Elizabeth & Margaret: The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters, a collective biography that covers more than 75 years, opened my eyes to many English traditions and customs, especially relating to royalty.

Elizabeth, born in 1926 was four years older than her sister, Margaret. As a young child, Elizabeth was very aware she was in line of succession to the throne. In 1936, when her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated to marry a divorced woman, her father became king. Now Elizabeth, at the age of ten, was heir presumptive to the throne.

King George VI was a reluctant king, had a well-known stammer and other disabilities, but out of duty accepted the position thrust upon him. He was a loving father, happiest when with his family. Their mother was fiercely protective of her husband and children, always striving to keep a happy home.

Elizabeth and Margaret’s childhood alternated between great attention and great isolation. Their education was conducted at home, usually at Buckingham Palace, a structure of 775 rooms with a staff of more than 700. Their lives were strictly protected and governed by royal tradition. The two girls rarely played with other children, but the sisters were very close. Elizabeth was a serious child, acutely aware that one day she would be Queen of the United Kingdom. Margaret was affectionate, pretty, playful and had the ability to play off one parent against the other.

When King George VI died in 1952, Elizabeth became Queen at the age of 26. However, by then she was a married woman and the mother of two children.

This biography of the two sisters shows their closeness and fierce protection of one another. Elizabeth was sedate, methodical, and always strove to conduct herself as befitting a queen. She loved horses and dogs and had high regard for the people who cared for them.

On the other hand, as an adult Margaret was a party-goer, flamboyant, and often an embarrassment to her sister. She had affairs with married men and had an unhappy marriage. However, the two sisters remained loyal to one another, talking on the phone nearly every day.

Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, plays an important role in this collective biography, but the book mostly concentrates on Elizabeth and Margaret and their relationship to one another.

I very much enjoyed Elizabeth & Margaret. It gave me a clearer understanding of British royalty, and an awareness of the courage it takes to live up to the expectations of their preeminent positions.