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Letters and Journals of Sir Alan Lascelles #3
King's Counsellor Abdication and War: The Diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles
Tommy Lascelles' never-before-published diaries paint a vivid picture of the past—from Edward VIII's abdication to George VI's death and his daughter Elizabeth's Coronation. In between lies an enormous range of events, including World War II as seen from Lascelles' point of view as private secretary to the Royal Family, the Princess Margaret-Peter Townsend affair, and the fascinating relationship between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the King. These detailed journals are a delight to read as well as being invaluable historic record.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2006
154 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Alan Lascelles
3 books6 followersSir Alan Frederick Lascelles GCB GCVO CMG MC was a British courtier and civil servant who held several positions in the first half of the twentieth century, culminating in his position as Private Secretary to both King George VI and to Queen Elizabeth II. He wrote the Lascelles Principles in a 1950 letter to the editor of The Times, using the pen-name "Senex".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 7, 2021
I loved this book. A window into history but I think also (and perhaps more important) a window into the man Alan Lascelles. I came to like him and admire him. I would have liked to know him personally but I fear I may have been one of those who would be a boring dinner partner. Not that I want to be boring but I'm just not as educated and thoughtful as he was. But we could have talked about birdwatching and the garden and perhaps which book we're reading.
And that's what I loved about this book because it was his diary (and some letters) interspersed with him writing about important events and people. His description of Edward VIII and his abdication was extremely revealing. He seemed to genuinely like George VI and Winston Churchill although I wouldn't say he was fawning. It's interesting to read how he describes Princess Elizabeth. He wasn't wrong in his impressions of her. As an American, I was pleased to hear of his thoughts on Eisenhower and chuckled when he wrote about 'Monty'.
We read about important letters that need to be written, meetings that need to take place (scheduling!) and then we read what bird appeared in the garden for the first time that particular Spring. Life as he knew it. Trimming shrubs in the garden, reading a book, using his ration coupons for new underwear, having dinner with the King and Queen, and spending as much time as possible with his family. Although, I noticed that he and his wife were separated many times. He would be in London and she down at their home in Windsor. I guess it was the nature of his job but she seemed to be a good sport. She's alone and he's having dinner at the Ritz. I wonder how her diary would read...
I listened to this book and Pip Torrens (who played Lascelles in the Crown) was the reader. He was superb. Chirp had this book on special and I'm glad I took a chance on it ($2.95!) and got it. It's a keeper. I will listen to it again and glean more information from it. One of the drawbacks of listening (on your morning walk) is that you can't underline or take notes. So often he would mention a book and I would think 'I must remember that so I can look it up'. But my aging mind doesn't remember a thing. So off to search for a hard copy.
This was long but I found myself not wanting it to end. I had gotten to know Tommy, I liked Tommy, and he had become my morning walk companion. I must admit I shed a tear when the story ended.
Highly recommend.
Additional Note:
Found a hard copy that didn’t cost a gazillion dollars. Also found a copy of Lascelles’ “End of an Era”. Hoorah!
And that's what I loved about this book because it was his diary (and some letters) interspersed with him writing about important events and people. His description of Edward VIII and his abdication was extremely revealing. He seemed to genuinely like George VI and Winston Churchill although I wouldn't say he was fawning. It's interesting to read how he describes Princess Elizabeth. He wasn't wrong in his impressions of her. As an American, I was pleased to hear of his thoughts on Eisenhower and chuckled when he wrote about 'Monty'.
We read about important letters that need to be written, meetings that need to take place (scheduling!) and then we read what bird appeared in the garden for the first time that particular Spring. Life as he knew it. Trimming shrubs in the garden, reading a book, using his ration coupons for new underwear, having dinner with the King and Queen, and spending as much time as possible with his family. Although, I noticed that he and his wife were separated many times. He would be in London and she down at their home in Windsor. I guess it was the nature of his job but she seemed to be a good sport. She's alone and he's having dinner at the Ritz. I wonder how her diary would read...
I listened to this book and Pip Torrens (who played Lascelles in the Crown) was the reader. He was superb. Chirp had this book on special and I'm glad I took a chance on it ($2.95!) and got it. It's a keeper. I will listen to it again and glean more information from it. One of the drawbacks of listening (on your morning walk) is that you can't underline or take notes. So often he would mention a book and I would think 'I must remember that so I can look it up'. But my aging mind doesn't remember a thing. So off to search for a hard copy.
