Book excerpt: A True Book: Queens and Princess tells the stories of women who were born or married into royalty. Who were these women who ruled nations and kingdoms and touched the lives of their people? Being a queen or princess is more than sitting on a throne. A True Book: Queens and Princess tells the stories of women who were born or married into royalty. Who were these women who ruled nations and kingdoms and touched the lives of their people? They led sensational and sometimes luxurious lives. They also made sacrifices. They impacted war and peace, politics and economics, culture and tradition. These queens and princesses were so much more than their bejeweled crowns!With engaging text, primary source material, infographics, photography, and artwork, Queens and Princesses follows these vibrant women from childhood to the end of their reign. Long a source of fascination, Queens and Princesses introduces royals from the ancient world to contemporary times...all of whom influenced their era and left a compelling legacy.Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, was known as the "People's Princess". She influenced the United Kingdom's current royal family of Windsor and helped modernize the monarchy. Princess Diana led what seemed like a storybook life. Her devotion to her young sons was legendary. But all was not as it appeared. While known as a fierce trailblazer, advocate for the under-served, and style icon, Diana was emotionally fragile. This contradiction endeared her to women everywhere. Diana's death at age 36 is a mournful touchstone for our era.