“Red, White & Royal Blue" adaptation: Key differences between book and film revealed

"Red, White & Royal Blue," now available on Prime Video, maintains its director and co-writer Matthew López's strong connection to Casey McQuiston's bestselling novel. The film keeps a significant part of the original enemies-to-lovers storyline, following British royal Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) and American first son Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez) as their relationship develops. The movie successfully retains pivotal moments, such as their bonding during a royal wedding mishap, allusions to "Sense & Sensibility," and even the playful idea of a polo match as a unique form of foreplay.

While the film maintains the essence of the book's narrative, there are notable differences. Several characters' arcs have been scaled back or altered. Notably, June Claremont-Diaz, Alex's supportive sister who pretends to date Henry to deflect attention from her brother's relationship, is absent in the film. Similarly, Henry's siblings, Prince Philip and Princess Bea, remain but with reduced roles. Political intrigue, a significant aspect in the book, is less pronounced in the film. Characters like Raphael Luna, a gay US senator, and certain political machinations are omitted or reimagined.

Alex's journey to recognizing his bisexual identity is more condensed in the film. In contrast, the novel delves deeper into his internal struggle over his sexuality. The details of Alex's coming-out experience are altered.

The subplot involving Rafael Luna exposing a presidential candidate's misconduct and leaking the couple's private correspondence is omitted due to the character's absence. Instead, a Politico journalist becomes the catalyst for revealing Alex and Henry's relationship.

While the final moments of the story, where the couple returns to Alex's childhood home, remain intact, certain elements are adjusted. Notably, Henry's connection with his grandmother replaces his relationship with his grandfather, and references to Star Wars are omitted from the film.