This was long but I found myself not wanting it to end. I had gotten to know Tommy, I liked Tommy, and he had become my morning walk companion. I must admit I shed a tear when the story ended.
Highly recommend.
Additional Note:
Found a hard copy that didn’t cost a gazillion dollars. Also found a copy of Lascelles’ “End of an Era”. Hoorah!
August 15, 2024
The third volume of the letters and diaries of Sir Alan "Tommy" Lascelles, private secretary to King George VI and the young Queen Elizabeth II, covering the abdication crisis, the Second World War and Princess Margaret's romance with Peter Townsend. The diaries and letters not only provide a valuable perspective on the monarchy through abdication and war and the immediate postwar period but also provide a cultural history of the times as Lascelles discusses the books he was reading and the films and plays that he enjoyed. In addition to discussion of royal protocol, Lascelles also considers the changing role of the monarchy in the Commonwealth and discusses European monarchies in wartime in some detail as so many crowned heads of Europe found refuge in the United Kingdom and Canada. There is a wry sense of humour in some of the diary entries, especially when he is comparing British and American culture in the 1930s and 1940s. The audiobook is very well read by the actor who portrays Lascelles in The Crown series on Netflix.
February 15, 2010
As a scion of the Harwood family and proud of his lineage, Alan Lascelles probably came across as something of an old school stuffed shirt. This book shows that he was anything but.
Beautifully written, King's Counsellor is largely made up of his war time diary and letters written after 1946 until his death. The picture that Lascelles paints of serving the King and trials and tribulations of wartime are vivid. He says little about the King - he was certainly discreet in that department, but some of the comments about others, including Churchill, are refreshing. Lascelles had also served the Prince of Wales for eight years before finally resigning and several pages are devoted to his views on the Prince, which are very interesting. Indeed the book starts with his appointment as under secretary to King George V, who died within weeks and Lacelles found himself once again serving his old employer. There is little about the abdication itself, but it was something that had a major impact on him according to the notes.
This is well worth reading: elegantly written and never dull. Hart-Davis produced two other books from Lascelles' writing prior this one: End of an Era and in Royal Service, which cover from his school days in the 1870s to outbreak of the second world war. These two books are now out of print and very hard to get, but are worth hunting out.
Beautifully written, King's Counsellor is largely made up of his war time diary and letters written after 1946 until his death. The picture that Lascelles paints of serving the King and trials and tribulations of wartime are vivid. He says little about the King - he was certainly discreet in that department, but some of the comments about others, including Churchill, are refreshing. Lascelles had also served the Prince of Wales for eight years before finally resigning and several pages are devoted to his views on the Prince, which are very interesting. Indeed the book starts with his appointment as under secretary to King George V, who died within weeks and Lacelles found himself once again serving his old employer. There is little about the abdication itself, but it was something that had a major impact on him according to the notes.
This is well worth reading: elegantly written and never dull. Hart-Davis produced two other books from Lascelles' writing prior this one: End of an Era and in Royal Service, which cover from his school days in the 1870s to outbreak of the second world war. These two books are now out of print and very hard to get, but are worth hunting out.
October 24, 2022
Review of the audiobook narrated by Pip Torrens
In the Netflix series The Crown, Pip Torrens plays Tommy Lascelles, private secretary to Kings Edward VIII and George VI. He was an insider's insider, and his diaries (incomplete though they are) provide a fascinating look at the abdication of Edward, the ascension of Bertie, and the World War II years.
My enjoyment was enhanced by Pip Torrens's performance. In my mind, his voice is the voice of Tommy Lascelles, but by any standards he was excellent.
I just wish there was more.
In the Netflix series The Crown, Pip Torrens plays Tommy Lascelles, private secretary to Kings Edward VIII and George VI. He was an insider's insider, and his diaries (incomplete though they are) provide a fascinating look at the abdication of Edward, the ascension of Bertie, and the World War II years.
My enjoyment was enhanced by Pip Torrens's performance. In my mind, his voice is the voice of Tommy Lascelles, but by any standards he was excellent.
I just wish there was more.
April 23, 2019
Excellent source material for personal as well as historical background of World War II England.
