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Blandings - the logo of www.blandings.org.uk, the Companion to the works of P G Wodehouse

The Prince and Betty

(US Version)

A novel

Benjamin Scobell, the power behind the Republic in the Mediterranean island of Mervo, engineers a peaceful switch back to a principality, much to the surprise of John Maude who had no idea he was heir to the throne. To further his scheme Scobell decides on a Royal Wedding and who better to marry John than Betty Silver, Scobell's own step-daughter. When Betty hears her step-father's plan she suspects John of collusion and runs off to New York. There she finds work on a magazine edited by Rupert Smith.

John abdicates and heads back to New York where he also takes employment with Smith, Betty running away again. All three get involved with gangsters as they campaign to improve living conditions in a slum tenement.

Publishing Information

US:1912 W. J. Watt & Co.

See also UK Version

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Note for collectors: at least one source refers to the same title being used for the US version of Psmith Journalist. This is not true. This version of The Prince and Betty combines part of the UK version and part of Psmith Journalist (which appeared in serial form in 1909, six years before its first book publication). The US and UK versions are best regarded as separate books.

The US version has a stronger but less saccharine romantic line than the UK version, surrounding an action plot that takes up the greater part of the book. The entire Norworth Court section and the Morrisons are omitted.

The main differences in the New York part of the book, i.e. with Psmith Journalist, are that John Maude has part of the actions of Mike and Psmith, Rupert Smith has the action of Billy Windsor but the character of Psmith, and Betty is an addition here.

All of which makes more sense when you read the books.