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The Final Curtsey: A Royal Memoir by the Queen's Cousin
This is the intimate and revealing autobiography of Margaret Rhodes, the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and the niece of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Margaret was born into the Scottish aristocracy, into a now almost vanished world of privilege. Royalty often came to stay and her house was run in the style of Downton Abbey. In the Second World War years she ‘lodged' at Buckingham Palace while she worked for MI5. She was a bridesmaid at the wedding of her cousin, Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip. Three years later the King and Queen attended her own wedding; Princess Margaret was a bridesmaid. In 1990 she was appointed as a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mother, acting also as her companion, which she describes in touching detail. In the early months of 2002, she spent as much time as possible with her ailing aunt, and was at her bedside when she died at Easter that year. The next morning she went to Queen Elizabeth's bedroom to pray, and in farewell dropped her a final curtsey.This is an enthralling account of a special life, and a unique insight into the intimate moments of the British Royal family. The Queen Mother regarded Margaret Rhodes as her “third daughter”, and she has been extremely close to her cousins the Queen and Princess Margaret throughout their lives. The book is full of charming anecdotes, fascinating characters, and personal photographs and is an unparalleled insight into the private life of the British monarchy.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2011
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1079 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Rhodes
2 books6 followersMargaret Rhodes (9 June 1925 – 25 November 2016) was a British aristocrat and a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. From 1991 to 2002, she served as Woman of the Bedchamber to her aunt Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
December 15, 2021
This is the literary equivalent of sugar water. The author, first cousin of the Queen, grew up in a house with 10 servants within the Royal circle. She therefore has nothing bad to say at all about people who do not work but expect everything to be done for them, everyone to be deferential and luxury to be an everyday necessity, provided of course by others.
I wondered if the author agreed with her aunt, Elizabeth the Queen Mother's view about class,"I hate this classlessness thing, it's so unreal." Elizabeth said to Woodrow Wyatt, possibly the most racist of US presidents. Whether or not Rhodes shared her aunt's deeply racist and anti-Semitic views isn't known. The British royal family is essentially German. Before it was the Royal House of Windsor it was the Royal House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. George V changed it due to anti-German feeling during WWI although he was very much in favour of appeasing Hitler. The King's first cousins were Nazis, as were Prince Philip's sisters, although he was a war hero and above any suspicion at all.
The author might appear quite egalitarian but that is just aristocratic condescension. Rhodes reminds the reader at every opportunity who matters and who doesn't. Everyone who is "anyone" is given their title, their family, what estates they own and often what school they went to (Eton, of course). Ordinary people either get called their name and job or sometimes even just 'husband of', they weren't important to her at all.
Because of the author's aristocratic background, when she wants to travel, she doesn't arrange hotels and tours, but she gets herself invitations from Kings to visit their countries and this way has some adventures in Bhutan and Africa which she describes in excruciating but not terribly interesting detail. However, these adventures do show Rhodes as having personality which the rest of the book barely does - just a self-satisfied, entitled, very wealthy woman who coasts through life as the endless bridesmaid of Queen Elizabeth.
The end of this book is a paean of praise to the Queen, just how wonderful she is as a person and as monarch and head of state.
I am definitely anti-aristocrat, and that includes the overly entitled author. They haven't done anything valuable to enjoy such wealth, privilege and the power to make laws over the commoners from the House of Lords. Aristocrats derived their titles from such things as providing an army from forcing the peasants or tenant farmers on their land to join the military, or money to the monarch to put down insurrection from the (same) peasants and tenants, or wars against -usually - the French. They derive them from piracy, giving a share of the loot to the Crown, for being the illegitimate child of a royal mistress and other less than savoury means of earning a title.
Many of them, very many, derive their present wealth from plantations in the West Indies, worked for them by the slaves they owned. And now they sit in the House of Lords, these people, with their wealth and the British public eagerly read of their doings in the online newsites and watch Netflix shows of these privileged soap opera lives. The Queen is not supposed to have enjoyed The Crown. I wonder why? :-)
When my father couldn't get a table in a restaurant he wanted to go to, he would leave it an hour or two and then phone back and say he was Lord Stone of The Chase (that was the name of our house!) and always got a table... It would be funny if it wasn't such an example of the grovelling attitude of so many. What a joke.
I don't really know why the book was written. The author isn't very interesting and gives no insights or secrets of the royals away, it's just dripping syrup on how wonderful the royals are and how, as a cousin she is one of them. I guess that an editor somewhere saw money coming in from the legions of royal fans. It isn't a bad book, and it is quite well written, so I would say they'd get their money's worth. But not me.
