MEDIA COVERAGE

1 THE GOVERNESS is a novel about the childhood of the Queen and the unknown woman whose unique influence helped make her the world’s most successful monarch. It takes us right to the heart of the Royal Family through a crucial period in history, through the 1936 Abdication, the 1937 Coronation and the whole of World War II. Ending in 1947 with Princess Elizabeth’s wedding, THE GOVERNESS is the prequel to The Crown. Published by Welbeck in AUGUST 2020, it went straight into the Sunday Times bestseller list, earned rave reviews and intense media interest..

2 SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN

3 4 FEATURE COVERAGE

5 The Daily Mail

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6 The Mail on Sunday

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7 Tatler

8 Tatler

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9 Harpers Bazaar

10 Sunday Express Magazine

11 Sunday Express Magazine

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12 Sunday Express Magazine Saga Magazine

13 Saga Magazine People Magazine

14 People Magazine

15 Woman and Home

16 Woman and Home

17 My Weekly Short Story, Fiction Special

18 Daily Telegraph

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19 BROADCAST COVERAGE

20 BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Interview

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21 Sky News Interview

22 BBC Culture Piece by Hephzibah Anderson on royalty in fiction, leading with The Governess

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23 REVIEW COVERAGE

24 Good Housekeeping Bookshelf Top 10 Choice

25 Woman & Home Book Club Choice

26 Daily Mail

‘A hugely entertaining, emotionally satisfying story of love and loyalty.’

27 My Weekly

28 Mail on Sunday

‘A poignant, fictional reimagining of a woman condemned by history, with plenty of modern-day echoes.’

29 Platinum Magazine

‘Brilliantly researched... I was completely absorbed and transported.’ **** ADELE PARKS

30 Woman & Home Book Club Choice

‘A vivid, irresistible tale of royal rule-breaker Crawfie.’ WOMAN AND HOME

‘BEST OF HISTORICAL FICTION’ Feature Link

31 Womans Weekly Book Club

32 Book Trade ‘Books of the Month’ Easons

The Hive

33 THE GOVERNESS is published as THE ROYAL GOVERNESS by Berkley Press, a division of PRH, in the USA. It attracted the attention of major newspapers:

The Philadelphia Inquirer

‘Terrific.’

