Royal Sisters: Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret

by Anne Edwards

Reveals the complicated relationship of Great Britain's royal sisters and presents new information about their childhood

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Royalty, Audiobook, British Literature, Historical

415 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1990

Reviews

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read many biographies of the British Royal Family, the Windsors in particular, but never anything in depth about Margaret. After being disappointed by the amount of artistic licence (fictionalization) there was in season 2 of The Crown, my interest in reading an accurate biography of Margaret was reawakened.

I am so enthralled by this author, her books contain so much new information and this always surprises me based on the long list of books I’ve already read. Her book “Matriarch” about the life of Queen Mary impressed me, and I was glad to see she had written a book about Margaret.

I liked the idea of a book that would focus on the sisterhood of Elizabeth and Margaret, but I don’t think the book delivered on that front. I feel like it was a great biography of the Queen, with a little of Margaret thrown in from time to time for good measure. I am not so sure I have any additional insight into the sisterly relationship between the 2 women, and I still feel like a biography completely dedicated to Margaret would have given me more of what I wanted.

In addition… where’s the rest of it!?!? It ends in 1960! As a result, the only part of her life that was covered was the “Group Captain Peter Townsend Affair” nothing about her marriage, divorce, kids, Roddy…

Despite this, I am not disappointed since overall I was feel like there was a lot of new information and I was captivated throughout.

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book -- it's readable and well-researched but doesn't get bogged down in too much detail. She avoids the big trap of getting pulled into gossip.

My big quibble, however, has to do with the misleading title. It's not the story of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret -- it ends about 1956 and dismisses the rest of their lives in a few sentences. What it really is, at least for the bulk of the book, is a comparison of the love stories between Elizabeth/Philip and Margaret/Peter Townsend. The title ought to reflect that.

And Anne Edwards knew Peter Townsend, which clearly has impacted her ability to be objective about him. While there is plenty of other evidence to confirm that he was indeed an intelligent, mature, thoughtful man, he comes across here as a virtual saint, with scarcely a flaw and that makes him seems like a flat, undimensional cartoon character (unlike Philip who is criticized more but comes across as a much more fully fleshed out human being).

[Liz~In~Colorado · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ROYAL SISTERS:  QUEEN ELIZABETH-II AND PRINCESS MARGARET~
by Anne Edwards

⚜️The Private Lives and Loves of Queen Elizabeth 11 and Princess Margaret, was published in 1990, and republished several times.  I first read it when I purchased it for my mom, one of the biggest royal watchers I've ever known!  It was one of many books I gifted her over the years, also including many about Princess Diana.   When she passed, I gathered them all up, and have re-read each and every one.  Some twice.

⚜️Beyond the public pageantry, and into the private world of Britain's Royal Family.  From the luxurious-- but isolated childhood that they shared, to the tragic love affair that threatened to tear them apart, here is the story of the Royal Sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret.  One destined to become Queen of England; the other would live forever in her older sister's shadow.

⚜️ROYAL SISTERS is an honest account of how Elizabeth and Margaret felt about each other, their families, and the men they have loved.  It brings new insights into the romance of Elizabeth and Philip-- and the scandalous doomed love between Margaret and Group Captain Peter Townsend.  It is a fascinating portrait of two sisters, their rivalries, an the power-bond they share.

🔖Anne Edwards is among the most respected royal biographers and is well-known for her previous works on Shirley Temple, Vivien Leigh, Margaret Mitchell, and Queen Mary and the House of Windsor.

📷I thoroughly enjoyed all the rich details of their world, but even more so, I loved the richly illustrated photographs!!  There are approximately 70 photographs, a rich archive--  dated back as far as 1916 - King George V and Queen Mary.  "Lilibet's" Uncle David and her in 1934- two years before his abdication that would set her to becoming a Queen.  
The Duke and Duchess of York in 1925.   Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and her father, the Earl of Strathmore- 1923.   
The ghost-haunted Glamis Castle where Princess Margaret Rose was born during a thunderous storm in 1930.  
Winston Churchill on the balcony with the Royal Family on VE day after the war.  Lilibet was nineteen and in love with Prince Philip.  Margaret was sixteen.
Prince Philip's parents, the exiled Princess and Prince Andrew of Greece.  Princess Andrew was the former Princess Alice of Battenberg, Lord Louis Mountbatten's sister. 1922. 
Ex-King Peter and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia at the prenuptial party.  She was former princesses Alexandra of Greece, the bridegroom's cousin. There are so many more photos, most from museums and private collections.

