Elizabeth & Margaret: The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters by Andrew Morton
☆☆☆☆
.ePUB, 350 pages
Expected Publication: March 30th 2021 by Grand Central Publishing
About the Book:
They were the closest of sisters and the best of friends. But when, in a quixotic twist of fate, their uncle Edward Vlll decided to abdicate the throne, the dynamic between Elizabeth and Margaret was dramatically altered. Forever more Margaret would have to curtsey to the sister she called 'Lillibet.' And bow to her wishes. Elizabeth would always look upon her younger sister's antics with a kind of stoical amusement, but Margaret's struggle to find a place and position inside the royal system—and her fraught relationship with its expectations—was often a source of tension. Famously, the Queen had to inform Margaret that the Church and government would not countenance her marrying a divorcee, Group Captain Peter Townsend, forcing Margaret to choose between keeping her title and royal allowances or her divorcee lover. From the idyll of their cloistered early life, through their hidden war-time lives, into the divergent paths they took following their father's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, this book explores their relationship over the years. Andrew Morton's latest biography offers unique insight into these two drastically different sisters—one resigned to duty and responsibility, the other resistant to it—and the lasting impact they have had on the Crown, the royal family, and the ways it adapted to the changing mores of the 20th century.
Expected Publication: March 30th 2021 by Grand Central Publishing
About the Book:
They were the closest of sisters and the best of friends. But when, in a quixotic twist of fate, their uncle Edward Vlll decided to abdicate the throne, the dynamic between Elizabeth and Margaret was dramatically altered. Forever more Margaret would have to curtsey to the sister she called 'Lillibet.' And bow to her wishes. Elizabeth would always look upon her younger sister's antics with a kind of stoical amusement, but Margaret's struggle to find a place and position inside the royal system—and her fraught relationship with its expectations—was often a source of tension. Famously, the Queen had to inform Margaret that the Church and government would not countenance her marrying a divorcee, Group Captain Peter Townsend, forcing Margaret to choose between keeping her title and royal allowances or her divorcee lover. From the idyll of their cloistered early life, through their hidden war-time lives, into the divergent paths they took following their father's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, this book explores their relationship over the years. Andrew Morton's latest biography offers unique insight into these two drastically different sisters—one resigned to duty and responsibility, the other resistant to it—and the lasting impact they have had on the Crown, the royal family, and the ways it adapted to the changing mores of the 20th century.
My Review:
While Margaret chafed at the restraints of royal life, Elizabeth dutifully embraced them.
Another fascinating read by Andrew Morton. I can't get enough of the Queen and the Royal family. It's amazing to me how normal they were in their private life, and Elizabeth & Margaret is more about their personal relationships than the Monarchy.
What a different world we live in now and how things have changed - for the better. There certainly seems to have been a certain amount of hypocrisy and double standards regarding Princess Margaret's and Captain Townsend's relationship. Such a shame. They really did love one another at one time and I feel would have been very happy together had circumstances been different.
A very different angle for this subject. Very detailed and more about the people than the history - well researched. I have many, many books on the royal family and can honestly say this takes a different angle than others.
Being an avid reader on Royalty from Queen Victoria to present day royals, I find this book very insightful...If you enjoy reading on the royals, you will definitely enjoy this book. And I really appreciated that the digital review copy had photographs included. All in all an excellent read.
Disclosure:
Thank you NetGalley, Andrew Morton and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
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