Louis and the Prince: A Story of Politics, Intrigue and Royal Friendship Book

Subtitled "A story of politics, intrigue and Royal friendship", this is an eye-opening and sometimes very moving biography of Sir Louis Greig, the author's grandfather, and his 45-year friendship with Prince Albert, Duke of York, later crowned King George VI. Greig was outgoing, sociable, tall, blue-eyed, a great sportsman and brimming with energy and confidence. Poor Albert was afflicted with a terrible stammer, shyness, low self-confidence and a real horror of his unexpected destiny. It was George V who quickly realised how wonderful Greig was for the young prince and encouraged their friendship, referring to Greig as "The Tonic." Later in life Greig added politics to his familiarity with royal circles, easing the communications between the Court and the first Labour government under Ramsay MacDonald, at a time when the royal household was still so formal and forbidding that visiting Cabinet ministers were expected to wear a gold-embroidered coat with white knee breeches and silk stockings when attending an evening court. MacDonald became so fond of Greig that he even composed limericks on him, one beginning, "There once was a courtier called Louis, who lived upon tea and Drambuie ... ". This is the best kind of biography: a hitherto unknown but fully worthy subject, whose life story ramifies to encompass an entire age and a vanished way of life. --Christopher HartRead More