Rewritten with a little vitriol Dec 2021
I wondered if the author agreed with her aunt, Elizabeth the Queen Mother's view about class,"I hate this classlessness thing, it's so unreal." Elizabeth said to Woodrow Wyatt, possibly the most racist of US presidents. Whether or not Rhodes shared her aunt's deeply racist and anti-Semitic views isn't known. The British royal family is essentially German. Before it was the Royal House of Windsor it was the Royal House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. George V changed it due to anti-German feeling during WWI although he was very much in favour of appeasing Hitler. The King's first cousins were Nazis, as were Prince Philip's sisters, although he was a war hero and above any suspicion at all.
The author might appear quite egalitarian but that is just aristocratic condescension. Rhodes reminds the reader at every opportunity who matters and who doesn't. Everyone who is "anyone" is given their title, their family, what estates they own and often what school they went to (Eton, of course). Ordinary people either get called their name and job or sometimes even just 'husband of', they weren't important to her at all.
Because of the author's aristocratic background, when she wants to travel, she doesn't arrange hotels and tours, but she gets herself invitations from Kings to visit their countries and this way has some adventures in Bhutan and Africa which she describes in excruciating but not terribly interesting detail. However, these adventures do show Rhodes as having personality which the rest of the book barely does - just a self-satisfied, entitled, very wealthy woman who coasts through life as the endless bridesmaid of Queen Elizabeth.
The end of this book is a paean of praise to the Queen, just how wonderful she is as a person and as monarch and head of state.
I am definitely anti-aristocrat, and that includes the overly entitled author. They haven't done anything valuable to enjoy such wealth, privilege and the power to make laws over the commoners from the House of Lords. Aristocrats derived their titles from such things as providing an army from forcing the peasants or tenant farmers on their land to join the military, or money to the monarch to put down insurrection from the (same) peasants and tenants, or wars against -usually - the French. They derive them from piracy, giving a share of the loot to the Crown, for being the illegitimate child of a royal mistress and other less than savoury means of earning a title.
Many of them, very many, derive their present wealth from plantations in the West Indies, worked for them by the slaves they owned. And now they sit in the House of Lords, these people, with their wealth and the British public eagerly read of their doings in the online newsites and watch Netflix shows of these privileged soap opera lives. The Queen is not supposed to have enjoyed The Crown. I wonder why? :-)
When my father couldn't get a table in a restaurant he wanted to go to, he would leave it an hour or two and then phone back and say he was Lord Stone of The Chase (that was the name of our house!) and always got a table... It would be funny if it wasn't such an example of the grovelling attitude of so many. What a joke.
I don't really know why the book was written. The author isn't very interesting and gives no insights or secrets of the royals away, it's just dripping syrup on how wonderful the royals are and how, as a cousin she is one of them. I guess that an editor somewhere saw money coming in from the legions of royal fans. It isn't a bad book, and it is quite well written, so I would say they'd get their money's worth. But not me.
Rewritten with a little vitriol Dec 2021
April 23, 2025
When you hit 75, you're at the Top of your Mountain. But you're just starting your harrowing downhill descent to rock bottom 😖... yikes!
You know, it was decidedly not so with our Queen.
She just kept motoring merrily and girlishly on!
Her secret was self-control and self-discipline, throughout all (in her own words) the long succession of the "anni horribiles" of the usual family revolt against propriety.
And her training stood her in good stead. She was bullet-proofed by the Strong Right Hand of God.
And yet our HEARTS have reasons for sorrow of which our reason knows nothing, as Pascal said.
The wounded heart will go on.
Through long dull days throughout which we must smile! But her smile was always Authentic.
What a lady!
Her younger sister had chosen Margaret Rhodes as her Lady in Waiting. The book itself, therefore, spills none of the scandalous beans on the Royal Family. It is delightfully restrained.
But, I must say, a Sheer Joy to read!
👑👑👑👑👑‼️
You know, it was decidedly not so with our Queen.
She just kept motoring merrily and girlishly on!
Her secret was self-control and self-discipline, throughout all (in her own words) the long succession of the "anni horribiles" of the usual family revolt against propriety.
And her training stood her in good stead. She was bullet-proofed by the Strong Right Hand of God.
And yet our HEARTS have reasons for sorrow of which our reason knows nothing, as Pascal said.
The wounded heart will go on.
Through long dull days throughout which we must smile! But her smile was always Authentic.
What a lady!
Her younger sister had chosen Margaret Rhodes as her Lady in Waiting. The book itself, therefore, spills none of the scandalous beans on the Royal Family. It is delightfully restrained.
But, I must say, a Sheer Joy to read!
👑👑👑👑👑‼️
September 1, 2019
3.5 Stars
Interesting and unintentionally hilarious account of what it's like to be the Queen's cousin.
Interesting and unintentionally hilarious account of what it's like to be the Queen's cousin.
