The Little Princesses

The Story of the Queen's Childhood by Her Nanny, Marion Crawford

By: Marion Crawford, Jennie Bond - foreword

Narrated by: Sophie Roberts

Originally published in 1950, The Little Princesses was the first account of British Royal life inside Buckingham Palace as revealed by Marion Crawford, who served as governess to princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

A 22-year-old teacher recruited to look after the Duke and Duchess of York's young daughters in 1931, Marion Crawford - affectionately known as "Crawfie" by her charges - spent 16 years with the Royal family as the children's governess. From King Edward VIII's abdication of the throne in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson and King George VI's subsequent crowning and all the way to Elizabeth's courtship and marriage to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Crawfie's memoir offers an intimate and revelatory perspective of Elizabeth and Margaret's childhood during one of the most momentous eras in British history.

Initially honored as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for her loyal service to the crown, Crawfie was later demonized by the press and ostracized by the royal family for the rest of her life as a result of The Little Princesses' publication. When compared to the modern media's relentless obsession with the House of Windsor, Crawfie's touching account of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret's youth presents a poignant reminder of how much life has changed for the British Royals.

©1950 the executors of the late Marion Crawford; Foreword copyright 2002 by Jennie Bond (P)2021 Tantor

LOVED IT! So charming..

I enjoyed this book so much. It was so well written. I loved learning about the princesses individual personalities as children and then as they matured into young ladies, how close this little family of four truly was, and just how very normal they were raised to be, even given their Royal lineage.

I also thought the narrator. She was one of the best I’ve ever listen to. It was just like Crawfi was talking to each of us personally. Lovely voice and rhythm. (I purchased on Ebay a first edition copy of the actual book so that I could see all the wonderful pictures.)
Also, I am really glad that I had read Lady Colin Campbell‘s book about the Queen Mother first, so I that I understood just how manipulative the Queen Mother really could be and the role she (QM) played in Marion’s feeling free to share/publish her story about her time with the royal family in the first place, and then her (QM) role in the subsequent banishment, and complete ostracization of this very loyal women who gave so much of herself, and her life, even putting off her own marriage for more than 5 years, so that she could continue to care for the young princesses, during the war, so that the King and Queen could carry on with their great war efforts and not worry about the children care.

So I just thought it unthinkable the later treatment of her, given how much Crawfi did for the royal family and yet, after the publication of this book, they never had anything to do with her ever again, ever, for the rest of her life. I felt so sorry for her, so saddened by their abandonment of this dear women.

Anyway, I enjoyed this book immensley, but I was just so saddened, knowing how it ended for Crawfi. Of course, I think had the queen mother not been so controlling of a person, both Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret probably would have eventually, at some point, reconnected and could’ve had such a lovely and enduring relationship as they shared so much history together.

But, I am so thankful that Crawfi wrote this charming book as we are all so enriched by having received such a glimpse into their personal world.

Pretty cool.

Very interesting information. Insights I hadn’t heard before. Very interesting hearing about the princesses when they were young

Delightful story!

Marion Crawford was so blessed to take on such an interesting position at a young age. Her accounts of the royal family offer up a beautiful picture of an idyllic childhood (for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret) within a family filled with love.

It’s so sad that the royal family ostracized Crawford after the release of this book, for I think it portrays the entire family in a very positive and “real” way.

Listened none stop from beginning to end!

Great first hand story of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon's younger years, before, during and after the war. Also including there lives before after the abdication and when Prince Philip enters there lives through the birth of King Charles III.

Good!

Provides real insight and detail about the childhoods of QEII and Princess Margaret. Reads as a very honest yet positive portrayal of both girls with emphasis on their unique talents and characters. It’s easy to see the great Queen in the character of the little Lilibet. Loved it.

The narrator was excellent.