➡️ At the end of the book, there are 100 pages of extremely detailed appendices:
Speech's and Quotes - 13 pages.
Lines of Succession through various years, ending in 1990  Most of the people listed as various related royal families from other countries are in the lines of succession. 
There are 6 pages of extremely detailed genealogical charts.
28 pages of footnotes, 17 Pages of Sources,  12 Pages of Bibliography,
Lastly 23 pages of Indexes.

👍This part of Britain's History is so well done, and needs to be a part of any Royal watchers library. 

⭐Read twice,,,5/5*

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and very detailed account of Elizabeth's ascent to the throne and beyond. It shared some details of the sisters, but I would say this book is incorrectly named as it doesn't go as in-depth into the relationship of Elizabeth and Margaret as one would think, based on the title. I also was disappointed that Royal Sisters ended when Princess Margaret was not given permission to marry Townsend. I wanted to know more about the sisters' relationship beyond that time period as there are so many more years to cover.

[Zosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book focusing mostly on the Coronation and the Townsend affair. I thought the book covered more of the girls’ lives and some clarification would have been nice, but the book is still extremely well sourced and quoted.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. I have fallen in love with the royals as many have recently with the beautiful Princess Kate joining Prince William and their adorable children. Add to it the Netflix series The Crown and the truth behind the intrigue is undeniable. Now, these were not my only reasons for being interested in the Royal Family, but they did prompt a desire to learn more.

Anne Edwards does a nice job of shifting the focus back and forth between the sisters for the majority of the book. She becomes a bit fixated at the end with the Margaret-Townsend affair, but overall, she divided the focus well. I found the Duke of Windsor and his wife to be insufferable and have to wonder if they are being fairly portrayed. Afterall, is it likely the monarchy and parliment of England would allow the publication of a book that did not present him in this fashion? Regardless, his actions were ruthless and that came across in the information presented.

I would have liked to have known Elizabeth and Margaret when they were children. It saddens me how much they missed out on as children because of their regimented lives. Even when normalcy was brought in (like joining girl guides) it wasn't like joining a normal troupe. My heart breaks for their missed opportunities in life and in love, but I am also, I admit, jealous of the lives they have and are living.

[OvercommuniKate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I finished this book which counts for something but I'm really disappointed the book focuses so much on the sisters early childhood. Princess Margaret does on 2002 and this was published in 1990, but it still could have focused more on that section of their life.

I'm tempted to give three stars because the author was able to talk to Peter Townsend for this book which makes it unique in almost first hand document. But it casts Townsend as Margaret's true love without examining the fact that he mer her when she was 13 and he ended up marrying a barely 19 year-old who looked aomila. This man has no remorse and I agree with Prince Phillip it showed his lack of good character.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com

Royal Sisters was first published in 1990 and re-released in 2017 when the audiobook I got through Audible was made. It tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret, from birth through the crisis of Captain Peter Townsend and Margaret’s love affair. The author knew and interviewed Townsend, which is why I consider this an important, if dated book.

But therein lies the major problem with this book. After covering Elizabeth and Margaret’s grandparents and parents and uncle David, the future Duke of Windsor, there’s little about the ladies’ early lives that wasn’t already covered by Marion Crawford’s biography of the girls. (If you’re unfamiliar, Crawford was the girls’ governess and was a much-beloved member of the family until she wrote a book about her experiences. Despite it being a glowingly positive book, the royal family was pissed off and cut “Crawfie” out of their lives). Edwards doesn’t add anything new to the girls’ early lives that wasn’t already known.

Much time is spent comparing and contrasting Queen Elizabeth’s love affair with Prince Philip to Margaret’s love affair with Group Captain Peter Townsend, a member of the royal household following a well-distinguished career during World War II. And since the author knew Townsend personally, he comes off a bit saint-like, which means that Philip does not. The book is worth it to get Townsend’s take on the whole situation but should also be taken with a grain of salt. The fact that he ended up marrying a young woman who looked a lot like Margaret and was younger than her says a lot about the man.

And then, when Margaret decides not to marry Townsend, the book just ends. There’s nothing about her eventual marriage to Lord Snowden, her children, her affair with Roddy, the queen’s other children and growth in relationship to Philip. Nothing. As mentioned, this book was published in 1990, while both Margaret and the queen were still alive, so you think you’d write it up to what was then present-day. That’s the biggest complaint for the book.

