Red, White & Royal Blue Character Analysis

Alex Claremont-Diaz

The novel’s protagonist, Alex is the 21-year-old son of the first female president of the U.S., Ellen Claremont. He and his older sister, June, live at the White House and are close friends… read analysis of Alex Claremont-Diaz

Prince Henry

Prince Henry of England is Alex’s love interest, though they begin as enemies—in Alex’s estimation, Henry has no personality, is too perfect, and doesn’t have to work nearly as hard as Alex at essentially… read analysis of Prince Henry

June Claremont-Diaz

June is Alex’s older sister, Ellen and Oscar’s daughter. She dreams of being a journalist, but these dreams feel impossible as the daughter of the president of the United States—she’s seldom allowed to… read analysis of June Claremont-Diaz

Nora Holleran

Nora is the vice president’s granddaughter. She lives in the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory and is close friends with Alex and June—though the three were initially thrown together during the 2016… read analysis of Nora Holleran

Ellen Claremont

Ellen, Alex and June’s mom, is the first female president of the United States in the novel’s alternate timeline. A lawyer from Texas, Ellen made a name for herself early and was arguing… read analysis of Ellen Claremont

Rafael Luna

Rafael Luna is a gay Latino senator who represents Colorado in the U.S. senate. Oscar mentored him when he was getting his start, and Alex worked on his first campaign. Alex idolizes Luna, seeing his… read analysis of Rafael Luna

Oscar Diaz

Oscar is Alex and June’s father and Ellen’s ex-husband. A lawyer and politician like Ellen, Oscar moved to California when the two divorced and now represents California in the U.S. Senate. While Alex… read analysis of Oscar Diaz

Jeffrey Richards

Jeffrey Richards, the novel’s main antagonist, is a 20-year Republican senator from Utah. Though he never appears in person in the novel, his presence looms large over Ellen’s family and campaign staffers. He comes… read analysis of Jeffrey Richards

Zahra

Zahra is Ellen’s deputy chief of staff. She’s been working for Ellen since Alex was a small child and is considered part of the Claremont-Diaz family. She can often be seen with her trademark… read analysis of Zahra

Princess Beatrice “Bea”

Bea is Henry’s older sister, the middle child between him and Philip. She’s extremely devoted to her younger brother and is one of only a few people at the start of the novel… read analysis of Princess Beatrice “Bea”

Prince Philip

Prince Philip is Henry and Bea’s older brother. He marries Martha early in the novel. Henry, Bea, and Alex find him absolutely insufferable, in part because he’s so uptight and has next to no… read analysis of Prince Philip

Gran/Queen Mary

Henry’s grandmother is Queen Mary of England. She’s a tall, imposing, and severe old woman with distinct ideas about what the British monarchy should be and how her various family members should behave. While… read analysis of Gran/Queen Mary

Catherine/Henry’s Mum

Catherine, who is Henry, Bea, and Philip’s mother, is Queen Mary’s daughter. She’s a princess and is next in line for the throne. An academic and a free spirit, she married… read analysis of Catherine/Henry’s Mum

Arthur/Henry’s Dad

Arthur, Henry’s father, died of cancer when Henry was a young teenager. He was an actor famous for playing James Bond, and he continued to act after marrying Catherine, a princess. Queen Mary… read analysis of Arthur/Henry’s Dad

Shaan Srivastava

Shaan is Henry’s handler. He’s a tall, handsome, and always impeccably dressed Indian man who Alex develops a crush on almost immediately, though he tries to tell himself that the person responsible for Henry’s… read analysis of Shaan Srivastava

Pez

Pez is Henry’s best friend. He’s a wealthy Black Nigerian man who dresses flamboyantly and puts most of his energy into philanthropy projects. At Philip and Martha’s wedding, he falls madly in love… read analysis of Pez

Liam

Liam was Alex’s best friend in school. Though Alex wasn’t fully aware of the implications at the time, he and Liam had a sexual, if not romantic, relationship—but Alex chalked it up to normal… read analysis of Liam

WASPy Hunter

WASPy Hunter is Alex’s cubemate at work on Ellen’s campaign. He’s from the Northeast and Alex finds him insufferable for a variety of reasons, from his taste in music to his disdain for… read analysis of WASPy Hunter

Minor Characters

Cash

Cash is a Secret Service agent who is often assigned to watch over Alex. He’s the self-appointed relationship expert among the Claremont/Diaz crew and the Secret Service agents, and he’s happy to support Alex and Henry’s relationship.

Amy

Amy is Ellen’s favorite Secret Service agent. She’s open about her trans identity and is extremely supportive of Alex and Henry’s relationship. She can often be found embroidering in her downtime.

Martha

Martha is Philip’s bride. She’s conventionally beautiful and seems to have little spark or personality.

Leo

Leo is Alex and June’s stepdad. He’s extremely laid back, which complements Ellen’s intensity well.

Spencer

Spencer is Liam’s boyfriend.

Oliver Westbrook

Oliver Westbrook is a law professor and host of the podcast “Bills, Bills, Bills,” which covers American politics.

Evan

Evan is June’s ex-boyfriend. While most people believe that he broke up with her, June actually broke up with him so that she could come to D.C. and keep an eye on Alex. They continue to text even after breaking up.

Stanley Conner

Conner is an Independent senator from Delaware whose endorsement Ellen hopes to secure.

Mike Holleran

Mike Holleran, Nora’s grandfather, is Ellen’s vice president.

Red, White & Royal Blue Characters