Lady in Waiting

Archival Summary & Scope

Anne Glenconner provides an extraordinary, behind-the-scenes account of life within the royal circle, serving as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret for over three decades. Born the daughter of the 5th Earl of Leicester, Glenconner was deemed "the greatest disappointment" because she could not inherit her father's vast estate, a reality that set the stage for a life spent navigating a "golden cage" with resilience and humor.

The memoir chronicles landmark historical moments, including her role as a Maid of Honor at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, alongside deeply personal tragedies. Glenconner candidly details her 54-year marriage to the volatile Lord Glenconner—who eventually left his fortune to a servant—the loss of two adult sons, and nursing a third son through a six-month coma. Beyond the palace walls, she recounts developing the island of Mustique into a private sanctuary for celebrities like Mick Jagger and David Bowie, offering a witty and heartbreaking perspective on a life defined by royal duty and personal survival.