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Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten
A magical memoir about a singular childhood in England and India by the daughter of Lord Louis and Edwina Mountbatten
Few families can boast of not one but two saints among their ancestors, a great-aunt who was the last tsarina of Russia, a father who was Grace Kelly s pinup, and a grandmother who was not only a princess but could also argue the finer points of naval law. Pamela Mountbatten entered a remarkable family when she was born at the very end of the Roaring Twenties.
As the younger daughter of the glamorous heiress Edwina Ashley and Lord Louis Mountbatten, Pamela spent much of her early life with her sister, nannies, and servants and a menagerie that included, at different times, a bear, two wallabies, a mongoose, and a lion. Her parents each had lovers who lived openly with the family. The house was always full of guests like Sir Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, Douglas Fairbanks, and the Duchess of Windsor (who brought a cold cooked chicken as a hostess gift).
When World War II broke out, Lord Mountbatten was in command of HMS "Kelly" before being appointed chief of Combined Operations, and Pamela and her sister were sent to live on Fifth Avenue in New York City with Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt. In 1947, her parents were appointed to be the last viceroy and vicereine of India and oversee the transfer of power to an independent Indian government. Amid the turmoil of political change, Pamela worked with student leaders, developed warm friendships with Gandhi and Nehru, and witnessed both the joy of Independence Day and its terrible aftermath. Soon afterwards, she was a bridesmaid in Princess Elizabeth s wedding to Prince Philip, and was a ladyin- waiting at the young princess s side when she learned her father had died and she was queen.
Vivid and engaging, well-paced and superbly detailed, this witty, intimate memoir is an enchanting lens through which to view the early part of the twentieth century.
Few families can boast of not one but two saints among their ancestors, a great-aunt who was the last tsarina of Russia, a father who was Grace Kelly s pinup, and a grandmother who was not only a princess but could also argue the finer points of naval law. Pamela Mountbatten entered a remarkable family when she was born at the very end of the Roaring Twenties.
As the younger daughter of the glamorous heiress Edwina Ashley and Lord Louis Mountbatten, Pamela spent much of her early life with her sister, nannies, and servants and a menagerie that included, at different times, a bear, two wallabies, a mongoose, and a lion. Her parents each had lovers who lived openly with the family. The house was always full of guests like Sir Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, Douglas Fairbanks, and the Duchess of Windsor (who brought a cold cooked chicken as a hostess gift).
When World War II broke out, Lord Mountbatten was in command of HMS "Kelly" before being appointed chief of Combined Operations, and Pamela and her sister were sent to live on Fifth Avenue in New York City with Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt. In 1947, her parents were appointed to be the last viceroy and vicereine of India and oversee the transfer of power to an independent Indian government. Amid the turmoil of political change, Pamela worked with student leaders, developed warm friendships with Gandhi and Nehru, and witnessed both the joy of Independence Day and its terrible aftermath. Soon afterwards, she was a bridesmaid in Princess Elizabeth s wedding to Prince Philip, and was a ladyin- waiting at the young princess s side when she learned her father had died and she was queen.
Vivid and engaging, well-paced and superbly detailed, this witty, intimate memoir is an enchanting lens through which to view the early part of the twentieth century.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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September 9, 2013
Won this on Goodreads Giveaways. Unedited Copy
Lady Pamela Hicks may not be a name everyone is familiar with. However, the people she been affiliated with (Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, the Vanderbilts, Winston Churchill, Douglas Fairbanks, Gandhi); are certainly recognizable to all. Hicks attempts to reveal her life story to the memoir-loving masses in “Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten”.
“Daughter of Empire” immediately jumps into the lives of Hicks’s parents (Lord Louis and Edwinda Mountbatten) foregoing a “proper” introduction to Pamela herself, causing a filter between the reader and a lack of connection. This absence of cling dribbles into the storytelling which is merely a recap of events i.e.: this happened, then this, and then that. Hicks lacks an emotional insight into her psyche and therefore is more of a narrator to her own life than a key player. As a result, “Daughter of Empire” is one dimensional and less-than-captivating.
Speaking of dimensions, “Daughter of Empire” can be described with one word: shallow. Immediately with the first page and continuing onwards is constant namedropping. Hicks’s privileged life is close to sickening and although she doesn’t necessarily seem elitist about it; she has a void of depth and intimacy. It is fine (and even entertaining) that she led an aristocratic and high-society life but she could have at least shared personal feelings and life lessons regarding the people and events. Instead, the memoir follows the pattern of an issue of “Entertainment Weekly” following the latest celebrity.
The writing in terms of sentence structure and grammar is well-written and flows with ease and a fast pace. The problem is with the content and empty stories. Despite all the namedropping, Hicks makes her life seem boring without any substantial thoughts in that pretty little head of hers. One major frustrating point? Instead of reflecting on her temporary relocation to America during World War II (due to Jewish blood); Hicks instead emphasizes how the Vanderbilts didn’t approve of her clothing during this time. REALLY?!
Oftentimes, Hicks is choppy and doesn’t answer questions in chronology (for example: someone is missing and then suddenly that person reappears with no explanation or acknowledgement). “Daughter of Empire” lacks a cohesive sense throughout the memoir both in terms of writing style and content (perhaps indicative of a ghostwriter?) and refuses to fully open up Hicks’s character or life. “Daughter of Empire” reads like a school report versus a personal account. Not to mention, a report concerning the lives of her parents instead of that of her own.
Also, what is the reasoning behind the constant use of the term ‘partying’? The tone/voice does not sound like that of a senior citizen in her 80s looking back at her life. Another complaint: I found Hicks’s habit of including foreign language phrases without translations to be distracting and too assuming that the average reader will have any clue what they mean.
On a positive note, Hicks occasionally includes snippets of diaries or personal letters which adds a certain pizzazz to “Daughter of Empire”. The memoir also improves slightly when Hicks describes her time/work in India during the country’s independence, revealing the political climate and some of her emotions. This still lacks the desired depth but is better than the former achieved.
The ending of “Daughter of Empire” is rather weak and not memorable of Hicks in any way (and again focuses more on parents). Plus, Hicks concludes her tale before she is in her 30s and states that “not much occurred” after that time making the title of her memoir including the word “life” misleading.
The final copy of “Daughter of Empire” will include 24 black and white photos throughout which my copy did not contain.
Overall, “Daughter of Empire” is a shallow and weak report of various events in the life of Pamela Hicks void of emotion and true insight. One will never feel like Hicks reveals her true self nor tells her life story in a compelling way. “Daughter of Empire” is not worth reading, as one can find the same recap of events in a Google search.
Lady Pamela Hicks may not be a name everyone is familiar with. However, the people she been affiliated with (Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, the Vanderbilts, Winston Churchill, Douglas Fairbanks, Gandhi); are certainly recognizable to all. Hicks attempts to reveal her life story to the memoir-loving masses in “Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten”.
