The Royal Nanny - by Karen Harper (Paperback)

About the Book

In April 1897, Charlotte Bill enters service into the house of the Duke and Duchess of York as a nanny. For decades, "Lala," as she is called, cares for her royal charges, some of which will rule, and one known as "The Lost Prince."

Book Synopsis

Based on a seldom-told true story, this novel is perfect for everyone who is fascinated by Britain's royal family--a behind the scenes look into the nurseries of little princes and the foibles of big princes.

April, 1897: A young nanny arrives at Sandringham, ancestral estate of the Duke and Duchess of York. She is excited, exhausted--and about to meet royalty. . . .

So begins the unforgettable story of Charlotte Bill, who would care for a generation of royals as their parents never could. Neither Charlotte--LaLa, as her charges dub her--nor anyone else can predict that eldest sons David and Bertie will each one day be king. LaLa knows only that these children, and the four who swiftly follow, need her steadfast loyalty and unconditional affection.

But the greatest impact on Charlotte's life is made by a mere bud on the family tree: a misunderstood soul who will one day be known as the Lost Prince. Young Prince John needs all of Lala's love--the kind of love his parents won't...or can't...show him.

From Britain's old wealth to the glittering excesses of Tsarist Russia; from country cottages to royal yachts, and from nursery to ballroom, Charlotte Bill witnesses history. The Royal Nanny is a seamless blend of fact and fiction--an intensely intimate, yet epic tale spanning decades, continents, and divides that only love can cross.

From the Back Cover

April, 1897: A young nanny arrives at Sandringham, ancestral estate of the Duke and Duchess of York. She is excited, exhausted--and about to meet royalty. . . .

So begins the unforgettable story of Charlotte Bill, who would care for a generation of royals as their parents never could. Neither Charlotte--Lala, as her charges dub her--nor anyone else can predict that eldest sons David and Bertie will each one day be king. Lala knows only that these children, and the four who swiftly follow, need her steadfast loyalty and unconditional affection.

But the greatest impact on Charlotte's life is made by a mere bud on the family tree: a misunderstood soul who will one day be known as the Lost Prince. Young Prince John needs all of Lala's love, the kind of love his parents won't--or can't--show him.

Review Quotes

"A lively and historically grounded reimagining of two Tudor survivors." - Kirkus Reviews on The Queen's Governess
Praise for Mistress of Mourning: "Harper writes with effortless prose and an expert take on the era." - Publishers Weekly on Mistress of Mourning
Praise for The First Princess of Wales: "A first-rate epic" - Publishers Weekly on The First Princess of Wales
"This is a beautifully told novel of a woman who was surrounded by all the glitz and glamour of royalty but remained unaffected...Readers will greatly admire the protagonist while learning about the quirks of the royal family and the events that shook the world in the early 20th century." - Historical Novel Society
"Veteran-author Harper fills her tale with exquisite details of clothing, habits, palace intrigue, and everyday life. Fans of period dramas will enjoy the engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and vivid setting." - Booklist
"There is nothing more fascinating than a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous or, in this case, the royal, rich, and famous. Karen Harper does a masterful job of combining historical fact and fiction to create a rich and thoughtful view into the lives of Britain's King George V, Queen Mary, and their children" --Melanie Stanley - Ohioana Quarterly
"The Royal Nanny is a powerfully moving story of love - love that transcends traditional expectations as it explores the deepest meaning of our most important relationships: mother, father, lover, friend. From the first page, the book transported me to Edwardian England, dropping me straight into the household of The Firm, the British royal family. Page by page, through an absorbing story, the book peels back the decades and pulls aside a protective veil of secrecy, helping us understand the forebears of today's revered Queen Elizabeth II, including her father, beloved King George VI, of The King's Speech fame. A compulsive, page-turning read that fearlessly reveals both the gilt and the tarnish of the British Royal Crown." - Sandra Byrd, author of Mist of Midnight
"Peels back the decades and pulls aside a protective veil of secrecy, helping us understand the forebears of Queen Elizabeth II, including her father, King George VI, of The King's Speech fame. A compulsive, page-turning read that reveals both the gilt and the tarnish of the British Royal Crown." - Sandra Byrd, author of Mist of Midnight
"Harper beautifully depicts the world of the royal family through the eyes of a kind, loving woman who devoted her life to you young charges. Emotional and sweet, brining over with details of the daily life of the household, traveling to exotic locals, city and county experiences. From palaces to nurseries, this behind the scenes story is a testament to Harpers' skill for bringing readers straight into her novels. It is the loving manner in which she explores the relationship between Lala and the children, especially John (the lost prince) that sweeps readers away. Harper at her best." - Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviews
"...Beautifully depicts the world of the royal family through the eyes of a kind, loving woman who devoted her life to her young charges...It is the loving manner in which she explores the relationship between Lala and the children...that sweeps readers away. Harper at her best." - Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviews
"This is a beautifully told novel of a woman who was surrounded by all the glitz and glamour of royalty but remained unaffected, a steady foundation for all of the children she raised - especially the youngest, who is known as the Lost Prince. Readers will greatly admire the protagonist while learning about the quirks of the royal family and the events that shook the world in the early 20th century." - Historical Novel Society
"Fans of Downton Abbey will devour this vivid tale of one nanny's unwavering love and sacrifices endured for the sake of the royal children in her care. Full of emotion and heart, Lala redefines the meaning of motherhood while Harper gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the Royals. Prepare to be swept away by storytelling filled with historical facts and captivating characters, both real and fictional, who bring it all to life." - Renée Rosen, author of White Collar Girl
"Fans of Downton Abbey will devour this vivid tale of one nanny's unwavering love and sacrifices endured for the sake of the royal children in her care. Full of emotion and heart, Lala redefines the meaning of motherhood while Harper gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the Royals." - Renée Rosen, author of While Collar Girl
"From cozy firesides of country houses to glittering halls of ancestral estates, Karen Harper gives the reader unprecedented access to a world of monarchs. Told through the eyes of an endearing narrator, THE ROYAL NANNY is a gem, revealing that those forgotten in history are often the true treasures." - Erika Robuck, national bestselling author of HEMINGWAY'S GIRL
"Anglophiles, rejoice! From cozy firesides of country houses to glittering halls of ancestral estates, Karen Harper gives the reader unprecedented access to a world of monarchs. Told through the eyes of an endearing narrator, THE ROYAL NANNY is a gem, revealing that those forgotten in history are often the true treasures." - Erika Robuck, national bestselling author of HEMINGWAY'S GIRL