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Marion Crawford‘s “The Little Princesses” Lead to Royal Ostracization
Marion Crawford,former governess to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret,faced a severe fallout with the Royal Family after the publication of her book “The Little Princesses” and accompanying articles in 1950. Despite assurances that the book would not be released without royal approval, the articles appeared, detailing aspects of the princesses’ private lives.
This led to a “monumental fall-out,” with Queen Elizabeth believing Crawford had promised not to publish under her own name, while Crawford maintained she had only agreed to submit her text for approval. this “misinterpretation” resulted in Crawford and her husband, George buthlay, being ostracized from the royals, even failing to receive a christmas gift from Queen Mary. Crawford also felt the Goulds, who helped with the book, sensationalized her stories.
The articles, which attracted 15 million readers, had a notable personal cost for Crawford. Shunned by colleagues, the couple moved to Aberdeenshire. Crawford continued to produce tell-all pieces about the Royal Family, becoming a figure of mockery and withdrawing from public life. She remained loyal to her husband, even attempting suicide after his death in 1977.
When Crawford died in 1988 at the age of 78, none of the senior royals, including Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, or Princess Margaret, attended her funeral or sent wreaths. Though, her Royal Household pension was paid until her death, indicating a prior recognition of her services before their relationship soured.