“Daughter of Empire” immediately jumps into the lives of Hicks’s parents (Lord Louis and Edwinda Mountbatten) foregoing a “proper” introduction to Pamela herself, causing a filter between the reader and a lack of connection. This absence of cling dribbles into the storytelling which is merely a recap of events i.e.: this happened, then this, and then that. Hicks lacks an emotional insight into her psyche and therefore is more of a narrator to her own life than a key player. As a result, “Daughter of Empire” is one dimensional and less-than-captivating.
Speaking of dimensions, “Daughter of Empire” can be described with one word: shallow. Immediately with the first page and continuing onwards is constant namedropping. Hicks’s privileged life is close to sickening and although she doesn’t necessarily seem elitist about it; she has a void of depth and intimacy. It is fine (and even entertaining) that she led an aristocratic and high-society life but she could have at least shared personal feelings and life lessons regarding the people and events. Instead, the memoir follows the pattern of an issue of “Entertainment Weekly” following the latest celebrity.
The writing in terms of sentence structure and grammar is well-written and flows with ease and a fast pace. The problem is with the content and empty stories. Despite all the namedropping, Hicks makes her life seem boring without any substantial thoughts in that pretty little head of hers. One major frustrating point? Instead of reflecting on her temporary relocation to America during World War II (due to Jewish blood); Hicks instead emphasizes how the Vanderbilts didn’t approve of her clothing during this time. REALLY?!
Oftentimes, Hicks is choppy and doesn’t answer questions in chronology (for example: someone is missing and then suddenly that person reappears with no explanation or acknowledgement). “Daughter of Empire” lacks a cohesive sense throughout the memoir both in terms of writing style and content (perhaps indicative of a ghostwriter?) and refuses to fully open up Hicks’s character or life. “Daughter of Empire” reads like a school report versus a personal account. Not to mention, a report concerning the lives of her parents instead of that of her own.
Also, what is the reasoning behind the constant use of the term ‘partying’? The tone/voice does not sound like that of a senior citizen in her 80s looking back at her life. Another complaint: I found Hicks’s habit of including foreign language phrases without translations to be distracting and too assuming that the average reader will have any clue what they mean.
On a positive note, Hicks occasionally includes snippets of diaries or personal letters which adds a certain pizzazz to “Daughter of Empire”. The memoir also improves slightly when Hicks describes her time/work in India during the country’s independence, revealing the political climate and some of her emotions. This still lacks the desired depth but is better than the former achieved.
The ending of “Daughter of Empire” is rather weak and not memorable of Hicks in any way (and again focuses more on parents). Plus, Hicks concludes her tale before she is in her 30s and states that “not much occurred” after that time making the title of her memoir including the word “life” misleading.
The final copy of “Daughter of Empire” will include 24 black and white photos throughout which my copy did not contain.
Overall, “Daughter of Empire” is a shallow and weak report of various events in the life of Pamela Hicks void of emotion and true insight. One will never feel like Hicks reveals her true self nor tells her life story in a compelling way. “Daughter of Empire” is not worth reading, as one can find the same recap of events in a Google search.
February 9, 2014
I should start off this review by stating that I won this book over at www.goodreads.com. I am not normally a person who wins contests, so this was quite exciting for me. Not to mention I was notified that I had won on my birthday! However, the fact that I won this book in no way influenced my opinion on it.
This book, Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten is the autobiography of Lady Pamela Hicks. She is the second daughter of the famous Lord Louis Mountbatten. I knew a little bit about her father because he is one of my grandfather’s favorite historical figures, but I knew next to nothing about his daughters. However, I am fascinated by their family because they are so closely related to the British monarchy, and because of Queen Victoria, many other royal families as well. The book begins with her birth in Barcelona and concludes with her returning from her honeymoon. In between, she experiences the Second World War, the transition of power in India, and the Commonwealth Tour.
I thoroughly enjoyed the style in which this book was written. Instead of being dry, like most biographical/autobiographical works, it had the flow of natural conversation. I felt as if Lady Pamela was telling me her story one-on-one. This made the book a quick, but entertaining read.
I immediately became engrossed in her story because her life is so different from my own. Her parents were famous, she got to travel all over the world, and she also got to be a part of many historical events. I must admit, I was a little jealous of her! However, I never felt as if she was bragging. I got the feel that she was simply trying to tell her story.
Overall, I am rating this book at 4 stars because of the way it was written. I loved hearing Lady Pamela’s story and how she got to experience so many amazing things! Thank you to the publisher, Simon & Schuster for sending me this book!
This book, Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten is the autobiography of Lady Pamela Hicks. She is the second daughter of the famous Lord Louis Mountbatten. I knew a little bit about her father because he is one of my grandfather’s favorite historical figures, but I knew next to nothing about his daughters. However, I am fascinated by their family because they are so closely related to the British monarchy, and because of Queen Victoria, many other royal families as well. The book begins with her birth in Barcelona and concludes with her returning from her honeymoon. In between, she experiences the Second World War, the transition of power in India, and the Commonwealth Tour.
I thoroughly enjoyed the style in which this book was written. Instead of being dry, like most biographical/autobiographical works, it had the flow of natural conversation. I felt as if Lady Pamela was telling me her story one-on-one. This made the book a quick, but entertaining read.
I immediately became engrossed in her story because her life is so different from my own. Her parents were famous, she got to travel all over the world, and she also got to be a part of many historical events. I must admit, I was a little jealous of her! However, I never felt as if she was bragging. I got the feel that she was simply trying to tell her story.
Overall, I am rating this book at 4 stars because of the way it was written. I loved hearing Lady Pamela’s story and how she got to experience so many amazing things! Thank you to the publisher, Simon & Schuster for sending me this book!
January 12, 2023
- Minor editing was done here - and there's an update!
Having always had a love for History, especially British, it was with some curiosity that I approached this one - being not an expert, but neither a stranger, in what concerns the Mountbatten family and its role in 20th century England.
Well I can tell you this was most certainly worth my time - its a fascinating window to a time not yet out of living memory, but that slowly starts to fade and will, in a generation's time, be relegated to history books and documentaries.
Lady Pamela Hicks (née Mountbatten) was a front row spectator to some of the world changing events of the past 100 years - most notably the independence of India - and here we get a chance to share her front row seat as she shares impressions, memories and opinions about some of the places she visited and the people she met.
Younger daughter to the famous (infamous/notorious) Lord Mountbatten, last viceroy of India, Pamela was born into the British aristocracy at the start of the 20th century and would, thanks to her parents career, be privy to events as important as India's independence or the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne upon the death of her father, while she was touring Africa (Pamela was a lady in waiting to her for that trip).
Naturally, as one would only expect and quite rightly, the quintessential British spirit and sense of duty shines through these pages, making this a fascinating, even if at times slightly confounding read.....she is very direct, bluntly so but also with an underlying sense of self deprecating irony.
Highly recommended for any lovers of England, Downton Abbey and the royal family that might be on goodreads!
Happy readings!
Update -
For those who might not know, Lady Pamela has been sharing many of her memories through conversations with her daughter India Hicks in podcast format, and also in a documentary recently released and whose title for the life of me I suddenly cannot remember.
