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Royal Outsiders #1
Teatime mit Lilibet
Sunday Times bestselling author Wendy Holden brings to life the unknown childhood years of one of the world’s most iconic figures, Queen Elizabeth II, and reveals the little-known governess who made Britain’s queen into the monarch we know today.
In 1933, twenty-two-year-old Marion Crawford accepts the role of a lifetime, tutoring their Royal Highnesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Her one stipulation to their parents the Duke and Duchess of York is that she bring some doses of normalcy into the sheltered and privileged lives of the two young princesses.
At Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Balmoral, Marion defies oppressive court protocol to take the girls on tube trains, swimming at public baths, and on joyful Christmas shopping trips at Woolworth’s. From her ringside seat at the heart of the British monarchy she witnesses the upheaval of the Abdication and the glamour and drama of the 1937 Coronation.
During the war, as Hitler’s Heinkels fly over Windsor, she shelters her charges in the castle dungeons (not far from where the Crown Jewels are hidden in a biscuit tin). Afterwards, she is there when Elizabeth first sets eyes on Philip. But being beloved governess and confidante to the Windsor family has come at a cost. She puts her private life on hold until released from royal service following Princess Elizabeth’s marriage in 1947.
In a majestic story of love, sacrifice, and allegiance, bestselling novelist Holden shines a captivating light into the years before Queen Elizabeth II took the throne, as immortalized on the popular television series The Crown.
In 1933, twenty-two-year-old Marion Crawford accepts the role of a lifetime, tutoring their Royal Highnesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Her one stipulation to their parents the Duke and Duchess of York is that she bring some doses of normalcy into the sheltered and privileged lives of the two young princesses.
At Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Balmoral, Marion defies oppressive court protocol to take the girls on tube trains, swimming at public baths, and on joyful Christmas shopping trips at Woolworth’s. From her ringside seat at the heart of the British monarchy she witnesses the upheaval of the Abdication and the glamour and drama of the 1937 Coronation.
During the war, as Hitler’s Heinkels fly over Windsor, she shelters her charges in the castle dungeons (not far from where the Crown Jewels are hidden in a biscuit tin). Afterwards, she is there when Elizabeth first sets eyes on Philip. But being beloved governess and confidante to the Windsor family has come at a cost. She puts her private life on hold until released from royal service following Princess Elizabeth’s marriage in 1947.
In a majestic story of love, sacrifice, and allegiance, bestselling novelist Holden shines a captivating light into the years before Queen Elizabeth II took the throne, as immortalized on the popular television series The Crown.
545 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2020
660 people are currently reading
14245 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Holden
31 books423 followersWendy Holden grew up in Yorkshire, and studied English at Girton College, Cambridge. She worked in magazines for many years before joining Tatler's in 1997 as deputy editor, and later moved to the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine, which she left in 2000 to concentrate on writing. She regularly writes features for newspapers and magazines on a range of social, topical and lifestyle subjects and is also a television and radio contributor.
She has now published ten novels, Gallery Girl, Beautiful People, Bad Heir Day, Pastures Nouveaux, Fame Fatale, Azur Like It, The Wives of Bath, The School for Husbands, Filthy Rich, Farm Fatale, Gossip Hound, Simply Divine, all top 10 bestsellers.
Holden is married, and lives in England with her family.
She has now published ten novels, Gallery Girl, Beautiful People, Bad Heir Day, Pastures Nouveaux, Fame Fatale, Azur Like It, The Wives of Bath, The School for Husbands, Filthy Rich, Farm Fatale, Gossip Hound, Simply Divine, all top 10 bestsellers.
Holden is married, and lives in England with her family.
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August 25, 2020
The Royal Governess is focused on the childhood years of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1933, a new governess is hired, Marion Crawford. She is tasked with tutoring Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Her main charge is to bring normalcy to their young lives.
Marion defies court rules by taking the girls on the train, swimming, and even public shopping at Woolworth’s. The book also covers the time during the war, when Marion must help keep the girls safe and distracted in uncertain times. She’s also there when Elizabeth first meets Philip!
Fans of The Crown will want to pick this beautiful book up. It’s a different perspective on the royal family, and Marion is charming character to follow who makes many personal sacrifices to care for her charges. The Royal Governess is an insightful, enjoyable read, and I definitely want to read more books by this author and learn more about Marion Crawford’s life.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Marion defies court rules by taking the girls on the train, swimming, and even public shopping at Woolworth’s. The book also covers the time during the war, when Marion must help keep the girls safe and distracted in uncertain times. She’s also there when Elizabeth first meets Philip!
Fans of The Crown will want to pick this beautiful book up. It’s a different perspective on the royal family, and Marion is charming character to follow who makes many personal sacrifices to care for her charges. The Royal Governess is an insightful, enjoyable read, and I definitely want to read more books by this author and learn more about Marion Crawford’s life.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Want to read
December 3, 2019Me: way too many books about the 1930s and WWII, will never read another one
Also me: will read literally anything about the House of Windsor, all of which are set in the 1930s and 40s
Also me: will read literally anything about the House of Windsor, all of which are set in the 1930s and 40s
October 5, 2020
First sentence: EVERYTHING was ready.
Premise/plot: The Royal Governess has a framework. It opens and closes in July 1987. Our heroine, Marion Crawford, is ever-hopeful and ever-prepared to receive royal guests. True, they have never come before. True, all attempts to contact the family for the past four decades have failed. But she's an optimist, I suppose. Surely one day the Queen will one day be hit with nostalgia and think of her once more and decide to forgive her.
But 98% of the novel takes place in the past opening in 1932. Marion Crawford is a young woman training to become a teacher. Her dream job would be educating children in the slums. But her superiors have other thoughts on where she might do the most good. What if her values and ideas could help shape the upper class and actually be a catalyst for real change? Marion is resistant. Her teach the wealthy elite? The snobbiest of snobs? Seriously?! But when an opportunity comes her way she does just that--and with royal children!
But is Marion being true to herself and her ideals by teaching royals? Is it a lost cause? Is she wasting her prime years in vain?
The book obviously focuses on her time as a governess raising Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. But children don't stay children forever. They grow up, grow distant, grow cold.
My thoughts: The Royal Governess falls into the 'almost' category for me. It might be historically accurate. Might. I haven't done research or gone digging to see if the author's spin matches what we do know of Marion Crawford, of Queen Elizabeth, of Princess Margaret. But Marion's perspective is a bit off-putting for this reader.
What do I mean? Well, you might think it would be mainly focused on her actual time with either Elizabeth or Margaret. Featuring conversations, sharing activities, building up that relationship. But the book doesn't do that. Instead it focuses more on the tension in Marion's personal, private life. How can she fit in a private life while working for the Royal family? Can she have a man on the side? A man not connected to the Royals? Can she have an active sex life and fulfill her needs? Just how much does she have to sacrifice to keep her job?
The book--when it's not sharing a little too much about Marion's private life--focuses on Marion's odd relationship with the king and queen. And let's not forget her lusting after Tommy Lascelles. How many scenes of her lusting after him do we need???
It's also a book that seems to do more telling than showing. We're supposed to get this idea that she practically raised Elizabeth and Margaret. That they were oh-so-dear to her that they were more than a job, more than a duty, they were her everything. Yet what we get in these pages is her internal complaining and doubting. We don't get mostly scenes showing her actually interacting with the children. We get scenes with her interacting with other staff.
I wouldn't have minded slowing down on the things she sped through and speeding through the things she slowed down on. For example, 1936 through the end of World War II. We get small snippets of scenes from this time period. But a hundred pages about Elizabeth when she's in love and preparing to get married.
I would much rather read repetitively about her taking care of the children than read repetitively her desire for a man.
I do think other readers might like this one more than I did.
I imagine The Little Princesses written by Marion Crawford would be more interesting than this one??? Maybe. I don't know.
Premise/plot: The Royal Governess has a framework. It opens and closes in July 1987. Our heroine, Marion Crawford, is ever-hopeful and ever-prepared to receive royal guests. True, they have never come before. True, all attempts to contact the family for the past four decades have failed. But she's an optimist, I suppose. Surely one day the Queen will one day be hit with nostalgia and think of her once more and decide to forgive her.
But 98% of the novel takes place in the past opening in 1932. Marion Crawford is a young woman training to become a teacher. Her dream job would be educating children in the slums. But her superiors have other thoughts on where she might do the most good. What if her values and ideas could help shape the upper class and actually be a catalyst for real change? Marion is resistant. Her teach the wealthy elite? The snobbiest of snobs? Seriously?! But when an opportunity comes her way she does just that--and with royal children!
But is Marion being true to herself and her ideals by teaching royals? Is it a lost cause? Is she wasting her prime years in vain?
The book obviously focuses on her time as a governess raising Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. But children don't stay children forever. They grow up, grow distant, grow cold.
My thoughts: The Royal Governess falls into the 'almost' category for me. It might be historically accurate. Might. I haven't done research or gone digging to see if the author's spin matches what we do know of Marion Crawford, of Queen Elizabeth, of Princess Margaret. But Marion's perspective is a bit off-putting for this reader.
What do I mean? Well, you might think it would be mainly focused on her actual time with either Elizabeth or Margaret. Featuring conversations, sharing activities, building up that relationship. But the book doesn't do that. Instead it focuses more on the tension in Marion's personal, private life. How can she fit in a private life while working for the Royal family? Can she have a man on the side? A man not connected to the Royals? Can she have an active sex life and fulfill her needs? Just how much does she have to sacrifice to keep her job?
The book--when it's not sharing a little too much about Marion's private life--focuses on Marion's odd relationship with the king and queen. And let's not forget her lusting after Tommy Lascelles. How many scenes of her lusting after him do we need???
It's also a book that seems to do more telling than showing. We're supposed to get this idea that she practically raised Elizabeth and Margaret. That they were oh-so-dear to her that they were more than a job, more than a duty, they were her everything. Yet what we get in these pages is her internal complaining and doubting. We don't get mostly scenes showing her actually interacting with the children. We get scenes with her interacting with other staff.
I wouldn't have minded slowing down on the things she sped through and speeding through the things she slowed down on. For example, 1936 through the end of World War II. We get small snippets of scenes from this time period. But a hundred pages about Elizabeth when she's in love and preparing to get married.
I would much rather read repetitively about her taking care of the children than read repetitively her desire for a man.
I do think other readers might like this one more than I did.