34 The Washington Post

friday, september 18, 2020 . the washington post EZ RE k C3

Book World Crazy attention is given to the style The nanny who became a royal pain and the mood of Netflix’s ‘Ratched’ BY STEVE DONOGHUE The Royal reader’s shoulder and whisper: Governess Irony, huh? How about that iro- tv review from C1 works won’t mind. “Ratched” reveal it here); the governor’s Although perhaps the bulk of A Novel of ny? When we meet the future combines the lushly lurid old- press secretary, Gwendolyn Wendy Holden’s readers in 2020 Queen King George VI, he’s intently, des- then puzzlingly dull for stretches, school glamour of his FX series Briggs (Cynthia Nixon), takes an won’t recognize the name Marion Elizabeth II’s perately smoking (the king will only to become interesting all “Feud: Bette and Joan” (in which immediate interest in Mildred. Crawford, the main character of Childhood develop lung cancer and die at over again. The show is a fine and powerful women discover that The asylum setting is, of her new book, “The Royal Gov- By Wendy age 56). Before she’s even met the flawed example of who Murphy is mutual respect is a byproduct of course, irresistible as a source of erness,” once upon a time, Craw- Holden little princesses, Crawford makes and what he makes. You can’t their bitter rivalry) with slightly creepiness, as Dr. Hanover tries to ford was a best-selling author and Berkley. 432 a comment about how “James II help but be lured in by it. less grisly aspects of “American improve on methods for loboto- the center of a controversy that pps. $26 and Bonnie Prince Charlie lost Behind her steely-eyed men- Horror Story: Asylum” (itself a mizing intractable patients and fascinated readers on both sides their kingdoms.” (She will live ace, the story of Nurse Mildred comment on mental-health-care prescribes other torturous treat- of the Atlantic. ward VIII for abdicating to marry through the abdication crisis, Ratched (yes, the very one from conditions before landmark revi- ments designed to “cure” such Crawford was governess to Wallis Simpson). while King Edward VIII will lose Ken Kesey’s novel “One Flew Over sions of the Diagnostic and Statis- questionable diagnoses as homo- Princesses Elizabeth and Marga- Standing out gloriously even his kingdom.) When precocious the Cuckoo’s Nest” and the classic tical Manual of Mental Disorders, sexuality and teen angst. This bad ret, the daughters of the Duke and from this colorful cast is Queen Margaret flirts with Ambassador film adaptation, played here with featuring Catholic nuns with medicine has a way of feeling like Duchess of York. The girls, who Elizabeth, by far Holden’s most Kennedy’s son John, a character calm and collected determina- warped, Ratched-like control redundant territory in a Murphy referred to her as “Crawfie,” cher- winning fictional creation in sniffs, “A young man like that will tion by Sarah Paulson) is present- over their patients). drama, given how often he and ished her energy and honesty, and these pages. Marion has no soon- never amount to anything.” ed as a kind of feminist dawning. Six months after the priest his collaborators routinely de- she retained her position even er met her than she’s making the It’s an overindulgence, but it’s Nurse Ratched is someone trying slayings, Paulson’s Mildred, al- monize an array of authority-fig- when the duke and duchess be- obvious comparison: “She was this author’s only one. In all other to overcome her own damage and ways dressed to the nines, arrives ure archetypes — doctors, nurses, came King George VI and Queen like something out of P. G. Wode- respects, “The Royal Governess” demons and, in her demented at a sprawling asylum on the nuns, preachers, elected leaders, Elizabeth in 1936 and their elder house.” The queen burbles, she is spirited, virtually clockwork way, she wants to make the world Northern California seaside — Hollywood studio bosses, etc. It’s daughter, “Lilibet,” was suddenly merrily slings lingo such as “Tin- enjoyment, humanizing the kinder and more just, through the Lucia State Hospital, where the playful, but it has a way of becom- heir to the throne. kety-tonk, old fruit,” she slurps Windsor world through the death most painful and manipulative alleged killer, Edmund Tolleson ing a facile harangue against any- Those years are the playground gin at untoward hours and under- of two kings, the ordeal of an sort of caring. (Wittrock) is housed. Although one in charge. of Holden’s novel, which begins neath it all, as one character abdication and the very real dan- It can take a while for the series the asylum’s director, Dr. Richard That’s why Nurse Ratched has with Marion studying at a teacher observes, she’s as tough as an old gers of a world war. Through it all, to find its way — and often it’s the Hanover (Jon Jon Briones), tells such potential as a character training college in her native boot. Whether she’s charming a Marion Crawford is convincingly viewer who will feel as if they