Oh and there's going to be another book!! I for one am thrilled Lady P is absolutely a gem!
Having always had a love for History, especially British, it was with some curiosity that I approached this one - being not an expert, but neither a stranger, in what concerns the Mountbatten family and its role in 20th century England.
Well I can tell you this was most certainly worth my time - its a fascinating window to a time not yet out of living memory, but that slowly starts to fade and will, in a generation's time, be relegated to history books and documentaries.
Lady Pamela Hicks (née Mountbatten) was a front row spectator to some of the world changing events of the past 100 years - most notably the independence of India - and here we get a chance to share her front row seat as she shares impressions, memories and opinions about some of the places she visited and the people she met.
Younger daughter to the famous (infamous/notorious) Lord Mountbatten, last viceroy of India, Pamela was born into the British aristocracy at the start of the 20th century and would, thanks to her parents career, be privy to events as important as India's independence or the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne upon the death of her father, while she was touring Africa (Pamela was a lady in waiting to her for that trip).
Naturally, as one would only expect and quite rightly, the quintessential British spirit and sense of duty shines through these pages, making this a fascinating, even if at times slightly confounding read.....she is very direct, bluntly so but also with an underlying sense of self deprecating irony.
Highly recommended for any lovers of England, Downton Abbey and the royal family that might be on goodreads!
Happy readings!
Update -
For those who might not know, Lady Pamela has been sharing many of her memories through conversations with her daughter India Hicks in podcast format, and also in a documentary recently released and whose title for the life of me I suddenly cannot remember.
Oh and there's going to be another book!! I for one am thrilled Lady P is absolutely a gem!
August 22, 2014
Lady Pamela, wrote about what she witnessed and participated in. She was realated to all the European Royality. It was a very interest read; not like something a historian would write. It was so personal.
November 1, 2024
Cotton candy read
August 13, 2016
Lady Pamela Hicks, through her incredibly vibrant parents, was present in the world altering events of the 20th century. Was it intentional that she would write of her first 30 years with such detachment, or is this sum total of what she thought and felt about these experiences? Is she emotionally this guarded or has there been no reflection on her witness to history?
For her early years she describes her grandmother and other caretakers, the marvelous letters she received from her parents (and their respective lovers) and the exotic animals her mother brought from her travels. Exemplary of the narrative, the sentence where she mentions hearing the grownups talking about George V’s death is followed by: “We loved to drive out to Uncle Ernie’s charming property …. his hunting boxes, his farms … magnificent carriage horses…” (p.35).
The two most provocative parts of her childhood are going to New York before WWII and her father’s lesson when she was caught in a lie. The Why did the Mountbatten’s send their daughters to the US prior to WWII? I would not have been surprised if it was because of the bombing, but that it was the "virulent anti-Semitism spreading across the channel" is all that was said on the topic. There is no word on how this manifested itself or why the Vanderbilt’s selected as hosts. Regarding the lie, Lord Mountbatten’s response shows that the level her parents were operating on was far different from the level of awareness that Hicks shows in this book.
The section on India, despite its limited scope, was worth the read for its descriptions from the Mountbatten’s new home in the Viceroy Palace (“25 indoor gardeners to attend to the flower arrangements” (p. 105)), the visits to India’s princes, and the encounters with Gandhi and Nehru. Any opportunities for depth are left unwritten. For instance, she refers to “thought provoking” (p. 113) discussions with the girls from Lady Irwin College: “Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians” are no mention of the topics or, of most interest, what became of the girls after Independence.
The limited world view presented in this book may be defined by Hick’s concern after the euphoria of India’s independence had given way to the horrors of partition: “In the midst of this devastation I wondered if we would be able to get away for the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Phillip in November.” (p.142).
There is lot of concern with rank… what should the admiral call her father when he returned to the Navy at a lower rank than before? What should the admiral call Prince Philip… especially now that his wife is the queen? In Kenya when "Lisabet" becomes queen, what should she now be called? Hicks describes her different curtsies for different purposes. I wondered what her mother, given her experience among wounded soldiers, refugees, and victims of ethnic violence, might think about her daughter’s emphasis on protocol (as well as clothing, her mongoose, etc.) in this memoir.
It should be noted that the writing style and scope work in the chapters devoted to the 1953/4 Commonwealth Tour is appropriate. This is a tour of pomp and protocol with no dramatic historical events to be interpreted. Unfortunately, the whole book is written in this monotone.
Is Hicks too guarded or does it just seem this way? Does she think expressing an opinion or point of view might offend? Is she trying to be too modest about her parents' achievements? Is she as blinded by titles and rank as she appears? What does she think precipitated her parents' sending her to the US in 1940? Has she noticed the changing role of the European aristocracy? Whatever the source of her detachment from the momentous events she witnessed, what c/should have insightful book was a pleasant, but very light collection of anecdotes.
For her early years she describes her grandmother and other caretakers, the marvelous letters she received from her parents (and their respective lovers) and the exotic animals her mother brought from her travels. Exemplary of the narrative, the sentence where she mentions hearing the grownups talking about George V’s death is followed by: “We loved to drive out to Uncle Ernie’s charming property …. his hunting boxes, his farms … magnificent carriage horses…” (p.35).
The two most provocative parts of her childhood are going to New York before WWII and her father’s lesson when she was caught in a lie. The Why did the Mountbatten’s send their daughters to the US prior to WWII? I would not have been surprised if it was because of the bombing, but that it was the "virulent anti-Semitism spreading across the channel" is all that was said on the topic. There is no word on how this manifested itself or why the Vanderbilt’s selected as hosts. Regarding the lie, Lord Mountbatten’s response shows that the level her parents were operating on was far different from the level of awareness that Hicks shows in this book.
The section on India, despite its limited scope, was worth the read for its descriptions from the Mountbatten’s new home in the Viceroy Palace (“25 indoor gardeners to attend to the flower arrangements” (p. 105)), the visits to India’s princes, and the encounters with Gandhi and Nehru. Any opportunities for depth are left unwritten. For instance, she refers to “thought provoking” (p. 113) discussions with the girls from Lady Irwin College: “Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians” are no mention of the topics or, of most interest, what became of the girls after Independence.
The limited world view presented in this book may be defined by Hick’s concern after the euphoria of India’s independence had given way to the horrors of partition: “In the midst of this devastation I wondered if we would be able to get away for the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Phillip in November.” (p.142).
There is lot of concern with rank… what should the admiral call her father when he returned to the Navy at a lower rank than before? What should the admiral call Prince Philip… especially now that his wife is the queen? In Kenya when "Lisabet" becomes queen, what should she now be called? Hicks describes her different curtsies for different purposes. I wondered what her mother, given her experience among wounded soldiers, refugees, and victims of ethnic violence, might think about her daughter’s emphasis on protocol (as well as clothing, her mongoose, etc.) in this memoir.
It should be noted that the writing style and scope work in the chapters devoted to the 1953/4 Commonwealth Tour is appropriate. This is a tour of pomp and protocol with no dramatic historical events to be interpreted. Unfortunately, the whole book is written in this monotone.
