Red, White & Royal Blue Summary
Description
Here you will find a Red, White & Royal Blue summary (Casey McQuiston's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters Red, White & Royal Blue Summary Overview
The story revolves around Alex Claremont-Diaz, a 21-year-old college student and the son of America's first female president. Alex, driven by his ambition for a political career, is living in the White House with his family. The narrative begins with Alex and his sister June about to attend a British royal wedding. Alex harbors a deep-seated dislike for Prince Henry, the younger brother of the groom, due to a past unpleasant encounter. During the wedding, Alex's confrontational antics with Henry, fueled by alcohol, leads to a scandalous incident that forces him into a public display of friendship with Henry to maintain US-UK relations. As Alex and Henry spend more time together, Alex begins to see a different side of Henry, particularly when Henry shows compassion towards a young cancer patient. An incident involving a loud noise and a forced retreat into a supply closet leads to an emotional confession from Henry about his past and a subsequent exchange of contact details between the two. Later, at their annual New Year's Eve party, a midnight kiss from Henry confuses Alex, who has had relationships with men but never identified as bisexual. This marks the beginning of a clandestine relationship between the two, full of secret meet-ups, flirtatious exchanges, and growing feelings. However, given the high public profiles of both Alex and Henry, the relationship needs to remain secret. The political landscape is further complicated when Senator Rafael Luna, a close family friend and mentor to Alex, switches sides to join the opposition against Alex's mother's reelection campaign. Despite the turmoil, Alex comes out to his parents and admits his love for Henry. As their relationship intensifies, a leak exposing them to the press throws them into crisis. Following accusations, confrontations, and an emotional rollercoaster, they eventually manage to gain public support and acceptance. In the final scenes, Alex's mother wins the election, and Alex and Henry celebrate their love openly, marking a new chapter in their lives.
chapter 1
The son of America's first female president, Alex Diaz-Claremont, and his sister June share a laugh over the inaccurate coverage of their lives by the tabloids. As they prepare to attend the royal wedding of Prince Philip in England, Alex expresses his distaste for the prince's brother, Henry, whom he finds snobbish and dull. Alex's best friend and Vice President's granddaughter, Nora, teases him about the possibility of him dancing with Henry at the wedding, causing Alex to redden. At the ceremony, Henry asks June for a dance, much to Alex's annoyance. He believes Henry is only attempting to rile him up and that he isn't giving June the attention she deserves. Nora suggests that Henry might be using the dance as a mere photo opportunity. Alex, who becomes increasingly irritated and intoxicated, recalls his adolescent fascination with a picture of Henry from one of June's magazines. However, meeting Henry in person was a letdown for him. A drunken Alex instigates a conversation with Henry at the wedding, leading to a squabble that knocks over the expensive royal wedding cake.
chapter 2
The media sensationalizes Alex and Henry's cake incident, coining it “Cakegate,” much to the displeasure of President Ellen Claremont and her chief of staff, Zahra. Alex is instructed to fly to London and feign a close friendship with Henry in order to preserve diplomatic relations. Nora and June help Alex become familiar with a dossier on Henry, using a drinking game to make it more tolerable. Alex finds Henry's details tedious and concludes that Henry is dull, artificial, and unbearable. Upon arrival in London, Alex and Henry conduct a televised interview, acting like best friends. Their visit to a children's hospital garners Alex's admiration for Henry when he hears him empathetically discussing Star Wars with a leukemia patient. Alex's surprise at Henry's emotional depth is interrupted by a sound resembling gunfire, causing security to hurry them into a storage closet. A brief scuffle ensues between them before they find themselves reminiscing about their first meeting at the Olympics. Henry apologizes for his earlier rudeness, explaining it was shortly after his father's death. To Alex's surprise, they engage in a friendly debate about their favorite Star Wars film and end their encounter by swapping phone numbers.
