Red, White, and Royal Blue

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-8

Chapters 9-11

Chapters 12-13

Chapters 14-15

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Character Analysis

Alex Claremont-Diaz

At the beginning of the novel, Alex is the 21-year-old son of the first female president of the United States. He is five foot nine and handsome, with dark, curly hair and brown eyes. Alex has ambitions to become a senator because he wants to make a positive difference in the world. Despite his gregarious temperament, Alex’s only close friends are June and Nora. His fascination with Henry began the first time he saw the prince’s picture, but Alex is repelled by Henry’s cold manner when they meet in person.

Alex himself is warm-hearted, frank, and used to charming his way through life. It takes him totally by surprise when he finds himself physically attracted to Henry and realizes that he is bisexual. Being more of an optimist by nature than Henry, Alex is convinced that the two of them can find a way to make a relationship work.

Henry, Prince of Wales

Henry is the youngest grandson of the Queen of England. He’s 23, tall, blond, and blue-eyed. His poise under all social situations makes him appear bland and unfeeling, but Henry has always known that he is gay and never imagined that he would be able to be his authentic self. He is frequently depressed by the role his family forces him to assume as a possible future heir to the throne.

Henry is attracted to Alex from their very first encounter, though he hides his feelings for years. He is intrigued by Alex’s brash honesty when most people treat him with too much deference. Fearing the impossibility of their relationship, Henry breaks off his affair with Alex. He eventually summons the courage to stand up to his overbearing family and forces them to acknowledge Alex as a royal suitor.

The First Family and Associates

Ellen Claremont – Born into a working-class Texas family, Ellen succeeds in winning the White House. Though she is stubborn and tough as nails in the political arena, she is a caring parent. When Alex tells her he is bisexual, she supports him.

Oscar Diaz – A senator from California, Oscar is Alex’s father. He is divorced from Ellen but still considers her the love of his life even though they quarrel whenever they get together. He, too, supports Alex’s relationship with Henry.

June Claremont-Diaz – June is Alex’s older sister. She is an aspiring journalist who is frustrated that she isn’t allowed to write about anything controversial because of her mother’s position. She becomes romantically involved with Pez and helps Alex with his relationship problems. By the end of the book, she receives a publishing deal.

Nora Holleran – Nora is Alex and June’s best friend; together, they make up the White House Trio of trendsetting millennials. Nora’s ability to analyze data makes it possible for her to ferret out information about Richards’ plot to expose Alex’s love affair with Henry.

Zahra – Zahra is Ellen’s tough-as-nails deputy chief of staff. Despite her gruff exterior, she’s hoping that Alex and Henry will make their relationship work. Zahra becomes engaged to Shaan by the end of the story.

Cash and Amy – Two secret service agents who help Alex and Henry get together for their romantic trysts. They are regarded as part of the White House family.

Rafael Luna – A senator from Colorado, Rafael is openly gay. He is Alex’s role model until he unexpectedly joins the Richards campaign. In the end, he reveals that he allowed his friends to think he was a traitor so that he could gather dirt to discredit Richards.

Jeffrey Richards – A senator from Utah, Richards comes from old money. He is Ellen’s Republican opponent in the presidential election. Richards is a dirty politician and a sexual predator who propositioned Rafael in his younger years.

The Royal Family and Entourage

Queen Mary – The reigning monarch of Great Britain, Mary upholds tradition at all costs. She initially advises her grandson to stifle his sexual impulses, marry, and produce an heir. By the end of the story, she yields to public pressure and acknowledges Alex as her grandson’s royal suitor.

Princess Catherine – Catherine is Henry’s mother. Devastated by the early death of her husband, Catherine lapses into depression for years on end and does little to help her emotionally struggling children. Eventually, she rallies and supports Henry’s decision to carry on a relationship with Alex.

Arthur Fox – Arthur is Henry’s father. A dashing movie star, known for his portrayal of James Bond, he dies unexpectedly of cancer when Henry is still a teenager.

Philip and Martha – Prince Philip, Henry’s eldest sibling, marries Martha and follows the traditional role of a British prince. He and his wife are harshly judgmental of Henry.

Bea – Princess Beatrice is Henry’s older sister. She struggled with cocaine addiction after her father’s death. Bea becomes friendly with the Washington Trio and is enthusiastically supportive of Henry and Alex.

Shaan Srivastava – Shaan is Henry’s equerry and is aware of the prince’s romance with Alex. Generally discreet and soft-spoken, he surprises everyone by proposing to Zahra.

Pez – Percy Okonjo is the wealthy heir to a biomedical company in Nigeria and also manages his family’s nonprofit foundation. He is Henry’s flamboyant best friend, who encourages his romance with Alex. Pez has developed a serious crush of his own on June.