The Royal Governess (US) / The Governess (UK)
In 1933, young and idealistic Marion Crawford takes on a temporary position as governess to Their Royal Highnesses Elizabeth and Margaret. The position turns into seventeen years of dedicated service. Marion’s main priority is to introduce the sheltered and privileged princesses to “normal” life. She takes them on the Tube for outings, to shop at Woolworths for Christmas gifts, to public swimming pools, and more. To the shock of the nanny, she even makes them wear play clothes her mother makes instead of frills. During her employment, Marion witnesses the upheaval of the abdication, has interesting conversations with Wallis Simpson, keeps the princesses sheltered at Windsor Castle during the Blitz, has a front-row seat at Elizabeth’s marriage to Philip and coronation, and most other historical events which affected the country and the world.
The Royal Governess is based on Marion Crawford’s memoir, The Little Princesses, which was publicly ignored by the royals but sheds light on Queen Elizabeth’s formative young years, and that of her family. Who would have thought young Elizabeth had compulsive behaviors, or her parents played eccentric games with her and her sister, or that Mrs. Simpson was so interesting? The novel, however, is also about Marion, who denies herself marriage and children to take care of the princesses whom she loves as though they were her own blood, only to be shrugged off as another civil servant when the princesses and their parents have no more need for a governess.
As a fan of The Crown, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Royal Governess, which took me back even further into the life of the royal family and fueled my inner gossipy side with fascinating insights and tidbits. For anyone who is curious like me, The Royal Governess is an interesting must-read.