chapter 3
The public is taken by Alex and Henry's counterfeit friendship, and they become fans of the two renowned men fraternizing. Gradually moving beyond their initial hostility, they start forming a real bond. They communicate through text, where Henry discloses to Alex his aversion to his royal inheritance due to his nation's history of atrocities, leaving Alex impressed. Alex humorously sends Henry campaign badges featuring his own face. They engage in friendly banter about popular franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter, and share tales about their respective families. Alex meets Rafael Luna, the junior-most US senator and a family acquaintance. He attempts to secure Luna's political support for his mother's upcoming election. Luna playfully recalls Alex's internship days with him. During a family dinner with Alex, June, Ellen and her husband Leo, each member shares a high point and a low point of their day as per their family ritual. Ellen presents job offers for her reelection campaign to Alex and June. Alex, thrilled to start his political career before graduating from college, accepts the research role eagerly. Conversely, June, who aspires to be a journalist, isn't too keen as it might hinder her journalistic endeavours further.
chapter 4
Alex is dismayed to discover that the traditional presidentially pardoned turkeys reside in luxury hotels at the taxpayers' expense. In protest, he moves them into his room, only to discover a newfound turkey phobia. He contacts Henry for encouragement, marking their inaugural phone conversation. Henry teases Alex relentlessly, encouraging him to get close enough for Henry to hear the turkey's intimidating gobble. When Alex learns that Henry's dog David is named after David Bowie, he warms to the name. Conflict erupts at Christmas dinner when Alex's father Oscar proposes a family campaign, causing a heated row with Ellen. Distraught, Alex seeks comfort in a phone call with Henry. He confides in Henry about his parents' divorce, receiving understanding and reassurance in return. When Henry and his best friend Pez attend Alex, June, and Nora's New Year’s Eve party, they have a blast, with Alex showing Henry how to groove to American tunes. As the clock strikes midnight, Alex kisses his ex, Nora, spurring jealousy in Henry. Alex locates a jealous Henry in the garden, and Henry kisses him, disappearing before Alex can react.
chapter 5
Alex grapples with the implications of his kiss with Henry, causing him to reconsider his previous understanding of his sexual orientation. His mind is flooded with memories of past encounters with men, leading him to question his motivations for maintaining a heterosexual identity, largely influenced by his mother's political position. In his struggle, he tries to rationalize his feelings, researching presidential attitudes towards bisexuality and immersing himself in work. In his turmoil, he confides in Nora, revealing that Henry kissed him. Nora, taken aback, points out several truths that Alex is oblivious to; Henry is likely gay and Alex has been nurturing feelings for him for years. She highlights his flirtatious texts with Henry, stating that his emotions for Henry have developed beyond just friendship. Despite her logical reasoning, Alex finds it difficult to grasp his feelings or plan his next move. In his uncertainty, he contacts Liam, a former school friend he had intimate experiences with. He questions the significance of their past encounters, to which Liam, echoing Nora, insists that only Alex can define his sexuality.
chapter 6
During a state dinner at The White House, Henry and Alex find themselves in the Red Room, sharing a passionate kiss against an Alexander Hamilton portrait, a humorous detail for Alex, who shares the historic figure’s name. Their intimate moment is interrupted by Alex's security guard, Amy, warning them of approaching people. Undeterred, Alex brings Henry to his room where they make love for the first time. Alex likens this milestone to Washington crossing the Delaware, even picturing their 'official portrait'. Alex then casually discloses his bisexuality to Henry, suggesting a friends with benefits arrangement. He plans on attending a polo match and fundraiser where Henry will be, a surprising move that raises eyebrows among his inner circle, including his sister June, who is unaware of his sexual orientation. At the polo event, Alex is captivated by Henry's impressive horsemanship. They sneak off to the tack room for another round of intimacy, with Henry still donned in his polo attire. They continue their flirtatious back-and-forth through emails, maintaining a playful rivalry, and attempt to organize a rendezvous at a rainforest fundraiser in Paris.
