What a complicated book. As it is fictitious it’s difficult to parse out what is true and what is imagined alongside the historical truth. It was very long and hard to keep up. I do feel sad for Marion Crawford at the end of it but so want to read her book now.

Lilibet and Margaret were cared for and taught school by their governess, Marion. Marion is a real person and you can find photos and stories of her life online. She gave up her life for this family, even after expecting to only work for them for a few weeks. As an employee of the Royal Family, she lived there and wasn’t allowed to marry until after her service was complete. She did not have any other children and felt like Lilibet (Queen Elizabeth) and Margaret were like her daughters because of the enormous amount of time she spent with them.

Marion felt it was her duty to teach the girls not just the regular subjects of Math and Reading, but also teach them about life outside of the Royal Palace. Marion attempted to take them on field trips around London which always seemed to end in chaos or paparazzi on their tails. But, Marion was determined to expose as much of the “real world” to these girls as she could.

Her story starts with Marion’s life before being a governess and instead working with the poorest of the poor in the city. Her time with the Royal family ends when Lilibet marries Prince Phillip and her duties are no longer needed.

I was quite thankful I was reading this on my Kindle which allowed me to easily look up the numerous British words I was unfamiliar with like bonhomie, sarcenet, and catafalque. My eyes were opened to the life of young children growing up with such privilege that school seemed to frequently take a back seat to photo opportunities or dance lessons, things that were considered much more important than math much to Marion’s best efforts.

“Queen Mary’s bosom was invariably stiff with diamonds. It would have been like weeping on a gravel drive.”

I knew very little of Queen Elizabeth’s upbringing and life before becoming the Queen of England. I appreciated the extensive research and perspective Holden gave the reader and her descriptions of life inside the palace. I also was surprised by how much Margaret was a stinker. But, like Prince Harry, she tended to be ignored and not treated nearly as special as Lilibet was. I could imagine Margaret as a child when she realized the Palace guards had to salute her whenever she passed, purposely running back and forth at every opportunity just to make them salute her.

This is a great introduction to the Royal Outsiders series and gives a solid backdrop of how the Monarchy operates and some of the long-standing traditions that you still see today.

Marion Crawford, or Crawfie as she called, was the governess of the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. She spent many years with the Princesses and she did not retire until Princess Elizabeth married in 1947. She was granted a grace and favour residence on the grounds of Kensington Palace but she left there in 1950 after the publication The Little Princesses which she wrote about the Princesses. After she wrote the book, she was ostracized by the royal family and they never spoke to her again. She retired to Aberdeen, where she bought a house close to Balmoral and the royal family often drive by on their way to Balmoral, though they never visited her. She became depressed in her final years and died in 1988.

The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden is a fictional account of Marion's life and shows us how Marion came to work for the then Duke and Duchess of York, despite wanting to work in the slums. I have not read The Little Princesses so I don't know how close to the facts (or at least what Marion believed to be the facts) this book is. I found The Royal Governess interesting at first, but it soon became a bit long-winded. Marion's obvious disdain for her new employers did not sit well with me as did the constant hammering of her wanting to work in the slums and/or teaching Princess Elizabeth about real life. Marion herself comes across as quite naive, especially when dealing with romance and men. 

Overall, The Royal Governess is enjoyable but I would say that it didn't quite hit the mark for me. 

(review available online 5 jan 2022)

As a lover of the CROWN on netflix and many other Windsor novels, I had high hopes for this one.
For me, it fell a bit flat. I think my expectations may have been too high and I anticipated more tension and more drama than what I got.
I enjoyed learning about Elizabeth and Margaret as girls, but it was the governess I didn't connect with.
I'll definitely try Holden's next work though. I did like her use of language and style of writing.

The Royal Governess was such an engaging biographical fiction novel! This is becoming one of my favorite genres and Holden has made a great addition to it.

Wendy Holden's novel is based on her research into Marion Crawford, who was Queen Elizabeth's governess, but later exiled from the family for writing a book about her time with the two princesses. Apparently, papers emerged after Crawford's death revealing that she'd been screwed by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who cast her out in horror when the book was published but had actually ok'd it in advance. Judging from this novel, the Queen Mum was a nasty piece of work.

