Mrs Ronnie by Si Evansân

Mrs Ronnie by Si Evansân

Margaret Greville of Polesden Lacey, who styled herself 'Mrs Ronnie', rose from obscure and humble origins to become a fabulously wealthy and ambitious society hostess, travelling the world and acquiring a portfolio of movie stars, monarchs, maharajahs and millionaires. Her long, rich and fascinating life of dark secrets, racy scandal and power-broking intrigue encompassed close relationships with royals from Edward Vii to George VI.  But her fascination with charisma also led her to champion characters as diverse as Winston Churchill, Oswald Mosley, Mussoini and Hitler.  No-one doubted her patriotism but some questioned her judgement. King Edward VII, who commended her 'positive genius for hospitality', appreciated her discretion in his affair with her friend Alice Keppel.  Mrs Ronnie intrigued with King George V and Queen Mary, and advanced the courtship of 'Bertie and Elizabeth' who honeymooned at her luxurious country house, Polesden Lacey in Surrey. She disapproved of the Prince of Wales and had a ringside view of the Abdication Crisis, becoming a valued supporter of the new King and Queen. Mrs Ronnie was a complex and contradictory character and her astonishing rise from a straitened and obscure childhood to the position of 'favoured aunt' to the British Royal Family is a genuine 'rags to riches' tale.

Sian Evans is a cultural historian who has worked for the National Trust, The Victoria & Albert Museum and the Design Museum. She is author of The Manor Reborn, Ghosts:Mysterious Tales from the National Trust and Life Below Stairs, all published by the National Trust.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781907892387
ISBN 10	1907892389
Title	Mrs Ronnie
Author	Si Evansân
Series	National Trust History And Heritage
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	HarperCollins Publishers
Year published	2013-04-18
Number of pages	176
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable