The most-anticipated book adaption of the year, Red, White and Royal Blue, is finally here! The LGBTQ+ romance film follows Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the first female US President and British Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) as they go from bitter enemies to secret lovers.
Based on author Casey McQuiston’s New York Times bestseller, the film has made some pretty big changes from the book you might not have noticed. So, here are some of the biggest differences between the Red, White and Royal Blue book and film.
Spoilers below!
Red, White and Royal Blue book v adaptation
Alex and Henry's siblings
As many book to film adaptations go, some characters have been removed from the story. In Red, White and Royal Blue, we said goodbye to Alex's supportive sister June, who pretends to date Henry to protect her brother.
While both of Henry’s siblings, Prince Philip (Thomas Flynn) and Princess Bea (Ellie Bamber), are still in the film, their roles are much smaller. That means no mention of Bea’s cocaine addiction and no argument between Phillip and Henry at Wimbledon.
Alex coming out
In the movie, Alex's mother Ellen - played by the iconic Uma Thurman - has a much more positive reaction to him coming out. But, things go a little differently in the book.
After Alex comes out in the film, Ellen says, “I mean, if I’d had more warning, I could’ve made you a Powerpoint presentation.” In the book, that's exactly what happened! She created a PowerPoint and holds an important meeting about what Alex’s romance with Henry could mean for her re-election.
Plus, he's much more comfortable with his sexuality in the film whereas in the book, after he and Henry kiss at a New Year’s Eve party, it seriously confuses him.
The leaking of Alex and Henry's relationship
In the film, the character of Rafael Luna, Alex’s queer confidante and member of Ellen Claremont's re-election campaign, is cut, meaning that there's no plot of him being an undercover double agent. Instead, Alex and Henry's relationship is exposed by a journalist.
The ending
There's a bit of a difference between how the book and film end. The sweet moment where the couple return to Alex’s childhood home with the key he gifted Henry is still there, but his grandmother, Queen Catherine, is replaced by King James III (played by Stephen Fry) in the film.
Alex and Henry’s connection over Star Wars has also been axed so there's no painting of them as Han and Leia by the public is also gone.
WATCH NOWRed, White and Royal Blue is streaming on Prime Video now.