are her he has no job openings for study — how she gets off on Scotland and falling in love with a war-wary Ambassador Joe Ken- passionate, respected by every- missing something profound. As nurses, Ratched schemes her way simply taking charge. “One Flew handsome young communist nedy or bucking up the spirits of body in her glittering new world. a prequel set in 1947, it’s not onto the staff, to the dismay of Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” left her named Valentine, whose impetu- her timid husband, this Queen In the real world, it didn’t last. required that the viewer know Nurse Betsy Bucket, played by motivations vague, which had a ous anti-imperialist sloganeering Elizabeth thoroughly steals the The aforementioned controversy much about “Cuckoo’s Nest” or Judy Davis. way of making the viewer feel as is the author’s first gesture at show, both from Marion Craw- happened in 1950 when Crawfie even Louise Fletcher’s Oscar-win- This Nurse Bucket is pretty helpless as the drugged patients. foreshadowing but certainly not ford and from the future Queen committed the ultimate act of ning performance as a more pow- much your best reason to give “Ratched,” too, seems to let its her last. Marion gets a job in the Elizabeth, the teenager waiting in lèse-majesté by writing about her erful Ratched in the 1975 movie “Ratched” a whirl, with a splen- sense of purpose get similarly household of Lady Rose Leveson- the wings throughout the book. experiences as royal governess in version, other than the fact that didly sour performance and fogged in, as if the narrative has Gower and quickly comes to the Here, as in all other books, that a book, “The Little Princesses.” Murphy (working here with Ian much needed drop of comic ten- been slipped a calming sedative attention of Lady Rose’s sister, the other Elizabeth remains stub- The book sold briskly, but the Brennan and creator Evan Ro- sion from Davis — a template and is wearing restraints. Duchess of York, and finds herself bornly opaque. royal family felt betrayed. They mansky) is among our shrewdest example of institutional cruelty The show’s obsessive attention installed as governess to the two Of course, a part of the charm never spoke to Crawford again, and most knowing samplers of and caprice that will help create to style and mood begins to seem little princesses. of this performance is hindsight; and when she died in 1988 at age popular culture. the Nurse Ratched of lore. Later hallucinatory and sluggish. As Once “The Royal Governess” Holden knows that Queen Eliza- 78, neither the Queen Mother, Of course a lot of us will come in the series, Murphy’s diva wor- with Murphy’s other projects on gets to the Windsors, it takes off beth would go on to become the Queen Elizabeth II nor Princess here wanting to know what made ship shifts to Sharon Stone, who Netflix so far (“The Politician”; like a grand parade. Holden obvi- nationally beloved Queen Moth- Margaret so much as mentioned Ratched into the sublimely vin- has a ball playing the deeply “Hollywood”), and with more ously relishes bringing to life her er, clad in creamy frocks and that fact in public. dictive control freak of the men- disgruntled and deep-pocketed than one season of his “American famous cast of characters, from feathered hats, smiling and wav- “The Royal Governess” shades tal ward. Audiences have been mother of one of Dr. Hanover’s Horror Story” on FX, the dosage the nervous, stuttering Duke of ing to innumerable onlookers un- that tension very neatly into the wondering that for decades. former patients. is strong, but the symptoms per- York to the tall, imperious Queen til her death in 2002 at age 101. final pages of a very satisfying “That f---ing nurse, man,” Jack The state’s unctuous governor sist. As a viewer, you have no idea Mary, to strong-willed daughter Such knowledge gives license to reading experience. It’s doubtful Nicholson’s character said about (Vincent D’Onofrio) is eager to why you’re here or how you got Elizabeth (who would go on to project that quippy, luminous fig- the queen would enjoy it, but Nurse Ratched. “She ain’t hon- see Tolleson executed so he can here. Nurse Murphy wants it that reign longer than any monarch in ure back into the past. pretty much everybody else will. est.” boost his tough-on-crime profile way. English history), to her saucy, This can be as much a weak- [email protected] The answers provided in during a reelection campaign. [email protected] free-spirited sister, Margaret, to ness as a strength when it’s over- “Ratched” may or may not satisfy Nurse Ratched has come to this the Duke’s brother David (who done. Holden hardly ever passes Steve Donoghue is a book reviewer that curiosity, but fans of Mur- place because she has an abiding Ratched (eight episodes) available would make history as King Ed- up an opportunity to lean on her living in Boston. phy’s previous and provocative interest in Tolleson’s fate (I won’t for streaming Friday on Netflix.

