The new school year's only just begun and already there have been some big surprises for Princess Mia Thermopolis. Not least, Tina's revelation that Lilly's probably Done It with J.P.! And what about Mia's new haircut, which has turned out kind of . . . extreme?

But then Michael drops a real bombshell. He has been accepted on a year-long Computer Science course . . . in Japan! Can Mia's perfect prince really love her if he can go away for a year? And what would it take to make him stay?

Previously published as After Eight, Royal Scandal is the eighth novel in the incredible The Princess Diaries series by bestselling author Meg Cabot.

The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot continues to be phenomenally successful fifteen years since its first publication. After topping the US and UK bestseller lists for weeks and winning several awards, Meg was crowned the 'reigning grande dame of teenage chick lit' by The New York Times Book Review. Two films produced by Disney based on the series have been hugely popular throughout the world.

Meg Cabot has written many books for children, teenagers and adults, including the bestselling Abandon series, the All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High and The Mediator series.

Meg Cabot (her last name rhymes with habit, as in 'her books can be habit forming') currently lives in Key West, Florida, with her husband and various cats.