The Little Princesses: The Story of the Queen's Childhood by Her Nanny, Marion Crawford

by Marion Crawford, Jennie Bond Narrated by Sophie Roberts

Overview

Originally published in 1950, The Little Princesses was the first account of British Royal life inside Buckingham Palace as revealed by Marion Crawford, who served as governess to princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.



A twenty-two year old teacher recruited to look after the Duke and Duchess of York's young daughters in 1931, Marion Crawford-affectionately known as "Crawfie" by her charges-spent sixteen years with the Royal family as the children's governess. From King Edward VIII's abdication of the throne in order to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson and King George VI's subsequent crowning and all the way to Elizabeth's courtship and marriage to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Crawfie's memoir offers an intimate and revelatory perspective of Elizabeth and Margaret's childhood during one of the most momentous eras in British history.



Initially honored as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for her loyal service to the crown, Crawfie was later demonized by the press and ostracized by the royal family for the rest of her life as a result of The Little Princesses' publication. When compared to the modern media's relentless obsession with the House of Windsor, Crawfie's touching account of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret's youth presents a poignant reminder of how much life has changed for the British Royals.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

In today's world of celebrity scandals and royal rumor, it's hard to believe that when this memoir was originally published in 1953 it caused such a stir. For 17 years, Crawford-"Crawfie"-was nanny to then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, and taken on its own, her account is innocuous in the extreme. But Crawford was shunned by the royal family after the book's publication, as BBC Royal correspondent Bond explains in the foreword: "She was cast adrift as if she had committed treason and neither the Queen nor the two Princesses ever spoke to her again." To the contemporary jaded eye, it's far more interesting to read the book in this context rather than for its own merits. What might seem mundane becomes poignant in light of Crawford's eventual fate, such as when she fusses over her charges, describing 13-year-old Elizabeth ("Lilibet") as "an enchanting child with the loveliest hair and skin and a long, slim figure." Crawford's story is particularly sad given her degree of personal sacrifice-she delayed her marriage for years so as not to, as she saw it, abandon the king and queen. But it is possible to find repressed traces of bitterness on Crawford's part if one is so inclined, such as when she tells the queen that she would finally like to marry, and relates the queen's response: "'You must see, Crawfie, that it would not be at all convenient just now.'" There certainly aren't a lot of juicy tidbits, at least not by modern standards, but the book is interesting as an historical document, if for nothing else than to remind us how innocent scandal used to be. B&w photos not seen by PW. (Apr.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

From the Publisher

"Comprises a sweet account of the girls’ life before and after the abdication that would irrevocably change their lives – and showcases the early foundations of their radically different characters." —Vogue

"A truly one-of-a-kind perspective on the Queen’s formative years." —Town & Country

"A fascinating period piece, as well as a treasure trove of beady little insights into the characters of two sharply contrasting sisters, written with a keen eye by the Royal servant who knew them best." —Craig Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret

"If you really want to find out the true story of the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, you must read this account. Written with affection, respect, and above all, love." —Brian Hoey, distinguished Royal journalist and author of more than twenty books on the Royals including Not in Front of the Corgis

"It’s well worth a read to hear the details about taking care of a young Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret; the time they spent at Windsor Castle during WWII is especially interesting." —Royal Central

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172883620
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	04/13/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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