chapter 7
Alex and Henry's friendship continues to captivate global attention. Despite Alex's initial intention to keep their bond physical, he finds himself developing deeper feelings for Henry. The nature of these feelings confuses him and he tries to downplay them. Their trip to Paris results in the duo spending the entire night together. They also sneak in their shared birthdays in the same hotel, guarded by Alex's security personnel, Cash, who understands the true nature of their relationship. In the midst of travelling and secretive meetings, Henry and Alex spend time understanding each other better. They share childhood stories and discuss their siblings. On some days, Alex observes Henry's depressive mood and wishes he could help him. Alex discovers he is attracted to Henry regardless of his mood. Henry shares his sister Bea's addiction struggles, leading to a stronger bond between them. They both wish they could shield their sisters, but they also acknowledge their sisters' ability to protect themselves. Henry also reveals his grief over his father's death to Alex. More people are starting to suspect Alex's romantic interest. Zahra, noticing a love bite on Alex's neck, warns him to be cautious about his mother's reelection campaign. His sister June also figures out about his relationship with Henry, and feels hurt that he didn't confide in her. She reveals she always knew Alex had a crush on Henry from a very young age. This insight surprises Alex, who wasn't aware of his own feelings. Despite his sister's encouragement, Alex is reluctant to acknowledge his feelings for Henry. Alex's graduation party coincides with the announcement of the presidential race between Richards and Claremont. Alex overhears a conversation about a dark incident from Richard's past but fails to understand it. A meetup ensues between Alex, June, and Nora, and Henry's entourage - Pez and Bea. This results in a lively night with karaoke. Alex and Henry end up sleeping together, and the following day Alex feels a sense of comradeship.
chapter 8
Alex and Henry engage in intense and intimate email exchanges, often referencing literature and historical events. Their emails reflect their longing for each other, with Henry even citing Sense and Sensibility. In a group text with Nora and June, they revel in friendly teasing. As the presidential campaign heats up with racial undertones in Richards' statements about Claremont's Mexican heritage, Henry's communications prove to be a solace for Alex. Amid the speculation about Richards' potential running mate, Alex argues with intern Hunter over voter engagement strategies, infuriated by Hunter's privileged perspective. He also starts considering taking the LSATs. Henry asks Alex to attend Wimbledon with his family. This leads to Alex encountering Prince Philip and his wife for the first time since their wedding controversy. Philip offends Alex with his homophobic and racist comments, causing Henry to storm off. Alex finds him in the clubhouse, frustrated and eager for rebellion, leading to a risky sexual encounter. Back at the palace, Henry's performance of Elton John's "Your Song" triggers Alex's realization of his growing love for Henry. At the Democratic National Convention, the Claremont campaign is shocked to find out about Richards’ running mate, Raphael Luna, which feels like a betrayal to Alex and his family. Henry, aware of the impact on Alex, surprises him at his hotel. Alex confides in Henry about his feelings of disappointment. The next morning, Zahra, their aide, discovers Henry in their room and is furious. She agrees to keep the secret from Alex’s mom until after the convention but insists that Henry return to England immediately to avoid a potential sex scandal.
chapter 9
Alex discloses to his mother that he is bisexual and has been seeing Henry for seven months. His mother has a mixed reaction, feeling relief initially but later expressing concern over how the relationship could affect her administration. She removes Alex from the campaign due to the political risk and makes him sign documents to ensure he's not misusing funds. Alex's father, unlike his mother, is accepting of his relationship with Henry when Alex shares it with him. The romance between Alex and Henry deepens through their email exchanges, which often feature quotes from renowned LGBTQ+ figures. With his newfound free time, Alex studies Alexander Hamilton, his namesake, and suspects that Hamilton might have been in a relationship with a man. When Henry expresses regret over the consequences of their relationship, Alex simply invites him to his family's annual lake house trip in Texas, to which Henry agrees. Henry accompanies Alex and his family to their home on Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. They bond over music, American history, and family anecdotes. Alex is elated to see Henry fitting into his family environment and begins to envisage a future with him. One night, he takes Henry to the lake and confesses his feelings, only for Henry to swim away and leave the next morning.
