Daughter of Empire
My Life as a Mountbatten
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Daughter of Empire
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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 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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What listeners say about Daughter of Empire
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Roy Whitehead
- 03-05-19
Interesting view into a household named aristocratic family.
An interesting peek into one of the UK’s quirkiest, but one of the most influential and well connected genuine aristocratic families.
The links to the Royal family are interesting insightful and pleasant.
The partition of India is somewhat rose tinted though.
Overall definitely worth a listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Joy
- 13-08-20
A fabulous account, honest, amazing and regal.
I was thrilled to hear such an account, given so loyally and with love for the family to which she belonged. A beautiful historical account spanning so many huge events. A wonderful young lady. She must have been a treasure.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rosalynne Warwickshire
- 21-06-24
Interesting personal stories
I listened to the book through a week of coming to terms with life as is and can I say I smiled and laughed while listening what I did not expect was the sad lost of Pamela,s mother at the end of the book but well worth listening to very well written and read
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Linda T
- 22-07-23
Pamela
How the other half live eh. Travelled around the world since a young child. Good listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kirsty
- 30-01-24
Very interesting
Really informative and interesting and read beautifully. Learnt lots of new information and enjoyed listening to the life of lady Pamela
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ms. Elizabeth Richards
- 17-07-24
Incredibly Interesting
This book surprised me, it was far more interesting than I had anticipated. A behind the scenes look if you will, about a lady in waitings life & that of a very well heeled & well known family. The chapters about her parents work during Indias independence & partition were so interesting, I will read more about this families involvement.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- issy
- 09-05-23
Fascinating
Really topical considering the events she describes happened so long ago. The partition of India, coronations, wonderful
descriptions, lots of humour, I listened to it twice and found it as engrossing the second time.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Elizabeth Bennett
- 30-05-24
Well meaning witness to royal and Indian history
This is a coherent first hand child’s and young woman’s account of upper class, royal and Indian history from the 1920s through to the 1950s.
Does speak about her parents’ unconventional marriage, including lovers. Addresses the question of whether her mother Edwina and Nehru were (sexual) lovers and concludes not.
What a shame the new king couldn’t find space for her at his coronation. What did she do to deserve such a snub?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Franklymydarling
- 09-01-18
BRILLIANT!!!
I'm an audible addict who has listened to her fair share of biographies. But I can honestly say this is one of the most interesting recordings I've listened to to date. If you love travel and abit of royal and social intrigue then this book won't disappoint. I only wish it was longer or had a sequel:)
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Marion W.
- 12-06-23
Memorable 😀
A wonderful coming of age story before the backdrop of important historical events. I was mildly interested in the Mountbattens, but found Pammy’s account of meeting Gandhi and Nehru, and of accompanying a young Queen Elizabeth on the coronation tour an unexpected delight. Five stars ⭐️
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