March 26, 2015
In a world dominated by news stories of unhappiness, conflict, strife and brutality; this autobiography shines through. No saccharin sentimentality, no angst, no ‘what-if’; this memoir is an absolute gem; a book that recalls, with a deeply genuine thankfulness, an unusual life lived through interesting times.
There are, too, some fascinating personal insights into the humanity of Royal life’ such as Queen Elizabeth (Queen consort of King George VI) practicing her handling skills shooting rats with a revolver, during the Second World War, when Buckingham Palace had received a direct hit from a German bomb!
There is no media ‘kiss & tell’ sensationalism here. There is no exploitation for personal gain. Instead there is level-headed-ness, and genuinely humble thankfulness for a really very interesting life blessed with affection coupled with a stoic, realistic acceptance that not everything in Life necessarily turns out the way we might incautiously wish for. Some might think that boring. I found that refreshing, inspiring, and considerably less expensive than booking into a health farm or spa.
There are, too, some fascinating personal insights into the humanity of Royal life’ such as Queen Elizabeth (Queen consort of King George VI) practicing her handling skills shooting rats with a revolver, during the Second World War, when Buckingham Palace had received a direct hit from a German bomb!
There is no media ‘kiss & tell’ sensationalism here. There is no exploitation for personal gain. Instead there is level-headed-ness, and genuinely humble thankfulness for a really very interesting life blessed with affection coupled with a stoic, realistic acceptance that not everything in Life necessarily turns out the way we might incautiously wish for. Some might think that boring. I found that refreshing, inspiring, and considerably less expensive than booking into a health farm or spa.
March 13, 2015
"[...] I loved the fact that the mountain had been given by Queen Victoria to Prince Friedrich of Prussia when he married her daughter, Vicky, the Princess Royal, in 1858. As a result the mountain became part of German Tanganyika and the mapmakers had to draw a little bubble in the straight line of the frontier between British Kenia and Tanganyika. The imperial couple reigned briefly as German Emperor and Empress; Fritz, as he was known, being seriously ill and dying just three months after his accession. They had strong liberal and anglophile leanings, completely at variance with their eldest son, 'Kaiser Bill', who took Germany into the First World War. It is a simplistic view, but I like to think that there would have been no First World War, and subsequently no Hitler, and no Second World War, if Fritz had lived."
March 27, 2022
This book read and sounded like an extended version of a high society magazines. The quite apparent elements of self entitlements and vanities might put some readers off.
The Hon. Margaret Rhodes was the youngest daughter of 16th Lord Elphinstone. Her mother was the eldest daughter of 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and a sister to the late Queen Mother. As such, she was a 1st cousin to Elizabeth II. She had been brought up together with her royal cousins. Sometimes, introduced to the guest as the 3rd daughter. (Genealogical chart included on the front part.)
In my opinion, there's a social history value in her. But the writing execution to achieve this was midway. Honestly, this book read like a voyeuristic glance into her life, without depth in life journeys, depictions, anecdotes, feelings, and atmospheres.
Originally, this writing actually meant for her descendants. That's before she's being urged to publish it. Family members had the advantage of kinship knowledge and accessible materials, but the general public is not. Which to me, necessitated Rhodes to revise her writing to suit the general audience. It doesn't hurt if she expanded this memoir by at least 50%, as she got lots of interesting moments.
Examples of what I wish being more details.
1) Do you know where is Miss Margaret's Pool? It's a stretch along Findhorn River in Scotland named after her; for her angling prowess. I wish she included who taught her to fish, of the river itself; experience to land fighting fish; meals cooked with fish freshly caught. Is there any different in fishing now and then? Is the river still maintain their pristine state?
2) She and her husband had been invited to attend the wedding of Crown Prince of Sikkim in 1963. This wedding had attracted international media attention because the bride was an American socialite, Hope Cooke. How I wish Rhodes paid more attention to this part. It's not an every day occurrence that American girl became a Crown Princess, few months later the Queen Consort.
During that time, Sikkim was still an absolute monarchy state. Only in 1975, Sikkim merged with India. Actually, Rhodes had been in a unique point of history. She participated in a grand royal ceremony of bygone era. If, she added more background of Sikkim royalty and depictions of Gangtok, the capital city where the wedding took place; that would make this account fascinating. Gangtok, situated at higher peak of Himalayan range at the elevation of 1,650 m or 5,410 ft.
To be fair, this memoir is not without any personal touch. It featured the chronicle of John, Master of Elphinstone (her eldest brother), regarding his last days in Nazi's captivity. He had been incarcerated for 5 1/2 years. His group of POW was classified as Prominente, due to their close relationship with Allied leaders. Among Prominente were Giles Romilly, a nephew of Winston Churchill; Viscount Lascelles, a nephew of George VI; and Charles Hopetoun, the eldest son of Marquis of Linlithgow, Viceroy of India. The Nazi general who handed them to negotiators did it under his own responsibility. In contrast to the real command from Hitler to shoot them. I'm grateful that Rhodes chose to share this.