[Ga-ranimals! · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was fine, but...it left me feeling that the author favored Margaret over Elizabeth. While Elizabeth is depicted as sheltered, introverted and duty-bound, Margaret is the beautiful one with theatrical talents and musical gifts. While Elizabeth must study history and geography of the British Empire, Margaret is the intellect who memorizes and absorbs her sister's lessons in addition to her own. When Elizabeth meets and falls in love with Philip, it is pictured less as a love match and more as a political one. Although Margaret's relationship with Townsend is star-crossed, it is the great love of each of their lives.
Perhaps I should not read while fighting a cold, but this is how it read to me.

[Elaine Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to have a minor obsession with the British monarchy, the Windsor family specifically, so this is probably my fifth Windsor nonfiction. I enjoyed the authors writing as it was almost like reading a narrative but I wasn't presented with much new information. The information presented seems accurate and well written. The books biggest failing resides in the fact that it doesn't cover the sisters entire lives! I was very disgruntled to turn to page 300 and find an afterword in place of a chapter! The author resolves the Townsend/Margaret issue and the book ends! I wanted more information regarding Margaret's marriage, her life as a wife, mother, princess, and divorcee and it simply wasn't part of the book. For that reason alone I rate the book 3.5 stars.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good biography of the relationship between the queen and her sister princess Margaret. it does not go all the way thru their life but a good portion of it.one does not realize the sacrifice the royal family makes to serve their people. I felt sorry for Princess Margaret I think it was wrong that she could not marry the man she loved especially since she was never going to be on the throne anyway.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It definitely slated toward the pro-Margaret direction which, at times, I felt was unfair. The fact that the author knew Peter Townsend and interviewed him for the book, and also included bits from his own works about the relationship with Margaret, made it slightly more interesting. It's a quick read.

[kys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really not a book about the sisters. I was looking for a biography of Margaret, and this is more a truncated biography of Elizabeth and her early life, with some details about Margaret thrown in. Anne Edwards is a very good writer, but the scope of this is somewhat unbalanced.

[SEH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Anne Edwards’ “Matriarch” about Queen Mary a few months ago and was overjoyed to discover that a) she had written a book about Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, and b) my local library had an autographed copy of it!!

Unfortunately for me this book paled in comparison to “Matriarch”. It makes reference to Marion Crawford’s The Little Princesses maybe about 1/3 of the way through, and I have to admit, I enjoyed that book much, much more. The first part of this book really fell quite flat for me. Nothing new or charming about the recounting of a story Crawfie had already told. (Side note: I get why the royal family essentially exiled her after that breach of privacy, but she gave up so much for them too...working for a pittance because the royal family considered having this job on your resume to be worth making 1/3 the normal pay (supposedly part of the reason she wrote the book), and putting off her own marriage for so many years so she could continue to take care of the royal girls...and when she died none of them even sent a wreath to her funeral.)

The story ends early, just after Margaret’s decision not to marry Townsend. (The book was published in 1990.) I wonder why it ended there - would have liked to hear more about their relationship as Elizabeth’s marriage solidified with the birth of two more children, while Margaret’s went steadily downhill.

Overall I felt like this book was a retelling of well-known facts - but it could very well be that in 1990 this was a groundbreaking book and we know so much more now because of new interest in the royal family.

Two things that really piqued my interest though, and that I had not known beforehand:

Who is Helene Foufounis? Edwards notes that she came from a non royal family that had been very supportive of Philip’s family in Greece, and that there had been those who hoped that they would marry. She was present at Buckingham palace at the coronation but not at Philip’s wedding. She pops up repeatedly in the story, apparently a very important person in Philip’s life - I’m surprised I’ve never heard of her before.

I didn’t realize Townsend had two kids from whom he was separated when he was sent to Brussels. I guess I knew he was a “married father” but never thought about what this must have been like for those poor kids. One of them was only eight, and he’s quoted as saying that that child was devastated and never quite got over the abandonment of his father. As the parent of a young child that broke my heart.

In conclusion: I think this is a great summary of the royal sisters’ childhood up until age 25-30; but if you’ve read extensively about them before, it might be a bit repetitive.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I owned the paperback copy of this book, but because I signed up for a cheap audible trial I decided to listen to it on audiobook.

I had recently read Edwards' book on Queen Mary, consort of George V. I have always been fascinated by the British monarchy although my interest stems more from the Tudors rather than the Windsors. Nonetheless, I do quite a bit of reading on the modern royal family so I thought that this would be an interesting read.

