Lady Pamela: My Mother's Extraordinary Years as Daughter to the Viceroy of India, Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen, and Wife of David Hicks

by India Hicks

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Sewingdervish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and fascinating book. I really enjoyed the intimate personal tone of India's writing. The stories were so interesting and the pictures and memorabilia so fun to look at. That said, it is light on details, even large details like the dates of major events. There were many places where I wanted more details than the few tidbits strewn casually into the story. The British upper class is a very different world to the one most of us live in and you can't just mention your Grandfather's lifetime lover as one quick first name of someone in your life and never mention them again! The Mountbattens had a very unconventional marriage and while it might be completely a non issue to their family it takes the rest of us some time and explanation to wrap our heads around.
Lady Pamela is appropriately discreet (as is expected of the Queen's lady in waiting) but also "Spill the tea Pammy!"
The details that were shared were delightful little pebbles to be treasures. The family is treated with clear love and I found myself weeping at the account of the murderous assassination of members of the Mountbatten family.
Lady Pamela lived an extraordinarily interesting life.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating text and beautiful layout India Hicks provides us with a visual history of her mother’s life along with a text that provides context and character. When my husband asked “who is Lady Pamela” and I said “the younger daughter of lord Mountbatten” he said “that sounds like a very unimportant person.”
I thought about it for a moment and explained that in another era, she would have been known as Princess Pamela of Battenburg. She is the grand niece of the last empress of Russia, the niece of the Queen of Sweden, the first cousin of Prince Philip and the childhood friend of his wife - Queen Elizabeth II. She, like Queen Elizabeth (and Prince Philip) is a great great granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Het father was the last viceroy of India - the man charged with “liquidating the British empire” as I believe Winston Churchill called it. All in all, a very well connected person with stories to match.

[Veera · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Early reading thoughts:
People are referred to mostly by their familial titles, which makes it impossible for the reader to know who the writer is talking about. Frustrating with the constant “my grandmother” and “her grandfather” never mentioning their names. “Princess” of what? Wish there was a family tree or simply more names.
An editor should have at least added footnotes with everyone’s names and titles.

After finishing:
I did enjoy reading the book. Lots of beautiful pictures. Appreciated the personal stories of Lady P’s life with the royal family. Was quite moved reading about Lord Mountbatten and later the late Queen’s deaths.
Still would’ve appreciated a family tree in the beginning of the book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about Lady Pamela, the daughter of Lord Mountbatten and wife of David Hicks. It's written by her daughter India Hicks and filled with beautiful photos from her years as a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth and her youth in India when her father was the last Viceroy.

[Sophie Odenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely charming book filled with anecdotes and photographs of an almost-lost world. Beautifully designed and written. A book to savour over many years.

[Susan Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning profile of a woman who has experienced so much in her lifetime.

[Diane Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a life!!!
And with all the receipts and pictures to prove it!
Beautiful and fascinating book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating family story, gorgeous pictures interesting to read about the royal family from a friend's perspective.