Some interesting facts.
1. Glamis Castle is the seat of the author's maternal grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. It has a reputation as the most haunted castle in Scotland. This place is the setting for the scene of King Duncan's murder in Macbeth by Shakespeare.
2. Young Princess Elizabeth had written an account of her parents' coronation in 12th May 1937. It is preserved in the Royal Archives.
3. As we know, Princess Elizabeth became Elizabeth II in 1952 while on top of Treetops Hotel in Kenya. What not normally known was; while she was up there, 2 waterbucks were fighting and 1 mortally wounded. According to a Kikuyu legend, it signifies the death of a great chief.
4. Do you know the job scope of still-room maid? In the childhood household of Rhodes, the maid was to slowly brew pots of porridge the whole night. Besides, she was tasked to make jam and bottled the fruit.
5. Even Duchess of Portland had to travel around by bus during the period of economy.
The Hon. Margaret Rhodes was the youngest daughter of 16th Lord Elphinstone. Her mother was the eldest daughter of 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and a sister to the late Queen Mother. As such, she was a 1st cousin to Elizabeth II. She had been brought up together with her royal cousins. Sometimes, introduced to the guest as the 3rd daughter. (Genealogical chart included on the front part.)
In my opinion, there's a social history value in her. But the writing execution to achieve this was midway. Honestly, this book read like a voyeuristic glance into her life, without depth in life journeys, depictions, anecdotes, feelings, and atmospheres.
Originally, this writing actually meant for her descendants. That's before she's being urged to publish it. Family members had the advantage of kinship knowledge and accessible materials, but the general public is not. Which to me, necessitated Rhodes to revise her writing to suit the general audience. It doesn't hurt if she expanded this memoir by at least 50%, as she got lots of interesting moments.
Examples of what I wish being more details.
1) Do you know where is Miss Margaret's Pool? It's a stretch along Findhorn River in Scotland named after her; for her angling prowess. I wish she included who taught her to fish, of the river itself; experience to land fighting fish; meals cooked with fish freshly caught. Is there any different in fishing now and then? Is the river still maintain their pristine state?
2) She and her husband had been invited to attend the wedding of Crown Prince of Sikkim in 1963. This wedding had attracted international media attention because the bride was an American socialite, Hope Cooke. How I wish Rhodes paid more attention to this part. It's not an every day occurrence that American girl became a Crown Princess, few months later the Queen Consort.
During that time, Sikkim was still an absolute monarchy state. Only in 1975, Sikkim merged with India. Actually, Rhodes had been in a unique point of history. She participated in a grand royal ceremony of bygone era. If, she added more background of Sikkim royalty and depictions of Gangtok, the capital city where the wedding took place; that would make this account fascinating. Gangtok, situated at higher peak of Himalayan range at the elevation of 1,650 m or 5,410 ft.
To be fair, this memoir is not without any personal touch. It featured the chronicle of John, Master of Elphinstone (her eldest brother), regarding his last days in Nazi's captivity. He had been incarcerated for 5 1/2 years. His group of POW was classified as Prominente, due to their close relationship with Allied leaders. Among Prominente were Giles Romilly, a nephew of Winston Churchill; Viscount Lascelles, a nephew of George VI; and Charles Hopetoun, the eldest son of Marquis of Linlithgow, Viceroy of India. The Nazi general who handed them to negotiators did it under his own responsibility. In contrast to the real command from Hitler to shoot them. I'm grateful that Rhodes chose to share this.
Some interesting facts.
1. Glamis Castle is the seat of the author's maternal grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. It has a reputation as the most haunted castle in Scotland. This place is the setting for the scene of King Duncan's murder in Macbeth by Shakespeare.
2. Young Princess Elizabeth had written an account of her parents' coronation in 12th May 1937. It is preserved in the Royal Archives.
3. As we know, Princess Elizabeth became Elizabeth II in 1952 while on top of Treetops Hotel in Kenya. What not normally known was; while she was up there, 2 waterbucks were fighting and 1 mortally wounded. According to a Kikuyu legend, it signifies the death of a great chief.
4. Do you know the job scope of still-room maid? In the childhood household of Rhodes, the maid was to slowly brew pots of porridge the whole night. Besides, she was tasked to make jam and bottled the fruit.
5. Even Duchess of Portland had to travel around by bus during the period of economy.
March 11, 2013
Although the blurb calls this book an autobiography, the term "memoir" is in fact far more accurate. The author looks back over her long life and tells little stories about things that happened. Unfortunately, they're mostly not vastly interesting little stories, and while her refusal to speak ill of anyone is no doubt admirable, it also means her reminiscences are somewhat bland.