Is Hicks too guarded or does it just seem this way? Does she think expressing an opinion or point of view might offend? Is she trying to be too modest about her parents' achievements? Is she as blinded by titles and rank as she appears? What does she think precipitated her parents' sending her to the US in 1940? Has she noticed the changing role of the European aristocracy? Whatever the source of her detachment from the momentous events she witnessed, what c/should have insightful book was a pleasant, but very light collection of anecdotes.
March 27, 2014
(I had to repost this review as I mistakenly filed it under the Kindle edition and couldn't change it.) This was a good read. For someone with no political leanings to speak of, born and raised in the US, it was interesting to read about someone who is related to a large percentage of European royalty (not hard, they're all interrelated anyway)and has a couple of saints in her pedigree. Her take on "normal family life" growing up was curious...she apparently felt it was fine that Mummy and Daddy both had their steady lovers, because "at least they stayed together." Interesting definition of "staying together" when Mummy is away for months at a time, travelling around China with her boy-toy (who rejoices in the nickname "Bunny"....okaaaay....)or whatever, and Daddy is off to France with his bit of fluff. But the girls both adore their parents' respective lovers, so it's all in the family, I guess. (Don't expect a working-class gel to understand the mores of the upper crust. It's different, down here among the grass-roots. It sure is.)
I did get a bit weary of the hero-worship of Nehru and particularly so of Prince Phillip's "hilarious" antics. But then from what I saw and heard of the Beeb before it vanished from the airwaves where I live, I wasn't alone on that one. Perhaps it was HTBT.
Strangely enough the book comes to a rather abrupt end at the end of the Queen's tour of Australia and The East. There is some mention of Lady Pamela's later-to-be husband, but nothing of her adult life,though she mentions a couple of adult children in passing, as if they weren't important characters in her life. Don't know if this is down to British upperclass reserve about "personal things" or if there's another volume of memoirs out there somewhere. Or perhaps like her own parents, she was too busy with her own life to really notice.
I did get a bit weary of the hero-worship of Nehru and particularly so of Prince Phillip's "hilarious" antics. But then from what I saw and heard of the Beeb before it vanished from the airwaves where I live, I wasn't alone on that one. Perhaps it was HTBT.
Strangely enough the book comes to a rather abrupt end at the end of the Queen's tour of Australia and The East. There is some mention of Lady Pamela's later-to-be husband, but nothing of her adult life,though she mentions a couple of adult children in passing, as if they weren't important characters in her life. Don't know if this is down to British upperclass reserve about "personal things" or if there's another volume of memoirs out there somewhere. Or perhaps like her own parents, she was too busy with her own life to really notice.
May 20, 2021
This was an impulse buy. Too many people were sharing photographs of Nehru with Edwina Mountbatten, and I thought it would be nice to read the book written by her daughter.
I was not disappointed. Though an emotionally (and physically) distant mother, Edwina Mountbatten is clearly a Force of Nature who her daughter hero-worships. You develop a grudging admiration for her, when the woman who would disappear for weeks at a time traveling the world with her lover and would return bearing gifts like a lion cub, throws herself into war related work with equal gusto. The grudging admiration becomes much more when you read about how she conduced herself in the months before and after the Partition of India. It is indeed a pity that Indian history chooses not to acknowledge the work she did, and reduces her to a shallow figure who looked pretty and let herself be wooed by Nehru.
I lost interest after the family returned to England from India, and while the chapters where she toured the Commonwealth countries as a Lady in Waiting to the Queen were good, they didn't engage me as much as the chapters on India did.
Overall, I am glad I was impulsive and picked up this book.
I was not disappointed. Though an emotionally (and physically) distant mother, Edwina Mountbatten is clearly a Force of Nature who her daughter hero-worships. You develop a grudging admiration for her, when the woman who would disappear for weeks at a time traveling the world with her lover and would return bearing gifts like a lion cub, throws herself into war related work with equal gusto. The grudging admiration becomes much more when you read about how she conduced herself in the months before and after the Partition of India. It is indeed a pity that Indian history chooses not to acknowledge the work she did, and reduces her to a shallow figure who looked pretty and let herself be wooed by Nehru.
I lost interest after the family returned to England from India, and while the chapters where she toured the Commonwealth countries as a Lady in Waiting to the Queen were good, they didn't engage me as much as the chapters on India did.
Overall, I am glad I was impulsive and picked up this book.
maybe
September 6, 2019**********************
*Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire 5 stars
*The Mountbattens: Their Lives & Loves TBR
*Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten TBR
*Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire 5 stars
*The Mountbattens: Their Lives & Loves TBR
*Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten TBR
March 11, 2019
A very lively autobiography by Lord Mountbatten younger 's daughter.
No gossip, no name-dropping, but a vivid life story from a quite lonely childhood in England and in Malta with her parents (but rarely with her ever travelling mother) and a young adulthood in India in 1947. Her memories about her parents are very touching, especially the deep bond between her and her father.
The last part of the book, in which she remembers the travels she has made with a young queen Elizabeth II around the world is very interesting.
The book ends with the death of her mother.
No gossip, no name-dropping, but a vivid life story from a quite lonely childhood in England and in Malta with her parents (but rarely with her ever travelling mother) and a young adulthood in India in 1947. Her memories about her parents are very touching, especially the deep bond between her and her father.
The last part of the book, in which she remembers the travels she has made with a young queen Elizabeth II around the world is very interesting.
The book ends with the death of her mother.
April 29, 2021
Listening to this book was like being at a dinner party and being seated next to Pamela Hicks. You might ask, "Oh, you were Lord Mountbatten's daughter? You lived in India during the partition? What was that like?" The following book ensues and I found it completely fascination and entertaining. She's lived a really interesting life - people that I consider royal or political celebrities are her relations or friends and she treats them as such. She's not name dropping when she talks about Gandhi - she's just telling it like it was. The storytelling is superficial at times but what can you expect at a dinner party? Just sit back and enjoy the meal.
August 10, 2019
Fascinating story that The Crown fans will appreciate. I listened to the audio version narrated by a Julie Andrews”esque” voice.
December 22, 2013
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This is a fast, easy read describing the early life of Pamela Mountbatten.
Pamela Mountbatten had an interesting childhood - on many levels. With multiple ties to the British royal family - and many other European royal families - and a war-hero father, she led an incredibly privileged life, and had an insider's view of events most of us only read about in history books.
Her family was frankly unconventional. While she seems to have been close to her father, her mother was "brittle" and difficult. Both parents spent long periods of time away from the family, pursuing both their careers/duty, and their love affairs.
Many reviewers have remarked on her detachment. In my opinion, it's her detachment when discussing her parents' marriage that strikes the oddest note.
I found the book both oddly boring, and oddly fascinating.
This is a fast, easy read describing the early life of Pamela Mountbatten.
Pamela Mountbatten had an interesting childhood - on many levels. With multiple ties to the British royal family - and many other European royal families - and a war-hero father, she led an incredibly privileged life, and had an insider's view of events most of us only read about in history books.
