Those in their fifties might say that the life and death of Diana created an unprecedented media storm. Elizabeth never forgave either of them as it meant her shy, anxious husband with the speech impediment was suddenly thrust into a role he had not really been prepared for. For fans of The Crown and Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret, a deliciously entertaining collection of 101 fascinating and funny anecdotes about Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother—one for each year of her life. I've got many uncomfortable feelings about the monarchy but, I heard Gareth Russell on the Savage Lovecast and was fascinated by the history he shared and requested this ARC.

He is the author of several books, including The Palace, The Ship of Dreams, Young and Damned and Fair, The Emperors, and Do Let’s Have Another Drink. First line: When Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was born in the summer of 1900, Queen Victoria was the British monarch.She was a lover of life, and even though she had feuds with members of her family, such as Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana, she truly loved and fought for her family until the very end of her long life. Even after losing her husband when she was just 50-years-old, she maintained her steel strength for the rest of her life.

Stepping into the Queen Mother’s rarefied universe is a little like falling through the looking glass. Many people who had meetings with the Queen mum missed later appointments as she convinced them, quite cheerfully, to just have one more. The book rightly celebrates her sense of humour but also explores her enmities and feuds, including the truth about her behaviour towards Wallis Simpson, Nerissa Bowes-Lyon and Diana, Princess of Wales. A rather entertaining, eye opening book about English royalty, The Queen Mother lived an extraordinarily long life. I was quite amazed by the similarities although I suspect by the time Diana was at her zenith, the Queen Mum might have had some different views.Her relationship with her trusted footman, Backstairs Billy, himself an extraordinary character, must have been at times a comedy performance.

Although Elizabeth Lyon clearly had a very comfortable upbringing, her life wasn't without its troubles.Everything changed when his brother, King Edward VIII, famously renounced the crown to marry Wallis Simpson. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. So, the cover of this book is somewhat misleading because this is actually a quality biography with fresh, interesting and yes- often comical anecdotes. Anyone who is interested in the royal family will enjoy reading about the long and mostly happy life of the woman referred to as Buffy (by her siblings) and Cake (by her enemies in society).