'With some exceptions', writes David Cohen, 'the royals have not distinguished themselves as parents over the last 1,000 years'. From William the Conqueror's daughter Adela and her favoured son, Stephen, through the young Victoria's strictly controlled childhood under the 'Kensington System', and ending with how Princess Diana filled the role of royal mother, Cohen intertwines history with child psychology as he tells a story of violence, betrayal and cruelty – with the occasional gem of kindness and wisdom.