Her family was frankly unconventional. While she seems to have been close to her father, her mother was "brittle" and difficult. Both parents spent long periods of time away from the family, pursuing both their careers/duty, and their love affairs.
Many reviewers have remarked on her detachment. In my opinion, it's her detachment when discussing her parents' marriage that strikes the oddest note.
I found the book both oddly boring, and oddly fascinating.
October 30, 2013
This is an entertaining book about and by the younger daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and his beautiful and talented wife Edwina. I read the e-book version. She had an interesting if not somewhat lonely childhood but knew that she was greatly loved by her very busy, globe trotting parents. She lived in India during the time that her father was the last viceroy and supervised the process where India and Pakistan gained their independence. She was a bridesmaid in Princess Elizabeth's (later Queen Elizabeth II) wedding and her daughter India was a bridesmaid in Princess Diana and Prince Charles' wedding. Her granddaughter was a bridesmaid in Prince William and Kate's wedding. If you enjoy history and the British royals you will enjoy this.
February 2, 2014
Thought it would be an interesting glimpse inside the privileged life of the upper class during wartime in Europe. It was hardly interesting. As previous mentioned, the words sounded like Ms Hicks recorded them and they were written down. She just casually goes through her many trips, her parents many affairs, her relationships with these new "friends" of both mummy and daddy. Her menagerie of animals, people, servants, cooks, teachers, schools and foreign friends were intermingled throughout the chapters while reminiscing about the war years away in New York City staying with the Vanderbilt family. I guess I was looking for substance and I never found any.
July 18, 2020
I gave this book 4 stars only as an Anglophile and monarchist. I don’t think most people would find this book as interesting as I did.
May 28, 2018
In this memoir Pamela Hicks, or if I am to be proper, Lady Pamela Hicks, recounts the first thirty years of a life of extraordinary privilege. Her father, Lord Louis Mountbatten, was much lauded, closely related to the British royal family, given and succeeded at a variety of important posts, had an enormous capacity for forging friendships, and was so dashing that the young Grace Kelly kept a picture of him before she fell for a someone higher than a lord. Her mother, Edwina Ashley, was a very wealthy heiress, highly unconventional, globe-trotting, hedonistic, beautiful and stylish, and recognized and admired in high society. Such was the life Pammy, as she was called, was born into.
Pamela, the second of the Mountbatten’s two daughters, was born in Barcelona in 1929 and delivered by a doctor sent by King Alfonso XIII of Spain, who was selected to be one of her godfathers. During WW II, while her father commanded a naval fleet and her mother worked in the war effort, Pamela and her sister Patricia were sent to the United States to live with Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt who, according to Pammy, loved to attach herself to British royalty and who had once selected Louis Mountbatten as a fine catch for her daughter. Although Mrs. Vanderbilt is described as being very kind to Pamela and her sister, Pamela describes her as imperious, pretentious, and a snob; she did not enjoy her stay in America.
The book is filled with stories of famous people and events, not because Hicks is name-dropping but because those are the people with whom she grew up and the events through whose times she lived and got to see up close and personally. She was in Kenya, as a lady-in-waiting, for the then Princess Elizabeth when the news came that her father, King George VI, had died. She was a bridesmaid at Princess Elizabeth’s wedding and a lady-in waiting at the Queen’s coronation. She reports on how calm and controlled the Queen remained amidst mix-ups and how she could barely hold up her head with the heavy crown a top it (it weighed 7 pounds). She recounts, at some length, two Commonwealth tours. You learn that they are very arduous, very meticulously planned, and very exhausting. She also gives Prince Phillip high marks for his ability to help everyone, including the Queen, to relax and have some fun. Phillip comes across much better in Hicks’ account than he does in many, if not most, accounts. Of course, he’s also Pamela first cousin.
Perhaps the most interesting person in her book is her grandmother, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter and sister to the last Czarina of Russia, and also Prince Phillip’s grandmother, among other famous relations. He name was also Victoria. She was outspoken, brilliant, adventurous, an expert in naval law, a voracious reader, and an odd mix of egalitarianism and insistence on rank. She loved to argue with everyone and usually bested everyone. Pamela credits her with the total lack of prejudice the family had toward others and which stood them in good stead in India and other foreign places where her father served.
One of the most interesting accounts is of the Mountbatten’s time in India where her father presided as the last Viceroy of India. From her descriptions and the contacts they kept, it is clear that the entire family fell in love with India and was reluctant to leave. At least mother and daughters were. Father Louis had a most daunting task in handing over the “jewel in the crown.” Hers is not a history book but the memories of an eighteen year old girl at this momentous time in the history of India. Still there are interesting details and insights from a first person observer. Historians may disagree about whether breaking up India and making of a separate country for the Muslims in Pakistan was inevitable or forced on the viceroy, forced by a promise made previously by former Prime Minister Churchill. Or was it simply the correct action to take? As Pamela describes the situation, it did not seem possible that a united India could be achieved; therefore the partition had to be made and the transfer of power from Britain to the separate states had to be made quickly because the country was in turmoil and the new leaders, not the British, needed to make the decisions. There is a sense of the anguish her father felt, the admirable role that Gandhi played in trying to keep peace, the riots and the suffering notwithstanding, and most of all the family’s deep and abiding friendship with Jawaharlal Nehru. He comes off very well in this book. He’s described as kind, intelligent, warm, charming, and idealistic. And also impeccably dressed. He and Pamela seem to have established a lasting friendship; she received letters and gifts from him long after the family had left India.
Of course the special bond was between Nehru and Pamela’s mother, Edwina. There has been much speculation that Nehru and Edwina had an affair. Pamela is sure they didn’t. She certainly was aware of their deep friendship when the family was in India. Rumors about an affair between her mother and Nehru persisted long after the family left India. When her mother died and she was going through her mother’s things, she read the letters her mother had received from Nehru over the years. Now, as an adult, she wondered if she would still feel that the friendship between her mother and Nehru was not physical. She did. She concludes they were soul mates with a profound connection to each other. Not lovers.
Her memories and connections to Mr. Jinnah, the head of the Muslim League, are not as fond. Even her father, with his formidable charm, could not win him over. She describes him as extremely sophisticated, a perfect English speaker, and immovable. Unknown to almost everyone at that time, Jinnah was ill. When he died a few years later, Pamela’s father speculates that may have been one reason Jinnah was so unyielding. He wanted to hand the Muslims a country of their own. The family was also in India when Gandhi was assassinated and attended his funeral.
If Edwina and Nehru did not have an affair that did not mean Edwina did not have many others. Indeed the number and confusion of suitors coming and going make the Mountbatten household appear like a Noel Coward play. And maybe Noel Coward fashioned one or more of his plays on Edwina – they were friends after all. Only two of her affairs appear to have been serious and those men were incorporated into the Mountbatten household as was Louis Mountbatten’s one serious affair, a French woman who also became a good family friend and on whom the novella and musical “Gigi” is based. It was a most unconventional household but seemed to work. Pamela clearly loved her father but, perhaps, she admired her mother more than she loved her. Her mother could never stay home, even when or especially when her children were very young. But during WW II and after, she seems to have found a vocation. Pamela writes of her mother’s enormous capacity for work, for organizing, for getting things done and how she threw herself unstintingly into charity work all over the world in the direst situations.
