Andrew Morton’s biography of the sisters Elizabeth and Margaret covers well-trodden ground but raises some interesting points along the way ... he does a diligent and well-researched job, examining the closeness of the sisters and their conflicted relationship in a seamless, readable way.
The clichéd assessment 'compulsively readable' seems the most appropriate response to Andrew Morton’s 385-page book on the Windsor sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret. Much of this material will already be familiar, though perhaps given a different twist ... The biographer appears to have had extraordinary access in terms of intimate stories and winsome quotes ... The story bounces along in a language alternately stilted and slangy, well- suited to its main subject Margaret, known not only for her 'sex twinkle' (Cecil Beaton), but also for her haughtiness faced with any signs of familiarity from the lower orders. Another royal trophy for Mr. Morton!
... an earnest examination of the yin-and-yang, Jackie-and-Marilyn dynamic between Queen Elizabeth and her late younger sister, Princess Margaret. The result is less deliciously inspired ... it’s hard not to lament a lack of scoops, or surprises, in Elizabeth and Margaret. Morton describes their relationship as 'intriguing but neglected,' but lingers on the oft-told saga of whether or not Margaret would relinquish her title to marry the much-older Group Capt. Peter Townsend, who wore the scarlet 'D' of divorce ... Morton provides rich context on the coldness of royal life ... In their current incarnation, the British royals strive for Barbour jacket-clad approachability, but Elizabeth and Margaret is a damning reminder of the monarchy’s imperialist roots.
Morton would prefer to define the queen and her late sister in terms comfortable to Us magazine: temperamental opposites who, despite their differences, came together for a higher purpose. What that purpose was and whether it was worth the sacrifice of these two limited and sometimes desperate individuals is a question that seldom floats into view ... Given the millions more who have watched the Netflix series The Crown, Morton’s narrative arc has the inescapable feeling of rehash. From young Margaret’s stymied affair with a divorced equerry to her wacky evening with Lyndon Johnson to her halfhearted midlife suicide attempt, Crown viewers will likely feel that they’ve heard this song before and that, in the superbly nuanced performances of Vanessa Kirby and Helena Bonham Carter, they’ve gleaned grace notes that a glib compiler like Morton can’t aspire to ... What we need now, in any case, is not another celebrity biographer but an investigative journalist who will pry open the tiara casing around the Firm and expose its workings once and for all.
... fascinating ... Following the two sisters throughout the years, Morton eschews the familiar tendency to categorize their relationship as one always living in the shadow of the other. Instead, the author illustrates the difficulties of their relationship, especially as Margaret was publicly expected to be loyal to the queen while privately struggling with being defined as the queen’s sister. Though much of the material will be familiar to viewers of The Crown, Morton offers more details of the sisters’ shared history and how it affected their relationship, both positively and negatively, throughout the years. He also pinpoints some scenarios in The Crown, such as the handling of the Townsend affair, that were made to appear more dramatic than the reality ... Morton’s insightful analysis of the complex relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret succeeds in humanizing two extremely public figures and the myths surrounding them. It will engage history buffs, biography readers, and especially fans of The Crown.
Morton, an accomplished royal writer who doesn’t descend into the hackneyed phrases of some of his rivals, is best known for being Princess Diana’s Boswell ... It is hard not to keep thinking of The Crown reading this, but it is a corrective of the series too, especially when it comes to Margaret’s relationship with Townsend ... There are few fresh revelations here, but the book is a comprehensive and compelling account of two complicated, often lonely lives. And it should perhaps give hope too for a royal rapprochement between William and Harry. Post-marriage, Margaret rededicated herself to her sister, accepting her role as the supporting act to the Queen.
Veteran correspondent Morton zeros in on the relationship between sisters Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. He covers aspects of their upbringing from infancy to adulthood, closely documenting their celebrated but ultimately lonely lives ... Morton carefully distinguishes between the media versions of events compared to the carefully worded press releases put forth by palace officials, and actual, often complicated personal experiences ... Time and time again, Morton shows how the sisters were absolutely loyal to each other throughout their entire lives, defending and supporting each other at every turn ... Morton denies rumors of jealousy and attempts at one-upmanship, providing multiple examples to the contrary. The writing can be cliché-ridden, and archaic expressions abound, but loyal royalists (whose numbers are legion) won’t care. Deliciously detailed, sometimes gossipy, often moving, this in-depth examination of royal siblings is sure to be in demand.
Biographer Morton examines in this vibrant history the 'push-and-pull between... deep love and primal jealousy' that bonded Queen Elizabeth II and her younger sister, Princess Margaret ... Morton draws a sharp contrast between duty-bound George and self-indulgent Edward, and between Elizabeth and Margaret, who once confessed that 'disobedience is my joy.' ... Royal watchers will be enthralled.