It's a pleasant enough book, and whiled away an afternoon well enough, but it's nothing special.
It's a pleasant enough book, and whiled away an afternoon well enough, but it's nothing special.
October 4, 2022
I enjoyed reading this memoir by one of the Queen Mother's nieces and one of Queen Elizabeth II's closest cousins and friends, a reminder of the importance of Scotland and the Bowes-Lyon family in the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. My favourite chapter was about the author's experiences as a lady-in-waiting to her aunt and what a lady-in-waiting's duties entail in recent decades but there are also some fascinating chapters about travel in Asia and Africa during the 1950s and 1960s.
March 17, 2012
A charming reminiscence of a young Queen Elizabeth by her cousin who grew up with her. The stories of the venerated Queen Mother show her as a fun-loving pixie in her private life and gently spreading 'stardust' in her public life. Margaret Rhodes had an eventful life herself as she relates. Quick read, very enjoyable.
June 11, 2012
A short book which is a joy to read as the author's character shines through, as does the happiness of her life. One lovely thing about the book is the lack of bitchiness, and the respect that she has for others. I tire of books that read like a gossip column, and this book is quite frankly charming. It may not be great literature but it is a reflection on a life well lived.
March 8, 2012
Margaret Rhodes was born in to a somewhat austere country life of the Scottish aristocracy; she was the daughter of a baron & granddaughter of an earl. She was born in 1925 when the large country houses were run like Downton Abbey. She grew up to appreciate and handle outdoor life on large estates, to fish and hunt game, with governesses who taught her history and to speak fluent French. While she was to rue her lack of formal education in later life, she was certainly astute enough to land a job in MI6 during WWII.
However her mother's youngest sister Elizabeth caught the eye of a Duke and this was to change the fortunes of the family in remarkable ways years later when the Duke became King of England and her Aunt, Queen Elizabeth. Her cousin, 10 months different in age and a childhood playmate, was destined to become Queen after him.
When she leaves home as a young woman to work in London, naturally enough she stays with her Aunt and Uncle and shares a few glimpses of life with the family during the war. She also tells of the treatment of her brother as a prisoner of war with a group of others related to prominent allied figures. They had to fight for their rights as they were whisked away from the advancing allies.
After the war, Margaret marries the man of her dreams and embarks on a year long honeymoon which starts with visiting her husbands relations in New Zealand. Her Father provides a family home and they enjoy a happy family life until sadly her husband dies young. They had been an adventurous couple visiting lands well off the beaten track in Africa and the Middle East where the name Elizabeth II meant nothing, when faced with danger.
In later life Margaret becomes a lady-in-waiting and companion to her Aunt, renting a home just round the corner from Royal Lodge in Windsor Park. She describes this life as not all formality due to the personality of the Queen Mother who inspires loyalty from her aging staff and rewards them with many an evening singing round the piano which was the way they all enjoyed themselves when young. The final curtsey of the title is made to her aunt on her death.
Thus she shares her family life, how this spills into the life of royalty and the private side of the Windsor's too. Despite her feeling that she lacks a formal education, she writes like a woman of good intellect. Her style is spare, understated and witty. She becomes a woman one warms to and admires for her down to earth, no nonsense ways. She also shows us the mettle needed to reach a fine age. An interesting read all round.
However her mother's youngest sister Elizabeth caught the eye of a Duke and this was to change the fortunes of the family in remarkable ways years later when the Duke became King of England and her Aunt, Queen Elizabeth. Her cousin, 10 months different in age and a childhood playmate, was destined to become Queen after him.
When she leaves home as a young woman to work in London, naturally enough she stays with her Aunt and Uncle and shares a few glimpses of life with the family during the war. She also tells of the treatment of her brother as a prisoner of war with a group of others related to prominent allied figures. They had to fight for their rights as they were whisked away from the advancing allies.
After the war, Margaret marries the man of her dreams and embarks on a year long honeymoon which starts with visiting her husbands relations in New Zealand. Her Father provides a family home and they enjoy a happy family life until sadly her husband dies young. They had been an adventurous couple visiting lands well off the beaten track in Africa and the Middle East where the name Elizabeth II meant nothing, when faced with danger.
In later life Margaret becomes a lady-in-waiting and companion to her Aunt, renting a home just round the corner from Royal Lodge in Windsor Park. She describes this life as not all formality due to the personality of the Queen Mother who inspires loyalty from her aging staff and rewards them with many an evening singing round the piano which was the way they all enjoyed themselves when young. The final curtsey of the title is made to her aunt on her death.