In this book, Hicks takes us up to her 30th year, the year of her marriage. There are many details in her book that interested me and I felt that I liked her. Despite her privileged upbringing, she never seems snobbish, clearly has a sense of humor, and seems to have inherited her father’s capacity for making friends. He writing style is chatty; yet the tone is somehow flat and everything is too neat and tidy. It’s interesting but not emotionally involving. Maybe that’s just her upbringing. She does give you some of the tidbits you like to read in gossip columns about the royal family. For example:
• Princess Elisabeth liked having Pamela around so she’d have someone to giggle with.
• She depicts Elizabeth and Phillip’s leaving their children in order to carry out their royal duties as being much more difficult for them than we are usually led to believe.
• In Ceylon/Sri Lanka, she writes about how unbearably hot it was (torture), especially for Princess Elizabeth who had to wear heavy robes to open Parliament and how she was burnt, even through all her stiff petticoats.
• She describes an incident that nearly brought an end to a church service. At the close of a Sunday service aboard the Britannia, the priest offers a prayer for the Royal Family naming all except Princess Anne. When he came to the end, Anne’s small but furious voice was heard, “He hasn’t prayed for me, Mummy.”
• The Mountbattens always had a menagerie of all sorts, mostly brought back to England from some foreign port – dogs, lions, wallabies, an anteater, and always ponies and horses. In fact, I often couldn’t figure out if Pamela was talking about one of her beloved pets or a person. They brought a mongoose, whom they named Neola, back to England from India. He seemed to have the run of their house, regardless of who were the guests. On one visit by Princess Elizabeth, she told Pamela, “Pammy, I am quite fond of Neola and I don’t mind him coming into my bedroom. I don’t even mind him opening my box of chocolates. But must he take a bite out of every single one of them?”
Pamela, the second of the Mountbatten’s two daughters, was born in Barcelona in 1929 and delivered by a doctor sent by King Alfonso XIII of Spain, who was selected to be one of her godfathers. During WW II, while her father commanded a naval fleet and her mother worked in the war effort, Pamela and her sister Patricia were sent to the United States to live with Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt who, according to Pammy, loved to attach herself to British royalty and who had once selected Louis Mountbatten as a fine catch for her daughter. Although Mrs. Vanderbilt is described as being very kind to Pamela and her sister, Pamela describes her as imperious, pretentious, and a snob; she did not enjoy her stay in America.
The book is filled with stories of famous people and events, not because Hicks is name-dropping but because those are the people with whom she grew up and the events through whose times she lived and got to see up close and personally. She was in Kenya, as a lady-in-waiting, for the then Princess Elizabeth when the news came that her father, King George VI, had died. She was a bridesmaid at Princess Elizabeth’s wedding and a lady-in waiting at the Queen’s coronation. She reports on how calm and controlled the Queen remained amidst mix-ups and how she could barely hold up her head with the heavy crown a top it (it weighed 7 pounds). She recounts, at some length, two Commonwealth tours. You learn that they are very arduous, very meticulously planned, and very exhausting. She also gives Prince Phillip high marks for his ability to help everyone, including the Queen, to relax and have some fun. Phillip comes across much better in Hicks’ account than he does in many, if not most, accounts. Of course, he’s also Pamela first cousin.
Perhaps the most interesting person in her book is her grandmother, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter and sister to the last Czarina of Russia, and also Prince Phillip’s grandmother, among other famous relations. He name was also Victoria. She was outspoken, brilliant, adventurous, an expert in naval law, a voracious reader, and an odd mix of egalitarianism and insistence on rank. She loved to argue with everyone and usually bested everyone. Pamela credits her with the total lack of prejudice the family had toward others and which stood them in good stead in India and other foreign places where her father served.
One of the most interesting accounts is of the Mountbatten’s time in India where her father presided as the last Viceroy of India. From her descriptions and the contacts they kept, it is clear that the entire family fell in love with India and was reluctant to leave. At least mother and daughters were. Father Louis had a most daunting task in handing over the “jewel in the crown.” Hers is not a history book but the memories of an eighteen year old girl at this momentous time in the history of India. Still there are interesting details and insights from a first person observer. Historians may disagree about whether breaking up India and making of a separate country for the Muslims in Pakistan was inevitable or forced on the viceroy, forced by a promise made previously by former Prime Minister Churchill. Or was it simply the correct action to take? As Pamela describes the situation, it did not seem possible that a united India could be achieved; therefore the partition had to be made and the transfer of power from Britain to the separate states had to be made quickly because the country was in turmoil and the new leaders, not the British, needed to make the decisions. There is a sense of the anguish her father felt, the admirable role that Gandhi played in trying to keep peace, the riots and the suffering notwithstanding, and most of all the family’s deep and abiding friendship with Jawaharlal Nehru. He comes off very well in this book. He’s described as kind, intelligent, warm, charming, and idealistic. And also impeccably dressed. He and Pamela seem to have established a lasting friendship; she received letters and gifts from him long after the family had left India.
Of course the special bond was between Nehru and Pamela’s mother, Edwina. There has been much speculation that Nehru and Edwina had an affair. Pamela is sure they didn’t. She certainly was aware of their deep friendship when the family was in India. Rumors about an affair between her mother and Nehru persisted long after the family left India. When her mother died and she was going through her mother’s things, she read the letters her mother had received from Nehru over the years. Now, as an adult, she wondered if she would still feel that the friendship between her mother and Nehru was not physical. She did. She concludes they were soul mates with a profound connection to each other. Not lovers.
Her memories and connections to Mr. Jinnah, the head of the Muslim League, are not as fond. Even her father, with his formidable charm, could not win him over. She describes him as extremely sophisticated, a perfect English speaker, and immovable. Unknown to almost everyone at that time, Jinnah was ill. When he died a few years later, Pamela’s father speculates that may have been one reason Jinnah was so unyielding. He wanted to hand the Muslims a country of their own. The family was also in India when Gandhi was assassinated and attended his funeral.
If Edwina and Nehru did not have an affair that did not mean Edwina did not have many others. Indeed the number and confusion of suitors coming and going make the Mountbatten household appear like a Noel Coward play. And maybe Noel Coward fashioned one or more of his plays on Edwina – they were friends after all. Only two of her affairs appear to have been serious and those men were incorporated into the Mountbatten household as was Louis Mountbatten’s one serious affair, a French woman who also became a good family friend and on whom the novella and musical “Gigi” is based. It was a most unconventional household but seemed to work. Pamela clearly loved her father but, perhaps, she admired her mother more than she loved her. Her mother could never stay home, even when or especially when her children were very young. But during WW II and after, she seems to have found a vocation. Pamela writes of her mother’s enormous capacity for work, for organizing, for getting things done and how she threw herself unstintingly into charity work all over the world in the direst situations.
