''The First Princess of Wales'' (originally published as ''Sweet Passion's Pain'') is a 1984 historical fiction novel by American author

Karen Harper Karen Harper (April 6, 1945 – April 13, 2020) was a historical fiction and contemporary fiction author. She was a ''New York Times'' and ''USA Today'' bestselling author. Personal life Harper was born in Toledo, Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, and graduat ...

. Set during the 14th-century, it follows the romance between

Joan of Kent Joan, Countess of Kent (29 September 1326/1327 – 7 August 1385), known as The Fair Maid of Kent, was the mother of King Richard II of England, her son by her third husband, Edward the Black Prince, son and heir apparent of King Edward III. ...

and

Edward, the Black Prince Edward of Woodstock, known to history as the Black Prince (15 June 1330 – 8 June 1376), was the eldest son of King Edward III of England, and the heir apparent to the English throne. He died before his father and so his son, Richard II, su ...

Plot summary

Set during the reign of

Edward III of England Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377), also known as Edward of Windsor before his accession, was King of England and Lord of Ireland from January 1327 until his death in 1377. He is noted for his military success and for restoring ro ...

in the 14th-century, the novel follows the romance between

and Edward's eldest son,

Development

''The First Princess of Wales'' was written by American author

and published as her third novel. Harper was inspired to become a writer by the

Anya Seton Anya Seton (January 23, 1904 – November 8, 1990), born Ann Seton, was an American author of historical fiction, or as she preferred they be called, "biographical novels". Career Seton published her first novel, '' My Theodosia'', in 1941. Seto ...

novel ''

Katherine Katherine, also spelled Catherine, and Catherina, other variations are feminine Given name, names. They are popular in Christian countries because of their derivation from the name of one of the first Christian saints, Catherine of Alexandria ...

'', as well as her many visits to English historical sites. After publishing her first novel in 1982, Harper left her job teaching British literature to become a professional author. Near the time of the novel's publication in 1984, Harper was in part inspired by the

wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer The wedding of the Prince of Wales (future King Charles III) and Lady Diana Spencer took place on Wednesday, 29 July 1981, at St Paul's Cathedral in London, United Kingdom. The groom was the heir apparent to the British throne, and the bride was ...

, particularly when the newly married couple appeared on the balcony of

Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace () is a London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It ...

together. Later, however, Harper felt the romance between Edward and Joan in her novel better resembled the "longtime, sometimes secret love between Prince Charles and Camilla", as the author felt both couples faced opposition from their respective families.

Release and reception

The novel was first published in 1984 as ''Sweet Passion's Pain'' by

Zebra Books Zebra Books is an imprint of American publisher Kensington Publishing Corp. As the company's flagship imprint until the late 80s, it currently publishes women's fiction, romantic suspense and bestselling historical, paranormal and contemporary ro ...

before being re-released as ''The First Princess of Wales''.

Three Rivers Press Three Rivers Press is the trade paperback imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House. It publishes original paperback titles as well as paperback reprints of books issued initially in hardcover by the other Crown imprints ...

published it in paperback in December 2006. In a 2006 review, ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' praised the author for "breath nga lust for life into history's distant icons" and for "keep ngthe tension taut as she weaves together the many subplots into a first-rate epic. Love prevails in a grand fashion at the end."

References

Works cited * {{DEFAULTSORT:First Princess of Wales Novels set in the Middle Ages 1984 American novels Novels set in the 14th century Novels set in England Novels set in France Fiction set in the 1340s Edward III of England Edward the Black Prince Zebra Books books