I imagine The Little Princesses written by Marion Crawford would be more interesting than this one??? Maybe. I don't know.
November 4, 2020
Viewing a household through the lens of the governess lends a fascinating angle. There have been many books, both fiction and nonfiction, on the subject of the House of Windsor. When I saw advance info about this title, I knew it would stand out from the crowd. Marion Crawford was not ambitious for her own fame and fortune. She had a heart for the poor in the slums in Aberdeen. A recommendation to serve the Duke and Duchess of York for a month was just to be temporary. It turned out to be her life's work and she was in the royal household until after Elizabeth married. Covering such a large chunk of time in one book is challenging. Wendy Holden does well in giving us the highlights and a distinct sense of place. Marion's experiences and observations give us an intimate portrait of the royal family and how protocol and traditions affected daily life. Ultimately it is clear to me that Elizabeth II most certainly needed a Marion Crawford in her life. We also hear much about Wallis Simpson in this book. It looks like there will be a future release from this author with more about Wallis. I am looking forward to that! Fans of 'The Crown' will find this to be a must read. I would also highly recommend 'The Gown' by Jennifer Robson which highlights the handiwork that went into Elizabeth II's wedding dress. Also, on the subject of the Prince of Wales and his philandering, read "The Woman Before Wallis" by Bryn Turnbull.
November 26, 2020
Marion Crawford is seeeking a teaching degree when she unexpectedly gets the opportunity to become the governess to the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Thinking of taking up the post for only a limited time and then continuing on to becoming a teacher, she takes the job. Only, she winds up keeping the post for the next sixteen years. Through all the highs and lows, Crawfie (as the girls call her) tries to provide normalcy to the princesses' lives. But duty to the Royal family comes at the cost of her being able to live her life on her terms. As Marion navigates her new reality she wil have to make tough choices.
This title will be added to a few others I have read this year related to the Royal family (Before the Crown, The Queen's Secret and The Other Windsor Girl). I also began watching The Crown this year which further increased my interest in the Windsors. The Royal Governess follows Marion Crawford as she goes from a young woman pursuing a teaching degree to a senior staff member of the Royal family. It all starts innocently enough, just a month trial as the princesses' governess. Marion thinks after that, she will go back to her regular life. Except, she does not. Realizing that young princess Elizabeth does not get to experience normalcy, she becomes determined to provide it. But protocols and regulations make that a difficult task. Still, Crawfie insists and takes princess Elizabeth out in public, from shopping to swimming. Life in the palace can feel stifling but getting to know Elizabeth makes it worth it. Through the war, abdication and coronation, Marion is by the princesses' side, even when it means putting her own life aside, something that is happening more and more often. Perhaps this priviledged life is more of a gilded cage.
I have to admit that this was a most interesting read. Because of the before-mentioned book titles and show, I am familiar with all the characters (except for Marion Crawford) and events. The characters felt real based on what I know about the people that inspired them. The pace and tone complimented each other. The plot was not surprising but was well rendered. I learned something new about the Royal family. The real life Marion Crawford was with the royals for sixteen years, watching the present queen go from a young girl to a bride. When her service ended, she was given a cottage as a thank you. The Royal family cut ties with her when she wrote a book about her time as the royal governess. Titled The Little Princesses, the book was frank about life in the palace giving details that were otherwise unknown to the public. The book was a big hit with the people but not the royals, understandably. It is hard to say what prompted Marion to do this but there are some that suggest that her treatment while in the palace was not the best. Wether that is true, I guess we will never know. I will be reading her book at a later date as my interest is piqued. As for this one, I enjoyed it. If you are interested in the English Royal family, I would recommend this book.
This title will be added to a few others I have read this year related to the Royal family (Before the Crown, The Queen's Secret and The Other Windsor Girl). I also began watching The Crown this year which further increased my interest in the Windsors. The Royal Governess follows Marion Crawford as she goes from a young woman pursuing a teaching degree to a senior staff member of the Royal family. It all starts innocently enough, just a month trial as the princesses' governess. Marion thinks after that, she will go back to her regular life. Except, she does not. Realizing that young princess Elizabeth does not get to experience normalcy, she becomes determined to provide it. But protocols and regulations make that a difficult task. Still, Crawfie insists and takes princess Elizabeth out in public, from shopping to swimming. Life in the palace can feel stifling but getting to know Elizabeth makes it worth it. Through the war, abdication and coronation, Marion is by the princesses' side, even when it means putting her own life aside, something that is happening more and more often. Perhaps this priviledged life is more of a gilded cage.
I have to admit that this was a most interesting read. Because of the before-mentioned book titles and show, I am familiar with all the characters (except for Marion Crawford) and events. The characters felt real based on what I know about the people that inspired them. The pace and tone complimented each other. The plot was not surprising but was well rendered. I learned something new about the Royal family. The real life Marion Crawford was with the royals for sixteen years, watching the present queen go from a young girl to a bride. When her service ended, she was given a cottage as a thank you. The Royal family cut ties with her when she wrote a book about her time as the royal governess. Titled The Little Princesses, the book was frank about life in the palace giving details that were otherwise unknown to the public. The book was a big hit with the people but not the royals, understandably. It is hard to say what prompted Marion to do this but there are some that suggest that her treatment while in the palace was not the best. Wether that is true, I guess we will never know. I will be reading her book at a later date as my interest is piqued. As for this one, I enjoyed it. If you are interested in the English Royal family, I would recommend this book.
October 3, 2020
3.5 Oh, The Windsors Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Oh, our fascination with all things Royal. We read books about pretending royal princes, princesses, and all sorts of Dukes. We read contemporary novels about Rouge Royals and how they are running away from their lands and politics only to find happiness with commoners.
Well, this interest can be fed with the real thing, the Windsor Family, and all their real-life drama. It has been so dramatic, movies have been made, and now a very compelling series, The Crown on Netflix, is getting ready to do another season that will bring the family closer to more current times.
If you have been interested in this Royal Family, then The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden might be something you would be interested in. It is the telling of how all of these Royals, Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret came to be. How one woman worked very hard to bring the real world to them and create some sort of normalcy.
The woman hired to be the royal nanny, Marion Crawford, devotes most of her life to Elizabeth. This book is a telling of what she did, how she broke the royal rules for these girls, how she protected them during the war, how she was there when Elizabeth was no longer a princess and now a queen, and stayed until Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947.
All of this, mirrors and adds to the series and if you are interested, there is another book by the nanny, herself, The Little Princesses: The Story Of The Queen's Childhood By Her Nanny Crawfie.
The Royal Governess
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Little Princesses: The Story Of The Queen's Childhood By Her Nanny Crawfie
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Oh, our fascination with all things Royal. We read books about pretending royal princes, princesses, and all sorts of Dukes. We read contemporary novels about Rouge Royals and how they are running away from their lands and politics only to find happiness with commoners.
Well, this interest can be fed with the real thing, the Windsor Family, and all their real-life drama. It has been so dramatic, movies have been made, and now a very compelling series, The Crown on Netflix, is getting ready to do another season that will bring the family closer to more current times.
If you have been interested in this Royal Family, then The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden might be something you would be interested in. It is the telling of how all of these Royals, Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret came to be. How one woman worked very hard to bring the real world to them and create some sort of normalcy.
The woman hired to be the royal nanny, Marion Crawford, devotes most of her life to Elizabeth. This book is a telling of what she did, how she broke the royal rules for these girls, how she protected them during the war, how she was there when Elizabeth was no longer a princess and now a queen, and stayed until Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947.
All of this, mirrors and adds to the series and if you are interested, there is another book by the nanny, herself, The Little Princesses: The Story Of The Queen's Childhood By Her Nanny Crawfie.
The Royal Governesshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Little Princesses: The Story Of The Queen's Childhood By Her Nanny CrawfieA gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
April 10, 2021
Consigliato soprattutto agli appassionati della famiglia reale inglese!
November 22, 2020
I am shocked by the reviews of this book. It was just not good. I understand this was historical fiction, but just not good stuff. If the intent was to sympathize with the governess (Crawfie) or to see the royals as a normal family, it was a fail. I couldn't wait to finish this book, I don't know why I didn't quit. Crawfie (the nickname bestowed on the governess, because apparently no one goes by their name in the "fold") was portrayed as judgemental of pretty much all of those around her, as well as thinking everyone was in love with her or wanted to be with her. In this telling, Crawfie views herself as "saving" the royal family, as if they would have no idea how people lived outside of the castle or would ever think of venturing outside. She keeps bringing up how she was going to leave their service and go back to her passion, which was teaching in the slums. It was frustrating - it is fine to say that as what you thought you would do, but plans changed and this is where you are now! The writing of the speech of the Royal family was doubly annoying. We all are aware that King George had a stutter, but reading it was painful, it is also known that he was able to give speeches with out it (see another historical fiction of the Kings Speech if we want to live in the realm of historical fiction). Queen Mary and her German accent? Glad to be done with it. Maybe I've read too many things that are nonfiction of the Royal family or too may cozy mysteries during this time that have royals on the outside - either way, this book just got on my nerves.
August 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this read and it was nice to read a historical fiction with figures from history that I actually remember from my life time.
Before reading this I didn't know about Mariin Crawford or who I have lovingly come to know as Crawfie. I loved reading about her and the royal family through her eyes. It really didn't suprise me that the Queen Mother was formidable, there was always something quite frightening and intimidating about her.
I would definitely recommend reading it and will be reading more in the series.
Before reading this I didn't know about Mariin Crawford or who I have lovingly come to know as Crawfie. I loved reading about her and the royal family through her eyes. It really didn't suprise me that the Queen Mother was formidable, there was always something quite frightening and intimidating about her.
I would definitely recommend reading it and will be reading more in the series.
April 5, 2021
Before a queen comes a princess, and before a princess comes a young girl, with a very bright future ahead of her . . .
You're probably asking yourself, who did these things? . . .
Her name was Marion "Crawfie" Crawford, who was a Scottish teacher who originally wanted to enrich young people's lives but not the rich side of things, but more of the slums. However, she was convinced to educate the higher class to show them how ordinary people lived.
Marion Crawford who in 1933, was only 22 years old when she undertook the biggest "test" of her teaching career when she was hired to be the governess of future Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret Rose.
Mrs Crawford didn't just confine her teachings to the classroom setting so to speak, but decided to think outside the box in how to teach the future royals how the outside world (outside the palaces, security, etc) worked. Marion took the girls on field trips on the Underground, to stores, etc . . .