I got the sense that the only reason Edwards decided to write this book was because she had met and/or knew Peter Townsend and was hoping to use this book as a way to rehabilitate his image a bit. Frankly, she did the opposite because after reading this book I think that he was either naive or a social climber in addition to being completely inappropriate. At one point Edwards discusses a story about how Margaret put a jacket on Townsend during a hunting party and George VI supposedly smiled at the scene. Townsend took that to mean that George VI might warm to the idea of him and Margaret together. Furthermore, Townsend was 16 years older than Margaret and from Edwards' book, it appears that his flirtation with Princess Margaret began when she was still a teenager. However, this might be due to the fact the book the book was published 34 years ago, but it doesn't discuss in any detail how the relationship was inappropriate because of the age gap or when the relationship may have begun instead Edwards focuses on the fact that he was "below" Margaret's station and was married previously. At the time these events were unfolding that was also the focus, but no one ever seems to stop and evaluate the actual nature of the relationship in any way, which is disheartening. The same can also be said for Elizabeth and Phillip's relationship, but that is less detailed throughout the book.

I also did not feel like this book provided any new information about the two people this book was supposed to be about, Margaret and Elizabeth. It felt a bit like every other book or functionalization on the subject. Overall it was very underwhelming.

Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, and Infidelity

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revisiting the early lives of Elizabeth and Margaret

Before there was a Queen and a Royal Princess, there were two little girls who were adored by their parents, the Duke and Dutchess of York. The Duke happily referred to his family as "we four ". History, via the abdication of the throne by his older brother, Edward VIII, thrust this quiet man into the limelight as King George VI. Now the oldest daughter, Elizabeth, knew she was the next in line for the throne. This responsibility also affected her relationship with her sister, the younger Princess Margaret, a talented and lively girl who grew up always knowing that she was number two. Eventually, the expectation of what her role was created the scenario surrounding one of the great love stories of the 20th century, that of Princess Margaret and the divorced former equerry to her father, Peter Townsend. Anne Edwards does a marvelous job in sharing with us this love story that would have lasting ramifications in not just Margaret's life, but in many future royals lives. For fans of The Crown, this is almost required reading.

[Kipi (the academic stitcher) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book four in my read-up to the coronation of King Charles III. Written by the same author as Matriarch, there is a clear similarity between the two books. A number of the passages are almost identical, but that isn’t too surprising given that both books are about the same people in the same family. The focus of this one is on the two princesses rather than their grandmother, of course, and the closeness between the royal sisters throughout their lives is touching. This played out particularly when the Queen supported Margaret’s wish to marry Peter Townsend despite almost everyone else in the family and in the government being against it and ultimately winning out. The author is very sympathetic to Princess Margaret, and there was quite a bit of information about her that I did not know.

Like Matriarch, Corrie James is the narrator of this audiobook and does an excellent job.

[Lydia Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing The Crown, I was interested in reading this book to see how well it aligned and I was happily surprised. After doing a lot of phone fact-checking while watching The Crown, we found that it was fairly accurately portrayed, with, of course, TV drama thrown in. The book was a suitable companion, apparently well-researched (check out the pages of notes, appendices, references, etc at the end) and was a sympathetic view of the two women.
I found the writing easier to read than most non-fiction, and thought it was well-organized. Edwards managed to show the characters as humans, with the faults, emotions, and mistakes that come with it.
The hardest part of reading the book is keeping all the characters straight. especially considering they had so many titles which could change, but with the help of the lineage charts it was manageable.

[TBos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to check out author Anne Edwards while waiting for her Judy Garland biography to come out on Kindle. The typos were so terrible in this Kindle version ("Convent Garden" vs. Covent Garden, OMG) and the photo captions unreadable so I learned not to wait for the Kindle version and to read the actual Judy Garland book instead!!

I definitely will because Anne Edwards is a meticulous researcher, which I enjoy in biographies. In fact, I would not be surprised if The Crown television series used this book (copyright 1990) as source material. Although it ended abruptly with a 2-page Afterward, we got lots of detailed background on events surrounding the royal sisters. Who was riding in what car, names of planes and ships, who needed a boil lanced, who actually said what at the time, who was divorced and who wasn't. The who-was-divorced issue was relevant because of the hypocrisy surrounding the decrees that Margaret could not marry the divorced Peter Townsend. Absurd and heartbreaking.