September 22, 2011
I have just finished 'King's Counsellor - the diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles', the private secretary to King George VI. Very good, and as with other writers' diaries/letters find many of the last entries very poignant. Also with this fellow, after a life of tact and prudence with his work, he allows himself to become just a bit risqué towards the end. There is this entry:
'The leaf-sweeping season is in full swing, but I can't rake for very long at a time nowadays. Winter draws on, as the curate said when he handed the vicar's daughter a cup of tea. To which she replied, if memory serves me right, "Not yet. But why do you ask?" - and we've never been told what his answer was to that one.'
I find that enchanting.
'The leaf-sweeping season is in full swing, but I can't rake for very long at a time nowadays. Winter draws on, as the curate said when he handed the vicar's daughter a cup of tea. To which she replied, if memory serves me right, "Not yet. But why do you ask?" - and we've never been told what his answer was to that one.'
I find that enchanting.
November 22, 2020
I have spent most of the weekend reading it; I couldn't put it down. Wonderful writing, fantastic turns of phrase, insights into a unique family, and at an extraordinary time for the world. I actually felt quite sad was I approached the end of the book, knowing I was reaching the end of his life. Sir Alan Lascelles was certainly an extraordinary man (a counsellor, a husband, a father, a friend), who did an even more extraordinary job.
January 10, 2020
I managed to get this from the library however it looks like it's being republished in August. It would be great if the two earlier volumes were also made available as they are v expensive second hand!
September 19, 2021
This book was a bit of a chore to get through. I loved, really loved, Lascelles’s character in “The Crown,” and had been looking so forward to reading this. It ended up being tedious. I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, it’s a detailed diary with letters. I would give this two stars, but I’m feeling generous and going for three. Plus, again, I happen to really like Lascelles. He served four monarchs, and had many qualities that I admire, including love for his wife and children, loyalty to the monarchy, and clarity of mind. Every time I hear of another annoying news story about Meghan and Harry, I’m sure that he’s turning in his grave, although I believe he was cremated, but you get my drift.
Here are some of my favorite quotes
Abdication
“The story of the Abdication has been invested with a complexity for which there is no warrant. Its basic problem was, in fact, ordinary and simple – only specifically different from the kind of problem that countless parents had had to face when dealing with a strong-minded, recalcitrant son. Edward VIII was a remarkably self-willed man, with exceptionally strong primitive passions. Once he had made up his mind that something was essential to his happiness, nothing would turn him from his course. He had no conception of general principles; his only test of conduct was whether or no he could ‘get away with it’. His intellectual development never progressed after adolescence. He had, in fact, many of the traits of both his predecessor, Edward IV, and of his Hanoverian forebears.”
British Standards
“… as long as there is a Monarchy in this country, it must conform to British standards, and cannot sacrifice them in order to ‘promote good relations’ (which is often only a euphemism for ‘curry favour’) with other nations who have quite other standards. I am not the least pompous, or courtier-ish, about the Monarchy; on the contrary, I take perhaps too pragmatical a view of it. But I am convinced that, in any human society, people who fill offices of this kind ought to abide by the rules of conduct expected of them by those who put them there – and pay them. Exalted labourers, no less than humble ones, must be worthy of their hire; in the case of the British Royal Family, there are certain things which the nation expects them to do, and certain things which it expects them not to do – e.g.not to marry a certain type of woman, as was shown with crystal clearness in 1936.
This is not because they are ‘royal’; it is because their job-in-life has certain definite obligations. The Roman Catholic church would never tolerate a Pope who went habitually to Monte Carlo, nor the House of Commons a Speaker who came to the House in knickerbockers and a flannel shirt, because Popes and Speakers are not meant to do that sort of thing. And the British public do not think that the members of its Royal Family – certainly not the Queen Consort – are meant to publicise themselves in the Press, à la Mrs Roosevelt. The same idea was expressed by H. J. Massingham in a phrase that has always stuck in my head, though it must be thirty years since I read it, in some article of his: ‘The British people have no use for the chatty, handy type of monarch.’ I believe that to be profoundly true; and, incidentally, it explains why Edward VIII, who thought chatty handiness was the beginning and end of kingship, would never have made a good King; or explains it in part – there were a variety of other equally cogent reasons.
Difficulties
“… other people’s troubles don’t make one’s own any easier …”
Free Masons
“There has always been an unwritten law, I believe, that the Sovereign ought not to be a Mason – obviously his Roman Catholic subjects wouldn’t like it – but I daresay it might do good on balance. I know very little about Masonic matters.”