The governess was in essence, their everyday companion - the person who spent the most time with them, and who answered their questions, educated them, etc.
I found this novel to be unique in ways to other historical fiction novels read that has to do with the royals, for instance Before the Crown as in this novel, the author decided to have the viewpoint from the governess which I haven't come across much. In previous novels, the name "Marion Crawford", or "Crawfie" was just briefly mentioned.
I found that the author did a very good job of describing throughout the novel, so that you could really place yourself there and then. For example, this quote below:
"The blaze of gold plate on the altar, hung with embroidered silk. The balconies of the Abbey hung with red and gold brocade. The Coronation Chair in its sea of golden carpet, so plain amid all the pomp and panoply, and yet so much more important."
This novel also takes readers into the WWII years and what that was like from the viewpoint of the governess, which I found to also be unique. During this time period, we're introduced to famous political leaders such as Prime Minster Winston S Churchill, who was England's prime minister.
Ever since reading the non fiction novel The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, I have greater respect for Mr Churchill.
For example, I leave you with this quote by him that appeared in this novel below:
"We shall go on to the end . . . we shall defend our island whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender."
It is so tragic in ways that Marion Crawford gave so many years of her own life to being the royal governess to future royalty, just to make one in my opinion tiny mistake (human error), that changes all the hard work she put in. I am referring to the fact that neither the Queen Mother (Elizabeth I), Princess Elizabeth II nor Princess Margaret Rose had any interactions nor spoke to Ms Crawford ever again since her publishing of her non fiction book The Little Princesses, as apparently it revealed too personal secrets about the royal family.
I recommend this novel to any historical fiction lovers who love royalty in any way, but also is looking for a unique viewpoint into the inside look to royalty from an "outsider's view".
You're probably asking yourself, who did these things? . . .
Her name was Marion "Crawfie" Crawford, who was a Scottish teacher who originally wanted to enrich young people's lives but not the rich side of things, but more of the slums. However, she was convinced to educate the higher class to show them how ordinary people lived.
Marion Crawford who in 1933, was only 22 years old when she undertook the biggest "test" of her teaching career when she was hired to be the governess of future Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret Rose.
Mrs Crawford didn't just confine her teachings to the classroom setting so to speak, but decided to think outside the box in how to teach the future royals how the outside world (outside the palaces, security, etc) worked. Marion took the girls on field trips on the Underground, to stores, etc . . .
The governess was in essence, their everyday companion - the person who spent the most time with them, and who answered their questions, educated them, etc.
I found this novel to be unique in ways to other historical fiction novels read that has to do with the royals, for instance Before the Crown as in this novel, the author decided to have the viewpoint from the governess which I haven't come across much. In previous novels, the name "Marion Crawford", or "Crawfie" was just briefly mentioned.
I found that the author did a very good job of describing throughout the novel, so that you could really place yourself there and then. For example, this quote below:
"The blaze of gold plate on the altar, hung with embroidered silk. The balconies of the Abbey hung with red and gold brocade. The Coronation Chair in its sea of golden carpet, so plain amid all the pomp and panoply, and yet so much more important."
This novel also takes readers into the WWII years and what that was like from the viewpoint of the governess, which I found to also be unique. During this time period, we're introduced to famous political leaders such as Prime Minster Winston S Churchill, who was England's prime minister.
Ever since reading the non fiction novel The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, I have greater respect for Mr Churchill.
For example, I leave you with this quote by him that appeared in this novel below:
"We shall go on to the end . . . we shall defend our island whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender."
It is so tragic in ways that Marion Crawford gave so many years of her own life to being the royal governess to future royalty, just to make one in my opinion tiny mistake (human error), that changes all the hard work she put in. I am referring to the fact that neither the Queen Mother (Elizabeth I), Princess Elizabeth II nor Princess Margaret Rose had any interactions nor spoke to Ms Crawford ever again since her publishing of her non fiction book The Little Princesses, as apparently it revealed too personal secrets about the royal family.
I recommend this novel to any historical fiction lovers who love royalty in any way, but also is looking for a unique viewpoint into the inside look to royalty from an "outsider's view".
July 27, 2020
This is an insight into Queen Elizabeths early years growing up in Royal life with her sister Princess Margaret and the King and Queen. Told from the perspective of Marion Crawford who was "the royal governess" for many many years. Although some of the story has been fictionalised, the characters are all real.
I love books about history, especially about the history of the UK, and especially our current monarch Queen Elizabeth so this was of interest to me.
I had also heard the story of how Marion Crawford retired after 16 years service with the royal family as governess to the two princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret. (That year Crawfie, as she was called by the family, was approached by an American mass-circulation magazine, the Ladies’ Home Journal, with an offer for her memoirs of between $6,500 and $85,000, depending on whom you believe. Her husband, a bank manager who was always happy to make capital from her royal connections, urged her to take up the offer, but she went to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for advice.
The queen’s reply, given in a letter of 4 April 1949, was unequivocal: “I do feel, most definitely, that you should not write and sign articles about the children, as people in positions of confidence with us must be utterly oyster. If you, the moment you finished teaching Margaret, started writing about her and Lilibet [the family’s pet name for Elizabeth], well, we should never feel confidence in anyone again.” )
But I didn't know what Marion Crawfords side to the story was so I was delighted when this book came about.
I hopped straight into the story knowing the above and learned that Crawford initially was a student at a teachers college in Scotland and she felt that the best way to change lives was to educate the children of the slums. However that thinking doesn't go to plan and Marion finds herself teaching within the Royal family.
The historical novel goes through historical timelines and events and how the Yorks faced the abdication of Edward and of course World War II.
During the course of the story it highlights how the governess tries to expose the princesses to the real life and takes them into places a royal member would have never been before.
Elizabeth who was nicknamed "Lilibet" and Marion was called "Crawfie" and had a good relationship with the future queen and for the most, felt like part of the family. But sadly because of the separation years later Marion never met Elizabeth as Queen!
I enjoyed this and went on to purchase The Little Princesses : The Story of The Queens Childhood by her Nanny Crawfie - which I haven't read as yet, its on the to be read pile.
Also the author in her notes at the end of her book refers to a forthcoming story which she is writing which I will read for sure about "That woman" as the Royals referred too, of course we know her as Mrs Simpson, The former King Edwards wife. So thank you Wendy Holden I will look forward to that also.
Thank you for the advanced copy and to Berkley Publishing and Edelweiss.
I love books about history, especially about the history of the UK, and especially our current monarch Queen Elizabeth so this was of interest to me.
I had also heard the story of how Marion Crawford retired after 16 years service with the royal family as governess to the two princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret. (That year Crawfie, as she was called by the family, was approached by an American mass-circulation magazine, the Ladies’ Home Journal, with an offer for her memoirs of between $6,500 and $85,000, depending on whom you believe. Her husband, a bank manager who was always happy to make capital from her royal connections, urged her to take up the offer, but she went to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for advice.
The queen’s reply, given in a letter of 4 April 1949, was unequivocal: “I do feel, most definitely, that you should not write and sign articles about the children, as people in positions of confidence with us must be utterly oyster. If you, the moment you finished teaching Margaret, started writing about her and Lilibet [the family’s pet name for Elizabeth], well, we should never feel confidence in anyone again.” )
But I didn't know what Marion Crawfords side to the story was so I was delighted when this book came about.
I hopped straight into the story knowing the above and learned that Crawford initially was a student at a teachers college in Scotland and she felt that the best way to change lives was to educate the children of the slums. However that thinking doesn't go to plan and Marion finds herself teaching within the Royal family.
The historical novel goes through historical timelines and events and how the Yorks faced the abdication of Edward and of course World War II.
During the course of the story it highlights how the governess tries to expose the princesses to the real life and takes them into places a royal member would have never been before.
Elizabeth who was nicknamed "Lilibet" and Marion was called "Crawfie" and had a good relationship with the future queen and for the most, felt like part of the family. But sadly because of the separation years later Marion never met Elizabeth as Queen!
I enjoyed this and went on to purchase The Little Princesses : The Story of The Queens Childhood by her Nanny Crawfie - which I haven't read as yet, its on the to be read pile.
Also the author in her notes at the end of her book refers to a forthcoming story which she is writing which I will read for sure about "That woman" as the Royals referred too, of course we know her as Mrs Simpson, The former King Edwards wife. So thank you Wendy Holden I will look forward to that also.
Thank you for the advanced copy and to Berkley Publishing and Edelweiss.
September 6, 2020
This book popped up on my radar in the early summer and I have been looking forward to it ever since. Like many, I love all things royal and Queen Elizabeth has been such a mysterious figure for me. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her growing up not expecting to be queen only to have the position basically thrust upon her.
Which is why this book sounded so interesting. I liked the idea of getting a glimpse into the younger years of Queen Elizabeth, even if it was a fictionalized account of her younger years.
This book focuses on Elizabeth’s governess, Marion Crawford, who served the crown until Elizabeth married Prince Philip and I was eager to dive in to satisfy my curiosity.
Even though I went into this one knowing it was a fictionalization of real people and events, I love books that are based on real people and events even if some of the facts are manipulated to suit the story. I truly felt as though the characters had authenticity and were realistic. I didn’t feel as though the author’s liberties with the characters or story were ever misleading or unbelievable. I thought that the author did a nice job staying true to the real life figures while still managing to write an enjoyable story.
Seeing major historical events through the lens of Marion was great! Marion’s character was very forward thinking and intelligent which made seeing these various historical events though her perspective, feel different. Not different bad, but different in that her reaction and perspective of these events just felt new in a way. It’s hard for me to articulate exactly how it was different—I just felt that it was. Maybe it was because Marion more of a modern woman and her perspective felt more like that of a modern woman? Either way I fully enjoyed reading about history with a Marion twist! I also spent a lot of time researching different events and people which I thought was a diverting aspect of the novel but yet fun all the same.
The only thing that I struggled with this book though was the ending. It was a great read and I think that Marion’s story was wonderful as was her character, but I also struggled with the fact that it wasn’t a traditional ending. By traditional ending I mean a happy one. Not every book needs to end on a high not of course, but because I liked Marion so much, I hoped that her story would have a more fitting ending. I don’t want to give anything away for readers but I felt a little unsatisfied with the ending and I don’t know if that was because I was hoping for a more positive outcome for Marion or because I just always want a happy endings.
