"Born to Rule" by Julia Gelardi [about Queen Victoria's granddaughters]

[Ritka]

Originally Posted by rani

I managed to get a copy of "Victoria's Daughters" from our poorly stocked library. I was particularly interested in the discussions of Canada and Princess Louise. I strongarmed "Born to Rule" back from my sister and reread it. I was very disappointed that there wasn't more on Queen Maud. I would also have liked something concerning Princess Margaret of Connaught,who would have been a queen had she lived.

By the way, I just thought I'd mention that the other day a friend of mine had an extra copy of "Victoria's Daughters" and sent it to me! I'm in the middle of reading a stack of advanced reviewer copies right now but as soon as I finish (tomorrow or Thursday) I'm going to start on VD.

[Zonk]

Okay....I have FINALLY read this book. Sad to say...I bought it when it first came out and due to work, school, family, etc I didn't have the opportunity to read it. I LOVED IT!

Like everyone else who read the book YEARS ago...I thought it didn't have a lot of information on Queen Maud. I thought most of the information on Empress Alexandra was already well known. But considering the circumstances of her life and death that is not surprising.

I definitely agree that of the Queens (with the exception of Maud) didn't have an easy life. I found myself wanting to know more information on Queen Sophie of Greece and Queen Marie of Romania. I am particulary interested in reading more about Queen Marie (how different her life and that of the British Royal Family) might have been if she had been allowed to marry George V. But I think she would have made his life uncomfortable. It appears that he was quite suited for Queen Mary. Except for how they raised their children, they appeared quite happy with each other.

But back to Queen Marie...can anyone recommend any books on her? The relationship with her inlaws, and her children (particularly that awful Carol) is very interesting.

I also felt very sorry for Queen Ena and found myself not liking Alfonso. Let's see...you were warned that she could have been a carrier (check), you professed to love her (check), the first sign of things going wrong (birth of sick children) you checked out. Not a nice guy IMO. And before anyone says anything...yes I know Alfonso was a man of his times and one of his main duties is to provide heirs, etc. I get it. My problem is that (and I know this is going to drive Elspeth wild!) if you must cheat on your wife...be discreet. I hate when people 1) break their marriage vows and 2) then treat someone they are supposed to care about like garbage. But that' my rant for the day.


Next up...the six daughters of George III.

[Leslie2006]

Originally Posted by Zonk

But back to Queen Marie...can anyone recommend any books on her? The relationship with her inlaws, and her children (particularly that awful Carol) is very interesting.

There's only two I can think of about her: the first one is her autobiography, and that one I've only been able to find on amazon. com. The other is more of a photo history of Marie's life. The author is Diana Mandache and it's available through Majesty Magazine.

[Elspeth]

Originally Posted by Zonk

I also felt very sorry for Queen Ena and found myself not liking Alfonso. Let's see...you were warned that she could have been a carrier (check), you professed to love her (check), the first sign of things going wrong (birth of sick children) you checked out. Not a nice guy IMO. And before anyone says anything...yes I know Alfonso was a man of his times and one of his main duties is to provide heirs, etc. I get it. My problem is that (and I know this is going to drive Elspeth wild!) if you must cheat on your wife...be discreet. I hate when people 1) break their marriage vows and 2) then treat someone they are supposed to care about like garbage. But that' my rant for the day.


Next up...the six daughters of George III.

*goes wild*



I have to agree that Alfonso doesn't seem like the world's pleasantest person.

Not sure I entirely agree about Maud having an easy life; it sounds as though she wasn't all that robust, and she had to go and live in a climate that didn't suit her health, plus she was constantly homesick (and having been through that myself, I know how debilitating it can be, although I do realise it isn't as bad as facing wars and revolutions and getting murdered).

I'd have liked to see her stretch a point and include Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in her list; she's also a granddaughter of Victoria who was married to a crown prince in the expectation of becoming a Queen Consort one day, and her experiences while she was alive would have been interesting, and might also have helped give some more detail to the Queen Maud sections.

[Grace Angel]

Originally Posted by Leslie2006

There's only two I can think of about her: the first one is her autobiography, and that one I've only been able to find on amazon. com. The other is more of a photo history of Marie's life. The author is Diana Mandache and it's available through Majesty Magazine.

Hannah Pakula wrote a well knowm bio of Marie of Romania, and an older bio of Marie is the one by Theo Aronson.