him the host of a podcast about Di Caro should be terminated, ac- local transportation matters. cording to emails and interviews. Reporter had received Di Caro continued to work at the Faced with being fired, Di Caro station after receiving his second resigned in late 2017 instead. The formal warning for another 18 circumstances of his departure misconduct warnings months. But in October 2017, sexual were kept confidential, though, harassment complaints against and five months later, he joined wamu from C1 final terms. . . .” Yore wrote on prominent men sparked the Bloomberg Radio. Bloomberg May 16. “I’d like to push with the ­#MeToo movement, and Yore be- briefly suspended him in late July ate and home of the then-widely HR and legal folks on being as clear came concerned that WAMU could after news broke of his alleged syndicated “Diane Rehm Show.” as we can that Martin did some face its own scandal, according to misconduct at WAMU. The com- During his time there, revenue things that required us to termi- people inside and outside WAMU pany later reinstated him, saying nearly doubled and the roster of nate him. Language along the lines who spoke with him at the time. His it found no infractions during his regular donors shot up nearly 60 of, ‘Martin Di Caro has engaged in a fears were heightened by the resig- time there. As of this week, ‘A percent.very The station also doubled satisfyingpattern of activity that threatens readingnation of NPR’s top news executive, though, Di Caro is no longer work- its news and production staff at a the integrity and reputation of Michael Oreskes, who was accused ing for Bloomberg, according to a time when other local news or- WAMU and American University. of misconduct by two women. person familiar with the situation. ganizations were cutting back. As a result, Martin is no longer After Yore mentioned the issue WAMU has since instituted ref- Di Caro, who had joined WAMU employed by WAMU/AU.’” to subordinates, a WAMU manag- erence and criminal-record checks as a part-time reporter two years But an email sent by Johnson to Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post er who had been unaware of the on all potential hires — a policy before Yore’s arrival, doggedly cov- the station’s managers a week later Administrators for American University concluded several times local complaints against Di Caro that was not in place for part-time ered the local transportation beat. indicated that the university’s legal that there were insufficient grounds to dismiss Martin Di Caro. volunteered that the reporter had employees when Di Caro joined as experience.He also allegedly had problematic office advised that DiIt’s Caro receive a doubtful thesimilar issues when they both a part-timer, people familiar with personal relationships: In late “final written warning” for what thing” about Di Caro, said Swen- marily to keep an eye on Di Caro. worked at WCBS in New York, its hiring practices say. July, the news site DCist, owned by administrations deemed a “Level 3 son, who is now with a station in Di Caro responded to a request according to station insiders. Mc- Given the damaging publicity WAMU, documented complaints violation of serious misconduct.” Nashville. “It was clear to me that for comment by stating that Daniel confronted Di Caro with surrounding the Di Caro matter, from more than 20 people who Johnson wrote: “The thought here J.J. was frustrated and was unable “American University always this information and got permis- Yore’s future in public radio seems said he had subjected them to is let Martin know that we ‘consid- to get [Di Caro] to leave.” treated me fairly, abiding by due sion to obtain his personnel rec- cloudy at best, and he has made no inappropriate and unwelcome ered’ terminating his employment The three complaints against Di process” and that “I deeply regret ords from WCBS. And Yore spoke announcement of future career comments during his five years at so that he understands the serious- Caro were filed between 2014, having made people feel uncom- to Swenson, Di Caro’s former boss plans. Meanwhile, McDaniel, his Queenthe station.would When Di Caro re- ness of the situation.” enjoyshortly after Yore’s arrivalit, at the fortablebut in a professional setting.” pretty there, who says he confirmed that former deputy, lost a new job amid signed, he told colleagues he want- American University’s chief station, and 2016, according to He added: “How much longer Di Caro had been the subject of the fallout: In May, she was hired ed to take a break from reporting; spokesman, Matt Bennett, speak- multiple insiders who detailed must we re-litigate things that complaints around 2004. In one as chief executive at Chicago Pub- there was no public indication ing on behalf of the university and them for The Post. The first, from a were resolved years ago?” case, a woman got a restraining lic Media, but after the Di Caro that his departure was related to the administrators, declined to staffer for the Washington Metro- Di Caro’s profile and responsibil- order requiring him to keep his news broke in late July, its board harassment. address specific questions about politan Area Transit Authority who ities grew during his time at distance from her, according to launched an investigation, and The DCist article was the cata- Di Caro and Yore. But he suggested said he made several inappropriate WAMU. He began as a part-time documents viewed by The Post. last week, she resigned under lyst for a tumultuous staff meet- that it had been Yore’s responsibil- comments to her, resulted in a employee in 2012, but was made (Di Caro declined to comment on pressure, leaving her jobless a few ing, during