Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten

Lady Pamela Mountbatten Hicks' memoir covers the first thirty years or so of her life, a time period which roughly coincides with World War II and the period immediately preceding it and then its aftermath. Lady Pamela witnessed quite a bit of history during that period, not so much because of what she did but because of who she is. The result is a memoir which has a unique, fast-disappearing perspective. Lady Pamela was the daughter of Lord and Lady Louis Mountbatten, who were among the most glamourous of couples in London in the 1920s. Lord Louis was a great-grandson of Queen Victoria and a dashing naval officer, while his wife Edwina was beautiful, effervescent, and wealthy. They had the most open of marriages, and Lady Pamela writes frankly about the menage a trois or a quatre in which she and her older sister were raised. She had a happy childhood dominated by nannies, governesses, and private schools (her parents popped in and out at odd times when they weren't too busy), then when World War II broke out was evacuated to New York to live with Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt in Newport and on Fifth Avenue. Life remained pleasant, even after she and her sister returned to England (dealing with rationing and the occasional bomb). When Lady Pamela was in her late teens she accompanied her parents to India, where they served as the last British Viceroy and Vicereine, charged with guiding the process of establishing Indian and Pakistani independence. Lady Pamela witnessed the negotiiations and met all the principal figures, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah. She must be among the very last living witnesses of that tumultuous time, and I found the chapters dealing with them the most interesting in the book. After returning to England she served as a bridesmaid and lady in waiting to Princess Elizabeth and was with her in February 1952 when King George VI died and she became Queen Elizabeth II. Lady Pamela took part in the coronation, found herself a bit at sea during the 1950s, and eventually, as she tells us in her Epilogue, fell in love and got married. Some might look at Lady Pamela's enormously privileged life and doubt that she has anything to tell us that is worth the recounting. But that would be taking an unnecessarily jaundiced view. As I said above, she is one of the last people who has first hand memories of India's move to independence. Her memoirs also tell us about a way of life that is vanishing: of royal tours that take months to complete, of the discomfort and sheer boredom life in palaces holds for those who have to live in them, and of what the humans who bear exalted titles really think of it all. Besides, she tells some good stories and has a sense of humor, and she's much more down to earth and practical than one might expect. All in all, a pleasant book by a nice lady who played a small role in some momentous history.

Pamela (Mountbatten) Hicks is the daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and Edwina Cassel. Louis's parents were Princess Victoria and Prince Louis of Battenberg. Princess Victoria's sisters were Alexandra (the last Tsarina of Russia); Elizabeth (wife of Duke Sergei who was uncle to Nicholas II); and Irene (wife of Prince Heinrich of Prussia who was a brother of the war-monger Kaiser William). Princess Victoria also had a brother, Ernie. Lord Mountbatten's sister was Princess Alice of Greece whose son is Philip Duke of Edinburgh, husband of the current queen, Elizabeth II. Edwina's family, the Cassels, were extremely wealthy. This kind of explains why Louis and Edwina got married. He had a rich family background and she just had plenty of riches. This book is a quick and very interesting read. The author writes in a factual style with minimal analysis and light commentary. There are several pages of photographs in this book both from their family album and one or two "official" photos. As a cousin of the current queen, I suspect that she kept out much of the really "juicy" stuff so if that is one's expectation, it will not be met. However, she does provide wonderful and fascinating information about the independence of India and about her participation in Princess Elizabeth's tour during which her father, the King, died and she flew back to England as a Queen. This book covers the time period from before the author's birth to the end of the Queen's world tour. I was fascinated that the author wrote about her mother, Edwina, with relative honesty. Edwina was definitely not "mother" or "wife" material. She left Pamela, age 1 month so that she could travel; and one time, when Edwina, her boyfriend, and Pamela (age 10) were returning back to England, Edwina and her boyfriend left Pamela in Lisbon for 10 days while they continued on to England. Apparently, Edwina had the English Naval Attache in Lisbon and his wife look after Pamela. I just can't figure out the English who, in that day-and-age, thought it perfectly acceptable, while married, to have lovers that become part of the family. Edwina traveled the world with one lover for many years while her husband, Louis was back home. Louis also had some lovers. It was like everyone was one happy family. I applaud the author for delving into this information with honesty. Edwina certainly may have been an asset to England during the war, but her parenting and wifely skills left much to be desired. Edwina saw life as "me, me, me" with no consideration for others in her family. I got the impression that she slept with anything or anyone who looked her way. Her husband, Louis, is the one who seemed to provide any stability to the family although I have to wonder about his lack of self-esteem. The author's meeting and marriage to David Hicks is covered in one paragraph which ends with the sentence (paraphrasing here): "...although unorthodox, we were happily married for 38 years..." I wish she would write another book explaining that statement and write about her husband (who was an incredibly talented interior designer) and her children and her life up-to-and-including-now. Her daughter is India Hicks who is also a wonderful interior designer, and her son is Ashley Hicks, another home designer, and daughter Edwina Brudenell, a model. Considering her upbringing by a distant mother and having her parents' lovers become part of the family, the author sounds like she turned out pretty normal. She seems like the type of person that you'd love to sit down with and have a good gossip. I gave the rating of 4 stars because it does end quite abruptly without rhyme or reason. However, if you are a fan and like to read about British royalty and those on the periphery, then this will prove to be a great addition to your library.