History
“I don’t see how history can arrive at the truth if contemporaries are not allowed to write it.”
Monarchy
“Americans can’t realise the peculiar, indeed unique, position of a King and Queen in this country. It is nothing to do with pomposity, or precedent; but there are, in the British conception of sovereignty, certain things which those who exercise it just cannot do; in the same way that the Pope just couldn’t go to a race-meeting, or the President to a bawdy house.”
Queen Victoria
“Defending Queen Victoria’s sense of humour, which he said was far greater than generally supposed: Princess Helena Victoria used to tell me that when they were all just a family party at Windsor, the grandchildren would be told to do charades, dumb-crambo, etc. to amuse the Queen. ‘But we often had to stop, because Grandmama laughed so much that she turned purple all over.’”
To his Wife
“Goodbye, my Darling. The older I get, the less I like being away from you, and though I am reasonably content, my chief feeling is happiness that one week of the fifteen that I must be away has already gone.”
Virtues
“… great wisdom, courage and humour; which are the three major virtues.”
Here are some of my favorite quotes
Abdication
“The story of the Abdication has been invested with a complexity for which there is no warrant. Its basic problem was, in fact, ordinary and simple – only specifically different from the kind of problem that countless parents had had to face when dealing with a strong-minded, recalcitrant son. Edward VIII was a remarkably self-willed man, with exceptionally strong primitive passions. Once he had made up his mind that something was essential to his happiness, nothing would turn him from his course. He had no conception of general principles; his only test of conduct was whether or no he could ‘get away with it’. His intellectual development never progressed after adolescence. He had, in fact, many of the traits of both his predecessor, Edward IV, and of his Hanoverian forebears.”
British Standards
“… as long as there is a Monarchy in this country, it must conform to British standards, and cannot sacrifice them in order to ‘promote good relations’ (which is often only a euphemism for ‘curry favour’) with other nations who have quite other standards. I am not the least pompous, or courtier-ish, about the Monarchy; on the contrary, I take perhaps too pragmatical a view of it. But I am convinced that, in any human society, people who fill offices of this kind ought to abide by the rules of conduct expected of them by those who put them there – and pay them. Exalted labourers, no less than humble ones, must be worthy of their hire; in the case of the British Royal Family, there are certain things which the nation expects them to do, and certain things which it expects them not to do – e.g.not to marry a certain type of woman, as was shown with crystal clearness in 1936.
This is not because they are ‘royal’; it is because their job-in-life has certain definite obligations. The Roman Catholic church would never tolerate a Pope who went habitually to Monte Carlo, nor the House of Commons a Speaker who came to the House in knickerbockers and a flannel shirt, because Popes and Speakers are not meant to do that sort of thing. And the British public do not think that the members of its Royal Family – certainly not the Queen Consort – are meant to publicise themselves in the Press, à la Mrs Roosevelt. The same idea was expressed by H. J. Massingham in a phrase that has always stuck in my head, though it must be thirty years since I read it, in some article of his: ‘The British people have no use for the chatty, handy type of monarch.’ I believe that to be profoundly true; and, incidentally, it explains why Edward VIII, who thought chatty handiness was the beginning and end of kingship, would never have made a good King; or explains it in part – there were a variety of other equally cogent reasons.
Difficulties
“… other people’s troubles don’t make one’s own any easier …”
Free Masons
“There has always been an unwritten law, I believe, that the Sovereign ought not to be a Mason – obviously his Roman Catholic subjects wouldn’t like it – but I daresay it might do good on balance. I know very little about Masonic matters.”
History
“I don’t see how history can arrive at the truth if contemporaries are not allowed to write it.”
Monarchy
“Americans can’t realise the peculiar, indeed unique, position of a King and Queen in this country. It is nothing to do with pomposity, or precedent; but there are, in the British conception of sovereignty, certain things which those who exercise it just cannot do; in the same way that the Pope just couldn’t go to a race-meeting, or the President to a bawdy house.”
Queen Victoria
“Defending Queen Victoria’s sense of humour, which he said was far greater than generally supposed: Princess Helena Victoria used to tell me that when they were all just a family party at Windsor, the grandchildren would be told to do charades, dumb-crambo, etc. to amuse the Queen. ‘But we often had to stop, because Grandmama laughed so much that she turned purple all over.’”
To his Wife
“Goodbye, my Darling. The older I get, the less I like being away from you, and though I am reasonably content, my chief feeling is happiness that one week of the fifteen that I must be away has already gone.”
