The plot: What might happen if your life involved coronations, exotic travel, aristocrats and a front row seat at some of the most extraordinary moments in the history of modern Britain?

Welcome to Lady Anne Glenconner’s world. Strap yourselves in, it is one hell of a ride.

In this book, Lady Anne tells the story of her remarkable life, from a privileged upbringing as the daughter of the Earl of Leicester, to Holkham Hall in Norfolk – where I first discovered this book and her story, to her life as lady in waiting to Princess Margaret. She shares stories of duty, service, aristocratic life, marriage, motherhood, personal tragedy and the occasional eyebrow raising adventure.

But this is not simply a tale of palaces, parties and polished manners. Behind the stately homes and royal engagements lies a woman who has weathered many storms. Her life has been anything but a simple one.

Her memoir is a fascinating glimpse into a world few of us will ever experience (or at least I won’t!) , told with honesty, warmth and humour.

What did I think of this book?

It was great. Fascinating, funny and occasionally outrageous! It was everything a five star read should be.

Lady Anne has that most enviable of traits in an author : the ability to make the extraordinary sound ordinary. Encounters with royalty are recounted with the sort of matter of fact-ness that many of us would reserve for describing a trip to the Co-op. Except of course, most trips to the Co-op don’t involve perusing the aisles with Princess Margaret.

Lady Anne’s writing is refreshingly candid, hilarious and occasionally quite heartbreaking. There’s no attempt to polish every memory into a sparkling anecdote. Instead, she allows uncomfortable truths to sit neatly alongside the funny stories. This is a memoir that feels human.

Her resilience is what most impressed me. For all the privilege and glamour associated with her background and life story, Lady Anne’s life has clearly involved profound personal difficulties. It is clear that here is a woman who is made of sternest stuff than the rest of us. Painful experiences – death, infidelity, personal pain – are recounted without allowing them to define her. The result is a story that balances candor with a remarkable spirit.

The feel of this book is reminiscent of being invited to tea by an older person who has seen everything, and has some astonishing stories to tell, but isn’t afraid to tell them. I was gripped by every word.

What was most interesting about this book?

Lady Anne’s royal connections are undoubtedly fascinating, particularly her relationship with Princess Margaret. Their friendship, working relationship, and her recollections about the daily life of a lady in waiting, offer a glimpse behind the posed photographs and public appearances, revealing the personalities, quirks and the complexities behind the carefully crafted royal image.

But the biggest surprise is how much more there is to this book than royal gossip. (Although if you’re looking for that, there is plenty of it)

Lady Anne’s experiences highlight the expectations placed on women of her class and generation, the rigid conventions of aristocratic life and the often uncomfortable gap between appearances and reality.

It is she who introduced Princess Margaret to the island of Mustique (a place long associated with the Princess, right up until her death in 2002). Her account of life on Mustique, and it’s development into a retreat for the rich and famous, adds another layer of intrigue. It is a world of privilege, but not one in which money or status guarantees happiness. Certainly, for many of the public figures who visited, it did not.

Lady Anne herself is unconventional, determined and possessed of an understated wit. Her ability to find humor in life’s absurdities is delightful, and her willingness to discuss her life’s darker chapters gives this memoir its depth.

What am I going to take away from this book?

A glamorous life is not always an easy one, and there are many stories (Princess Margaret’s being only one), that illustrate how wrong it is to assume this. Elegant homes, royal acquaintances and an aristocratic life might make for wonderful photographs (or in today’s parlance, a wonderful social media profile), but they do not protect anyone from disappointment, grief or heartbreak.

Similarly, resilience doesn’t always present itself with a dramatic soundtrack. It often looks like getting up, out of bed, carrying on and finding something, anything, to laugh about – even when life has been spectacularly unfair to us.

People are often so much more interesting than the labels attached to them. Lady Anne could easily be defined by her background or royal connections, but her story is ultimately about someone who has navigated the hand life has dealt her with courage.

I also considered how many of the chapters of our life are a gentle nudge to embrace life’s unexpected twists and turns. We may not be destined for a life of royal service, a home like Holkham Hall, or holidays in the Caribbean. But there is something to be said for approaching the world with an open mind and a good sense of humor.

Will I enjoy this book?

If you’re a fan of royal history (as I am), memoirs (also me), social history or just the story of an interesting life, then you will definitely enjoy Lady in Waiting.

Likewise, you’ll enjoy this book if you appreciate an honest narrator with a sharp wit. This is a book that will make you laugh one moment, and pause for thought the next. It’s a great read for those who enjoy discovering the person behind the public image.

It isn’t necessarily a tell-all scandal fest packed with royal secrets, but that’s ok – this is a book that feels more reflective than sensational. The reflective tone is part of its charm – the stories are entertaining, but the humanity beneath them is what makes them memorable.

My verdict?

Lady in Waiting is a thoroughly engaging, funny and moving memoir from a woman whose life has been anything but ordinary. Lady Anne Glenconner proves that even in the most rarefied circles, life is often gloriously absurd, painfully unpredictable and surprisingly relatable.

It’s a brilliant read and the story of a remarkable life. If memoirs could curtsy, this one would do so beautifully.