chapter 10
Alex is struggling with heartache as Henry ignores his messages. He can't seem to move on, often checking his phone in hope for a reply. During a moment of despair, he discovers a hidden love note from Henry in his kimono from their karaoke night. Unable to bear the silence, Alex decides to fly to London with Cash, asking Shaan to let him see Henry. Upon meeting, Alex confronts Henry about his silence. He confesses his love for Henry, who reacts by removing his signet ring. Henry explains that his devotion to his country prevents him from pursuing a relationship with Alex. Alex challenges this, saying he will leave only if asked to by Henry himself. Henry doesn't do so, and they end up making love. Amidst their intimacy, Alex is unsure whether this is the start of something new or a heartbreaking farewell. The following morning, Henry reassures Alex that he is committed to him. They are officially a couple. Henry spends an extra day with Alex showing him around one of his favorite spots, The Victoria and Albert Museum. They have a private viewing of a room filled with mythological and biblical sculptures. Henry shares his long-held dream of bringing someone he loves to this special room. They romantically dance to the tune of "Your Song" by Elton John amidst the statues. Before Alex departs, Henry gifts him his signet ring. As Alex is flying back, he puts the ring on his chain that holds his old house key.
chapter 11
Alex and Henry exchange a series of affectionate emails, both isolated at home. Alex expresses his longing for a future where they can be together more frequently, hinting at a time post-election. Henry, on the other hand, expresses his desire to visit Alex in Texas and see the home he was raised in. In their correspondence, Alex probes Henry about his coming out experience with his family. Henry divulges about revealing his sexuality to his brother, Prince Philip, who did not react well and admonished him about his obligations towards the family's reputation. Henry reminisces about his first encounter with Alex, revealing his instant attraction towards him. The fear of getting too involved with Alex is also expressed by Henry. From his end, Alex enumerates the things he adores about Henry, which ranges from his laughter, piano playing skills, to his amusing Star Wars theories. He also encourages Henry to remain resilient against his brother's prejudiced views on homosexuality. They often quote from love letters written by LGBTQ+ figures such as Vita Sackville-West, Radclyffe Hall, Eleanor Roosevelt, Michelangelo, and Richard Wagner.
chapter 12
A video of Henry meeting Alex at a hotel during the Democratic National Convention appears in the press. While the video doesn't show any romantic encounters, it could still spark rumors that could harm their reputations. Alex, along with June and Zahra, decide to deflect attention by staging a romance between June and Henry. Subsequently, June shares a photo of her kissing Henry on the cheek. The media latches onto this, publishing numerous articles speculating about June and Henry's alleged relationship. To support this narrative and maintain their heterosexual personas, Alex embarks on a mock date with Nora, and Henry partakes in a faux date with June. Alex is present during Henry's date, riding in one of the SUVs, but they don't interact. After the date, June helps Henry meet Alex secretly in the SUV. Henry is in a distressed state, finding it excruciating to feign romantic feelings for someone else. They share a kiss in the SUV, and Alex vows that they'll eventually be together openly. A furious Alex visits Luna, confessing his sexuality. Luna cautions him not to disclose such information due to his rival campaign association and recommends he not disclose his sexuality if he wishes to pursue a political career. However, the press gets hold of images of Alex and Henry's kiss in the SUV and their romantic email exchanges, unintentionally outing them to the world.
