There are so many fantastic historical fictions books out this summer, but this was at the top of my list. “Royal fiction” has become quite popular, and I was thrilled to see this one on NetGalley. While a lot of royal fiction focuses on people and events long ago, Tessa Arlen has cast her eye on the Windsors. If you are looking for book for a long weekend or a vacation, look no further! In Royal Service to the Queen by Tessa Arlen is a fascinating and heartfelt book that I couldn’t put down. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In Royal Service to the Queen, Tessa Arlen
The revealing story of Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved governess, Marion Crawford, who spent more than sixteen years of her life in loyal service to the royal family and was later shunned by those she has loved and served.
Marion Crawford can remember each of the wonderful years when she was governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose: included in their lives, confided in, needed, trusted, and loved. These memories will never dim, ever. In Marion’s mind, she will always be their Crawfie.
But things become increasingly complicated as the young royals navigate adulthood. It is May 1945 and Princess Elizabeth–the heiress presumptive to the British throne–has fallen in love, and the only member of her family who is happy for her is her governess. No one in the young princess’s life thinks that Prince Philip of Greece would be a suitable husband for the future Queen of England. No one that is, except for Marion Crawford.
Crawfie wholeheartedly supports Elizabeth in her determination to marry Philip. She too has fallen in love–and has convinced her fiancé, George, that they must wait for Elizabeth and Philip to receive the King’s blessing before she can leave her service to the Crown.
Over the next two years Crawfie is caught between loyalty to Princess Elizabeth; running the risk of alienating her royal employer, Queen Elizabeth; and losing the man she loves. But as Crawfie prevails to marry George and stands with him in Westminster Abbey on Elizabeth and Philip’s wedding day, she is unaware that her troubled relationship with Queen Elizabeth is far from over. And just around the corner is a betrayal that will sever her bond with the royal family forever.
Why You Should Read This…
The Windsor family has become a popular subject for historical fiction. I know that a lot of people think that the royals should be left until everyone they know has passed, but I disagree. (Why can Netflix make The Crown but an author can’t write a book?) While this book covers what was undoubtedly a difficult period for the family, I think it does it respectfully and realistically.
Marion Crawford’s story seems a bit outrageous to us now. In the age of celebrity tell-alls, it is difficult to understand why sweet and lovely articles and books about the princesses would be so horrifying. (A lot of celebrities and politicians would do a lot to positive public attention.) However, to the family, it was the ultimate betrayal. Arlen dissects this difficult situation from Crawfie’s point of view. Although I couldn’t put this book down, it was difficult to read. The Queen Mother was often described as “a marshmallow with an iron centre”, and Crawfie felt that iron centre.
As an historian, I believe that we all have a mixture of good and bad qualities, and are multi-faceted. Arlen did a wonderful job with both Elizabeth and Margaret in In Royal Service. They felt like real people, rather than two-dimensional royals to be praised from afar. And Crawfie is a complex protagonist. You feel like you are in her head, and you can feel the constant push and pull of her duties.
And if you want more royal fiction, I’ve got a full list for you here!
Are you going to read In Royal Service to the Queen?
Cheers,
The Historian
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