In this book, Hicks takes us up to her 30th year, the year of her marriage. There are many details in her book that interested me and I felt that I liked her. Despite her privileged upbringing, she never seems snobbish, clearly has a sense of humor, and seems to have inherited her father’s capacity for making friends. He writing style is chatty; yet the tone is somehow flat and everything is too neat and tidy. It’s interesting but not emotionally involving. Maybe that’s just her upbringing. She does give you some of the tidbits you like to read in gossip columns about the royal family. For example:
• Princess Elisabeth liked having Pamela around so she’d have someone to giggle with.
• She depicts Elizabeth and Phillip’s leaving their children in order to carry out their royal duties as being much more difficult for them than we are usually led to believe.
• In Ceylon/Sri Lanka, she writes about how unbearably hot it was (torture), especially for Princess Elizabeth who had to wear heavy robes to open Parliament and how she was burnt, even through all her stiff petticoats.
• She describes an incident that nearly brought an end to a church service. At the close of a Sunday service aboard the Britannia, the priest offers a prayer for the Royal Family naming all except Princess Anne. When he came to the end, Anne’s small but furious voice was heard, “He hasn’t prayed for me, Mummy.”
• The Mountbattens always had a menagerie of all sorts, mostly brought back to England from some foreign port – dogs, lions, wallabies, an anteater, and always ponies and horses. In fact, I often couldn’t figure out if Pamela was talking about one of her beloved pets or a person. They brought a mongoose, whom they named Neola, back to England from India. He seemed to have the run of their house, regardless of who were the guests. On one visit by Princess Elizabeth, she told Pamela, “Pammy, I am quite fond of Neola and I don’t mind him coming into my bedroom. I don’t even mind him opening my box of chocolates. But must he take a bite out of every single one of them?”
October 25, 2020
Lady Pamela Hicks is the daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and his wife, Edwina. She is cousin to both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. She is the widow of famed designer David Hicks and the mother of three. As the result of her birth and marriage, she has witnessed first hand some of the most important events in mid-20th century English history. Her new book, "Daughter of Empire", is a chronicle of the first 30 or so years of her life.
Lady Pamela has written about her life - recounting events - as if from a remove. I have the feeling that part of that is natural reserve, but she does not reflect on much that's happened. As a reader, it takes a bit of getting used to, but its also nice not to have to endure an author's gushy self-analysis. Things happened, relationships came and went, and as a child - the younger of two daughters of the Mountbattens - Pamela lived in a world of parents having lovers who were welcomed as part of the nuclear family. Her father went his way - in his naval career - and her mother traveled a lot with her boyfriend, sending Pamela and Patricia lovely missives from wherever she was in the world. The 1930's passed this way for Pamela, who was under the care of her grandmother and various nannies. She'd see her parents at times, and the family members were always glad to be together again, but then, off Dickie and Edwina would go.
Wartime was spent partly in the United States where she was sent for a year or so of safekeeping, but she returned to England to help out with the war effort. It was after the war, at the age of 17, when Pamela really began to live life. Her parents were sent to India, as Lord Mountbatten was appointed by George VI as the last Viceroy of India. He was to oversee the independence from the United Kingdom and the eventual partition of the country into India and Pakistan. She writes well about her duties - both social and politically - as the daughter of the last Viceroy and Vicerine. During her time in India, she traveled back with her parents to act as a bridesmaid to Princess Elizabeth in her marriage to Philip Mountbatten. Later, she was the Princess's Lady in Waiting on the trip to Africa where Elizabeth "climbed a tree to a hotel as a princess and left it as a queen"; the result of George VI's death. She later accompanied the Queen and Prince Philip on another round-the-world journey.
Pamela Hicks - at age 83 - is an accomplished teller of tales. What she thought about what she experienced is very little expressed. Don't pick this book up, hoping for analysation of the intricacies of the British monarchy, because you won't find it. You will find, however, a well-written story of an interesting life. And maybe that's how it should be.
Lady Pamela has written about her life - recounting events - as if from a remove. I have the feeling that part of that is natural reserve, but she does not reflect on much that's happened. As a reader, it takes a bit of getting used to, but its also nice not to have to endure an author's gushy self-analysis. Things happened, relationships came and went, and as a child - the younger of two daughters of the Mountbattens - Pamela lived in a world of parents having lovers who were welcomed as part of the nuclear family. Her father went his way - in his naval career - and her mother traveled a lot with her boyfriend, sending Pamela and Patricia lovely missives from wherever she was in the world. The 1930's passed this way for Pamela, who was under the care of her grandmother and various nannies. She'd see her parents at times, and the family members were always glad to be together again, but then, off Dickie and Edwina would go.
Wartime was spent partly in the United States where she was sent for a year or so of safekeeping, but she returned to England to help out with the war effort. It was after the war, at the age of 17, when Pamela really began to live life. Her parents were sent to India, as Lord Mountbatten was appointed by George VI as the last Viceroy of India. He was to oversee the independence from the United Kingdom and the eventual partition of the country into India and Pakistan. She writes well about her duties - both social and politically - as the daughter of the last Viceroy and Vicerine. During her time in India, she traveled back with her parents to act as a bridesmaid to Princess Elizabeth in her marriage to Philip Mountbatten. Later, she was the Princess's Lady in Waiting on the trip to Africa where Elizabeth "climbed a tree to a hotel as a princess and left it as a queen"; the result of George VI's death. She later accompanied the Queen and Prince Philip on another round-the-world journey.
Pamela Hicks - at age 83 - is an accomplished teller of tales. What she thought about what she experienced is very little expressed. Don't pick this book up, hoping for analysation of the intricacies of the British monarchy, because you won't find it. You will find, however, a well-written story of an interesting life. And maybe that's how it should be.
December 28, 2018
'Daughter of Empire: Life as a Mountbatten' covers Pamela Hicks' life from childhood through to her marriage and it's an extraordinary life. When you're related to most of the royal families of Europe - and a cousin to both the current Queen and Prince Phillip - it's clear that life's going to throw opportunities your way that wouldn't be accessible to the hoi polloi. Add in that her parents - Louis and Edwina Mountbatten - were two of the most glamorous and high profile people of their era and it's almost guaranteed that young Pamela won't be sitting at home knitting and walking the dogs.
I bought it mostly because of my fascination with her parents and their role in the Partition and Independence of India/Pakistan/Bangladesh. However, there are other fascinating topics covered - from being 'evacuated' to the USA during the war to stay with fabulously wealthy and famous families - and being one of the attendants at the Coronation of QE2 and working as one of her closest 'ladies in waiting'. Whilst the rest of us would probably be weak kneed at the idea of trotting around the world with the Queen, to Hicks it's just a case of working with 'cousin Lilibet'.
If you're hoping for the low-down on Edwina and Louis and their rather shocking 'open' marriage, there's plenty to support the notion that they were both generous with their affections outside the marriage but Hicks maintains (against the suggestions of many other writers) that her mother and Nehru were close friends but not lovers. Hmm, I remain unconvinced on that one.
