Daughter of Empire
My Life as a Mountbatten
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Narrated by:
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Corrie James
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By:
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Pamela Hicks
About this listen
Few families can boast of not one but two saints among their ancestors, a great-aunt who was the last tsarina of Russia, a father who was Grace Kelly's pinup, and a grandmother who was not only a princess but could also argue the finer points of naval law. Pamela Mountbatten entered a remarkable family when she was born at the very end of the Roaring Twenties.
As the younger daughter of the glamorous heiress Edwina Ashley and Lord Louis Mountbatten, Pamela spent much of her early life with her sister, nannies, and servants-and a menagerie that included, at different times, a bear, two wallabies, a mongoose, and a lion. Her parents each had lovers who lived openly with the family. The house was always full of guests like Sir Winston Churchill, Noël Coward, Douglas Fairbanks, and the Duchess of Windsor (who brought a cold cooked chicken as a hostess gift).
When World War II broke out, Lord Mountbatten was in command of HMS Kelly before being appointed chief of Combined Operations, and Pamela and her sister were sent to live on Fifth Avenue in New York City with Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt. In 1947, her parents were appointed to be the last viceroy and vicereine of India and oversee the transfer of power to an independent Indian government.
Amid the turmoil of political change, Pamela worked with student leaders, developed warm friendships with Gandhi and Nehru, and witnessed both the joy of Independence Day and its terrible aftermath. Soon afterwards, she was a bridesmaid in Princess Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip, and was a lady-in-waiting at the young princess's side when she learned her father had died and she was queen.Vivid and engaging, well-paced and superbly detailed, this witty, intimate memoir is an enchanting lens through which to view the early part of the twentieth century.
©2012 Pamela Hicks (P)2014 TantorCritic Reviews
What listeners say about Daughter of Empire
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- Sophia Cosmas
- 01-08-2024
The tale of a truly rarefied life
A glimpse behind the veil into a privileged life. Interesting too to hear the perspective on colonization and the British Empire.
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- Debi Harris
- 10-11-2024
Utterly fabulous!
This memoir provides intimate insight into a lifestyle that no longer exists and also offers important history lessons. If you love history and are intrigued by social classes and the royal family, you HAVE to read this memoir.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-07-2024
British - Royal - Family - History
I enjoyed that book very much. It was interesting and educational history of colonial British empire via eyes of little girl growing to be a brilliant woman amongst royals, hi society & officials globally - traveling all over the world & cherishing her heritage, experiences & adventures…
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- Fay Chamoun
- 12-02-2024
An interesting life
I enjoyed this historic life story of Louis Mo untbatten's daughter Pamela and her connection with the Royal family.
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