My Years with the Queen

Book excerpt: Few people have lived such a fascinating life as Lady Pamela - Tina Brown, author of The Palace Papers The Queen looked so frail, just this one young woman. Seeing her, utterly alone, I wondered how she'd have the strength to undertake this duty all her life. Lady Pamela was by the side of Queen Elizabeth II for some of the most important moments of her life. She served as a bridesmaid at the Queen's marriage, attended her Coronation and accompanied the royal couple as a lady-in-waiting on several overseas tours. But as first cousin to the Duke of Edinburgh and second cousin to the Queen, she spent time with them in more relaxed settings too, and enjoyed the lifelong privilege of knowing them as simply Philip and Lilibet. My Years with the Queen is a celebratory and deeply personal story of the events, values and loyalties which have defined Lady Pamela's life, as well as an unequalled portrait of the Queen.