Fiction/Nonfiction Quick Reviews: The Windsor Edition

 Elizabeth & Margaret: The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters by Andrew Morton (2021)

Although very different, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret grew up extremely close and the best of friends.  However, their dynamic changed once their uncle abdicated the throne, leaving their father as king and paving the way for Elizabeth to eventually become queen.  Now, Elizabeth had a new purpose in life and a reputation to uphold, and Margaret was somewhat left in the shadows, not to mention that Margaret was beholden to Elizabeth in many aspects of her life, which naturally created some tension.  Well-known biographer Andrew Morton explores the sibling bond and relationship between Queen Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret in this book that spans the decades.  I thought this book was well-written and included a lot of information that I didn't previously know, especially in regards to Margaret's relationship with Peter Townsend, probably one of the most infamous aspects to Queen Elizabeth's early reign.  As Queen Elizabeth's life became steadier and more duty-filled, I found that the narrative focused more on Margaret, particularly her private life.  Such a unique relationship - I think Morton does a good job of summarizing, in an easy to read and entertaining way, the public lives of two very famous women, but also how privately they were able to maintain their sisterly bond.  4 stars

The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull (2020)

Before Wallis Simpson contributed to the abdication of King Edward (Prince David), another woman held his heart - Thelma Morgan.  Thelma was an American who married into the British aristocracy, which led her to move in the same circles as the Prince.  Her affair with him spans years, yet it's her relationship with her twin sister Gloria that eventually starts to cause its breakdown.  Many of us know the story of Wallis Simpson, Prince David, and the infamous abdication that eventually led to the spectacular reign of Queen Elizabeth II.  But, most people probably don't know a lot about the Prince's earlier years (except that maybe he preferred affairs with married women and never actually wanted to be king).  This story focuses on one of those affairs, but it's more than just a royal love story.  A large part of Thelma's story involves her sister, who married into the Vanderbilt family and then was caught up in scandal and legal cases over the custody of her daughter.  Thelma is torn between her love for David and her love for her sister.  I thought the story was well-written and engaging, and I enjoyed the first-person narrative.  It fizzled a bit at the end, unfortunately, but overall, this was a solid read.  4 stars

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