The Royal Nanny

A Novel

By: Karen Harper

Narrated by: Melanie Crawley

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on a seldom-told true story, this novel is perfect for everyone who is fascinated by Britain’s royal family - a behind the scenes look into the nurseries of little princes and the foibles of big princes.

April 1897: A young nanny arrives at Sandringham, ancestral estate of the Duke and Duchess of York. She is excited, exhausted - and about to meet royalty....

So begins the unforgettable story of Charlotte Bill, who would care for a generation of royals as their parents never could. Neither Charlotte - LaLa, as her charges dub her - nor anyone else can predict that eldest sons David and Bertie will each one day be king. LaLa knows only that these children, and the four who swiftly follow, need her steadfast loyalty and unconditional affection.

But the greatest impact on Charlotte’s life is made by a mere bud on the family tree: a misunderstood soul who will one day be known as the Lost Prince. Young Prince John needs all of Lala’s love - the kind of love his parents won’t...or can’t...show him.

From Britain’s old wealth to the glittering excesses of Tsarist Russia; from country cottages to royal yachts, and from nursery to ballroom, Charlotte Bill witnesses history. The Royal Nanny is a seamless blend of fact and fiction - an intensely intimate, yet epic tale spanning decades, continents, and divides that only love can cross.

©2016 Karen Harper (P)2020 HarperAudio

Absolutely wonderful

The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that it ended. Start to finish could not wait to get back to where I could listen some more.

Worth The Listen!

I saw this book as the daily deal and thought the sample narration sounded pretty good! Thank goodness I was not disappointed. She performed it so well, with lots of different emotions and honestly sounded like you might picture a royal nanny speaking. My only complaint would simply be that she did talk kind of slow, so I just bumped up the speed a bit. Great character development across the board, and a story that leaves you wanting more. 👍🏼👍🏼

Excellent

I enjoyed learning a bit more of the British Royal line, and the fact that this book has the family member Johnny. “the missing brother”. It is interesting to read about what todays doctors think/read into what the doctors said about Johnny back then, and a possible diagnosis for him, Other mentions of disability and the Royal families in this book, is refreshing,

Wonderful listen!

The historical detail was engrossing. The narration was the very best. Any historical fan will love this book

Had a VERY hard time putting it down!

This work of historical fiction was delightfully written from the point of view of "Mrs. Lala", nanny to the children of the man who became King George V. That means she was nanny to David, who became King Edward VII (the one who abdicated) and Bertie, who became King George VI, father of QEII. But more than anything she was nanny and lifelong companion John (Johnnie), last child of King George and Queen Mary. Full name John Charles Francis, who suffered from epilepsy and was likely on the autism spectrum.

Although his conditions were hidden from the public, Johnnie was a family favorite who was kept safe from prying eyes on the Sandringham Estate. Sadly, Johnnie died young, the result of one of his seizures which had worsened over his lifetime. Mrs. Lala was with him to the end.

The facts are well known; this work of fiction fills in dialog and tells a lovely story of the Royal Family from the latest years of Queen Victoria through the end of the 1st World War.

Loving Courage

A wonderful read! The central character is lovable, heroic, and devoted; her personal ups and downs are as compelling as the historic events happening around her. The turn of the century, the tragedies of W W 1 and 2 play out in and around the royal family as courage through hardship and loss inspire them all. That courage inspires us to dig deeper into our own challenges. A great listen!

Good book

Learned a lot about the Royal family and it gave background to The King's Speech film.

Worth the read

This book was a great mix of history and fiction. The pace was great and I enjoyed the narrator. I’ve always been fascinated by the British Royals, which drew me to this book. I enjoyed fact checking along the way and learned some new facts!

Wonderful!

Such an easy comforting listen.. do yourself a favor and give it a try! Simply captivating.

Quite True

So much of this is quite true. I remember once hearing about the royal nanny, LaLa and how loved she was. I never thought about hearing her story and now I’m glad I have. I wish her personal life might have been happier but she felt her life was rewarding, so there it is. This was told with much decorum and performed perfectly. It was a good read.