Thus she shares her family life, how this spills into the life of royalty and the private side of the Windsor's too. Despite her feeling that she lacks a formal education, she writes like a woman of good intellect. Her style is spare, understated and witty. She becomes a woman one warms to and admires for her down to earth, no nonsense ways. She also shows us the mettle needed to reach a fine age. An interesting read all round.
September 27, 2013
If you weren't up to the searing realism and muckraking of the recent authorized biography of the Queen Mother by Shawcross, then this is the read for you. Margaret Rhodes never met anyone who didn't get along, including (much to their mutual surprise, I'm sure) the Duchess of Windsor and her aunt. There are a couple of funny lines in which the authoress reveals (1) her class prejudices and (2) Wodehouse's Aunt Dahlia may have been a documentary. Plus there is a set-piece in which she is trapped with Shirley MacClaine by the Bhutanese police. Betcha didn't see that coming.
February 8, 2015
WITHOUT PARALLEL !!!
Margaret Rhodes amazes with warm, personal, revealing anecdotes of her Aunt, Queen Elizabeth, and her cousin Queen Elizabeth II. With depth that only comes from family, Margaret shares experiences from her days as playmate to the Princesses of York, the awe of participating in the Queen's wedding, and her days as Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mum. Who else could share correspondence of the Queen at some of the most major milestones in her life? But wait, there's more! Romance, danger, and daring in cloistered Himalayan Kingdoms and tumultuous African nations.
Margaret Rhodes amazes with warm, personal, revealing anecdotes of her Aunt, Queen Elizabeth, and her cousin Queen Elizabeth II. With depth that only comes from family, Margaret shares experiences from her days as playmate to the Princesses of York, the awe of participating in the Queen's wedding, and her days as Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mum. Who else could share correspondence of the Queen at some of the most major milestones in her life? But wait, there's more! Romance, danger, and daring in cloistered Himalayan Kingdoms and tumultuous African nations.
May 27, 2015
This is one of those transitional, 'in-between' quick-read books - the sort that One delves into, in the interim, before deciding on which book to read next. Anecdotally entertaining in parts, but on the saccharine side. Definitely destined for the 'giveaway' pile.
September 29, 2025
The biography is more about the personal experience of the author than the royal family. The intimate knowledge about the private lives of the aristocracy in the last century is the most rewarding part of the book.
April 22, 2025
I'd call this more of a collection of memories or essays than an autobiography. It was all over the place. She describes her courtship, marriage and husband's death all in one chapter only to have her and her husband traveling in Asia in the next chapter. When I see autobiography or judtva biography I like chronological order, easier to follow. But this book was a easy quick read, didn't require much thinking. She had quite the adventurous life. From starting life as a niece to a queen consort and cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret and spending part of the war with them at Windsor, to working for MI6 and seeing spies wherever she looked. After the war she scandalously got involved with a married man. Someone married to an actress who played in the original Upstairs Downstairs who I learned never married again. That kind of put her sometimes self righteous opinions on things into perspective. Those who live in glass houses. She also is defensive of things like hunting and modern ways of thinking which was both eye rolling but also amusing. The only real exciting part was her arrest in Bhutan and how they refused to leave without their friend. So overall not the best book and not the worst. It was quick and light and gave some insights into the childhood of the late queen.
September 17, 2022
I pulled this out of my unread stash for obvious reasons, and while it wasn't QUITE what I was hoping for, I was glad to have it for company while following all the new coverage.
September 10, 2016
Quaint but not twee
Perhaps a disappearing world, but one of charm and grace; of tough personalities and an insight into the behind the scenes lives of those both belonging to 'The Firm' and those who serve them. Oh and those corgis!
I enjoyed this book written in a gentle manner, with humour and not letting too many cats out of the bag. What did really surprise me was the, apparently, untrained pack of corgis who are the bane of many lives. Somehow I never imagined the Queen would have dogs that have not been trained.
Mr and Mrs Rhodes adventures in the Indian Subcontinent and surrounding countries was educational in that the surrounding countries are not ones we might know too much about, particularly in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Their time in Kenya made me smile in places and laugh out loud in others; however having lived in Kenya I suspect this puts me at an advantage.
I hope you enjoy the book, I know I did.
Perhaps a disappearing world, but one of charm and grace; of tough personalities and an insight into the behind the scenes lives of those both belonging to 'The Firm' and those who serve them. Oh and those corgis!
I enjoyed this book written in a gentle manner, with humour and not letting too many cats out of the bag. What did really surprise me was the, apparently, untrained pack of corgis who are the bane of many lives. Somehow I never imagined the Queen would have dogs that have not been trained.
Mr and Mrs Rhodes adventures in the Indian Subcontinent and surrounding countries was educational in that the surrounding countries are not ones we might know too much about, particularly in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Their time in Kenya made me smile in places and laugh out loud in others; however having lived in Kenya I suspect this puts me at an advantage.
