Who hasn't at one time been fascinated by the life of royalty? From Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, Dukes and Duchesses, there is a sense of awe about what life is like for those the live under a royal title. Perhaps it is the little girl in all of us that when we were children, had those fairy tales read to us about princes and princesses that inspired us to dream of castles and the happy ever afters we believed was possible. In Karen Harper's latest novel, The Royal Nanny, we get the chance to see what life is like for those who take up the role as a Nanny for a couple that stands in succession to the title of King or Queen of England.
The book begins in 1897 when Charlotte Bill arrives to Sandringham, England to help the nurse in charge of the princes children based on recommendations from her former work with the Duke and Duchesses children. However when Charlotte senses that there might be more going on than meets the eye regarding the behavior of David, the first in line to succeed the throne, as well as his younger brother Bertie. David is fidgety, while his brother Bertie is withdrawn. One day when she happens upon the head nanny Mrs. Peters, she sees that she is abusing the child. She is threatened with losing her job if she tells anyone what she has seen, but it is worth the risk to save the lives of both boys.
It garners her the role as head nanny now, something she had only dreamed of before, and as the royal couple continue to have more children, she knows her position will be for quite awhile. What she doesn't understand is how removed the Prince and Princess are from taking any active role in the raising of their own children, only seeing them at appointed tea times in the afternoon and then only a brief exchange while she stands present. The loving affections for their own children is sorely lacking with only more recommendations from the Prince in what his expectations are for them. All Charlotte knows is how much love and caring these children need and she will do her best to provide for them even if it means risking a life of never being married and having her own children with the one man she truly loves. After all, one can't marry within the staff under the royal couple and not lose their job, it is expressly forbidden.
I received The Royal Nanny by Karen Harper compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publisher for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion. I truly love this novel because it is hard to understand the middle ground a nanny faces. She is not truly part of the royal family nor a member of the lower staff, so she rarely has any contact or friends with anyone other than other nannies or ladies maid. Such an insightful look into the secret life of a Royal Nanny. There is even an author's note at the conclusion of this novel that offers her insight on what she chose this particular topic and her own research behind it all. Fans of all things pertaining to the Royal family will absolutely LOVE this novel as well as fans of Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey. I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
For more information about The Royal Nanny, Karen Harper or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:
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To read more reviews on The Royal Nanny, please visit William Morrow's website.
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