The Diana I Knew: Loving Memories of the Friendship Between an American Mother and Her Son's Nanny Who Became the Princess of Wales [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Robertson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 1999

A poignant, loving portrait of the young woman who would become the world's most famous Princess

In 1980, Mary Robertson, an American living in London, welcomed a shy young nanny into her home to care for her nine-month-old son. Little did she know that this was to be the beginning of an extraordinary friendship, for the young woman was Lady Diana Spencer who would later become Diana, Princess of Wales, the most celebrated woman of our time.

In The Diana I Knew, Mary Robertson recounts her unique memories of this remarkable woman and describes the day-to-day building of a trusting, affectionate relationship that would develop into a seventeen-year-long friendship. From Diana's first moments in the spotlight, to her lavish wedding and the birth of her sons, to her tragic, untimely death, The Diana I Knew is a moving, eloquent tribute from a friend to a friend'a candid, personal glimpse of the captivating woman the world will never forget.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Shortly after learning of Princess Diana's death in a car crash on August 31, 1997, Mary Robertson was inspired to document her memories of the princess in order to balance the "mean-spirited and critical comments about her in the media coverage and certain books." The Diana Robertson first knew was an unassuming teenager who patiently and diligently cared for Robertson's young son two days a week in 1980. Robertson recalls Diana in detail, describing her first impression: "She was lovely, with perfect English skin, a slight blush on her cheeks, and clear blue eyes.... She looked just like the suburban teenagers I had known in America, only ever so much prettier." She then shares the milestones of her relationship with the future princess--accidentally discovering Diana's lineage, being told by Diana of her burgeoning relationship with Prince Charles, dodging reporters together outside the Robertson home, attending the "wedding of the century," visiting the princess and her sons at Kensington Palace, and, finally, attending the princess's funeral. Robertson's flattering depiction of Diana as a caring woman whose humility belied her background rings true even if the information the writer reveals about her own life is at times unnecessary and excessive. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Before she was a princess, Diana Spencer worked as a part-time nanny for an American family, the Robertsons, caring for their young son Patrick. Although employed by the Robertsons for only a short time, Mary Robertson and Diana retained their friendship through letters and occasional visits over 17 years. Mary provides an intimate portrait of Diana, telling of her special gift for working with children, her unpretentious manner, and her legendary poise, noting that Diana became a wife, future queen of England, and mother all in her 20th year. With anecdotes that reveal Diana's boundless generosity and compassion, Robertson idealizes Diana with an effusiveness that becomes tiresome at times. The public's obsession with Diana, however, will ensure this work's popularity in almost any library collection.ASusan McCaffrey, Sturgis Middle Sch., MI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Avon (August 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060929391
• ISBN-13: 978-0060929398
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,835,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Better Diana Books, December 20, 2005

By 

S. Williams - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Diana I Knew: Loving Memories of the Friendship Between an American Mother and Her Son's Nanny Who Became the Princess of Wales (Mass Market Paperback)

I wanted to read this book for the longest but it was unavailable. I finally bought it used through Amazon.

I was not disappointed! A truly readable and enjoyable book. Diana often was dismissed by critics as a shallow, self-serving woman who only "cared" about people when the cameras and press were recording an event.

Mrs. Robertson refuted this often repeated attack of Diana's character by showing us that behind the scenes and away from the press, Diana continued a warm friendship with this American woman and her family. A common family who could in no way further Diana's reportedly selfish agenda.

Why?

The only explanation is that Diana truly was a very warm and caring person. The book captures that simple quality of Diana.

Many books have been written to show the world what the real Diana was supposedly like.

These books deride fans for believing in a media image of Diana and have attacked Diana's every move.

Mrs. Robertson knew the "real" Diana and her memories are refreshing, honest and much in tune with Diana's worldwide image.

Mrs. Robertson's friendship with the Princess of Wales was not based on a phony media image.

Thank you Mrs. Robertson for writing this book and showing us the lovely "inner" Diana.

Diana proved it was possible to be warm, unpretentious, radiant AND royal.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not the best of the pack but an interesting little book, November 25, 2002

By 

A. Burchfield (Conway, Missouri USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Diana I Knew: Loving Memories of the Friendship Between an American Mother and Her Son's Nanny Who Became the Princess of Wales (Hardcover)

I guess that I'd have to give this book about 3 1/2 stars if I could do that, it's an interesting little book to read. Written by Mary Robertson, the American woman who once employed Diana as a nanny, it isn't nearly as bad as some critics would suggest.The book starts with an Aug 31-Sept 6th recap of learning about Diana's death and attending the funeral, in the next chapter and for most of the book details Robertson's experiences over the years with the Princess. While Mrs. Robertson does talk about herself (not particularly boastfully)she tells a lot of harmless little details about Diana, various meetings & so on, that you just don't see elsewhere. I wouldn't put it at the top of your list of books to accquire but it makes a nice little addition.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing perspective of Diana, I could not put it down., November 10, 1998

By 

Elizabeth Burrows Chapin - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Diana I Knew: Loving Memories of the Friendship Between an American Mother and Her Son's Nanny Who Became the Princess of Wales (Hardcover)

I bought this book because I wanted a glimpse into the REAL Diana, the person she was before the world met her. This book had that insight and much more. It tells about Diana living in the "real" world, and who she was before she got engaged to Prince Charles. It shows us a Diana who we would all have loved to have known, a sweet shy fun loving girl, who was polite and unassuming - behavior that belied her aristocratic background. I was sixteen the summer Diana was married and I remember getting up early and watching her wedding on TV with my mother, who died five years ago. I know that this woman who wrote the book had the same reaction to Diana as my mother did - that she was shy and sweet and innocent. Reading this book takes us all back to the innocent time before the wedding, when she forgot to wear a slip and wore the wrong dress to the ball and avoided reporters outside her flat as she went to work each day. The perspective of this book, though is its most iimportant part. This woman does not boast of her relationship with Diana, which continued until shortly before her death, but instead is appreciative of every encounter with the Princess, every lettter every CHristmas card. Though I never met the Princess, I could very much relate to this perspective. and I was equally devastated at her death. Mrs. Robertson attended Diana' wedding, and her funeral and saw her other times in between . She was awestruck at the pageantry of her wedding and devasted by the funeral. SHe took us all with her in this book. We met Diana , too, through her, and it is a most refreshing view, especially in light of all of these tell all juicy details books out now - Mrs. Robertson truly gives us in her book, The DIana SHE knew. I could not put it down.