When I got this audiobook for cheap (via Chirp) I thought it was the biography of Queen Mary that was commissioned by the royal family after her death in 1953. That book is just titled Queen Mary. Pope-Hennessy researched the book for three years. He kept extensive notes during his research and those have been compiled into this book. Included are his meetings with members of the royal families of Great Britain, and other European countries, servants, staff members, and political figures. The wide ranging opinions of those interviewed give a broad view of Queen Mary who was labeled stern, caring, intimidating, charming, shy, and everything in between. Occasionally the interviews were confusing because nicknames for some of the royals differed depending on who was speaking. It also wasn't always clear if they were talking about Queen Mary or her mother, Mary Adelaide. It was a pleasant read while home on a sick day. Last year I read and blogged about Matriarch by Anne Edwards another Queen Mary biography. My interest in "good Queen Mary" stems from my father's admiration of her when he disdained the rest of the royal family. Parts of this book would have reinforced Dad's opinion of the rest of the royals because many do not come off well. Incidentally, the Vladimir Tiara Queen Mary is wearing in the cover photo is my favorite of the crown jewels exhibited at the Tower of London.
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