Based on a seldom-told true story, this novel is perfect for everyone who is fascinated by Britain’s royal family—a behind the scenes look into the nurseries of little princes and the foibles of big princes.
April, 1897: A young nanny arrives at Sandringham, ancestral estate of the Duke and Duchess of York. She is excited, exhausted—and about to meet royalty. . . .
So begins the unforgettable … the unforgettable story of Charlotte Bill, who would care for a generation of royals as their parents never could. Neither Charlotte—LaLa, as her charges dub her—nor anyone else can predict that eldest sons David and Bertie will each one day be king. LaLa knows only that these children, and the four who swiftly follow, need her steadfast loyalty and unconditional affection.
But the greatest impact on Charlotte’s life is made by a mere bud on the family tree: a misunderstood soul who will one day be known as the Lost Prince. Young Prince John needs all of Lala’s love—the kind of love his parents won’t…or can’t…show him.
From Britain’s old wealth to the glittering excesses of Tsarist Russia; from country cottages to royal yachts, and from nursery to ballroom, Charlotte Bill witnesses history. The Royal Nanny is a seamless blend of fact and fiction—an intensely intimate, yet epic tale spanning decades, continents, and divides that only love can cross.
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I enjoyed reading this book. It really amazes me how the servants of the upper class were expected to put their lives on hold to fulfill their duties. While many of the events were fictional, the characters are real people, so it was fascinating to learn about what happened in their lives to perhaps explain where the historical figures were the way they were.
While not always historically totally accurate I loved this book, it has wonderful characters and a good plot line even though we know how it ends for the famous figures we don’t know what will happen during the long life of our Nanny – we know she grows old because she tells the story in the first person from a the viewpoint of old age but otherwise we get to experience history with her.
Great story telling. I loved it.
Nuanced perspective of emotional lives of children raised by staff and good example of youngest who was probably on ‘the autism spectrum’
Historically informative & interesting.
A lovely story about the nanny to the British Royals in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Lots of history in the story. Story is told as how the nanny would have said it. Interesting look at the people in history during my life time. . Very down to earth and seems true to the events.
A great read.
Enjoyed this book I will recommend it to my book club.
A slice of history while still being a page turner.
Enjoying history European & British & the royal British family stories, I really liked this book. After spending a few weeks in London & the country side recently made this all the more real to me. This is the first book I read regarding the young lives of the WW1 & WW11 royal children who were parents to the current Queen. It did answer a lot of questions regarding how they turned out. I’ve been a fan of Karen Harper for years due to the Amish series.
It was an interesting read but after a while I got tired of the people in it. You can only take so much Royalty.
Historically accurate.
Great for royal watchers for a look behind the scenes. The nanny of the father of Queen Elizabeth II. Entertaining and fits with the history.
Very touching and true
Loved reading it and learned a lot about that era in Britain.
It gave a different perspective on the royals.
Slow and predictable. Did not ginisg
Mostly boring read
I enjoy historical fiction. makes you wonder if David”s upbringing influenced his life’s choices.
An unusual perspective. I enjoyed this one!