000			02043nam a22002297a 4500
003			OSt
005			20260521120837.0
008			260521b |||||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
020			_a9781907892387
040			_aKenya National Library Service
082			_a941.082092 EVA
100			_aEvans, Sian _eAuthor
245			_aMrs Ronnie : _bthe society hostess who collected kings / _cSian Evans.
300			_a176 pages : _billustrations ; _c25 cm.
504			_aInclude bibliographical references and index.
520			_aMargaret Greville of Polesden Lacey, who styled herself 'Mrs Ronnie', rose from obscure and humble origins to become a fabulously wealthy and ambitious society hostess, traveling the world and acquiring a portfolio of movie stars, monarchs, maharajahs and millionaires. Her long, rich and fascinating life of dark secrets, racy scandal and power- broking intrigue encompassed close relationships with royals from Edward Vii to George VI. But her fascination with charisma also led her to champion characters as diverse as Winston Churchill, Oswald Mosley, Mussoini and Hitler. No-one doubted her patriotism but some questioned her judgement. King Edward VII, who commended her 'positive genius for hospitality', appreciated her discretion in his affair with her friend Alice Keppel. Mrs Ronnie intrigued with King George V and Queen Mary, and advanced the courtship of 'Bertie and Elizabeth' who honeymooned at her luxurious country house, Polesden Lacey in Surrey. She disapproved of the Prince of Wales and had a ringside view of the Abdication Crisis, becoming a valued supporter of the new King and Queen. Mrs Ronnie was a complex and contradictory character and her astonishing rise from a straitened and obscure childhood to the position of 'favoured aunt' to the British Royal Family is a genuine 'rags to riches' tale.
650			_aHistory of Europe.
650			_aHistorical periods of British Isles.
942			_2ddc _cBK _n0
999			_c492777 _d492777