R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 11/16/2021 + 1438 more book reviews

While entertaining, Lady Anne Glenconner's biography felt to me like it should have been two books. One would have focused on her role as lady in waiting to Princess Margaret, who was a good friend. The other would detail her extraordinary life which I acknowledge may not have been possible without closeness to the royal family. This book allows an intimate glance into royaly lives and the elaborate detail all connected with family endure.

Lady Anne's observations and comments focus on her personal reactions to what is expected. Imagine spending hours for a formal occasion such as Elizabeth's coronation attending 12 to 16 different rehearsal days! She almost fainted on one occasion.

So much travel! She notes that she made 26 trips to India and lived in 12 or more homes in England alone. And, they went from England to Mustique many times a year. No traveling by herself but often with a staff of many. It made me smile that the stated that she never traveled without a bottle of vodka.

Once engaged to Princess Diana's father, she married Colin Tennant, Baron of Glenconner. In spite of his constant infidelity, it lasted 54 years. Princess Margaret loved Colin as a friend but had warned Anne he was wonderful but decadent. She married him anyway. Eccentric, he purchased the Caribbean island Mustique where he could vent his strange ways privately rather than throwing public tantrums. They had five children but tragedy left one to comforted in her later years. This part of her life alone makes fascinating reading. Lady Anne is a most interesting individual who was able to cope with almost any aspect of life. Most interesting reading.

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