“This captivating page-turner whisks readers back in time to Buckingham Palace in 1933…A majestic story that delves into the incredible life of Queen Elizabeth II before she took her place on the throne.”—Woman’s World Sunday Times bestselling author Wendy Holden brings to life the unknown childhood years of one of the world’s most famous figures, Queen Elizabeth II, and reveals the spirited … Elizabeth II, and reveals the spirited young governess who made her the icon we love today.
In 1933, twenty-two-year-old Marion Crawford accepts the role of a lifetime, tutoring the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Her one stipulation to their parents the Duke and Duchess of York is that she bring some doses of normalcy into their sheltered and privileged lives.
At Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Balmoral, Marion defies stuffy protocol to take the princesses on tube trains, swimming at public baths, and on joyful Christmas shopping trips at Woolworth’s. From her ringside seat at the heart of the British monarchy she witnesses twentieth-century history’s most seismic events. The trauma of the Abdication, the glamour of the Coronation, the onset of World War II. She steers the little girls through it all, as close as a mother.
During Britain’s darkest hour, as Hitler’s planes fly over Windsor, she shelters her charges in the castle dungeons (not far from where the Crown Jewels are hidden in a biscuit tin). Afterwards, she is present when Elizabeth first sets eyes on Philip.
But being beloved confidante to the Windsors comes at huge personal cost. Marriage, children, her own views: all are compromised by proximity to royal glory. In this majestic story of love, sacrifice and allegiance, bestselling novelist Holden shines a captivating light into the years before Queen Elizabeth II took the throne.
more
Wendy Holden absolutely delivers in this perfect blend of story and history. The Royal Governess is a fabulous read for not only devotees of period fiction and the British Royals, but anyone with a hunger for a well-crafted tale. Lovers of The Crown will adore this!
An intimate view of the royal family at a time of great uncertainty and change, The Royal Governess is a beautifully written and richly detailed piece of historical fiction. Marion Crawford’s dedication to her charges, as well as her passion for education and reform, shines through the pages. Through her eyes, the reader is transported back in time and thoroughly immersed in the lives of the British royal family. A delightful read!
Author Wendy Holden has written a spectacular novel that shows the life of Marion Crawford, governess to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose. Giving up the chance of finishing her teaching education and most importantly, the chance of having a husband and family of her own,Marion spent fifteen years with the royal family, thinking of the young girls as her own. After Elizabeth’s marriage to Prince Philip, Marion is soon asked to retire and leave the only “family” she has had since the death of her mother. I highly recommend this novel!
I love historical fiction that introduces you to someone you knew nothing. Being a fan of The Crown TV series, i am always looking for great historical fiction based on the Royals.
“In 1933, twenty-two-year-old Marion Crawford accepts the role of a lifetime, tutoring the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Her one stipulation to their parents the Duke and Duchess of York is that she bring some doses of normalcy into their sheltered and privileged lives.”
This is exactly what Marion sets out to do and we get a rare glimpse into the life of Queen Elizabeth as a child.
We also learn that being that close to the Royals comes with sacrifices to one’s own life. This is truly a fascinating story that I really enjoyed.
I felt sorry for the Governess that watched over the two princesses. She missed her life’s calling, teaching the poor. I think she was treated shoddily.
If you like reading about the royal family, this is the book for you. I guess I expected something totally different.
This was an interesting account of Queen Elizabeths governess. She is mostly forgotten in royal circles but she worked for the royals for 16 years. Tragic that she isn’t recognized for what she contributed to the making of Queen Elizabeth!
It was a little slow
A beautifully woven and exquisitely detailed story of strong upstairs/downstairs women whose lives entwine during some of the most significant periods of modern British history… a novel that will stand the test of time. I loved it.
A moving, gorgeously written page-turner. We peek behind the Windsors’ swagged silk curtains—the insider details are a total delight—but the story’s beating heart belongs to the devoted royal governess, Crawfie. Holden takes the reader on a glittering, unforgettable journey.
The Royal Governess
BY Wendy Holden
Who has not been obsessed with the Crown and Queen Elizabeth II story? When I heard about this, I was all over this story as Wendy Holden brings to life and reveals the story of the Queen. Marion Crawford at 22 yo becomes the tutor for two young princesses, HRH Elizabeth and her sister Margaret on a request by their parents to bring some normalcy to their sheltered and privileged life.
In this amazing story, we see the world that shaped the life of Queen Elizabeth II, a truly wonderful perspective and amazing insight into their private lives. The writing was fantastic and an enjoyable read as we follow the governess through those 17 years she has spent with the Royal Family. A truly mesmerizing read I enjoyed reading. FANTASTIC!!
3.5 Oh, The Windsors Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Oh, our fascination with all things Royal. We read books about pretending royal princes, princesses, and all sorts of Dukes. We read contemporary novels about Rouge Royals and how they are running away from their lands and politics only to find happiness with commoners.
Well, this interest can be fed with the real thing, the Windsor Family, and all their real-life drama. It has been so dramatic, movies have been made, and now a very compelling series, The Crown on Netflix, is getting ready to do another season that will bring the family closer to more current times.
If you have been interested in this Royal Family, then The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden might be something you would be interested in. It is the telling of how all of these Royals, Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret came to be. How one woman worked very hard to bring the real world to them and create some sort of normalcy.
The woman hired to be the royal nanny, Marion Crawford, devotes most of her life to Elizabeth. This book is a telling of what she did, how she broke the royal rules for these girls, how she protected them during the war, how she was there when Elizabeth was no longer a princess and now a queen, and stayed until Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947.
All of this, mirrors and adds to the series and if you are interested, there is another book by the nanny, herself, The Little Princesses: The Story Of The Queen’s Childhood By Her Nanny Crawfie.
Giving your life for King, Queen and country. The book follows the governess to Lizbet and Margaret of Windsor, through childhood, the war, and marriage and then onto Elizabeth’s rise to ruler.
How easy the staff was disregarded, but yet treasured. It is a story of contradictions with the Royal family as well as the staff dedication.
Oh my, I am a huge fan of the television series The Crown and this book brought it all back to me on why I love everything Queen Elizabeth II. The spunk, the regalness (is that a word?), and the history of Lilibet becoming Queen Elizabeth II. The added bonus is that there is the history of WWII, which is my favorite era to read about, and how it affected the Royals.
I loved Mrs. Crawford. She took a privileged upbringing and taught the princesses how to appreciate the everyday people. She taught them history, reading, and all the other regular school topics but she also showed them how the everyday people lived and most of all Marion Crawford gave the princess love and a mother. Marion gave her whole life to the Royals and the Princesses. She loved them, protected them, and taught them right from wrong. This was not the life she had envisioned for herself but she excelled at what she did.
The story of Marion and the princesses is a new story to me. I am now looking for more about the governess and the Royals.