In the end, I gave this one 4 stars because I loved the subject matter and story but would have liked a different take on the ending.
See my full review here
Which is why this book sounded so interesting. I liked the idea of getting a glimpse into the younger years of Queen Elizabeth, even if it was a fictionalized account of her younger years.
This book focuses on Elizabeth’s governess, Marion Crawford, who served the crown until Elizabeth married Prince Philip and I was eager to dive in to satisfy my curiosity.
Even though I went into this one knowing it was a fictionalization of real people and events, I love books that are based on real people and events even if some of the facts are manipulated to suit the story. I truly felt as though the characters had authenticity and were realistic. I didn’t feel as though the author’s liberties with the characters or story were ever misleading or unbelievable. I thought that the author did a nice job staying true to the real life figures while still managing to write an enjoyable story.
Seeing major historical events through the lens of Marion was great! Marion’s character was very forward thinking and intelligent which made seeing these various historical events though her perspective, feel different. Not different bad, but different in that her reaction and perspective of these events just felt new in a way. It’s hard for me to articulate exactly how it was different—I just felt that it was. Maybe it was because Marion more of a modern woman and her perspective felt more like that of a modern woman? Either way I fully enjoyed reading about history with a Marion twist! I also spent a lot of time researching different events and people which I thought was a diverting aspect of the novel but yet fun all the same.
The only thing that I struggled with this book though was the ending. It was a great read and I think that Marion’s story was wonderful as was her character, but I also struggled with the fact that it wasn’t a traditional ending. By traditional ending I mean a happy one. Not every book needs to end on a high not of course, but because I liked Marion so much, I hoped that her story would have a more fitting ending. I don’t want to give anything away for readers but I felt a little unsatisfied with the ending and I don’t know if that was because I was hoping for a more positive outcome for Marion or because I just always want a happy endings.
In the end, I gave this one 4 stars because I loved the subject matter and story but would have liked a different take on the ending.
See my full review here
August 27, 2020
One of my hobbies is reading about Royal History, particularly the current royal house, and their immediate antecedents. I’ve read Marion Crawford’s “The Little Princesses” quite a few times, and enjoyed it’s somewhat saccharine view of life with the York’s. Her paragraphs of her interactions with Queen Mary always interested me. That’s really the one thing that annoyed me about this read. The author portrays Queen Mary as having this heavy German accent, which being born and raised in England, she WOULD NOT HAVE. Am I nit picking? Possibly. But if you are going to portray historical figures in fiction, get them right. Don’t even get me started on the George the Fifth portrayal. This was a mediocre read. I’m glad I got it from the library and not the bookstore.
December 13, 2020
I could not put it down - it was a fascinating account of Elizabeth and Margaret....I just didn’t like the main character! I get it, she started out wanting to work with kids from the slums, she sacrificed her whole life to her royal charges - but she made some stupid choices, she internalized all the pomposity she had once decried, and then she fails to understand how writing the book is a betrayal (especially since was tempted into it by the prospect of talking about how she was more important in their lives than their mother).
September 30, 2021
I found this to be a really addictive read, partly because the whole royal world as depicted here is absolutely ghastly! Nobody comes out of this smelling of roses, including Crawfie who, I must say, I really didn't like at all. Strangely, the person I liked the most was Wallis Simpson, but otherwise royals, staff, servants, children, friends and lovers, corgis - just horrible! But I could not put it down and I can't wait to read the next novel about Mrs Simpson.
August 9, 2021
Nunca pensé que este libro no me fuera a gustar. Marion no pudo ser más odiosa, no me gustó como la pusieron. Aparte el libro no aporta nada nuevo o mas bien nada que no sepamos por un libro de historia.
April 30, 2021
Kureha - per RFS
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La regina Elisabetta II è una delle donne più conosciute al mondo. Il suo lungo regno, le sfide che ha affrontato negli anni e gli scandali avvenuti sono noti anche fuori dall’Inghilterra.
Tra questi ultimi, uno poco conosciuto è il “tradimento” di una figura importante per la famiglia reale: Marion Crawford, l’istitutrice della piccola Elisabetta e di sua sorella Margaret.
Marion è stata a servizio degli York, poi divenuti Windsor, per ben sedici anni. Di origini scozzesi, con una forte impronta femminista e una spinta alla modernità si è trovata catapultata in un contesto nobiliare ben distante dai quartieri poveri che voleva aiutare inizialmente. Ma dopo un solo errore è stata cancellata dalla storia e dimenticata da coloro che aveva servito con devozione, sacrificando anche la sua vita privata.
Il libro di Wendy Holden ci racconta la vita di Crawfie, come veniva affettuosamente chiamata, e il suo punto di vista sugli eventi accaduti con l’obiettivo di riabilitarne il nome per tanto tempo dimenticato.
L’autrice ci conduce in un viaggio non solo nella storia, ma anche nei territori dell’Inghilterra di quel tempo partendo dalla Scozia fino a giungere a Londra e Windsor. È stato diviso in parti proprio per segnalare questi cambiamenti abitativi che sono per me importanti anche a livello di trama. Se a Edimburgo Marion è una studentessa che vuole insegnare nei quartieri poveri, quando si sposta a Londra assume il ruolo di istitutrice presso dei nobili, un compito che trova difficile all’inizio, proprio per il contrasto con ciò che aveva lasciato nella sua città natale. Il passaggio dalla casa di Piccadilly a Buckingham Palace, invece, ci segnala il cambiamento nello status degli York: Elisabeth da quel momento sarà la futura regina e non più solo una bambina privilegiata.
La scrittura è scorrevole con descrizioni delicate e incisive, in poche righe riesce a farci capire il contesto in cui ci troviamo e le emozioni a esso legate. L’autrice ci mostra con onestà gli ambienti, le persone e le tradizioni: come i maestosi palazzi in cui però ci sono sedie su cui non ci si può sedere e topi nei bagni; oppure le principessine vestite tutte uguali con pizzi e merletti anche per giocare; o, addirittura, la stranezza di avere dei suonatori di cornamusa durante la cena.
Per quanto riguarda le persone descritte in questo romanzo, la scrittrice è riuscita a trasmettermi i loro diversi caratteri in modo immediato e, soprattutto, ho apprezzato l’evoluzione degli stessi durante la loro crescita. All’inizio conosciamo una dolce e ansiosa Elisabetta che, arrivata all’età adulta, mostra tutta la sua determinazione nel raggiungere i suoi obiettivi; nello stesso modo la vivace e un po’ viziata Margaret diviene una donna perspicace, che sa cogliere anche i piccoli segreti. Non perdono i loro difetti e, anzi, in alcuni momenti ne mostrano di nuovi.
Da un lato è proprio questo che mi ha colpito, la sincerità del racconto e la mancanza di quella patina di bellezza che a volte viene usata; dall’altro, però, ciò mi ha lasciato un po’ di amarezza per quello che sarebbe potuto accadere, a causa dei grandi cambiamenti che potevano verificarsi.
Le due principesse rimangono comunque sullo sfondo di questa storia, insieme ad altre personalità di spicco di quei tempi. La protagonista indiscussa resta Marion, che ci racconta il suo vissuto e le sue esperienze. Conosciamo gli uomini di cui si innamora, il suo affetto per le bambine sempre più forte, i suoi ideali che mutano con il tempo, i suoi progetti e tentativi di cambiare le cose e le rinunce che è costretta fare. Non è perfetta, come non lo è nessuno di noi, ma è coerente con quello che è il suo percorso insieme alla famiglia reale. Non ho sempre condiviso le sue scelte, soprattutto riguardo agli uomini, ma ho cercato di capirla considerando il periodo storico in cui viveva. Le parti legate a tale contesto le ho trovate interessanti e a tratti commoventi. Alcuni eventi non li conoscevo, soprattutto quelli legati ai Windsor, mentre altri sono tristemente noti a tutti.
L’unica difficoltà che ho incontrato in questo romanzo sono stati, a volte, i salti temporali. L’obiettivo era probabilmente quello di narrare solo gli eventi salienti nella storia di Marion e delle principesse, ma a volte mi è sembrato di perdermi un passaggio.
Consiglio questo libro a chi vuole immergersi nella storia e nella vita dei monarchi inglesi, con i loro pregi e difetti, con i momenti di divertimento e quelli di sofferenza; a chi, come me, è curioso di scoprire come nasce una regina e chi sono le persone che l’hanno conosciuta e hanno contribuito alla sua formazione.
.
La regina Elisabetta II è una delle donne più conosciute al mondo. Il suo lungo regno, le sfide che ha affrontato negli anni e gli scandali avvenuti sono noti anche fuori dall’Inghilterra.
Tra questi ultimi, uno poco conosciuto è il “tradimento” di una figura importante per la famiglia reale: Marion Crawford, l’istitutrice della piccola Elisabetta e di sua sorella Margaret.
Marion è stata a servizio degli York, poi divenuti Windsor, per ben sedici anni. Di origini scozzesi, con una forte impronta femminista e una spinta alla modernità si è trovata catapultata in un contesto nobiliare ben distante dai quartieri poveri che voleva aiutare inizialmente. Ma dopo un solo errore è stata cancellata dalla storia e dimenticata da coloro che aveva servito con devozione, sacrificando anche la sua vita privata.
Il libro di Wendy Holden ci racconta la vita di Crawfie, come veniva affettuosamente chiamata, e il suo punto di vista sugli eventi accaduti con l’obiettivo di riabilitarne il nome per tanto tempo dimenticato.
L’autrice ci conduce in un viaggio non solo nella storia, ma anche nei territori dell’Inghilterra di quel tempo partendo dalla Scozia fino a giungere a Londra e Windsor. È stato diviso in parti proprio per segnalare questi cambiamenti abitativi che sono per me importanti anche a livello di trama. Se a Edimburgo Marion è una studentessa che vuole insegnare nei quartieri poveri, quando si sposta a Londra assume il ruolo di istitutrice presso dei nobili, un compito che trova difficile all’inizio, proprio per il contrasto con ciò che aveva lasciato nella sua città natale. Il passaggio dalla casa di Piccadilly a Buckingham Palace, invece, ci segnala il cambiamento nello status degli York: Elisabeth da quel momento sarà la futura regina e non più solo una bambina privilegiata.
