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Privacy NoticeJust like generations of royal children before her, the late Queen received a simple and basic education at home rather than attending school with other children. She did, however, take weekly lessons in the rules of constitutional monarchy with the Vice Provost of Eton College. As a result of her lack of interaction with large groups when she was young, Princess Elizabeth is said to have never built up the necessary immunity against common childhood diseases, such as chickenpox. The late Queen and Princess Margaret’s close friend, Lady Anne Glenconner, revealed exactly what was done to protect the monarch when her own children contracted common diseases.
Prince Charles was sent away at a young age for a specific reason
(Image: ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Lady Anne Glenconner is a former Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret and close friend of the late Queen. Lady Anne grew up alongside the two princesses and spent many years as a close confidant. In 2019, Lady Anne released her book ‘Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown’ which reveals several brilliant stories about her personal life and her relationship with everyone from Princess Margaret to King Charles. One of the most amazing claims in the book involves how The King was sent away to stay with the The Earl and Countess of Leicester (Lady Anne’s parents) from The Queen when he contracted Chickenpox. She writes: “Our connection to the Royal Family was close. When I was in my late teens, [King] Charles became like a younger brother to me, spending weeks with us all at Holkham.
Prince Charles was sent away from home when he had common childhood diseases
“He would come to stay whenever he had any of the contagious childhood diseases, like chickenpox, because the Queen, having never gone to school, had not been exposed to them. Sixteen years younger than me, [King] Charles was nearer in age to my youngest sister Sarah, but all of us would go off to the beach together. “My father taught him how to fish for eel in the lake, and when he got a bit older, my mother let him drive the Jaguar and the Mini Minor around the park, something he loved doing, sending great long thank-you letters telling her he couldn’t wait to return. He was such a kind and loving little boy and I’ve loved him ever since – the whole family have always been deeply fond of him.”
Lady Anne Glenconner introduced the island of Mustique to Princess Margaret
(Image: 2008 Getty Images)
Lady Anne married Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner in 1956 and the pair had five children. The couple are perhaps best well-known for transforming the Caribbean island of Mustique into a desirable holiday destination for the rich and famous. Princess Margaret spent huge amounts of time on the island and had her own home called ‘Les Joiles Eaux’. Lady Anne was appointed Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret in 1973 and kept this role – accompanying her on many state occasions and foreign tours until her death in 2002. She was widowed in 2010 and now lives in a farmhouse near Kings Lynn in Norfolk.
Princess Margaret pictured with Lady Glenconner in Mustique
(Image: Getty)
To mark the one year anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth, Lady Anne spoke exclusively to OK! about her personal reaction to the news. “I knew her from when I was three,” she said. “She was a constant in our lives for so long, and I just thought she would go on forever. “It’s ridiculous to say we thought she’d never die, but I wasn’t expecting her to die so quickly because she was such a pivotal person in all our lives. She must have had such confidence because her reign was so extraordinary and so wonderful. I’m sure she would want to be remembered in the best possible light. She would probably think, ‘Well, I did my best,’ and she absolutely did. “And as for King Charles, he was so young when she became Queen and she was so fond of him, so I expect she would be hoping that his reign will be just as special as hers.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnQueen Elizabeth IIKing Charles IIIRoyal FamilyPrincess Margaret