The story is an interesting one. Crawford (Crawfie to the royal family) starts out in teaching college in Scotland planning to work with slum children. The principal at her school, however, convinces her that she can make a bigger impact working with the royal family because she'll have an opportunity to shape their attitudes and opinions so that they are more likely to support policies that would help the poor. Not fully buying this argument, but practically shoved out the door by her royals-loving mother, Crawford reluctantly becomes Princess Elizabeth's, and later Princess Margaret's, governess.

She stays with the family much longer than she had planned and sees the girls grow up. The novel is sentimental about her lost opportunities and disappointments stemming from her loyalty to the royal family. Crawford never loses her sense of outrage about aristocratic privilege and the condition of the working classes, but she becomes increasingly attached to her two students.

I enjoyed reading this book as a kind of comfort read, even if it is a fairly sugary presentation of Crawford and Princess Elizabeth. Princess Margaret, on the other hand, is a handful from the beginning and brings some of the few moments of rebellion in the book.

The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden is a fictionalized account of Queen Elizabeth's childhood and teenage years, told from the perspective of her Governess, Marion Crawford. It is well written and thoroughly researched -- as a devoted fan of The Crown, I appreciated this book so much! From other books and movies, I was aware of the sacrifices required to work for the royal family, but this novel really amplified that personal sacrifice. I hadn't considered the effects of putting off marriage, children, family, friendship, etc. for a position such as a Governess (where you would work yourself out of a job). This was an engaging, interesting read but I did rate it a little lower because parts were a bit dry. Overall though, if you are interested in British royalty I recommend this book!

I found the main character to be judgmental and appearing to blame everyone else for her life choices instead of owning them. As a single, educated woman with no dependents, she had all the opportunity in the world to forge her own path, but instead let life happen to her. Despite initially coming across as someone with a clear plan (ie: working with underprivileged children), she allowed others to influence her which led her on a diametrically opposite course. Filled with delusions of grandeur on the impact she would have on what seemed to be all of humanity, she ended up a long term employee. At the end of the day, she was treated as many long term employees are at the end of their careers and, indeed, seemed to be treated better than most (who among us would not want to be gifted a home free of charge for the rest of our lives?) In the end, Marion's belief that she was more than an employee led to her downfall and ultimate betrayal of the family of which she claimed to be a vital part.

While I wouldn’t say I’m royal-obsessed I do think that generally speaking Australians follow the goings on of the British Royal Family significantly more than Americans do…you know, because Australia is still part of the Commonwealth and all that. So, it’s always interesting to learn more about the current royal family and those from previous generations as well.

This book really brings to life the early years of Queen Elizabeth II and how her young governess, Marion Crawford, tried to get her to see things from a less privileged point of view despite being so sheltered. While it took me a little while to get into it, once I did I was really hooked and thought the characters were very well written.

It was also fascinating to read this book while Harry and Megan are speaking out about their experience with the monarchy and the institution that surrounds it. It sheds extra light on things in a way, and really shows how things that can seem glamorous from the outside might really just be a gilded cage.

I also enjoyed reading things from the outside perspective of the governess, who came from an ordinary family, who assumed she’d head back to her ‘regular life’ after a short stint with the princesses, but in fact, ended up staying for 16 years.

So if you love historical fiction and want to learn more about Elizabeth’s early years this book is a must!

In this work of historical fiction, the childhood years of Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret, are viewed from the perspective of their governess, Marion Crawford.
Crawford joined the family in 1933, tutoring the girls and bringing, at the request of their mother, some normalcy to their lives.
Marion goes with the family as they travel to Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Balmoral, taking them quietly out to public places and even shopping so that they see how most people live.
Marion is with them throughout the historic time of their uncle’s abdication, their father’s coronation and the beginning of World War II. She is also on hand when Elizabeth meets her future husband for the first time.
But, a position such as this comes at a cost. Having her own marriage and children and even her own opinions isn’t an option. And then, children grow up.
This is a beautifully written book.

A fictionalized account of "Crawfie", the governess to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose of England. Crawfie basically gave her life to the care and education of the two princesses, suffering the whims of the Duke and Duchess of York, who suddenly become King George and Queen Elizabeth of England. When the princesses no longer need her, she follows the advice of the Queen and is then betrayed in a way that would wound her for the rest of her life. A very interesting look into the making of the current Queen,.