La scrittura è scorrevole con descrizioni delicate e incisive, in poche righe riesce a farci capire il contesto in cui ci troviamo e le emozioni a esso legate. L’autrice ci mostra con onestà gli ambienti, le persone e le tradizioni: come i maestosi palazzi in cui però ci sono sedie su cui non ci si può sedere e topi nei bagni; oppure le principessine vestite tutte uguali con pizzi e merletti anche per giocare; o, addirittura, la stranezza di avere dei suonatori di cornamusa durante la cena.
Per quanto riguarda le persone descritte in questo romanzo, la scrittrice è riuscita a trasmettermi i loro diversi caratteri in modo immediato e, soprattutto, ho apprezzato l’evoluzione degli stessi durante la loro crescita. All’inizio conosciamo una dolce e ansiosa Elisabetta che, arrivata all’età adulta, mostra tutta la sua determinazione nel raggiungere i suoi obiettivi; nello stesso modo la vivace e un po’ viziata Margaret diviene una donna perspicace, che sa cogliere anche i piccoli segreti. Non perdono i loro difetti e, anzi, in alcuni momenti ne mostrano di nuovi.
Da un lato è proprio questo che mi ha colpito, la sincerità del racconto e la mancanza di quella patina di bellezza che a volte viene usata; dall’altro, però, ciò mi ha lasciato un po’ di amarezza per quello che sarebbe potuto accadere, a causa dei grandi cambiamenti che potevano verificarsi.
Le due principesse rimangono comunque sullo sfondo di questa storia, insieme ad altre personalità di spicco di quei tempi. La protagonista indiscussa resta Marion, che ci racconta il suo vissuto e le sue esperienze. Conosciamo gli uomini di cui si innamora, il suo affetto per le bambine sempre più forte, i suoi ideali che mutano con il tempo, i suoi progetti e tentativi di cambiare le cose e le rinunce che è costretta fare. Non è perfetta, come non lo è nessuno di noi, ma è coerente con quello che è il suo percorso insieme alla famiglia reale. Non ho sempre condiviso le sue scelte, soprattutto riguardo agli uomini, ma ho cercato di capirla considerando il periodo storico in cui viveva. Le parti legate a tale contesto le ho trovate interessanti e a tratti commoventi. Alcuni eventi non li conoscevo, soprattutto quelli legati ai Windsor, mentre altri sono tristemente noti a tutti.
L’unica difficoltà che ho incontrato in questo romanzo sono stati, a volte, i salti temporali. L’obiettivo era probabilmente quello di narrare solo gli eventi salienti nella storia di Marion e delle principesse, ma a volte mi è sembrato di perdermi un passaggio.
Consiglio questo libro a chi vuole immergersi nella storia e nella vita dei monarchi inglesi, con i loro pregi e difetti, con i momenti di divertimento e quelli di sofferenza; a chi, come me, è curioso di scoprire come nasce una regina e chi sono le persone che l’hanno conosciuta e hanno contribuito alla sua formazione.
August 3, 2020
More on Chill and read
Twenty two year old Marion Crawford is determined to become a teacher in the slums. She wants to educate the poor and help them live a better life. Instead she is summoned by the Duchess of York to become the governess of her daughters. What she initially thought to be a temporary position ended up a lifetime role, bearing the huge responsibility of tutoring the two little princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, one of which was destined to become the Queen of England.
The Scottish woman goes from her little house to the Buckingham Palace, the Windsor Castle and Balmoral, defying court protocol and trying to bring some sense of normality into the princesses lives, especially that of little Elizabeth. A ride on the tube, a visit at the museum, Christmas shopping at Woolworth’s maybe be something of the ordinary for the average citizen, but it was more than extraordinary for the princess. And Marion Crawford did her best to show all this to her young little princess!
As Wendy Holden writes in her author’s note, she once came across with Crawford’s memoir , “The Little Princesses”. That book is said to be written after Crawford was retired and under encouragement by her husband, a bank manager who seemed to have expected more for his wife from the royal family. It seems though that Holden has done her research well and has managed to create a wonderful fiction novel based on true historical events and figures.
The main character in the book is Marion Crawford and all the story is told from her point of view. We therefore get to know all her deepest thoughts, all her secrets, everything that she ever wanted and ever tried for. She considered herself a modern woman, with a modern haircut, wearing modern cloths, made by her mother. She was studying to become a teacher in a patriarchal society, where schools were only for boys and teachers were men with dusty minds. She wanted to change that. She wanted to bring much more change than that to her country. So she was convinced that the best way to do that, was to shape the minds of those in high places. She thought she could do it. She really fought for it! She had achieved quite so many things, until war broke and Elizabeth grew and she understood she could not fight royal protocol and win all the fights.
I really loved how I got to see that insight on the royal family and the early age of Queen Elizabeth II. It may be a work of fiction, but still, the character built is so unique, giving every bit of information possible about the real people. Queen Elizabeth II is protruded as a very clever child, one that understood more than the people around her realized. She was so keen on getting any kind of information she could and she would use that information to understand how the world spins. Always on a good way and always appreciating what was given to her. Or at least to some point. People that were raised up having everything and a unique social status, sometimes fail to understand a few basic things in life.
I really loved Marion, the main character of the book, as well as I loved little Elizabeth. Holden’s writing style is captivating and if you like historical fiction of royal stories, you are bound to love this one too!
“The Governess” is coming out in Britain on August 20, 2020, by Welbeck!
Twenty two year old Marion Crawford is determined to become a teacher in the slums. She wants to educate the poor and help them live a better life. Instead she is summoned by the Duchess of York to become the governess of her daughters. What she initially thought to be a temporary position ended up a lifetime role, bearing the huge responsibility of tutoring the two little princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, one of which was destined to become the Queen of England.
The Scottish woman goes from her little house to the Buckingham Palace, the Windsor Castle and Balmoral, defying court protocol and trying to bring some sense of normality into the princesses lives, especially that of little Elizabeth. A ride on the tube, a visit at the museum, Christmas shopping at Woolworth’s maybe be something of the ordinary for the average citizen, but it was more than extraordinary for the princess. And Marion Crawford did her best to show all this to her young little princess!
As Wendy Holden writes in her author’s note, she once came across with Crawford’s memoir , “The Little Princesses”. That book is said to be written after Crawford was retired and under encouragement by her husband, a bank manager who seemed to have expected more for his wife from the royal family. It seems though that Holden has done her research well and has managed to create a wonderful fiction novel based on true historical events and figures.
The main character in the book is Marion Crawford and all the story is told from her point of view. We therefore get to know all her deepest thoughts, all her secrets, everything that she ever wanted and ever tried for. She considered herself a modern woman, with a modern haircut, wearing modern cloths, made by her mother. She was studying to become a teacher in a patriarchal society, where schools were only for boys and teachers were men with dusty minds. She wanted to change that. She wanted to bring much more change than that to her country. So she was convinced that the best way to do that, was to shape the minds of those in high places. She thought she could do it. She really fought for it! She had achieved quite so many things, until war broke and Elizabeth grew and she understood she could not fight royal protocol and win all the fights.
I really loved how I got to see that insight on the royal family and the early age of Queen Elizabeth II. It may be a work of fiction, but still, the character built is so unique, giving every bit of information possible about the real people. Queen Elizabeth II is protruded as a very clever child, one that understood more than the people around her realized. She was so keen on getting any kind of information she could and she would use that information to understand how the world spins. Always on a good way and always appreciating what was given to her. Or at least to some point. People that were raised up having everything and a unique social status, sometimes fail to understand a few basic things in life.
I really loved Marion, the main character of the book, as well as I loved little Elizabeth. Holden’s writing style is captivating and if you like historical fiction of royal stories, you are bound to love this one too!
“The Governess” is coming out in Britain on August 20, 2020, by Welbeck!
November 1, 2021
La institutriz real es una historia en donde tenemos como protagonista a Marion quien es contratada como institutriz para dar clases particulares a Elizabeth, o más conocida como Lilibet y Margarita. Marion tiene pensado como plan especial de estudio llevar un poco de normalidad a sus vidas para así acercar a las princesas al mundo real.
En la novela vemos como Marion dedica gran parte de su vida para estar al lado de las princesas, desde que son pequeñas, ver como las protegió en la segunda guerra mundial, hasta cuando la princesa pasa a ser reina.
Personalmente la historia me pareció interesante, sin tener el conocimiento de cuanta veracidad hay en la historia ya que solo investigue sobre el final ya que quería saber que tal verídico era, pero en general la historia tiene bastantes coincidencias con lo poco que sabía de la familia real.
El personaje de Marion me causó un poco de conflicto ya que sentí algunas contradicciones en sus acciones que no me dejaron del todo satisfecha y la transformó en un personaje ambiguo con el cual no logré conectar en ningún momento.
En cuanto a la pluma de la autora es muy detallada, lo cual ayuda muchísimo para poder imaginarnos todos los lugares que son detallados en la historia, pero eso mismo a veces hacía que el ritmo se sintiera un poco lento en algunas ocasiones.
El libro en general lo disfruté ya que todo lo que tenga que ver con la realeza en lo personal me interesa mucho, pero el personaje principal me dejó un poco confusa en algunos momentos.
En la novela vemos como Marion dedica gran parte de su vida para estar al lado de las princesas, desde que son pequeñas, ver como las protegió en la segunda guerra mundial, hasta cuando la princesa pasa a ser reina.
Personalmente la historia me pareció interesante, sin tener el conocimiento de cuanta veracidad hay en la historia ya que solo investigue sobre el final ya que quería saber que tal verídico era, pero en general la historia tiene bastantes coincidencias con lo poco que sabía de la familia real.
El personaje de Marion me causó un poco de conflicto ya que sentí algunas contradicciones en sus acciones que no me dejaron del todo satisfecha y la transformó en un personaje ambiguo con el cual no logré conectar en ningún momento.
En cuanto a la pluma de la autora es muy detallada, lo cual ayuda muchísimo para poder imaginarnos todos los lugares que son detallados en la historia, pero eso mismo a veces hacía que el ritmo se sintiera un poco lento en algunas ocasiones.
El libro en general lo disfruté ya que todo lo que tenga que ver con la realeza en lo personal me interesa mucho, pero el personaje principal me dejó un poco confusa en algunos momentos.
August 5, 2020
4 stars
Before this book I did not know the story of Marion Crawford. I am so glad that Wendy Holden has written a fictional novel based on the real facts about "Crawfie" and her life with the royal family. For 17 years she was the governess of then Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. A story of a remarkable woman whose own kindness was ultimately her downfall. Marion Crawford was a woman before her time, a feminist, an academic and a wonderful teacher.
