In Royal Service to the Queen

A Novel of the Queen's Governess

By: Tessa Arlen

Narrated by: Mhairi Morrison

Now a USA TODAY Bestseller!

“Engrossing. Fans of The Crown will devour this.”--Publishers Weekly

The revealing story of Queen Elizabeth II's beloved governess, Marion Crawford, who spent more than sixteen years of her life in loyal service to the royal family and was later shunned by those she has loved and served.

Marion Crawford can remember each of the wonderful years when she was governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose: included in their lives, confided in, needed, trusted, and loved. These memories will never dim, ever. In Marion's mind, she will always be their Crawfie.

But things become increasingly complicated as the young royals navigate adulthood. It is May 1945 and Princess Elizabeth--the heiress presumptive to the British throne--has fallen in love, and the only member of her family who is happy for her is her governess. No one in the young princess's life thinks that Prince Philip of Greece would be a suitable husband for the future Queen of England. No one that is, except for Marion Crawford.

Crawfie wholeheartedly supports Elizabeth in her determination to marry Philip. She too has fallen in love--and has convinced her fiancé, George, that they must wait for Elizabeth and Philip to receive the King's blessing before she can leave her service to the Crown.

Over the next two years Crawfie is caught between loyalty to Princess Elizabeth; running the risk of alienating her royal employer, Queen Elizabeth; and losing the man she loves. But as Crawfie prevails to marry George and stands with him in Westminster Abbey on Elizabeth and Philip's wedding day, she is unaware that her troubled relationship with Queen Elizabeth is far from over. And just around the corner is a betrayal that will sever her bond with the royal family forever.

Critic reviews

Praise for In Royal Service to the Queen

“Tessa’s story of Princess Elizabeth’s governess gives us a fascinating, meticulously researched, insight into the workings of the royal family. It is a story that resonates particularly today.”--New York Times Bestselling author Rhys Bowen

"Fans of The Crown will enjoy this poignant look behind the royal curtain, and will celebrate and mourn with Marian Crawford, tutor to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, as she is forced to choose between sharing the lives of the girls she loves or creating a life and family of her own. It’s an emotional story of the struggle between duty to a sovereign and duty to one’s heart."--Georgie Blalock, Author of The Last Debutantes


"A tantalizing and poignant tale of the young royal princesses. Wise, loyal and fierce, Crawfie is a heroine for the ages. Arlen's storytelling should thrill anyone who loved The Crown."--Stephanie Barron, author of That Churchill Woman

In addition to The Crown

I loved the series The Crown so I knew I would like this book. It gives another view of the royals and especially Elizabeth as she was growing up.

The reader was excellent

The ending was quite sad. But, accurately described. Crawfie made some choices that were misguided by relying on others to work out the details.

Well done you!

For an historical novel this really rang true. There's a lot of sorce material to draw from, but it was a good attempt to show Miss Crawford in a more favorable light than she is held by the Royal Family.

Heartbreaking

I enjoyed this story immensely. Perfect narration and told from a kindly perspective. A wonderful summer read!

Enchanting

So very lovely to hear the inside of one of Britain’s amazing Queen. I’m so glad she had the support from her Governess.