This book provides insight into India Hick's mother's early life. The most fascinating part was learning of the untraditional marriage her parents shared. I had no idea that her father's girlfriend was the inspo for Colette's Gigi. While not a life-changing read, overall the book gave greater nuance and depth to the always-intriguing British Royal family. I'm glad to have read it.

It was an entertaining read, but I found many errors and inaccurate historic facts!! If Pamela Hicks can be so wrong about well known facts I can ask how accurate is she in the telling of other stories that are not so well known... The editor didn't see the errors??? For example: portray of King Alfonso XIII as a philander is completely ok but that he was deposed by General Franco completely wrong!! He abdicated in 1933 and went into exile, A republic was declared. Franco plotted a coup against the republic in 1935 that lead to the Spanish civil war. Another error: she claims to have been seated beside king Hakon of Norway at princess Elizabeth wedding and makes a small remark about him ride a horse every day during the German occupation of Norway to show his support to the Norwegian people in open defiance to the Germans. Wrong!!! King Hakon fled the country at the beginning of the invasion and established himself in London, he is considered as a hero but the Norwegian people anyway. Pamela Hicks is confused with king Christian of Denmark !! He is the one who rode the horse every day during the war years !

Having watched Lady Pamela Hicks being interviewed over the years, I knew a good read, full of excellent anecdotes was on the menu - this book didn’t disappoint at all. I felt I was on “the journey” with Lady Pamela every step of the way. I highly recommend this book, the history, the insights, the delightful turn of phrase on each page. Thank you!

Dieses Buch zu lesen ist das reinste Vergnügen.Die Erinnerungen von Lady Pamela Hicks sind unglaublich und ihr englischer Humor ist herzerfrischend.

Interesting to read a first hand account of life as Lord Mountbatten's daughter as well as cousin and friend of the Queen of England. A personable and easy to read autobiography-if English or Indian history appeals to you, you will appreciate her perspective.

In questo libro Pamela Hicks rievoca la sua infanzia e giovinezza,particolari e privilegiate in quanto l'autrice è la figlia di Lord Louis Mountbatten,ultimo vicerè dell'India nonchè zio del duca Filippo di Edimburgo,marito della regina Elisabetta,e di Lady Edwina,una delle più ricche ereditiere inglesi degli anni '20.Sono ricordi che si leggono con piacere e curiosità perchè rievocano un mondo che non esiste più e svelano l'eccentricità tipica della nobiltà britannica,sia come dato saliente della personalità che come modo di intendere e vivere la vita.Il tono della narrazione è contenuto,ma disteso,mai freddo e a tratti molto divertente,ci sono pagine che non sfigurerebbero in un romanzo di P.G.Wodehouse.Molto interessanti i capitoli dedicati all'India che Lady Pamela e i suoi consideravano come una seconda patria e dai quali traspare l'amore che essi nutrivano per questo paese.L'autrice descrive vividamente il Mahatma Gandhi e l'affascinante figura di Jahawaral Nehru,padre di Indira Gandhi e poi ci racconta di una giovanissima Elisabetta II della quale Lady Pamela è stata dama di compagnia.E' un peccato che le memorie non proseguano dopo il matrimonio con il designer David Hicks,inoltre sarebbe stato interessante leggere dell'assassinio del padre,Lord Mountbatten, avvenuto nel 1979 nell'Irlanda del Nord ad opera dell'IRA.Il libro è corredato di parecchie fotografie,ma,curiosamente manca di indice e dell'albero genealogico della famiglia Mountbatten,imparentata con tutte le famiglie reali europee,basti pensare alla zia materna di Lord Mountbatten che è stata l'ultima zarina di Russia,moglie di Nicola II,uccisa nel massacro di Ekaterinburg nel '18.Chi come me ama la storia in generale e quella minuta in particolare,non potrà fare a meno di apprezzare questi memoirs che perciò consiglio caldamente.

This was fascinating listening, especially Pamela’s experiences in India, meeting and fraternising with Gandhi and Nehru, during Partition. I have visited Raj Ghat, the revered site of Gandhi’s cremation, where the Mountbatten’s stood on a platform, surround by tens of thousands of mourners. This account brings those times alive, filling them with context. I recommend this book to those with an interest in the history of the British Empire in the 20th century.