I hope you enjoy the book, I know I did.
November 29, 2015
Dishy but not bitchy, this is a fascinating look into a disappearing lifestyle. I enjoyed the author's matter-of-fact approach to writing about (and experiencing) some very dramatic and noteworthy occasions. It's like listening to your rather daring and very well-connected great aunt's reminisces. And if you're at all fascinated by the Royal Family, it's a must read.
January 25, 2012
It was ok. There were some interesting bits, and some not so interesting bits too! I'm pretty sure I would never opt to ignore a dying man in favour of my dinner party guests, but she did and also apparently found the situation funny. I guess the rich really are different.
March 2, 2018
Seems pretty candid... definitely not a tell-all but she doesn't gloss over everything either. An interesting autobiography of an interesting woman who grew up in an amazing time and in an unusual family
February 14, 2017
An unpretentious and often charming insight into the world of the 20th century aristocrat. Filled with wonderful anecdotes, it is a fascinating account of Margaret Rhodes' life, and her close relationship with the Royal Family. If you love the Queen as much as I do, this really is a must-read!
January 19, 2020
This was lent me by a friend who thought I would enjoy it.
I will only say that it does indeed read (as the author says in the Foreword) 'like a string of amusing anecdotes'. That does of course presume that you share the author's sense of humour. She is very much of her age and class.
I will only say that it does indeed read (as the author says in the Foreword) 'like a string of amusing anecdotes'. That does of course presume that you share the author's sense of humour. She is very much of her age and class.
November 29, 2024
I seem to have been on a bit of a kick lately, as this is my second memoir by a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II in the past few weeks. The algorithms at Spotify obviously have picked up on my interest in the royal family, and keep suggesting these audiobooks for me. Margaret Rhodes was a niece of the Queen Mother, and close in age to to her cousin who later became Queen Elizabeth II. She was not herself royal, but rather lived her life royal-adjacent, and while still privileged by most standards, she lived a much more normal life than the cousins on the royal side of the family. She describes this childhood of fairly normal (for her social class) experiences, juxtaposed with visits to her family in stately royal homes. She describes her wartime experiences, which include a period as companion to her royal cousins, an encounter with a Nazi plane while she was rabbit hunting that saw her shooting at the plane with her .22, her period of employment with MI5 while at the same time residing at Buckingham Palace, and her participation in the famous incognito walk of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret outside the palace walls on VE Day. I found these parts fascinating, although I found her descriptions of her travels to former British colonies in later years to be a bit cringy with her colonial attitudes and privilege. Also fascinating were her tales of her time as a lady-in-waiting to her aunt the Queen Mum in her aunt's extreme old age. The story was generally well written, and mostly easy to follow, although sudden jumps back and forth in time were sometimes a bit jarring. I also was sometimes a bit confused about whether she was referring to her cousin or her aunt, although I later realized that generally if she said Queen Elizabeth she was referring to the Queen Mum, and if she said The Queen she was referring to Queen Elizabeth II. I think the distinction was more difficult with the audiobook version than it would have been with the physical book. Overall, this was a great listen and kept me entertained while is did chores.
March 20, 2021
This is a "dishy" memoir by Margaret Rhodes, first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II, and a niece of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Margaret was only ten months older than Princess Elizabeth (QEII), so spent many happy days w/ her cousins, the princesses, especially at Balmoral in Scotland. Margaret's mother was Queen Elizabeth's (Queen Mother) eldest sister. Margaret was born at the tail end of the era of the great country houses of the aristocracy in very austere Scotland, w/ the vast hunting parties, massive formal dinners, and exotic travel to which the leisure class was accustomed. I enjoyed her tales of being trapped in Bhutan during a coup and safari in Africa, but obviously, the best stories were those about the Queen Mother, w/ a twinkle in her eye living her life to the fullest. Margaret became a lady-in-waiting to the QM in 1990, after being a widow for ten years, and was present when the QM died. The QM comes across as warm, fun-loving, having the "common touch," even though she'd been Queen of England.
What I did NOT enjoy were Margaret's little stories that inadvertently showed her class snobbishness in a terrible light. In one ghastly story, a man whose wife WORKED for Margaret and her husband died unexpectedly. The widow begged for someone from the big house to come check to see that he was truly dead. She didn't know what to do, and expected her "betters" to know. Instead of being helpful - perhaps calling the local constabulary - Margaret and her dinner guests were highly amused by this. I don't find a widow's distracted appeal for help to be amusing at all.