Anne Edwards is a close friend of Peter Townsend so she had access to his diaries and details we never knew including royal protocols, peerage titles, job descriptions, thoughts, feelings, etc. The last 25% of the book includes reprints of speeches and newspaper editorials, reference notes, source notes, and bibliography. I do not recommend the Kindle version but definitely recommend the book if you can stand reading about such insanely rich and privileged people. I enjoyed the history but the royal institution as a whole is hard to swallow, in my opinion. This book was well written and interesting.

[Laurie Hoppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sympathetic look at Elizabeth and Margaret Rose before and after the older sister became Queen Elizabeth II. I found myself unexpectedly touched by the two love affairs at the center of the book: Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and Princess Margaret and the divorced commoner Peter Townsend. A decorated RAF pilot, Capt. Townsend was a genuine war hero. It's shocking to me that he was considered "not good enough" for the Queen's younger sister. This book was written in 1990, well before Prince Charles divorced Diana and became the husband of divorced Camilla. None of that has had any impact on Charles' ability to ascend to the throne. Knowing the next generation's marital shenanigans only makes Margaret's heartache more poignant and unnecessary.

[Veronica Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a very interesting and engaging read. Right in the introduction, the author provides legitimacy by revealing her acquaintance with Group Captain Peter Townsend. The many first hand accounts and details in this biography of the two sisters paint a picture of their childhood, through Elizabeth’s marriage and coronation, ending after Margaret and Townsend’s separation.

That being said, the last ~80 pages of this book are appendices and notes, making it end suddenly. I was left wanting to read more about the rest of their lives. I enjoyed this book and any other lovers of The Crown will enjoy it too!

[Stephanie Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

My family ( me, mom, sister) has always been intrigued by the Royals. In honor of Queen Elizabeth's life, I had to read a royal book! This was a decent insight into the early years of Lillibet and Margaret's life. Their grandmother was the strong " Maggie Smith" on Downton Abbey type of matriarch.
The "4 of us" seemed happy and close knit until her father's death. Their uncle David (Edward) was a complete bonehead. Prince Philip was presented very differently in this book rather than in The Crown; arrogant, terse, and kind of annoying to many family members. Overall, I learned a few new things, royally speaking

[Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this book was solid, and had some great sourcing, but I was disappointed that it really only focused on Elizabeth and Margaret’s younger years. I am so interested to learn about their relationship from 1970-on, and you really didn’t get that in this book. It mostly centered on the coronation and the Townsend dilemma. Margaret got so screwed with that, shame on all of the old white men who made that decision. Elizabeth was definitely stuck between a rock and a hard place, but gahhh. So irritating.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful look into a young Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister, Princess Margaret. This book was full of information and stories about "us four," which in terms of a royal time period, this might be my favorite.

This book wasn't too "gossipy" and the notes were full of texts and other interesting information.

If you are a history buff or enjoy reading about The British Monarchy, this one is worth the read.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like this was barely about the two of them as sisters. It was more about a comparison between the Queen's relationship with Philip and Margaret's with Townsend. It ended when Marga
ret decided not to marry Townsend and gave a brief epilogue about her marriage to Armstrong-Jones. I wanted so much more from this book, but it really wasn't there. Too much time was paid to the Abdication of their uncle and the war.

[Perry B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.

Was chock full of details of their earier lives. The author obiously did her research. Great book who loves to hear about the British royals. The only thing I would critize is the book is outdated. The royal family tree only goes to 1990. Also we hear virtually nothing about Princess Margaret's life after the Townsend affair. Needs serious updating.

[Donni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book covers the relationship between Elizabeth and Margaret from birth up until the late 1950s. Ostensibly, it is all about the defining episode when Margaret was ultimately forbidden to marry the love of her life, Peter Townsend. This is a behind the scenes (but not titillating) account of how their past defined their lives. Well documented, enlightening and a bit sad. Worth reading if you love history and the royals!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book with its attention to detail. I do wish it would have dove into Queen Elizabeth and Margaret's relationship as they got older. I do think the fact Princess Margaret was unable to marry the man she loved has directly influenced the current course of action with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their ability to break away from their role in the working side of the Royal Family into an independent entity.

[Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed. I was hoping that she would really explore the dynamic of Margaret and Elizabeth as sisters.

I did find the exploration of the relationship between Margaret and Peter Townsend really fascinating (and I still think that it's a shame that they weren't allowed to marry). That was the best part of the book for me.

I don't think that she was a fan of either Elizabeth or Phillip.

[Kathy Cooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the info; well researched. This was not an easy read for me. I am disappointed that it didn't go any further than the Townsend affair, and it was so busy telling the story of the affair, it really didn't say much about how this affected the sisters relationship. Certainly information dense.