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

Marion Crawford

Apr 2021 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Sophie Roberts

About this audiobook

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 divorcee 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.

About the author

Marion Crawford was born in the Scottish countryside and studied teaching at the Moray House Training College in Edinburgh. In the early 1930s, she became governess to the daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York. Crawford died in 1988, having never been forgiven by the royal family for writing The Little Princesses.

Jennie Bond has been the BBC's Royal correspondent for thirteen years, covering many momentous events, including three marriage breakdowns, Camillagate, the Queen's annus horribilis, and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. She is the author of two books: Elizabeth: Fifty Glorious Years and Reporting Royalty.