The Final Curtsey

A Royal Memoir by the Queen's Cousin

By: Margaret Rhodes

Narrated by: Jennifer M. Dixon

A Sunday Times number one bestseller in the United Kingdom, this is the intimate and revealing autobiography of Margaret Rhodes, first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and niece of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Margaret was born into the Scottish aristocracy, into a now almost vanished world of privilege. Royalty often came to stay, and her house was run in the style of Downton Abbey. During the Second World War, she "lodged" at Buckingham Palace while she worked for MI5. She was a bridesmaid at the wedding of her cousin, Princess Elizabeth, to Prince Philip. Three years later, the King and Queen attended her own wedding, in which Princess Margaret was a bridesmaid.

In 1990, she was appointed as a lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother, acting also as her companion, which she describes in touching detail. In the early months of 2002, she spent as much time as possible with her ailing aunt and was at her bedside when she died. The next morning, she went to Queen Elizabeth's bedroom to pray, and in farewell dropped her a final curtsey. The Queen Mother regarded Margaret Rhodes as her "third daughter," and she has been extremely close to her cousins, the Queen and Princess Margaret, throughout their lives. Full of charming anecdotes and fascinating characters, this is an unparalleled insight into the private life of the British monarchy.

©2012 Margaret Rhodes (P)2022 Tantor

Wonderful insight to a life beyond the norm.

Written with eloquence and heart this autobiography of the Queen’s cousin is such a delightful listen! Narrated with perfection. What a wonderfully full, invigorating, and heartfelt life. Told from the perspective of the outside looking in, but also with understanding of the internal machinery of the Royal household, Mrs. Rhodes lends the soul back to a sometimes forgotten aspect of the royalty of England. They’re really just people in an impossibly impressive job.

Interesting history lesson!!

As a British history fan, I found the story interesting & easy to listen to!! Finding out more about the Queen Mother was fascinating!

On the edge of a fable

Well written and read beautifully. A look into the lives of the Royals where close family members are sometimes used as servants.

A bit disjointed, but delightful

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it’s performance. A loving tribute to family that just happens to be Royal. Lots of patriotism and bravery. The timeline is a bit disjointed, sometimes leaving you wondering if references are to her her Aunt, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, or to her cousin Queen Elizabeth II,Just keep listening.

A wonderful book

A great book that I found to be developmental and maturative for a young man coming of age such as myself. I found this book highly intelligent and full of the most cutting edge etiquette in every facet of life. I further highly recommend this book.

Enjoyed this so much

Great book and warm narration like someone was sitting next to you telling you great stories about their life and the royal family. Enjoyed the stories very much. I listened to it twice.

Open, honest and gentle

This is so warm and honest. There were stories of intrigue and international incident.
Well read and we’ll written. Well done Mrs. Margaret.

Clear voice

Story telling that romed generations. Good listening. Clear understanding. Exciting life. Living close to the royals.

A bit too much mucking about in the weeds

I really thought I was going to be reading a book about a woman in the service to the Queen Mother, and in part that's what this was. But there was an awful lot of personal biography completely uninvolved with the Royal family about the time while Ms Rhodes was married and traveling about in Asia and Africa. In my opinion these anecdotes were unnecessary to the story if the title was to be believed, therefore perhaps the title was misleading and this should have been just called A Memoir of the Lady-in-waiting.

Have some tea, Love!

Charming book! It felt like a chat with your favorite aunt—the one who is adventurous, optimistic, empathetic, and humorous. This is a brief but engaging glimpse of personal and public events from the 1930s into the 2000s through the eyes of an unpretentious woman who happened to rub elbows with several well known figures around the globe in addition to the royal family. The narrator was perfect, too!