Virtues
“… great wisdom, courage and humour; which are the three major virtues.”
May 17, 2023
I can say, without question, that this is one of the best published diaries that I have read so far. It was well-written and articulate and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
There are a couple of things that I found rather interesting:
One is he knew the code name for D-Day and about when it would occur when such information was forbidden to the pubic and every effort was being made to keep it that way.
And the second being he knew of the atom bombs that were being developed and where they were likely to be used. Once again, information that was kept secret and withheld from the public until the bombs were eventually unleashed on Japan. It is interesting to know that the private secretary of the King would know of these things when such information were strictly guarded secrets.
There is one interesting revelation from this book for which I am grateful to have learned. There is a persistent theory that Neville Chamberlain knew that England would eventually be at war with Germany and that he delayed it as long as possible so England could prepare itself when war did come. However, the diarist notes that he spoke with someone who was writing a biography of Mr. Chamberlain and the biographer had in his possession letters from Mr. Chamberlain himself that showed that Mr. Chamberlain did nothing of the sort. I've always wondered if this theory was true or not and now thanks to Sir Alan I now know that it is not.
I should note that about the last 10% of the book contains some of the diarist's letters covering the final years of his life since he stopped writing a diary shortly after WWII. Based on my experience when a book such as this includes letters by the author this usually produces a drag to the book but in this case it compliments it.
There are a couple of things that I found rather interesting:
One is he knew the code name for D-Day and about when it would occur when such information was forbidden to the pubic and every effort was being made to keep it that way.
And the second being he knew of the atom bombs that were being developed and where they were likely to be used. Once again, information that was kept secret and withheld from the public until the bombs were eventually unleashed on Japan. It is interesting to know that the private secretary of the King would know of these things when such information were strictly guarded secrets.
There is one interesting revelation from this book for which I am grateful to have learned. There is a persistent theory that Neville Chamberlain knew that England would eventually be at war with Germany and that he delayed it as long as possible so England could prepare itself when war did come. However, the diarist notes that he spoke with someone who was writing a biography of Mr. Chamberlain and the biographer had in his possession letters from Mr. Chamberlain himself that showed that Mr. Chamberlain did nothing of the sort. I've always wondered if this theory was true or not and now thanks to Sir Alan I now know that it is not.
I should note that about the last 10% of the book contains some of the diarist's letters covering the final years of his life since he stopped writing a diary shortly after WWII. Based on my experience when a book such as this includes letters by the author this usually produces a drag to the book but in this case it compliments it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
For anyone interested in 20c British history, that which covers the abdication and WW2, Tommy Lascelle’s diaries prove an erudite addition to the canon. He was clearly an intelligent interlocutor in the many engagements he had to have with the politicians, military leaders and royalty of the period. His counsel was sought and respected, his judgement seems to have been sound and purposeful, but essentially benign. He had the prejudices of his time, his sex, his class, and his education, but he was never venal in their application. I suspect his portraits of those he was associated with are as reliable as anyones and more ao than most. His diaries exhibit yet again, an example of the sort of character I admire, and which definitely seems to have been more common in that time and place. The stoic, the rational, the contemplative, even the kind.
His class and type are much maligned these days, but the insights his diaries give are as much a statement about him as they are about those more famous figures he was an amanuensis to, and in my opinion he was an admirable man who quietly supported the people who in turn led us through the darkest hours. RIP
One final point, he was recently portrayed by the actor who so beautifully and effectively read his diaries in the audible version I listened to, in the TV series ‘The Crown’. I didn’t watch it, because i knew how much licence it was taking with historical fact. Understanding history requires us to engage with many real sources. These insights are in some ways peripheral but intensely relevant and valuable.
