The Royal Governess

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Marion is training to be a teacher and has a specific interest in helping the children in Edinburgh's slums. Her mentor convinces her that teaching the aristocracy may help influence the conditions of the poor from another angle.

Marion accepts a job teaching Princess Elizabeth of York, the young granddaughter of King George V. Because of her position, she is at the center of history when the "David" the Prince of Wales begins dating Wallis Simpson. When David (now King Edward VIII) unexpectedly abdicates the throne, Marion finds herself as the governess for the heir to the throne.

Marion's passion for helping the poor is admirable, and when she first enters the royal family she sees their traditions and protocol as an outsider. As time goes on, she stops seeing the craziness of the royals and starts to accept it as normal. Her intention is to stay awhile and normalize the princesses, but her motherly feelings for Lillibet keep her from moving on to other endeavors.

Marion is present for King George's death, the abdication, and World War II. Through her, the reader gets to see these events from an outsider's perspective. Marion doesn't harbor the resentment for Wallis Simpson that the royals have, even seeing her as a great woman. Marion's progressive views show the reader the history through a more modern lens.

You see the queen Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon for the master manipulator she was, keeping Marion employed in the palace by making her feel important and needed. Marion could be replaced at any time in the queen's eyes, but the girls would miss her. Marion devotes her life to the princesses and gives up her chances of romance and a family for her charges. Ultimately, the story is of what one woman gave up trying to make her country better.

Recommended for fans of the British monarchy or "upstairs-downstairs" novels that follow the family as well as the servants.

Wendy Holden is a bestselling author who also writes as Taylor Holden. She is a former journalist who writes both fiction and non-fiction.

Publisher: Berkley

Length: 432 pages

Release Date: August 25, 2020

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.