This novel is based on the true but unknown story of Marian Crawford, governess to Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret for 17 years. Marion had always planned to work with the poor children in the slums of Scotland, but when she is offered the job at the opposite end of the spectrum she views it as a chance to introduce ordinary life to royalty. Beginning in 1932, Marian is there for the princesses through the major events of the monarchy from the death of King George V, the abdication of Edward VII, the coronation of King George VI, through WWII and up to the marriage of Elizabeth to Philip. Before their father was made King, Marian even took young Elizabeth on the London tube and to Woolworths in an effort to show them real life for their subjects. Her passion for her job resulted in her giving up her own chance for marriage children, but she saw Elizabeth and Margaret as her own. This is a wonderful look at the royal family through the eyes of one of their closest confidantes. Not to be missed for those who love historical fiction.

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!!

Thank you NetGalley for this advance copy.

I love historical fiction, it's my fav genre, and I love All Things English and to learn about people and time periods that I'm not familiar with. I thought after watching THE CROWN on tv that I knew all about Elizabeth II, but ... no.
"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."
What a fascinating story, I really enjoyed it.

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.

If you haven’t read many historical stories about the Windsors you will most likely enjoy this. I’ve read a lot about them I didn’t find it very interesting. At times pit seemed rather gossipy. It was nice to learn about Crawfie but I didn’t enjoy her much. She seemed rather judgmental of people.

Marion's passion for helping the poor is admirable, and when she first enters the royal family she sees their traditions and protocol as an outsider. As time goes on, she stops seeing the craziness of the royals and starts to accept it as normal. Her intention is to stay awhile and normalize the princesses, but her motherly feelings for Lillibet keep her from moving on to other endeavors.

Marion is present for King George's death, the abdication, and World War II. Through her, the reader gets to see these events from an outsider's perspective. Marion doesn't harbor the resentment for Wallis Simpson that the royals have, even seeing her as a great woman. Marion's progressive views show the reader the history through a more modern lens.

You see the queen Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon for the master manipulator she was, keeping Marion employed in the palace by making her feel important and needed. Marion could be replaced at any time in the queen's eyes, but the girls would miss her. Marion devotes her life to the princesses and gives up her chances of romance and a family for her charges. Ultimately, the story is of what one woman gave up trying to make her country better.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

As I might have mentioned on here a time or two, I am completely fascinated by the royal monarchy, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I am obsessed with the Netflix show, The Crown and have been reading as much as I can about anything to do with the royals.

I loved this book. It was full of insightful information and I found it quite easy to get lost in the story. Focusing on the childhood of the current queen, from the perspective of Elizabeth and Margaret's governess, I feel I learned quite a bit that hasn't been covered on the show. For instance, I had no idea that Elizabeth had an obsessive compulsion when she was young. I loved that Crawfie, as she is come to be known, was determined to give these girls a sense a normalcy in their world when their life was anything but.

The one thing this book highlights that I'm not sure I really knew is that being close to the royals comes with great sacrifice to one's own life. This was made quite clear by all the Marion Crawford gave up in her own life, not just in regards to who she could date but also her own private life in general. It was a great honor for sure to work for the royals, but there were drawbacks, too.

This is a highly readable, enjoyable and enlightening read and while there were things I knew, I also picked up some new tidbits about the royals that I hadn't known before, which I why I love reading historical fiction. Wendy Holden is a new author to me and I do hope she continues to write more historical fiction as I really enjoyed this one.

THE ROYAL GOVERNESS by Wendy Holden fits perfectly with the other work which she has produced, as described by her publisher: "Holden is a British novelist of comedies of manners. She's authored ten Sunday Times top ten bestsellers and has sold over three million copies worldwide." Fans of productions like Downton Abbey or The Crown and of historical fiction, particularly tales about the British monarchy, will undoubtedly enjoy this entertainingly written novel. Prior to reading Holden's fictional account, I knew nothing about Marion Crawford who was governess to Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, working for the royal family from 1933 to after WWII. There is quite a bit of controversy surrounding Crawfie, as she was called, particularly related to the memoir titled The Little Princesses which she published in 1950. Personally, I kept thinking that I would have preferred to have read that more primary account, thereby skipping Holden's fanciful musings about Crawford's various suitors. Notes indicate that Holden is working on a current project about Wallis Simpson – again, if you like this genre, consider looking for that one, too.

Historical fiction set within the childhood of Queen Elizabeth II. With careful research from “Crawfie’s” own writings to biographers of the Royal Family, Wendy Holden weaves a story that will feel relatable and refreshing as we get to know the Little Princesses through the eyes of their governess.