But for the most part, this was a fun, quick-to-read memoir. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
What I did NOT enjoy were Margaret's little stories that inadvertently showed her class snobbishness in a terrible light. In one ghastly story, a man whose wife WORKED for Margaret and her husband died unexpectedly. The widow begged for someone from the big house to come check to see that he was truly dead. She didn't know what to do, and expected her "betters" to know. Instead of being helpful - perhaps calling the local constabulary - Margaret and her dinner guests were highly amused by this. I don't find a widow's distracted appeal for help to be amusing at all.
But for the most part, this was a fun, quick-to-read memoir. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
March 6, 2020
Charmingly disjointed, there is just enough structure of the book to keep it from being too confusing, but this is the memories of a cousin of the Queen. As such, you really have to pay attention to know which era she is talking about and whom. She goes from her wedding day to the death of Elizabeth II's father to being a small child within a paragraph to two, but for all that it is a sweet collection of memories that the editors didn't try to reshape. It was just left free-flowing.
At the very end she becomes a bit defiant about the public's feelings toward the Royal family during the days following Diana's death and totes out the party line of the Queen playing at being a grandma for Will and Harry. That just made me roll my eyes, like I do every time anything is said about how bad the Family feels about Diana's murder, but that's just me.
If you are a Royal fan, or a history buff this book makes for quick, easy and delightful reading. I recommend this book.
At the very end she becomes a bit defiant about the public's feelings toward the Royal family during the days following Diana's death and totes out the party line of the Queen playing at being a grandma for Will and Harry. That just made me roll my eyes, like I do every time anything is said about how bad the Family feels about Diana's murder, but that's just me.
If you are a Royal fan, or a history buff this book makes for quick, easy and delightful reading. I recommend this book.
September 5, 2020
Structurally a bit all over the place, but a wonderful life and peek behind the curtain. I do find it hilarious however, when minor aristocracy complains about being poor, then tells us of their many African safaris, popping to Bhutan for a wedding, or cheering themselves up with a week in the Caribbean *eye roll*
December 1, 2019
3.5 stars. Not beautifully written, and left me with more questions than answers, but it was an enjoyable, delightful read! What a life.
September 17, 2020
Margaret Rhodes, the Queen's cousin and close friend of the Queen Mother should certainly write a book about her life and experiences but this is a little confusing at times because she does jump about a bit. It doesn't help that the present queen and her mother have the same first name, to say nothing of the author's eldest sister.
The family background was interesting and I was glad to learn exactly where the Elphinstone title fits in because the major peak in my home territory is Mt. Elphinstone, probably named after the Elphinstone who married the Bowes heiress, and my high school was named for the mountain.
There are so many things a person of privilege can take for granted just because they are in a position to speak to the one person who can facilitate what you want to do. How many people would be able to ask Emperor Haile Selassi himself if you could drive through the southern bit of his country? Interesting, though, that the Queen Mother would ask one of her senior ladies to pass on the request that the author join the ladies of the bedchamber rather than asking herself, although saying no to her face would be a little awkward. The pictures are good but I really could wish it had been a little better written. (Have to admit that it isn't bad for someone who never went to school. When did compulsory education come in and how is it that some are exempt?))
The family background was interesting and I was glad to learn exactly where the Elphinstone title fits in because the major peak in my home territory is Mt. Elphinstone, probably named after the Elphinstone who married the Bowes heiress, and my high school was named for the mountain.
There are so many things a person of privilege can take for granted just because they are in a position to speak to the one person who can facilitate what you want to do. How many people would be able to ask Emperor Haile Selassi himself if you could drive through the southern bit of his country? Interesting, though, that the Queen Mother would ask one of her senior ladies to pass on the request that the author join the ladies of the bedchamber rather than asking herself, although saying no to her face would be a little awkward. The pictures are good but I really could wish it had been a little better written. (Have to admit that it isn't bad for someone who never went to school. When did compulsory education come in and how is it that some are exempt?))
October 16, 2013
This reads like your grandmother sitting down with you and telling you her memories. There aren't a lot of details about the Queen, but that is most likely out of respect to the fact that she is a close family member. If you read between the lines you see more.
The little details on the day to day life and expectations of nobility are interesting.
Her life wasn't completely safe -- she writes about realizing that even though she was staying with her cousins during WWII she would be left behind in case of real danger. She travels to Africa where they ate dinner with revolvers next to each of their plates and run into bandits on safari. And even closer call was when they almost didn't make it out of Bhutan during a coup.
She also describes some of her duties attending Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
The little details on the day to day life and expectations of nobility are interesting.
Her life wasn't completely safe -- she writes about realizing that even though she was staying with her cousins during WWII she would be left behind in case of real danger. She travels to Africa where they ate dinner with revolvers next to each of their plates and run into bandits on safari. And even closer call was when they almost didn't make it out of Bhutan during a coup.
She also describes some of her duties attending Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
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