His class and type are much maligned these days, but the insights his diaries give are as much a statement about him as they are about those more famous figures he was an amanuensis to, and in my opinion he was an admirable man who quietly supported the people who in turn led us through the darkest hours. RIP
One final point, he was recently portrayed by the actor who so beautifully and effectively read his diaries in the audible version I listened to, in the TV series ‘The Crown’. I didn’t watch it, because i knew how much licence it was taking with historical fact. Understanding history requires us to engage with many real sources. These insights are in some ways peripheral but intensely relevant and valuable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2021
Tommy Lascelles was one of the more memorable characters on the TV series The Crown, one of the few highly intelligent people surrounding the royal family. The show portrays him as not just intelligent, but fairly hidebound and traditional, almost to the point of being a parody of himself. These diaries reveal the real Tommy Lascelles to have been not only brilliant, but modern-thinking, liberal (for his day and place in society) and free-thinking. They also highlight his great wit. The book, toward the end, quotes someone as saying that Tommy (then an elderly man; he lived to be 94) was always wonderful company. I can see that from his diaries; he is full of witty comments on everyone with whom he came in contact, and by that I don't mean nasty or churlish comments, but genuine wit. He was prescient, too, suggesting in the '40s that he hoped Eisenhower would become President of the US, and fully appreciating the power of atomic energy. The title is a bit misleading, because while the book does contain some information about the abdication of Edward VIII and Tommy's role in it, it does not contain his diaries for that period. Nonetheless, it's still a great read.
June 17, 2023
A cracking good read! From the cover you might think this a tedious set of war diaries, but there is warmth and humour and love that you would not expect from a Private Secretary. "The Crown" did him dirty; the Tommy of this book was charmed by and respected the little Princesses, and joined in the evening entertainments. In addition to the war, there are many vignettes of family life and his friends, and life in the country. I don't think he would have spoken to me, but he would have been fun to sit next to at a dinner party, for his stories.
The diaries end with the war, but there are letters that are more earthy and racy than you might expect, but 80 year-olds have no filter. Yes, he's going to look into the wine catalogue to see how much the Queen spent on her birthday gift to him. Yes, he's going to describe some nonsense as "Balls!"
I, as well as the rest of you, are in this for the tea spilled about the Duke of Windsor and That Simpson Woman. He does not hold back, and the picture that emerges is not sympathetic to the Duke. I will photocopy them for my commonplace book, for they bear re-reading in how not to be a self-centred prat.
The diaries end with the war, but there are letters that are more earthy and racy than you might expect, but 80 year-olds have no filter. Yes, he's going to look into the wine catalogue to see how much the Queen spent on her birthday gift to him. Yes, he's going to describe some nonsense as "Balls!"
I, as well as the rest of you, are in this for the tea spilled about the Duke of Windsor and That Simpson Woman. He does not hold back, and the picture that emerges is not sympathetic to the Duke. I will photocopy them for my commonplace book, for they bear re-reading in how not to be a self-centred prat.
February 10, 2025
I adored this book written by the Private Secretary to King George VI (Queen Elizabeth's father) and I read it with phone in hand so I could look up all the clubs, stately houses, and personalities referenced along the way.
While it was obviously about the King's circle, and chiefly covers the WWII years, what I loved was its reflection of a way of aristocratic and royal life and a stratification of society that is mostly past -- for better and for worse.
I can't imagine how a man who was on call 24/7 to the King had time to be an avid diarist (this is vol III) and voracious reader for pleasure. He was a huge Trollope buff, he knew his Shakespeare inside out, and he and his wife Joan read books aloud to each other such as H.A.L Fisher's History of Europe and C. Whilley's William Pitt. The arts (he attends theatre, symphonies and operas all the time), intellect (there are liberal bon mots in both Latin and Greek throughout), and a vast knowledge of history were all revered and admired. And all of that contributed to statesmanship and civility the likes of which are rare if not completely unknown in most people of any class today.
While it was obviously about the King's circle, and chiefly covers the WWII years, what I loved was its reflection of a way of aristocratic and royal life and a stratification of society that is mostly past -- for better and for worse.
I can't imagine how a man who was on call 24/7 to the King had time to be an avid diarist (this is vol III) and voracious reader for pleasure. He was a huge Trollope buff, he knew his Shakespeare inside out, and he and his wife Joan read books aloud to each other such as H.A.L Fisher's History of Europe and C. Whilley's William Pitt. The arts (he attends theatre, symphonies and operas all the time), intellect (there are liberal bon mots in both Latin and Greek throughout), and a vast knowledge of history were all revered and admired. And all of that contributed to statesmanship and civility the likes of which are rare if not completely unknown in most people of any class today.
September 19, 2024
Tommy Lascelles was the private secretary to King George VI, prior to that he worked for the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII.
The diaries detail the authors growing disillusionment with the character of Edward and the abdication, his admiration for George VI and Winston Churchill and the role of the King during the war which often plays second fiddle to that of Churchill in the grand narrative of the period.
