Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown

Anne Glenconner details her decades of service as Maid of Honour at the Queen's 1953 coronation and as Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret. She describes the rigid protocols of the British aristocracy while revealing the private, often volatile temperament of the Princess during their travels and time at Mustique. Beyond the royal spectacle, the narrative focuses on her marriage to the eccentric Colin Tennant and the immense personal tragedies involving her children, including the loss of two sons and the long-term care of a third following a near-fatal accident.

Readers interested in the inner mechanics of the British class system and the reality behind historical royal figures find this account valuable. It provides a firsthand perspective on how tradition dictates personal behavior and the specific demands placed on those within the inner circle of the monarchy. The book offers a study of personal resilience and the ability to maintain composure and humor when navigating professional duty and intense private hardship.

Clear-cut; an easy read.

Best for readers like The Practical Optimizer. Which reader are you?