The Final Curtsey: A Royal Memoir by the Queen's Cousin
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Product Description
Product Description
This is the intimate and revealing autobiography of Margaret Rhodes, the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and the niece of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Margaret was born into the Scottish aristocracy, into a now almost vanished world of privilege. Royalty often came to stay and her house was run in the style of Downton Abbey. In the Second World War years she 'lodged' at Buckingham Palace while she worked for MI5. She was a bridesmaid at the wedding of her cousin, Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip. Three years later the King and Queen attended her own wedding; Princess Margaret was a bridesmaid. In 1990 she was appointed as a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mother, acting also as her companion, which she describes in touching detail. In the early months of 2002, she spent as much time as possible with her ailing aunt, and was at her bedside when she died at Easter that year. This is a fascinating account of a special life, with the author's family relationships to nobility and royalty, her long and special marriage, her children and grandchildren and a life lived to the full.
About the Author
Margaret Rhodes, first cousin to Queen Elizabeth, was a bridesmaid at the 1947 wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and three years later married Denys Rhodes, a grandson of the 5th Lord Plunket. The World War II years were spent at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, where she lodged while she worked for MI6. Margaret Rhodes was lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She now lives in the Great Park in Windsor, although still regularly visits Balmoral and Sandringham.
--This text refers to the
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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The most remarkable feature of Margaret Rhodes's life, as she would certainly agree, is her relationship to the Royal Family; niece to Queen Elizabeth and therefore cousin to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, both friends from nursery days onwards. Her own life, however, which includes a wartime spell in MI6 while living as a guest at the Palace, is certainly not without considerable interest in its own right. This vivid, conversational, unselfconscious account of life within the royal circle offers no scandalous, malicious or shocking revelations, but lots of captivating detail. She describes with affection the sheltered yet curiously down-to-earth life of the Scottish aristocracy, living it seems almost entirely out of doors, heavily dependent on shooting and fishing for entertainment and pathologically averse to printed matter in any form. Her own triumphs with gun and rod are related with innocent pride, and her account of married life in post-colonial (and sometimes dangerous) Africa and slightly less dangerous Devon with frankness and warmth. In her later years, widowed and, for someone in her position, not well-off, she becomes a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mother. Stories of everyday life at Clarence House will delight ardent royalists, as will the generous selection of personal and family photographs, many of which provide informal and charming portraits of the author's aunt and cousins. Now in her mid-eighties, it is no surprise to learn that Margaret Rhodes is convinced that the last great adventure is still to come; apart from the undeniable privilege into which she was born she seems to have been blessed with a brave heart and a happy disposition. My only disappointment is that the book, at 152 pages, is too short.
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Considering my usual fodder is murder mysteries and thrillers, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I'd certainly admit to being a royalist, and wasn't sure whether this would be any good but it's well written, totally unpretentious and an excellent read. Not a huge tome like some of the 'Royal' books and no major revelations but very good all the same - I thought the postscript from the author mentioning how she had seen The Kings Speech film was a lovely touch too. Highly recommended.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A fascinating book, but very badly let down (as noted by other reviewers) by constant typographical errors which give the book a very amateurish feel and make for a frustrating read. Umbria Press clearly didn't believe in 'The Final Curtsey', or they would certainly have taken more care with its presentation. What a shame - and a considerable disservice to Margaret Rhodes.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Final Curtsey
I bought the book, The Final Curtsey by Margaret Rhodes, from Amazon, as a gift for my Mother, she says she really enjoyed reading it,it was really interesting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. I. Jordan
A missed opportunity.
I was really looking forward to reading this delightul sounding book - I wanted an insight into a world that most of us are not privvy to, and to hear 'real' stories by someone who... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Varied Read
A Lovely Read
This charming book is a worthwhile read. The author has a light touch and writes with humour but openness about her royal cousins and gently explodes some myths. Read more
Published 5 months ago by AlineDobbie
Memoirs of The Queen's closest cousin
Margaret Rhodes was Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's niece and was once described by her aunt as "my third daughter". Read more
Published 5 months ago by John Williams
The Final Curtsey
This book is well worth reading i was gripped from the start and could'nt put it down.Margaret Rhodes gives us an insight living on the fringes of royaly,she had a most interesting... Read more
Published 6 months ago by milne8
Final Curtsey
This book, despite being written by the Queens cousin, never played on its famous relatives it was an extraordiary life that happened to include members of the Royal family I... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dee
The Final Curtsey
I do not normally read any books to do with the royal family but this was lent to me. I have got to say this was a lovely book to read. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Karen Gooderham
A must for royalty buffs
A view of the royals from inside the family - this is a must for fans of the monarchy. Some wonderful vignettes of the life of Queen Elizabeth and the present Queen, shared with... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Paul
The Final Curtsey
This was a short read but enjoyable. I enjoyed the photos, most of which I'd never seen before. I wasn't sure if I would be able to purchase the book in a Melbourne book store so... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Vivien
The Final Curtsey
Book purchased for my wife and she is thrilled with it as she is a great Royalist. Book arrived promptly in perfect condition.
Published 8 months ago by Mr. J. Townshend
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