 After publishing her first novel in 1982, Harper left her job teaching British literature to become a professional author.Near the time of the novel's publication in 1984, Harper was in part inspired by the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer, particularly when the newly married couple appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace together.Later, however, Harper felt the romance between Edward and Joan in her novel better resembled the "longtime, sometimes secret love between Prince Charles and Camilla", as the author felt both couples faced opposition from their respective families.