Lascelles` diary is a reflection of his class and time, effortlessly superior and well connected there is one too many references to a "little man" , a patronizing term if there ever was one , but he offers insights into the character of many of the leading figures of the period and after the war with the figures of the new Labour government , some of whom such as Bevin who he clearly regards as a great man.
The diary stops abruptly in 1946 but later letters into the 1980s (Tommy lived to be 94) are amusing and provide further insight into the man and also events such as the relationship between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend.
Thoroughly recommended
The diaries detail the authors growing disillusionment with the character of Edward and the abdication, his admiration for George VI and Winston Churchill and the role of the King during the war which often plays second fiddle to that of Churchill in the grand narrative of the period.
Lascelles` diary is a reflection of his class and time, effortlessly superior and well connected there is one too many references to a "little man" , a patronizing term if there ever was one , but he offers insights into the character of many of the leading figures of the period and after the war with the figures of the new Labour government , some of whom such as Bevin who he clearly regards as a great man.
The diary stops abruptly in 1946 but later letters into the 1980s (Tommy lived to be 94) are amusing and provide further insight into the man and also events such as the relationship between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend.
Thoroughly recommended
July 17, 2025
A fascinating memoir of world war 2 by the King’s private secretary. Perspicacious, intelligent and witty, the author gives great insights into the private personalities of the leaders of the time, especially Winston Churchill and the royal family, but taking in many others. He combines this with fascinating insights into his own life under the wartime rationing and restrictions which the king insisted his household adopt, the same as everyone else. It’s written in the style of Edwardian upper class, which is interesting and only occasionally irritating. The audiobook version is very well narrated.
March 18, 2020
Lascelles was nothing if not wise, prescient and honest (of course, diplomatically so) in his work for and with power players in Britain during the early to mid 20th century. His reminiscences of the pesterous Duke of Windsor are frank and carry a sorrowful lament; his great disappointment in the Duke is the underlying thread which makes his frank assessment of other political players so revealing. Always close to the vest, and always brutally honest and true to his sense of integrity, duty and dignity. A very enlightening and often entertaining read.
April 24, 2020
Overall, a fantastic book if you're into royal gossip or curious about what it was like to spend time around kings and princes. Mr. Lascelles was either the deputy private secretary or private secretary for 3 kings - George V, Edward VIII and George VI.
My favorite parts about the book was where he described the personalities of the 3 sovereigns he served. He seemed to respect George V as a grandfatherly figure. He loathed Edward VIII and was scared he would have to serve Edward VIII if George V passed away (which he did shortly thereafter). He remarked (I am paraphrasing), what good is it to scream "God Save the King" when one isn't willing to serve when called upon? He was deeply patriotic in that sense. He seemed to loathe Edward VIII and this was a product of serving with him for almost 10 years while he was Prince of Wales and briefly during this reign as king. He considered Edward VIII to be selfish and who's primary motive was "what can I get away with?" You know what they say, you can learn a lot about a person by what they try to get away with. He thought the Prince of Wales would make a horrible king who wouldn't last and he was right. My favorite part was when he was talking to the Prime Minister who was also watching the Prince of Wales ride a horse and he remarked, the best thing for everyone would be if he just fell off and broke his neck. The PM exclaimed, OMG I have thought that many times myself!
Mr. Lascelles served George VI (current Queen Elizabeth's father) for 10-11 years and he thought he was an honest, dutiful, rational and overall good man. The best parts was how he had to convince Churchill and George VI that they should NOT go to the frontline to watch D-Day and the storming of Normandy beach. He convinced George VI that it was a bad idea when he asked George VI if he (George VI) was prepared to advise Princess Elizabeth (then 18 years old) on how to select a prime minister. The King freaked out and reconsidered.
Overall, this is a great book for those with an interest in the subject of royal history.
My favorite parts about the book was where he described the personalities of the 3 sovereigns he served. He seemed to respect George V as a grandfatherly figure. He loathed Edward VIII and was scared he would have to serve Edward VIII if George V passed away (which he did shortly thereafter). He remarked (I am paraphrasing), what good is it to scream "God Save the King" when one isn't willing to serve when called upon? He was deeply patriotic in that sense. He seemed to loathe Edward VIII and this was a product of serving with him for almost 10 years while he was Prince of Wales and briefly during this reign as king. He considered Edward VIII to be selfish and who's primary motive was "what can I get away with?" You know what they say, you can learn a lot about a person by what they try to get away with. He thought the Prince of Wales would make a horrible king who wouldn't last and he was right. My favorite part was when he was talking to the Prime Minister who was also watching the Prince of Wales ride a horse and he remarked, the best thing for everyone would be if he just fell off and broke his neck. The PM exclaimed, OMG I have thought that many times myself!
