Desert Governess: An Inside View on the Saudi Arabian Royal Family [Paperback]

In this frank personal memoir, Phyllis describes her sometimes risky reactions to her secluded, alien lifestyle in a heavily guarded marble palace, allowed out only when chaperoned, veiled and clad from head to foot in black. Both as a Governess and as a modern western woman she constantly ran up against frustrating prohibitions and unexpected moral codes, only a few of which she could work her way around – usually in the interests of her young royal charges.

Phyllis explores sympathetically and from the inside her impressions of the country, of Islam, of Muslim beliefs and customs, and of Saudi dress, cuisine, and attitudes to the family, women, marriage and divorce. Above all she gives a fascinating account of the secret life of what is effectively an all-female world, and if you think women only make themselves look glamorous and sexy – and dance without inhibition – for men, then think again.

Her face was also familiar to millions as a Mum in TV commercials for Fairy Liquid, Persil and Rowntrees ('Don’t forget the fruit gums, Mum!') More recently she became a teacher, both of English as a Foreign Language (in Italy), and of Yoga.

She is a widow with two grown up sons. Desert Governess is her first book.

We are on our way.

A hundred or more Rolls Royces and limousines block the grand driveway entrance to King Khalid’s Palace. As usual security guards in green berets and khaki check each carload of guests and wave them on to park.

I follow Princess Abtah and the princesses joining what look like a flock of blackbirds descending on a garden full of glow-worms.

The huge Palace gardens are lit up like fairyland. Candles burn on all the small round tables covered with black lace cloths. Tiny coloured lights decorate the trees. The night is still and humid and this lavish scene is set under a blue-black velvet sky.

Before my eyes a transformation takes place. Black robes come off to reveal the seductive, the sexy, the elegant, the overdressed, the beautiful, and the vulgar.

Four hundred princesses and their relatives and friends are here tonight. In Saudi Arabia there are twelve thousand royal princesses.

Jewellery sparkles on their ears, throats, fingers, arms and in their hair, as brightly as their wide pearly-teethed smiles. Hollywood’s Zsa Zsa Gabor must be their role model!
Long black hair sways over plump bums. Perfume wafts by me as the women pass.

It is a glittering affair. Bosoms and cleavages and bronze bare legs are on show with slinky gold and silver lame dresses. WOW! I am astonished...and not a man in sight!
A raucous ladies’ band strikes up. Sexy ladies dance with sexy ladies, their hips swinging, their hands twirling to the gutsy vibrant beat. Ladies sit together, stand in groups together, wander around together, gossip together and eye one another...a glitzy fashion show.