which employees ity, in what he described as a “con- “Level III” warning from the uni- full-time in 2015, as the station this.) Swenson said WCBS severed weeks before her official starting muchpoured out complaints everybody about sultative process,” to persuade his versity — essentially puttingelse him pushed to limit will.’its reliance on a ties with Di Caro, then a freelanc- date. In a statement, the organiza- Yore’s management of minority bosses that firing Di Caro was the on notice that he could be fired part-time workforce. In April 2016, er, around 2005, on the advice of tion’s board said it made the deci- employees as well as demanding appropriate remedy. “While this is after another infraction — and a he was promoted to “senior” re- its corporate human resources de- sion after “deeper research into to know why Yore had tolerated a collaborative process, the super- requirement he take an online sex- porter and given a raise, reflecting partment. the recent turmoil at Andi’s prior Di Caro for so long. Yore, who quit visor has authority to determine ual-harassment education course. both his work and a newsroom- Yore presented the information employer, WAMU.” several days later, said at the time the disciplinary action most suit- A second, in January 2016, from a wide effort to upgrade salaries. A to American University officials — [email protected] that he was prevented from ex- able to the situation, as outlined in female reporter for a local newspa- month later, the station named and this time, they agreed that [email protected] plaining his actions because of the American University Staff Per- per who declined to participate in a confidentiality restraints on per- sonnel Policy Manual,” he said. follow-up investigation, was re- sonnel decisions. Yore has repeatedly declined to solved when Deadre Johnson, the Left unanswered at that meet- offer comment, saying last month university’s senior employee rela- ing were questions about the uni- in an email that the university’s35 tions director, gave Di Caro an in- versity’s oversight of the matter. lawyers “have made it clear” that formal warning. So when another Interviews and emails indicated he is prohibited from doing so. female journalist complained FLOORING SALE that university administrators WAMU and Di Caro signed a sepa- about Di Caro in May 2016, WAMU were involved with investigating ration agreement upon his depar- managers were stunned when uni- the three accusations against ture that prohibits both parties versity officials issued another Di Caro, between 2014 and 2016. from discussing his work history. “Level III” warning, again sparing FREE INSTALLATION ON ALL The administrators — Deadre (“I recognize and regret that this him from termination. CARPET HARDWOOD LAMINATE VINYL Johnson, American’s senior direc- means aspects of this story will Some weeks later, McDaniel pri- tor of employee relations; Beth remain unchallenged and incom- vately expressed her frustrations to Muha, assistant vice president of plete,” Yore told DCist before his Alicia Montgomery, who joined human resources; and then-assis- resignation.) WAMU as news director in the fall tant general counsel Hisham Kha- McDaniel, who left WAMU in of 2016. “It was absolutely clear lid — concluded each time that June, noted that WAMU did not Andi wasn’t happy,” Montgomery there were insufficient grounds to have its own human resources or told The Post. “The spirit of the dismiss Di Caro. On two occasions, legal departments and had to rely conversation was, ‘How are we go- they directed Yore to issue formal on American’s, which kept station ing to handle this?’ ” She said that warnings to Di Caro that he could management from being able “to McDaniel indicated to her that if $ be fired if he committed another issue the penalty we saw as most Di Caro misbehaved in the news- Mention Promo Code “WAPO” To Save An Additional 100 infraction, emails and interviews appropriate.” While noting she room, they should take the oppor- with Yore’s colleagues indicate. couldn’t speak to the specifics of tunity to again seek his dismissal. With the second two accusa- Di Caro’s case, she said in an email Montgomery, who left the station CALL TODAY! tions, both in 2016, Yore and to The Washington Post: “I am in- in 2017, argues that management WAMU’s chief news and program- credibly frustrated to be left to de- had that opportunity several weeks ming manager, Andi McDaniel, fend decisions I actively fought later, when Di Caro berated a wom- 855-997-0612 pressed for Di Caro’s dismissal. An against, and in which I did not have an in the newsroom. But she says email that Yore sent to newsroom decision-making authority.” that when she reminded Yore of the managers in May 2016 to discuss McDaniel’s account is corrobo- Level III warning hanging over Di filling a vacancy on the transpor- rated by Steve Swenson, a public- Caro’s head, Yore was concerned tation beat indicates that it was his radio-station executive who em- other staffers would wrongly per- WE COME intention to fire Di Caro, an action TO YOU! ployed Di Caro in New York 15 years ceive that the reporter was being FREE IN-HOME he seemed to assume would be ago. He spoke to Yore about Di Caro fired just for yelling at a colleague. ESTIMATES completed in a matter of days. in late 2017, and Yore “expressed to After that, Montgomery says, she Sale Applies To AlI Carpet, Hardwood, Laminate and Vinyl. “Regarding Martin: I think it me that people in HR had told him moved from her office to a desk in Offer Good Through September 30, 2020. will take us all week to come to they didn’t have enough to do any- the middle of the newsroom, pri- PRAISE FOR THE GOVERNESS