chapter 13
Speculations and rumors about Henry and Alex's relationship rapidly circulate in the press and social media. Alex discusses the situation with his mother, who checks on his well-being and assists him in navigating the aftermath of being outed. Communication between Alex and Henry is temporarily cut off. Alex finds comfort and support in his family during this trying time. He and Zahra travel to London, where she manages to contact Henry through Shaan's private line, allowing the two to reconnect. It is at this point that Zahra announces her engagement to Shaan. Alex and Henry reunite in the palace, where they have an intimate conversation with Bea. Bea makes Alex understand that Henry's grief will always be a part of him, a realization Alex must come to terms with to truly love Henry. The following day, an angered Philip confronts Henry, accusing him of being a coward. Henry retaliates by professing his love for Alex, which Philip dismisses mockingly. When Alex meets Henry's mother, Catherine, she greets him warmly. Their meeting with Queen Mary, however, is far from pleasant as she expresses homophobic sentiments towards the couple. Catherine advocates for transparency about Henry's sexuality, countering the queen's claim that a gay monarch would not be accepted by the public. Bea intervenes, revealing the outpour of global support for Henry and Alex. Seeing the crowd gathered outside the palace in support of them, Catherine threatens to take the matter to parliament, forcing the queen to yield. As Alex is on his way to the airport, he spots a large mural of him and Henry portrayed as Han and Leia from Star Wars. He shares a photo of it on social media, captioned "Never tell me the odds."
chapter 14
Alex tells his sister, June, about his recent happenings with Henry. She's glad, but also shares her concern about their friend Nora's absence. It becomes clear when Nora resurfaces that she had been digging into the source of the leaked emails from Alex and Henry. It came from the Richards campaign, and Nora even discovered that they hired photographers and hackers to trail the pair. It's a shocking revelation, but they need to know who tipped them off. Alex recognizes the tip-off to have come from Luna. A podcast episode reveals Luna to be the unexpected hero behind the revelation of the 2020 presidential campaign. Thus, Alex delivers a monumental speech written by June, with Henry by his side. In his speech, he shares about his upbringing as an American dreamer, and also the sacrifices he and Henry made as sons of their respective nations. He portrays their outed relationship as a threat to freedom, but shifts focus to their love for each other. By comparing their relationship with historic political couples, he confesses his fears of coming out, asking the nation not to judge his father's presidential capabilities based on his sexuality. Alex decides to reconcile with Luna and brings him a bag of Skittles as a peace offering. He questions Luna about his potential role in exposing his relationship. Despite the suspicions, Luna denies having any part in it and Alex believes him. Luna then shares his past experiences as an intern for Richards, where he faced inappropriate behavior. Richards had blackmailed him into silence with potentially damaging information. Years later, Luna joined the campaign to expose Richards's misconduct.
chapter 15
Alex travels to London where he and Henry take a formal photograph with the royal photographer. The two are clearly smitten with each other. Philip, who recently had a dispute with the queen, visits them on the set and attempts to bond, creating discomfort for Alex. Bea reveals that Henry is set to manage some youth homeless shelters in the U.S., exciting Alex as it means more time together. Election Day comes with Alex and his family in Texas. Being open about his bisexuality, Alex worries about the Texan reception towards him and his mother's campaign. He debates between two dull blazers, concerned about appearing too extravagant. Nora suggests he dress more authentically. Alex admits his fears of rejection due to his sexuality, and Nora comforts him, acknowledging his recent public outing was traumatic. As he grapples with changes in his identity and career goals, he confides in Nora about taking the LSAT. Together, they agree that he should first pursue a career in civil rights law. Invigorated, Alex opts for a patriotic Gucci bomber jacket for the election. Election night is a nail-biter, with the deciding state being Texas. Henry arrives late, sporting a Texas-inspired tie. As the results come in, June stubbornly refuses to draft a concession speech. The room erupts in joy when Anderson Cooper announces Texas turning blue, securing Ellen's reelection. In her speech, Ellen expresses gratitude to Texas and her family for their contribution to progress. Later, Alex and Henry ride bikes to Alex's childhood home, where Alex uses his key necklace to unlock the door.