I grew up in Salisbury and Broadlands was the nearest of the big 'stately homes' and my grandparents were slightly in awe of the Mountbattens (my grandfather was in Burma during the war when Mountbatten was in charge). I hadn't realised until reading this book that Broadlands was actually Edwina's family home rather than Louis' or that she was also from a fabulously wealthy family. As a child I remember that Prince Charles had his honeymoon at Broadlands, but I hadn't realised his parents also did the same.
Hicks had a fabulously glamorous and interesting youth and I enjoyed her book a lot.
I bought it mostly because of my fascination with her parents and their role in the Partition and Independence of India/Pakistan/Bangladesh. However, there are other fascinating topics covered - from being 'evacuated' to the USA during the war to stay with fabulously wealthy and famous families - and being one of the attendants at the Coronation of QE2 and working as one of her closest 'ladies in waiting'. Whilst the rest of us would probably be weak kneed at the idea of trotting around the world with the Queen, to Hicks it's just a case of working with 'cousin Lilibet'.
If you're hoping for the low-down on Edwina and Louis and their rather shocking 'open' marriage, there's plenty to support the notion that they were both generous with their affections outside the marriage but Hicks maintains (against the suggestions of many other writers) that her mother and Nehru were close friends but not lovers. Hmm, I remain unconvinced on that one.
I grew up in Salisbury and Broadlands was the nearest of the big 'stately homes' and my grandparents were slightly in awe of the Mountbattens (my grandfather was in Burma during the war when Mountbatten was in charge). I hadn't realised until reading this book that Broadlands was actually Edwina's family home rather than Louis' or that she was also from a fabulously wealthy family. As a child I remember that Prince Charles had his honeymoon at Broadlands, but I hadn't realised his parents also did the same.
Hicks had a fabulously glamorous and interesting youth and I enjoyed her book a lot.
December 6, 2021
Pamela Hicks is the daughter of Lord Louis Montbatten and his extremely unconventional wife, Edwina. A cousin to both Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth and prince Phillip, she grew up in a rarified world of royal relatives (all rather down on their luck) and in the care of nannies. Her parents seemed to be largely absent. Her father who was Lord of the Admiralty was gone at sea for long periods of time and her mother traveled. Her parents largely had a marriage of convenience and both took lovers with whom they lived openly among the family.
Her home was filled with politicians, artists and other celebrities as well as containing a menagerie of strange animals. When World War II broke out, her father was appointed chief of combined operations on Asia, her mother took up war work, and Pamela and her sister were sent to America to live in safety with Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt. After the war Lord Mountbatten was appointed last Viceroy of India with the charge of overseeing that country’s transition to independence from Britain. Pamela accompanied her parents and had a ringside seat of the tumultuous birth of that country. Soon afterwards Pamela was a bridesmaid to Princess Elizabeth and then became one of the princess’ ladies in waiting, and was with her in Kenya when she learned of the death of her father and her accession to the Monarchy.
Ms. Hicks tells her story with charm and humility and not a little wonder that she lived to witness many of the momentous events of the Twentieth Century. I’m glad she told her story & gave us such an intimate picture of a time that has now ceased to exist.
Her home was filled with politicians, artists and other celebrities as well as containing a menagerie of strange animals. When World War II broke out, her father was appointed chief of combined operations on Asia, her mother took up war work, and Pamela and her sister were sent to America to live in safety with Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt. After the war Lord Mountbatten was appointed last Viceroy of India with the charge of overseeing that country’s transition to independence from Britain. Pamela accompanied her parents and had a ringside seat of the tumultuous birth of that country. Soon afterwards Pamela was a bridesmaid to Princess Elizabeth and then became one of the princess’ ladies in waiting, and was with her in Kenya when she learned of the death of her father and her accession to the Monarchy.
Ms. Hicks tells her story with charm and humility and not a little wonder that she lived to witness many of the momentous events of the Twentieth Century. I’m glad she told her story & gave us such an intimate picture of a time that has now ceased to exist.
July 17, 2018
A wonderful companion read for the show "The Crown". Lady Pamela Hicks is a cousin of Prince Philip and a Mountabatten. The book gives an account of her younger life before and during WWII and then life in India while her father brokered the independence of India from Great Britain. Then it moves into her being a lady-in-waiting twice to Queen Elizabeth as well as one of her bridesmaids. Several scenes from the tv series are described by Lady Pamela as a first hand witness. The book predates the show and gives a less stern and serious impression of Elizabeth. Very interesting. Gave me a brief glimpse into India and Pakistan politics.
January 16, 2021
An interesting memoir of the first 30 years of Pamela Hicks, daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten. A lot of her story is just related with not a lot of self reflection on the events. But her life was pretty fascinating. She travelled and lived in various countries due to her father's postings. Lord Mountbatten was chosen to oversee India's independence and this part of the memoir was very interesting. She was also chosen to be a lady in waiting for Princess Elizabeth, later Queen. Lady Hicks accompanied Elizabeth and Philip (Lady Hicks' cousin) on their Commonwealth Tour. Lots of work is involved in being a lady in waiting! She was with Elizabeth in Kenya when the news came of the King's death. The Tour had to be suspended and was picked up about a year later. It lasted 6 months. Very exhausting.
November 18, 2018
This memoir is mostly a straight-up re-telling of events, which may sound dull, but when the events in question take place on the world's stage it's more than enough for a great read. And it's not without introspection, you just have to look for it between the lines. Also between the lines: lady Pamela was totally hot for cousin Philip.
June 19, 2019
This was a very interesting peek into royal life from the perspective of a privileged bystander. Though not closely in line for the throne herself, she had the rank and breeding to be a fly in the wall to an extraordinary number of events that changed the world.
Her parents open mindedness about race and feminism put her in a place to be ahead of her time in some ways. It’s a great read.
Her parents open mindedness about race and feminism put her in a place to be ahead of her time in some ways. It’s a great read.
September 21, 2020
Fascinating glimpse into the life of Lady Pamela Hicks and her eccentric parents. I enjoyed the historical references throughout the novel. World War I, World War II, England's exit from India.... Very interesting. After I finished the book I was inspired to research the Mountbattens and the British aristocracy.
November 8, 2020
Sigh. This was boring. I love hearing about the Windsor royal family and getting a look and the early years from someone who was right there, but this one didn't do it for me. I listened to the audiobook and it just didn't hold my attention well so I found myself not caring.
November 7, 2022
3.75 stars. Bit shallow. A lot of telling and not showing, though there are some amusing anecdotes about the royal family and Philip in general (did you know he could blow three streamers at a time- one from his mouth and two from his nose?)
October 28, 2024
What a life! Actually, what lives! Her mother was amazing, though not really maternal. Added bonus: I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator’s voice was so soothing, this has been my go-to to play and fall asleep.
March 1, 2019
What a life this must have been. I would love to read her parents’ memoirs. Her stories were fascinating, seeing history being made. But her parents...they were making history.
July 23, 2020
I rated this 4 stars not for the writing, which was rather straightforward, but for the extraordinary glimpse into British life during WWII and the birth of the modern Indian state.
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