The Governess: The unknown childhood of the most famous woman who ever lived

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Before there was Elizabeth, there was Lilibet…

‘A hugely entertaining, emotionally satisfying story of love and loyalty’ DAILY MAIL

‘A poignant, fictional reimagining of a woman condemned by history, with plenty of modern-day echoes’ MAIL ON SUNDAY
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She Came From Nothing . . . and Raised a Queen

The drama of the Abdication, the glamour of the Coronation, the trauma of World War II – Marion Crawford, affectionately known as Crawfie, stood by the side of the royal family through it all.

In 1933, a progressive young teacher became governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Determined to give her pupils a fun and normal childhood, she took them on buses, swimming at public baths and Christmas shopping at Woolworths.

For seventeen years she served at the heart of the royal family. But her devotion and loyalty counted for nothing when a perceived betrayal brought everything crashing down.

This sweeping, sumptuous novel brings her long-buried story to life and shines a completely new and captivating light into the world’s most famous family.
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‘Brilliantly researched . . . I was completely absorbed and transported’ ADELE PARKS, author of Just My Luck

‘Compelling characters and a wonderful blend of historical accuracy and real narrative drive . . . a heart-breaking study of loyalty and love’ SALLY MORRIS, Daily Mail

‘[A] beautifully researched and captivating novel . . . Wendy Holden’s tender and intimate portrait of Lilibet, the future Queen Elizabeth II, is masterly’ RACHEL HORE

‘I adored this wonderful book. What a great story Wendy Holden has told’ JILLY COOPER

‘A great book for escaping into . . . I loved this!’ KATIE FFORDE

‘Sensitive, funny and fascinating – this masterful novel gives the reader fly-on-the-wall privileges into the early life of the Queen’ FREYA NORTH

‘A brilliantly imagined and poignant novel . . . of sacrifice, deep affection, strained loyalties and divided English society in the post-Downton Abbey era’ ELIZABETH BUCHAN

‘An intimate view of the royal family at a time of great uncertainty and change . . . Marion Crawford’s dedication to her charges, as well as her passion for education and reform, shines through the pages’ CHANEL CLEETON

‘Wendy Holden absolutely delivers in this perfect blend of story and history . . . Lovers of The Crown series on Netflix will adore this!’ SUSAN MEISSNER

‘I loved, loved, LOVED this book and if it isn’t adapted for the screen, I’ll eat my crown!’ ERICA JAMES

‘A beautifully woven and exquisitely detailed story’ HEATHER MORRIS, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz