Lady in Waiting

My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown

De: Anne Glenconner

Narrado por: Anne Glenconner

**OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD**

'The gossip is stupendous but it's also tremendously touching. It's one of those books that makes you long for bed so you can read more!' - JILLY COOPER

A Maid of Honour at the Queen's Coronation and former Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret, Anne Glenconner has spent her life as a friend of the royal family. In this bestselling memoir, she looks back on an extraordinary life full of glamour, drama and tragedy.

'The best royal book by miles . . . funny, gossipy and riveting' -JANE RIDLEY, SPECTATOR

'If your jaw doesn't drop at least three times every chapter, you've not been paying proper attention' - SUNDAY TIMES

The eldest child of the 5th Earl of Leicester, Anne knew as a daughter she would not inherit the family fortune and was instead brought up to secure an eligible husband. Her marriage to the charismatic Colin Tennant - later Lord Glenconner - would prove a test of every strength she possessed, while her friendship with Princess Margaret, which began in childhood, grew ever closer.

From the tragic loss of two of her grown-up sons to the cruel surprise of her late husband's final will, Lady in Waiting is Anne Glenconner's remarkable testament to the resilience and humour that define her as she emerges from the shadow of her husband and the crown, reminding us that all that glitters is not gold.

'A captivating account of a life lived with resilience and grace' - DAILY MAIL

'The stoical Lady G writes with infectious joy and optimism' - DAILY EXPRESS

'I can't recommend it highly enough' - LORRAINE KELLY

'Gentle, wise, unpretentious, but above all inspiring' - THE TIMES

'A candid, witty and stylish memoir' - MIRANDA SEYMOUR, FINANCIAL TIMES

'Stalwart and disarmingly honest . . . emotion resonates through this delightful memoir' - THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

'Discretion and honour emerge as the hallmarks of Glenconner's career as a royal servant, culminating in this book which manages to be both candid and kind' - GUARDIAN

'I couldn't put it down. Funny and touching - like looking through a keyhole at a lost world.' - RUPERT EVERETT©2019 Anne Glenconner

Reseñas de la Crítica

'A remarkable life, remarkably told'

'A funny, sometimes tragic and disarmingly frank memoir . . . Lady in Waiting is gentle, wise, unpretentious, but above all inspiring'

'A candid, witty and stylish memoir'

'The insider memoir of the year'

'A startling, rare, beguiling insight into a lost world of royalty and celebrity with as many tears as there are titles'

'Marvellous book . . . one's eyes were on stalks'

'Discretion and honour emerge as the hallmarks of Glenconner's career as a royal servant, culminating in this book which manages to be both candid and kind.'

'[An] astounding memoir'

'Remarkable . . . If your jaw doesn't drop at least three times every chapter, you've not been paying proper attention'

'It's a total hoot - I couldn't put it down'

'A romp of an autobiography'

'I couldn't put it down. Funny and touching - like looking through a keyhole at a lost world'

'Lady Glenconner's life story is a combination of royal magic, personal tragedy and resilient survival. With humour, courage and preternatural poise, she at last tells the story of her uniquely fascinating life'

'Anne Glenconner has written a remarkable memoir - containing, at last, a genuine portrait of Princess Margaret from one who knew her well. But this book is poignant too, and through the pages shine her courage and good-humoured acceptance of her demons and tragedies'

'An absolute hoot'

'This memoir made me laugh, wince, cry and gasp. For anyone who craves a bracing dose of the older generation's stiff upper lip, Anne Glenconner provides it.'

'Wonderful'

'It's impossible not to admire her fortitude . . . funny and sometimes dazzling'

'Rollicking . . . [Lady in Waiting] paints such a rich picture of the aristocracy it's impossible not to marvel at the institution, both in admiration and horror'

'This outlandish memoir drips with royal tidbits . . . but it's also insightful on the more damaging aspects of being a member of the British aristocracy. Sobering - and terrific fun'

'One of the most enjoyable books of 2019 . . . Anne Glenconner, now 87, captures a lost world in which she waited (with remarkable good grace) on Princess Margaret. Sometimes the best view of history is given by the minor characters'

'The author reads her own words in indomitable fashion, and anyone who enjoyed Craig Brown's life of Glenconner's former employer, Ma'am Darling, will find this fascinating.'

'This year's Ma'am Darling - the perfect book to curl up on the sofa with.'

'This riveting read will leave you open-mouthed and hungry for more.'

'Fascinating and beautifully written . . . I can't recommend [Glenconner's] book high enough'

'Captivating'

'Beyond admirable'

'Riveting life'

An incredible insight

This book was so much more than I imagined. I always love when they’re narrated by the original others and Lady Anne Glenconner did not disappoint. Her incredible life story is so well pieced together in this book giving a great insight into her first hand dealings of the who’s who of society in the last 70 years. Her own, personal life story is also extremely interesting, moving and honestly written. A great listen overall!

Will leave you confused about how to feel.

There’s no doubt that Anne Glenconner has lived an extraordinary life. Her account of recent historical events is amazing to hear from an eye witness. Her terrible personal tragedies show that money and privilege doesn’t make you immune to suffering.

However, there’s a lot about this account that is hard to hear. She spent over 50 years married to an extremely abusive man and she doesn’t seem to see that that’s what he was. It’s disturbing in the extreme to listen to someone talk so matter of factly - and lovingly - about someone whose public temper tantrums would’ve landed him in jail at times if he hadn’t been so rich. Speaking of being rich, she simply has no understanding of what poverty means and even refers to her family, with their stately homes, servants and overseas travel during her childhood, as “too poor” to afford certain things. It’s quite insulting to the men and women of her generation who experienced genuine poverty and suffering, particularly during and after WWII.

The casual description of animal abuse is also hard to stomach. I was expecting the revolting details of a family of aristocrats who went hunting and thought murdering living beings for a laugh was perfectly acceptable. A husband who went to cock fights and rodeos and bought an elephant, which he had shipped half way around the world to use for rides, was shocking. This kind of animal abuse has been illegal in the UK for decades and he could only do it because he was so wealthy that he purchased an entire Caribbean island, where he could harm animals, safely out of the reach of the UK authorities.

Such an amazing listen

What a beautifully written book- absolutely captivating (especially as it’s read by the author). Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!

Fantastic book enjoyed every minute

I really enjoyed this book. I am recovering from a traumatic brain injury and have found listening to Lady Glenconner reading this story of her life genuinely absorbing. The author has overcome great adversity and sadness and yet managed to carry on and not let the many dreadful things that have happened bring her down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and have already done so.

An interesting look at en era gone by

An interesting account of an extraordinary life.

It adds to the pleasure that Lady Glenconner read the audiobook herself.

I highly recommend it.