |website=GQ |url=https://www.gq.com/story/red-white-and-royal-blue-potential-sequel |access-date=August 17, 2023}}

Film adaptation

In April 2019, it was reported that Amazon Studios had outbid rivals to secure the film rights of Red, White & Royal Blue, which would be produced by Berlanti Productions.{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=10 April 2019 |title=Amazon Studios, Berlanti Productions Win Casey McQuiston Novel Red White & Royal Blue |url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/red-white-royal-blue-novel-amazon-studios-berlanti-productions-win-novel-auction-1202593251/ |access-date=27 November 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} In October 2021, it was announced that playwright and screenwriter Matthew Lopez would direct the film.{{Cite magazine |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2021-10-01 |title=Tony Winner Matthew López to Make Directorial Debut With LGBTQ+ Romance Red, White & Royal Blue (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/matthew-lopez-red-white-and-royal-blue-1235079067/ |access-date=2021-10-01 |magazine=Variety}} In June 2022, Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine were announced as the film's leads, playing Alex and Prince Henry respectively. Uma Thurman was confirmed to play Ellen Claremont.{{cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2 June 2022 |title=Red, White & Royal Blue: Uma Thurman To Play U.S. President In Amazon's Rom-Com Based On Casey McQuiston Novel |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/red-white-and-royal-blue-uma-thurman-joins-amazon-rom-com-1235037017/ |access-date=2 June 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=2022-06-01 |title=Amazon's Gay Rom-Com Red, White & Royal Blue Finds Leads in Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/red-white-royal-blue-movie-gay-rom-com-leads-1235282600/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Variety}}{{Cite news |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2022-06-01 |title=Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine To Topline Amazon Rom-Com Red, White & Royal Blue From Director Matthew López; Clifton Collins Jr., Stephen Fry & Sarah Shahi Also Set |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/taylor-zakhar-perez-nicholas-galitzine-to-lead-red-white-royal-blue-1235036355/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The lead actors confirmed on Instagram that filming had wrapped by August 2022.{{cite magazine |url=https://attitude.co.uk/article/red-white-and-royal-blue-stars-confirm-filming-has-wrapped-on-gay-rom-com/27651/ |title=Red, White & Royal Blue stars confirm filming has wrapped on gay rom-com |first=Emily |last=Maskell |magazine=Attitude |date=15 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022}}

The film was released through Amazon Prime Video on August 11, 2023.{{cite magazine |last=Franklin |first=McKinley |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/red-white-and-royal-blue-trailer-1235624294/ |title='Red, White & Royal Blue' Trailer: Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine Heat Up the Palace in Gay Royal Romance |magazine=Variety |date=July 6, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023}} Amazon reported that the film became the number one movie globally and one of Prime's top three most-watched romantic comedies.{{cite news |title = Red, White & Royal Blue Becomes Prime Video's No. 1 Movie Globally In Premiere Weekend |first = Katie |last = Campione |date = August 16, 2023 |url = https://deadline.com/2023/08/red-white-and-royal-blue-ratings-prime-video-1235520833/ |work = Deadline |access-date = August 17, 2023 }}