‘A beautifully woven and exquisitely detailed story of strong upstairs/downstairs women whose lives entwine during some of the most significant periods of modern British history… I am in awe of Wendy Holden.’ HEATHER MORRIS, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

‘I adored this wonderful book. �What a great story Wendy Holden has told.’ JILLY COOPER

‘A brilliantly imagined and poignant� novel… a story of sacrifice, deep affection, strained loyalties and divided English society in the post-Downton Abbey era. Having set herself a huge challenge, Wendy Holden has triumphed.’ ELIZABETH BUCHAN, author of The New Mrs Clifton

‘A great book for escaping� into…I loved this!’ KATIE FFORDE, author of A Summer At Sea

‘Wendy Holden absolutely delivers� in this perfect blend of story and history. THE ROYAL GOVERNESS is a fabulous read for not only for devotees of period fiction and the British Royals, but anyone with a hunger for a well-crafted tale. Lovers of The Crown series on Netflix will adore this!’ SUSAN MEISSNER, Bestselling author of The Last Year of the War

36 ‘An intimate view of the royal family at a time of great uncertainty and change, The Royal Governess is a beautifully written and richly detailed piece of historical fiction. Marion Crawford’s dedication to her charges, as well as her passion for education and reform, shines through the pages. Through her eyes, the reader is transported back in time and thoroughly immersed in the lives of the British royal family. A delightful read!’ CHANEL CLEETON, New York Times bestselling author of When we Left Cuba

‘Beautifully researched and captivating…� Wendy’s Holden’s tender and intimate portrait of ‘Lilibet’, the future Queen Elizabeth II, is masterly.’ RACHEL HORE, author of Last Letter Home

‘This is a wonderful book. Masterfully� weaving seismic historical events with one woman’s personal story, The Governess is cinematic in its scope, and yet always intimate, a moving, gorgeously written page-turner. We peek behind the Windsor’s swagged silk curtains - the insider details are a total delight - but the story’s beating heart belongs to the devoted royal governess, Crawfie. Holden takes the reader on a glittering, unforgettable journey. I absolutely loved it.’ EVE CHASE, author of Black Rabbit Hall, The Glass House

‘Sensitive, funny and fascinating� - this masterful novel gives the reader fly-on-the-wall privileges into the early life of the Queen.’ FREYA NORTH author of The Turning Point

37 TOP TEN BESTSELLER

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