The Governess follows her journey through those 17 years with the royal family and briefly afterwards. It is a fantastic story filled with so much emotion and I really enjoyed reading it.
The writing is fantastic and the fictional dialogue is perfect. It felt like I was reading a memoir rather than a fictional book. The story was so real and swept me away. I learnt an awful lot about the Royal Family, the war and life in those times.
I highly recommend this book to everyone that enjoys programmes like The Crown and Victoria. I would love this to be made into a film and for more people to feel the respect and admiration that I now have for Marion Crawford.
An absolute gem of a book and one that should be a bestseller.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
Before this book I did not know the story of Marion Crawford. I am so glad that Wendy Holden has written a fictional novel based on the real facts about "Crawfie" and her life with the royal family. For 17 years she was the governess of then Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. A story of a remarkable woman whose own kindness was ultimately her downfall. Marion Crawford was a woman before her time, a feminist, an academic and a wonderful teacher.
The Governess follows her journey through those 17 years with the royal family and briefly afterwards. It is a fantastic story filled with so much emotion and I really enjoyed reading it.
The writing is fantastic and the fictional dialogue is perfect. It felt like I was reading a memoir rather than a fictional book. The story was so real and swept me away. I learnt an awful lot about the Royal Family, the war and life in those times.
I highly recommend this book to everyone that enjoys programmes like The Crown and Victoria. I would love this to be made into a film and for more people to feel the respect and admiration that I now have for Marion Crawford.
An absolute gem of a book and one that should be a bestseller.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2025
Juli månads hyllvärmare spred kunglig glans över sommarläsningen. ”Den kungliga guvernanten” av Wendy Holden är en berättelse om Marion Crawford som var guvernant åt de engelska prinsessorna Elizabeth och Margret Rose. Just den Elizabeth som senare blev Storbritanniens drottning och satt på tronen i 70 år. Boken är berättad ur Marion Crawfords, av kungafamiljen kallad Crawfie, perspektiv och handlar om hennes liv, men ger en väldigt god inblick i engelska kungafamiljens liv från prinsessornas barndom och fram till att Elizabeth gifter sig med Philip.
Boken är berättad ur Marion Crawfords perspektiv. Hon utbildar sig till lärare och drömmer om att få undervisa barn från mindre bemedlade hem. I stället hamnar hon som 22-åring som guvernant i den brittiska kungafamiljen. Hon får tillåtelse av Hertigen och Hertiginnan av York att hon ska få införa en aning normalitet i de små prinsessornas skyddade och priviligierade tillvaro.
Det är en fascinerande roman som är välskriven och det märks att det ligger mycket research bakom. Jag grips av Marions engagemang, nytänkande, lojalitet och livsöde. Boken lär mig också mycket om historien och historiska händelser och jag googlade jättemycket under läsningen för att få veta mer. En mycket intressant historisk roman som jag varmt kan rekommendera och den här hyllvärmaren får stanna kvar i min bokhylla.
Boken är berättad ur Marion Crawfords perspektiv. Hon utbildar sig till lärare och drömmer om att få undervisa barn från mindre bemedlade hem. I stället hamnar hon som 22-åring som guvernant i den brittiska kungafamiljen. Hon får tillåtelse av Hertigen och Hertiginnan av York att hon ska få införa en aning normalitet i de små prinsessornas skyddade och priviligierade tillvaro.
Det är en fascinerande roman som är välskriven och det märks att det ligger mycket research bakom. Jag grips av Marions engagemang, nytänkande, lojalitet och livsöde. Boken lär mig också mycket om historien och historiska händelser och jag googlade jättemycket under läsningen för att få veta mer. En mycket intressant historisk roman som jag varmt kan rekommendera och den här hyllvärmaren får stanna kvar i min bokhylla.
October 15, 2020
Marion Crawford is an idealistic young teacher from Scotland who wants to make a difference by educating children in the city slums. However, somewhat against her wishes, she ends up as governess to the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. She becomes very fond of them, particularly Lilibet, and introduces fun things into their upbringing - lessons and games outside, shopping trips on the bus etc. She guides them through a tumultuous time - the abdication of their uncle David (Edward 8th), the accession and coronation of their parents (George V and Elizabeth), and the war years. She is like a mother to them and sacrifices a love life of her own to be with them.
Unfortunately the inevitable happens as the girls grow into adulthood and Crawfie (as she is known to the girls) is discarded. She then makes the mistake of writing a memoir about her experiences which leads to her being completely ostracised by the Royal Family.
This is an engaging and perceptive portrait of Crawfie, and my heart went out to her. It was also a good way of telling the story of the Royal Family through the lens of an 'insider' seeing history being made. The author is currently working on a novel about Wallis Simpson, and I look forward to reading that when it is published.
Unfortunately the inevitable happens as the girls grow into adulthood and Crawfie (as she is known to the girls) is discarded. She then makes the mistake of writing a memoir about her experiences which leads to her being completely ostracised by the Royal Family.
This is an engaging and perceptive portrait of Crawfie, and my heart went out to her. It was also a good way of telling the story of the Royal Family through the lens of an 'insider' seeing history being made. The author is currently working on a novel about Wallis Simpson, and I look forward to reading that when it is published.
August 13, 2020
"The Royal Governess" by Wendy Holden was a really great way to hold me over while I wait for more episodes of "The Crown" to air sometime, maybe, who knows, it's a pandemic right now. Since "The Crown" starts with the queen's ascension to the throne and skims past her childhood, I really enjoyed getting that part filled in here, especially from the perspective of her surprisingly liberal governess and her pretty darn tragic life. It was both different and still exactly what I needed to give me my royal family fix. It gave insight into the life of royalty, but also examined the ironies of their way of life and how it affects all the "lesser" people around them. It was very well-written, well-researched, and really held my attention while encompassing nearly all of this woman's adult life. It's definitely not the happiest of reads, because this woman's life was not very happy, but she contributed a lot to the childhood of the woman who is now our queen and reading about what she did and experienced was definitely worth it.
August 23, 2020
I love historical fiction that introduces you to someone you knew nothing. Being a fan of The Crown TV series, i am always looking for great historical fiction based on the Royals.
"In 1933, twenty-two-year-old Marion Crawford accepts the role of a lifetime, tutoring the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Her one stipulation to their parents the Duke and Duchess of York is that she bring some doses of normalcy into their sheltered and privileged lives."
This is exactly what Marion sets out to do and we get a rare glimpse into the life of Queen Elizabeth as a child.
We also learn that being that close to the Royals comes with sacrifices to one's own life. This is truly a fascinating story that I really enjoyed. #edelweiss #Berkley #penquinrandomhouse
"In 1933, twenty-two-year-old Marion Crawford accepts the role of a lifetime, tutoring the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Her one stipulation to their parents the Duke and Duchess of York is that she bring some doses of normalcy into their sheltered and privileged lives."
This is exactly what Marion sets out to do and we get a rare glimpse into the life of Queen Elizabeth as a child.
We also learn that being that close to the Royals comes with sacrifices to one's own life. This is truly a fascinating story that I really enjoyed. #edelweiss #Berkley #penquinrandomhouse
August 16, 2020
A very interesting, well told story. Lots of things to consider and learn here.
July 15, 2021
No sabía de la existencia de esta novela, pero en cuanto supe que estaba basada en hechos reales, que Marion Crawford existió y fue, en realidad, la institutriz de Isabel II, la actual reina de Inglaterra, y su hermana Margarita. Siempre es interesante meterse de lleno en la realeza y aunque no sienta demasiada empatía por la Casa Real Británica, el contexto histórico me llamaba muchísimo la atención, al igual que saber más de la infancia de Lilibet, su hermana y sus padres, por entonces los duques de York, así que dicho y hecho. Para nada me arrepiento de haber leído esta novela; he aprendido muchísimo gracias a ella, y no solo de la familia real, y la he disfrutado de principio a fin 😇
La novela se nos presenta narrada en tercera persona desde el punto de vista de Marion, nuestra protagonista, una joven escocesa de veintiún años que sueña con ser maestra y dar clase en los bajos fondos, no a niños de élite y de clase alta. Pero, un tiempo más tarde, Marion debe tomar una de las decisiones más importantes de su vida: aceptar o no la oferta de empleo como institutriz de las princesas Lilibet y Margarita.
En contra de sus deseos y aspiraciones, la señorita Golspie (directora de la academia donde estudia Marion), le asegura que no hay nadie mejor que ella para explicarle a los ricos cómo viven los pobres y les hable de feminismo, de igualdad, de justicia social... Y en medio de este mar de dudas conoce a Valentino, un joven estudiante inglés que la enamora y la acompaña, pero rema en contra de los ideales de Marion: es comunista, socialista y antimonárquico, y no cuenta con demasiadas aspiraciones en la vida. Y hasta aquí puedo leer, aunque la sinopsis da rienda suelta de lo que encontraremos a lo largo de las más de cuatrocientas páginas que tiene la novela 😄
Los personajes que intervienen son bastante numerosos y en ciertos momentos llega a ser un tanto abrumadora la cantidad de personajes que van apareciendo capítulo tras capítulo, pero, por suerte, se va sabiendo cuáles son los personajes más relevantes por muy numerosa que sea la familia real británica (padres, hijos, hermanos, parejas, tíos, sobrinos...). Aun así, me gustaría destacar a los duques de York (padres de Lilibet y Margarita), a Tom (ayudante del señor Adams, el fotógrafo real), y a Wallis Simpson (duquesa de Windsor, de nacionalidad estadounidense). Este último personaje tendrá un papel fundamental y casi decisivo en muchas de las decisiones que toman distintos integrantes de la familia real británica y ha sido, con diferencia, uno de mis personajes favoritos, justo por detrás de Marion.
Sobra decir que, en mi opinión, los personajes están perfectamente trabajados y pulidos. Me fue muy fácil sentir empatía hacia Marion y Wallis, muy al contrario de lo que ocurrió con los duques y las princesas, con quienes apenas empaticé porque rara vez coincidíamos en opiniones o pensamientos y no compartía muchas de las decisiones que tomaban. Aun así, ha sido toda una experiencia meterme de lleno en los entresijos reales, aunque no sepa hasta qué punto es real (por lo poco que sabía, diría que es bastante real) y comprobar que la política y el deber real estabany están por encima de los lazos familiares.
