I’ve recently been involved in publishing a rather interesting book – Reimagining Diana: An Alternative History by Alice Sowman.
The novel asks a simple but powerful question: what if Princess Diana had survived the Paris car crash in 1997? From there, it traces a new path through the last twenty-five years of British history — Brexit, COVID, the Sussexes’ departure from royal life, and ultimately the end of the monarchy itself.
It’s a bold idea, but one that is handled with sensitivity and respect. Rather than sensationalism, Sowman gives us an emotionally rich and politically sharp imagining of how Diana might have lived, loved, and influenced the country had she remained with us.
Below is an exclusive extract from the book – the moment when William introduces Catherine to his mother for the very first time. It’s a scene that blends the personal and the historical in exactly the way this novel excels at.
It was a warm September afternoon when William brought Catherine to Kensington Palace. The two of them arrived without fuss — no convoys, no flanking police cars — just a quiet knock on the familiar black door.
Diana had been bracing herself for this moment for years. She had told herself she would welcome anyone who made her sons happy, but she also knew the unspoken weight that came with joining the royal orbit. Catherine would have to navigate the same maze of scrutiny, protocol, and constant second-guessing that had once nearly crushed her own spirit.
She found herself studying the young woman’s posture as they walked in: the way Catherine’s eyes met hers directly, the easy grace in her greeting, the warmth that wasn’t put on for show. Over tea in the small drawing room, conversation flowed from university life to favourite books to whether William could really cook anything besides pasta.
By the time the china cups were empty, Diana felt the knot in her chest loosen. Catherine wasn’t dazzled by titles or history; she seemed anchored, quietly sure of herself. Later, when William stepped out to take a call, Diana leaned closer and said softly, “You know this life can be… complicated.” Catherine smiled, a flash of resolve in her eyes. “I think I’ve had fair warning.”
For the rest of the afternoon, laughter drifted through the old palace rooms, and for the first time in a long while, Diana allowed herself to believe that history might not repeat itself.
Reimagining Diana: An Alternative History is available now on Amazon Kindle, with a paperback edition to follow soon.
If you’re a fan of royal history, alternative histories, or simply moving human stories, this book is well worth your time.