Mr. Lascelles served George VI (current Queen Elizabeth's father) for 10-11 years and he thought he was an honest, dutiful, rational and overall good man. The best parts was how he had to convince Churchill and George VI that they should NOT go to the frontline to watch D-Day and the storming of Normandy beach. He convinced George VI that it was a bad idea when he asked George VI if he (George VI) was prepared to advise Princess Elizabeth (then 18 years old) on how to select a prime minister. The King freaked out and reconsidered.
Overall, this is a great book for those with an interest in the subject of royal history.
January 9, 2024
A Wonderful Read
This book is very enjoyable to anyone who is interested in The Royal Family. This book gives you a better insight into the character that is portrayed in The Crown. His insights into the abdication of Edward VIII are very interesting and shed a greater light on what was happening at the time. It was fascinating reading first hand his accounts of his family with his wife and children as well. This man was very dedicated to The Royal Family but to his own family as well.
This book is very enjoyable to anyone who is interested in The Royal Family. This book gives you a better insight into the character that is portrayed in The Crown. His insights into the abdication of Edward VIII are very interesting and shed a greater light on what was happening at the time. It was fascinating reading first hand his accounts of his family with his wife and children as well. This man was very dedicated to The Royal Family but to his own family as well.
December 16, 2020
A wonderful book for anyone interested in the 1936 Abdication Crisis, the lead-up to World War II, and the war years. It also casts light on the reasons why Princess Margaret did not marry Peter Townsend. Sir Alan "Tommy" Lascelles was a fine writer, with sound judgment; he also lived a long life (he died aged 94), and thus, had a long perspective. I found his assessments of the key players - Churchill, Montgomery, Attlee, et al. - fair and balanced. Quite interesting book!
June 27, 2024
I’d expect some juicy tales from the principal private secretary of King George VI, a man who also was a courtier to Edward VIII. However, with the exception of his vitriol against the man who became the Duke of Windsor (I suspect her egged the Queen Mother on in her famous hatred against the Duke and Duchess of Windsor), this book is mostly pages and pages of who he had lunch or dinner with. Why bother keeping a diary if you’re just going to be boring?
July 21, 2021
These diaries and letters paint a very different picture of the man than portrayed in "The Crown". Having recently read the diaries of Chips Channon and Harold Nicholson I have a much more balanced picture of the key characters involved in both the abdication and WW2. Both fascinating periods of our history.
January 15, 2024
fascinating insight into the free World War II, Era, the chime during the war, and the time immediately there after
Excellent narrative of behind-the-scenes during one of the most pivotal times in British and world history. Succinctly told, with a level of detail of personalities that it is hard to imagine finding elsewhere.
Excellent narrative of behind-the-scenes during one of the most pivotal times in British and world history. Succinctly told, with a level of detail of personalities that it is hard to imagine finding elsewhere.
February 6, 2024
' The Crown" a good guide to this excellent book. This is the man seen counselling the Queen as she disembarked the aircraft to learn King George has died and she is now the reigning monarch.
Written in diary format, he then goes back to start of his appointment with George 6, Elizabeth s father.
Very enjoyable.
Written in diary format, he then goes back to start of his appointment with George 6, Elizabeth s father.
Very enjoyable.
March 11, 2024
Very much interesting in reading the thoughts and journal of such dedicated & behind scenes kind of a man, some details can master the art of public relations & the power of the staff that runs behind successful or fallen king or president.
March 10, 2021
Interesting glimpse into another era and into the inner circle of those who serve the royalty.
January 3, 2022
Extraordinary insight into the life of a royal private secretary, and a wonderful testament to Lascelles’ character. One of my favourite books.
February 28, 2022
I did enjoy this book but it was a bit dry in parts. Mostly a reading of diary entries it covers a whole wallop of the Second World War plus some personal stuff. Well narrated.
March 23, 2022
A fantastic set of sources, provides a great deal of insight into many figures of the period! (Great if you love The Crown)
October 20, 2022
I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed an audiobook more than this one. Excellent.
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