La trama, por su parte, es compleja, pero no tanto como pueda parecerlo. Es cierto que se entremezclan un sinfín de temas y tramas, pero es muy fácil seguir la historia principal porque no hay grandes saltos temporales, sino que tenemos una trama bastante lineal sin caer en la pesadez de los hechos que se narran.
Además, en «La institutriz real» se refleja a la perfección el enorme sacrificio que supone trabajar para la familia real como institutriz y cómo ese sacrificio no siempre es recompensado ni reconocido. Por otro lado, la novela también nos permite experimentar lo que sintieron la familia real británica y todos sus ciudadanos tras terminar la Segunda Guerra Mundial, por ejemplo, y por eso mismo me gustaría destacar el contexto histórico y la ambientación en sí misma, por la enorme cantidad de detalles, descripciones y hechos que se narran y descubren, tanto políticos como familiares. Los que más me interesaron conocer, coincidiendo con la línea temporal, fueron el ascenso de Hitler al poder y los conflictos políticos que trajo consigo (provocando uno de los mayores desastres de nuestra historia: la Segunda Guerra Mundial) y la historia de Wallis Simpson (que no causaba buena impresión entre la realeza por su nacionalidad estadounidense y por ser una mujer divorciada no una, sino dos veces, un escándalo por aquella época).
Entre medias, las princesas van creciendo y descubriendo sus aspiraciones y deseos. Como veis, la trama es un repaso a la historia no solo de la familia real británica y una institutriz, sino que también es la historia de toda una nación. Una historia en la que cualquier decisión, por pequeña que fuese, acarreaba consecuencias que marcarían el destino de quien decidía y de todo Reino Unido. Por tanto, tenemos una trama perfectamente trabajada, hilada y bien contextualizada y ambientada.
La pluma de la autora ha sido todo un descubrimiento y me ha gustado mucho. Wendy Holden tiene un estilo descriptivo y alejado de lo juvenil, sencillo, claro y directo, aunque lo que más destacaría de la autora sería, como acababa de comentar, lo mucho y bien documentada que está la novela. Se nota, y mucho, el enorme trabajo que hay detrás de «La institutriz real» y ni yo misma he sido capaz de diferenciar realidad y ficción, si es que acaso hay diferencias.
Es cierto que no abundan los diálogos en la novela, pero los capítulos son más bien cortos, por lo que el ritmo de lectura es muy ágil, ameno y adictivo. Engancha de principio a fin, y no solo por los salseos familiares, sino también por las intrigas políticas y reales, el contexto histórico... Todo esto hace que la novela se pueda disfrutar desde la primera hasta la última página.
Y ya, para terminar, comentar que el final me gustó muchísimo, aunque me entristeció aún más. Es un final cerrado que invita a reflexionar por todo lo que se cuenta de la propia Marion Crawford, y la propia autora comenta al final de la novela que su figura se ha intentado borrar desde la propia familia real y en realidad su novela es de las pocas que hablan de la institutriz de la reina Isabel II.
Es una situación bastante triste y desoladora, pero muestra de una forma muy cercana quién fue Marion Crawford, que fue mucho más que una institutriz y que, por desgracia, no obtuvo el reconocimiento que merecía. Y para mi sorpresa y alegría, Wendy Holden nos adelanta que está escribiendo una novela sobre Wallis Simpson, la estadounidense que enamoró a Eduardo VIII (duque de Windsor), una mujer a la que estoy deseando conocer más 😍
Podéis leer la reseña completa en el blog: https://papillons-dans-le-ciel-bleu.b...
La novela se nos presenta narrada en tercera persona desde el punto de vista de Marion, nuestra protagonista, una joven escocesa de veintiún años que sueña con ser maestra y dar clase en los bajos fondos, no a niños de élite y de clase alta. Pero, un tiempo más tarde, Marion debe tomar una de las decisiones más importantes de su vida: aceptar o no la oferta de empleo como institutriz de las princesas Lilibet y Margarita.
En contra de sus deseos y aspiraciones, la señorita Golspie (directora de la academia donde estudia Marion), le asegura que no hay nadie mejor que ella para explicarle a los ricos cómo viven los pobres y les hable de feminismo, de igualdad, de justicia social... Y en medio de este mar de dudas conoce a Valentino, un joven estudiante inglés que la enamora y la acompaña, pero rema en contra de los ideales de Marion: es comunista, socialista y antimonárquico, y no cuenta con demasiadas aspiraciones en la vida. Y hasta aquí puedo leer, aunque la sinopsis da rienda suelta de lo que encontraremos a lo largo de las más de cuatrocientas páginas que tiene la novela 😄
Los personajes que intervienen son bastante numerosos y en ciertos momentos llega a ser un tanto abrumadora la cantidad de personajes que van apareciendo capítulo tras capítulo, pero, por suerte, se va sabiendo cuáles son los personajes más relevantes por muy numerosa que sea la familia real británica (padres, hijos, hermanos, parejas, tíos, sobrinos...). Aun así, me gustaría destacar a los duques de York (padres de Lilibet y Margarita), a Tom (ayudante del señor Adams, el fotógrafo real), y a Wallis Simpson (duquesa de Windsor, de nacionalidad estadounidense). Este último personaje tendrá un papel fundamental y casi decisivo en muchas de las decisiones que toman distintos integrantes de la familia real británica y ha sido, con diferencia, uno de mis personajes favoritos, justo por detrás de Marion.
«Les había dado todo. Al intentar liberarlas de su prisión, se había encarcelado a sí misma».
Sobra decir que, en mi opinión, los personajes están perfectamente trabajados y pulidos. Me fue muy fácil sentir empatía hacia Marion y Wallis, muy al contrario de lo que ocurrió con los duques y las princesas, con quienes apenas empaticé porque rara vez coincidíamos en opiniones o pensamientos y no compartía muchas de las decisiones que tomaban. Aun así, ha sido toda una experiencia meterme de lleno en los entresijos reales, aunque no sepa hasta qué punto es real (por lo poco que sabía, diría que es bastante real) y comprobar que la política y el deber real estaban
La trama, por su parte, es compleja, pero no tanto como pueda parecerlo. Es cierto que se entremezclan un sinfín de temas y tramas, pero es muy fácil seguir la historia principal porque no hay grandes saltos temporales, sino que tenemos una trama bastante lineal sin caer en la pesadez de los hechos que se narran.
«Solo se es joven una vez. Marion había sacrificado su juventud al servicio de la realeza. Pronto cumpliría los cuarenta. Pero seguía sin tener el control de su vida».
Además, en «La institutriz real» se refleja a la perfección el enorme sacrificio que supone trabajar para la familia real como institutriz y cómo ese sacrificio no siempre es recompensado ni reconocido. Por otro lado, la novela también nos permite experimentar lo que sintieron la familia real británica y todos sus ciudadanos tras terminar la Segunda Guerra Mundial, por ejemplo, y por eso mismo me gustaría destacar el contexto histórico y la ambientación en sí misma, por la enorme cantidad de detalles, descripciones y hechos que se narran y descubren, tanto políticos como familiares. Los que más me interesaron conocer, coincidiendo con la línea temporal, fueron el ascenso de Hitler al poder y los conflictos políticos que trajo consigo (provocando uno de los mayores desastres de nuestra historia: la Segunda Guerra Mundial) y la historia de Wallis Simpson (que no causaba buena impresión entre la realeza por su nacionalidad estadounidense y por ser una mujer divorciada no una, sino dos veces, un escándalo por aquella época).
«—Querida, no debes ignorar ciertas actitudes solo porque no te gusten. De lo contrario, esas actitudes prevalecerán. Si quieres cambiar las cosas, debes plantar cara y defender lo que es justo.
—Lo dice como si se tratara de una guerra —musitó Marion.
—¿Qué es, si no, la lucha contra la ignorancia?».
Entre medias, las princesas van creciendo y descubriendo sus aspiraciones y deseos. Como veis, la trama es un repaso a la historia no solo de la familia real británica y una institutriz, sino que también es la historia de toda una nación. Una historia en la que cualquier decisión, por pequeña que fuese, acarreaba consecuencias que marcarían el destino de quien decidía y de todo Reino Unido. Por tanto, tenemos una trama perfectamente trabajada, hilada y bien contextualizada y ambientada.
La pluma de la autora ha sido todo un descubrimiento y me ha gustado mucho. Wendy Holden tiene un estilo descriptivo y alejado de lo juvenil, sencillo, claro y directo, aunque lo que más destacaría de la autora sería, como acababa de comentar, lo mucho y bien documentada que está la novela. Se nota, y mucho, el enorme trabajo que hay detrás de «La institutriz real» y ni yo misma he sido capaz de diferenciar realidad y ficción, si es que acaso hay diferencias.
Es cierto que no abundan los diálogos en la novela, pero los capítulos son más bien cortos, por lo que el ritmo de lectura es muy ágil, ameno y adictivo. Engancha de principio a fin, y no solo por los salseos familiares, sino también por las intrigas políticas y reales, el contexto histórico... Todo esto hace que la novela se pueda disfrutar desde la primera hasta la última página.
Y ya, para terminar, comentar que el final me gustó muchísimo, aunque me entristeció aún más. Es un final cerrado que invita a reflexionar por todo lo que se cuenta de la propia Marion Crawford, y la propia autora comenta al final de la novela que su figura se ha intentado borrar desde la propia familia real y en realidad su novela es de las pocas que hablan de la institutriz de la reina Isabel II.
Es una situación bastante triste y desoladora, pero muestra de una forma muy cercana quién fue Marion Crawford, que fue mucho más que una institutriz y que, por desgracia, no obtuvo el reconocimiento que merecía. Y para mi sorpresa y alegría, Wendy Holden nos adelanta que está escribiendo una novela sobre Wallis Simpson, la estadounidense que enamoró a Eduardo VIII (duque de Windsor), una mujer a la que estoy deseando conocer más 😍
Podéis leer la reseña completa en el blog: https://papillons-dans-le-ciel-bleu.b...
December 15, 2020
The Royal Governess
BY Wendy Holden
Who has not been obsessed with the Crown and Queen Elizabeth II story? When I heard about this, I was all over this story as Wendy Holden brings to life and reveals the story of the Queen. Marion Crawford at 22 yo becomes the tutor for two young princesses, HRH Elizabeth and her sister Margaret on a request by their parents to bring some normalcy to their sheltered and privileged life.
