Elizabeth & Margaret

The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters

By: Andrew Morton

Narrated by: Marisa Calin

Perfect for fans of The Crown, this captivating biography from a New York Times best-selling author follows Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Margaret as they navigate life in the royal spotlight.

They were the closest of sisters and the best of friends. But when, in a quixotic twist of fate, their uncle Edward Vlll decided to abdicate the throne, the dynamic between Elizabeth and Margaret was dramatically altered. Forever more Margaret would have to curtsey to the sister she called "Lillibet". And bow to her wishes.

Elizabeth would always look upon her younger sister's antics with a kind of stoical amusement, but Margaret's struggle to find a place and position inside the royal system - and her fraught relationship with its expectations - was often a source of tension. Famously, the queen had to inform Margaret that the church and government would not countenance her marrying a divorcee, Group Captain Peter Townsend, forcing Margaret to choose between keeping her title and royal allowances or her divorcee lover.

From the idyll of their cloistered early life, through their hidden war-time lives, into the divergent paths they took following their father's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, this book explores their relationship over the years. Andrew Morton's latest biography offers unique insight into these two drastically different sisters - one resigned to duty and responsibility, the other resistant to it - and the lasting impact they have had on the crown, the royal family, and the ways it adapted to the changing mores of the 20th century.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Andrew Morton (P)2021 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

“Deliciously detailed, sometimes gossipy, often moving, this in-depth examination of royal siblings is sure to be in demand.” (Booklist)

"Thoroughly researched and well written, the most comprehensive account of the complex relationship between the Queen and Princess Margaret to date. Fascinating and enjoyable." (Sarah Bradford, New York Times best-selling author of Elizabeth)

"The dynamic between the two royal sisters is endlessly fascinating when presented by Andrew Morton. Informative, insightful, and never a dull page. Morton at his forensic best." (Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed and My Husband and I, editor in chief of Majesty magazine)

Very distracting narration.

While this is an interesting read, I cannot get past the frenetic quality of the narration. This narrator is all over the place; trying much too hard to control/direct the reader's emotions to the story. The constant changes in pitch, volume and tempo, many times within a single sentence, are an annoying distraction to enjoying this book. Too bad, as the story is an interesting one. I came very close to returning this purchase, and will definitely avoid buying another audio book read by this narrator.

Meh

Interesting to see the inside story but overall feels like a gossip column. Morton slams Diana but says nothing about Charles disgusting behavior. Royals protect their own.

Nice Bio

Detailed account of the poor, rich younger sister of Elizabeth II. Margaret, her father's " joy", and her relationships, good, sad, and otherwise.

Ummm…

Interesting book and well narrated but badly titled. Should have been “Here’s my take on Margaret with just a hint of the Queen”. Anyway, that’s my “take”.

Lovely

Wonderful insight into the sisters relationship. It did seem to focus more on Margaret, in my opinion. Very enjoyable though and the narrator was very nice to listen to

Strange narration

The overly dramatic narration didn’t appeal to me. She goes from breathy and hard to hear to irritatingly too-loud and almost screechy in one sentence. Hard to adjust the volume. Not a fan of this reader at all! Couldn’t finish it.

one of the best

despite a rather strange narrator, this is an excellent book about the sisters, nothing really new but full of perennially fascinating details for anyone who enjoys a good dish about the Windsors. purely personal and full of gossip without being petty or tacky like some.

Interesting book, distracting reading performance

I found this book really interesting but I couldn't continue to listen to it. The reader chose an odd vocal pattern and breathiness that sounded at times like an attempted seduction or perfume ad.

A Good Summer Read

Elizabeth & Margaret is a fabulous book for anyone who's into the British Royal Family. I've been a fan since the marriage of Charles and Diana in 1981. I've read countless books and magazine articles over the years about the Windsors. Andrew Morton did a wonderful job of showing the contrasts between the Queen and her sister. The reader is able to see the humanity beyond the lavish lifestyle of royalty. Marisa Callin did a great job of narrating this dual biography of two of the most famous women of the 20th Century.

Great book but terrible narrator!

I love anything about the British royals and this book delivers on some insights. However, had to struggle to get past the first couple of chapters to carry through to the end because of the terrible narration. Heavy breath, inconsistent speed, often and unnecessarily melodramatic