In this amazing story, we see the world that shaped the life of Queen Elizabeth II, a truly wonderful perspective and amazing insight into their private lives. The writing was fantastic and an enjoyable read as we follow the governess through those 17 years she has spent with the Royal Family. A truly mesmerizing read I enjoyed reading. FANTASTIC!!
BY Wendy Holden
Who has not been obsessed with the Crown and Queen Elizabeth II story? When I heard about this, I was all over this story as Wendy Holden brings to life and reveals the story of the Queen. Marion Crawford at 22 yo becomes the tutor for two young princesses, HRH Elizabeth and her sister Margaret on a request by their parents to bring some normalcy to their sheltered and privileged life.
In this amazing story, we see the world that shaped the life of Queen Elizabeth II, a truly wonderful perspective and amazing insight into their private lives. The writing was fantastic and an enjoyable read as we follow the governess through those 17 years she has spent with the Royal Family. A truly mesmerizing read I enjoyed reading. FANTASTIC!!
February 1, 2023
Marion Crawford tutors Royal Highnesses Elizabeth II and Margaret Rose for 16 years.
I've been excited to read a story about governess Marion but something about this account felt off to me. The author based the story off Marion's own book (which I admittedly haven't read) and her own "imagination," but some of the ideas presented didn't jive with other accounts I've read. For one thing, Marion comes off as haughty and egotistical when she decides it's her vocation to teach young Elizabeth things every “normal” little girl should know such as how others live, how to budget, how to clean, etc. But, from what I've read, Elizabeth's parents were already wanting this for her. About halfway through, the story focused on Wallis Simpson more than Marion or Elizabeth so that was irritating. Additionally, many of the conversations between Marion and the girls were awkward and above their age and comprehension. Overall, this one left a bitter taste in my mouth and I wouldn't recommend it.
Lastly, I'm looking forward to trying In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen's Governess by Tessa Arlen, another book about Marion. From the blurb, it sure sounds like it will be more in line with the other information I've read about the Royal family.
Location: 1932-1949 England
Audiobook
I've been excited to read a story about governess Marion but something about this account felt off to me. The author based the story off Marion's own book (which I admittedly haven't read) and her own "imagination," but some of the ideas presented didn't jive with other accounts I've read. For one thing, Marion comes off as haughty and egotistical when she decides it's her vocation to teach young Elizabeth things every “normal” little girl should know such as how others live, how to budget, how to clean, etc. But, from what I've read, Elizabeth's parents were already wanting this for her. About halfway through, the story focused on Wallis Simpson more than Marion or Elizabeth so that was irritating. Additionally, many of the conversations between Marion and the girls were awkward and above their age and comprehension. Overall, this one left a bitter taste in my mouth and I wouldn't recommend it.
Lastly, I'm looking forward to trying In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen's Governess by Tessa Arlen, another book about Marion. From the blurb, it sure sounds like it will be more in line with the other information I've read about the Royal family.
Location: 1932-1949 England
Audiobook
December 18, 2020
I will also do a video review here at my channel: http://www.youtube.com/magicofbooks
In "The Royal Governess" by Wendy Holden, we follow Marion Crawford who accepts the role of being the governess to the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, granddaughters to King George V. Marion wants to be an influence for these young girls and wants to show them the real world outside the stuffiness and formality of the palace. During her time with the princesses, Marion witnesses some of the biggest moments in history: the abdication of King Edward VIII, the coronation of King George VI, World War II, and even sees Elizabeth and Margaret falling in love, turning into young women. But being a servant to the palace comes with a price, leaving Marion to compromise her future hopes and dreams.
There's a lot to know about Marion Crawford before heading into this book that will help with your understanding of the narrative. Marion Crawford was governess to the future Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Margaret. She remained their governess for 16 years until she retired, or rather, when the girls became young women. And the biggest thing you need to know is that she published, at the time, a controversial book titled "The Little Princesses" where she told about her time with the princesses. My understanding of this book from the reviews I've seen is that Marion Crawford was very respectful towards the Windsors and didn't write a book where she was trying to tear the family down. But yet, it was deemed inappropriate at the time and highly controversial, causing the Royal family to be very angry and bitter with her, even up to her death. So going into "The Royal Governess" you know that you are meant to be highly sympathetic to Marion Crawford, and Wendy Holden is essentially attempting to explain why Marion Crawford might have done what she had done. The Marion Crawford that Wendy Holden characterizes in this book is a young modern woman who initially wants to teach poor children. It's such a contrast to when she does eventually teach the princesses who are part of such a conservative institution. What Marion gets from this is the hope of influencing girls who will eventually be in positions of power who in turn will help the lower classes. Marion wants the princesses to interact with the real world, with real people, and understand their privilege. And that's what I really enjoyed about this book. We are familiar with Queen Elizabeth II as she becomes Queen and onward, but a lot of us don't know the details of her childhood and what shaped her. I enjoyed being in the point of view of Marion Crawford, seeing the passion that she has for teaching and the difference she wants to make in the world. She sees Elizabeth and Margaret almost like her daughters and she grows close to them over the years. So as the novel draws to its close and we see the motivations for why she writes "The Little Princesses," you totally understand why she does it. This woman spent 16 years of her life utterly devoted to this girls, only to be turned out, and then when she asks for permission to write the book, the Queen Mother Elizabeth denies her this one request. And as I mentioned, Marion Crawford apparently didn't say one bad word about the Windsors, but they totally exiled her. As seen in the novel, Marion gave up everything over those 16 years: her youth, the possibility of romance, children, and a career outside the Royal Family. Wendy Holden did a wonderful job taking us on this journey with Marion, allowing us to see that relationship with the family and the girls, and then allowing us to see the coldness that develops for no reason at all. Marion can be a rather frustrating character at times, I will admit. She can be a bit ignorant and naive. I often wanted her to fight back harder to get her way. And she often gushes about how much she loves the princesses and how much they love her. But I think it's all a bit naive on her part and she's seeing things through rose-colored lenses. At the end of the day she is simply a servant and it takes her a while to realize that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely a book that I felt like I was learning a lot, especially from the point of view of a character who is outside of the family and witnessing these big historical events. Marion gets to interact with King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson (which she probably really didn't I'd imagine). She goes through the horrors of World War II. For me the book felt fast paced and didn't particularly drag. I enjoyed how Wendy Holden took her time with perhaps 75% of the book. I do think the last 25% was a tad bit rushed. I'd recommend this for people who like all things the Windsors and for anyone looking for something different that deals with Queen Elizabeth II as a little girl. The good news is that it doesn't read like a history book, which a lot of books focused on real people can feel like as an author is trying to hit all the beats they need to hit. Wendy Holden mentions at the end in her author acknowledgments that she is writing a book about Wallis Simpson next, so sign me up!
In "The Royal Governess" by Wendy Holden, we follow Marion Crawford who accepts the role of being the governess to the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, granddaughters to King George V. Marion wants to be an influence for these young girls and wants to show them the real world outside the stuffiness and formality of the palace. During her time with the princesses, Marion witnesses some of the biggest moments in history: the abdication of King Edward VIII, the coronation of King George VI, World War II, and even sees Elizabeth and Margaret falling in love, turning into young women. But being a servant to the palace comes with a price, leaving Marion to compromise her future hopes and dreams.
There's a lot to know about Marion Crawford before heading into this book that will help with your understanding of the narrative. Marion Crawford was governess to the future Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Margaret. She remained their governess for 16 years until she retired, or rather, when the girls became young women. And the biggest thing you need to know is that she published, at the time, a controversial book titled "The Little Princesses" where she told about her time with the princesses. My understanding of this book from the reviews I've seen is that Marion Crawford was very respectful towards the Windsors and didn't write a book where she was trying to tear the family down. But yet, it was deemed inappropriate at the time and highly controversial, causing the Royal family to be very angry and bitter with her, even up to her death. So going into "The Royal Governess" you know that you are meant to be highly sympathetic to Marion Crawford, and Wendy Holden is essentially attempting to explain why Marion Crawford might have done what she had done. The Marion Crawford that Wendy Holden characterizes in this book is a young modern woman who initially wants to teach poor children. It's such a contrast to when she does eventually teach the princesses who are part of such a conservative institution. What Marion gets from this is the hope of influencing girls who will eventually be in positions of power who in turn will help the lower classes. Marion wants the princesses to interact with the real world, with real people, and understand their privilege. And that's what I really enjoyed about this book. We are familiar with Queen Elizabeth II as she becomes Queen and onward, but a lot of us don't know the details of her childhood and what shaped her. I enjoyed being in the point of view of Marion Crawford, seeing the passion that she has for teaching and the difference she wants to make in the world. She sees Elizabeth and Margaret almost like her daughters and she grows close to them over the years. So as the novel draws to its close and we see the motivations for why she writes "The Little Princesses," you totally understand why she does it. This woman spent 16 years of her life utterly devoted to this girls, only to be turned out, and then when she asks for permission to write the book, the Queen Mother Elizabeth denies her this one request. And as I mentioned, Marion Crawford apparently didn't say one bad word about the Windsors, but they totally exiled her. As seen in the novel, Marion gave up everything over those 16 years: her youth, the possibility of romance, children, and a career outside the Royal Family. Wendy Holden did a wonderful job taking us on this journey with Marion, allowing us to see that relationship with the family and the girls, and then allowing us to see the coldness that develops for no reason at all. Marion can be a rather frustrating character at times, I will admit. She can be a bit ignorant and naive. I often wanted her to fight back harder to get her way. And she often gushes about how much she loves the princesses and how much they love her. But I think it's all a bit naive on her part and she's seeing things through rose-colored lenses. At the end of the day she is simply a servant and it takes her a while to realize that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely a book that I felt like I was learning a lot, especially from the point of view of a character who is outside of the family and witnessing these big historical events. Marion gets to interact with King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson (which she probably really didn't I'd imagine). She goes through the horrors of World War II. For me the book felt fast paced and didn't particularly drag. I enjoyed how Wendy Holden took her time with perhaps 75% of the book. I do think the last 25% was a tad bit rushed. I'd recommend this for people who like all things the Windsors and for anyone looking for something different that deals with Queen Elizabeth II as a little girl. The good news is that it doesn't read like a history book, which a lot of books focused on real people can feel like as an author is trying to hit all the beats they need to hit. Wendy Holden mentions at the end in her author acknowledgments that she is writing a book about Wallis Simpson next, so sign me up!
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