- Even though jobs working for the royal family are often highly coveted, not everyone who ends up on the royal payroll is cut out for keeping their gig long-term.
- In his new book Long Live the Queen! 13 Rules for Living from Britain's Longest Reigning Monarch, royal author Bryan Kozlowski shares a story about Helen Lightbody, who worked as Prince Charles' nanny when he was a young boy. Lightbody ended up being fired when she tried to overrule the Queen.
- According to Kozlowski, the final straw came when Charles was eight years old and the Queen ordered a pudding for Charles' menu. Lightbody decided the pudding wasn't a good idea and crossed the Queen's request off the menu.
Working for the royal family might seem like a dream job, but not everyone is cut out for it. In fact, when Prince Charles was a boy, he had a nanny who the Queen ended up having to fire.
Royal author Bryan Kozlowski shares the story in his new book Long Live the Queen! 13 Rules for Living from Britain's Longest Reigning Monarch. The nanny in question was a woman named Helen Lightbody (which is a very British nanny name to have), and she was reportedly very particular, especially when it came to Charles' diet. Lightbody actually appears in several pictures with Charles and even with the Queen from her days on the royal staff:
"It's said [Lightbody] took pleasure in tormenting the Palace kitchen with her exacting standards," Kozlowski wrote of the former royal nanny. "Dishes for young Chrales were constantly being refused or remade based on little more than Nanny Lightbody's personal whims. The Queen eventually had enough and fired her."
So, what finally drove the Queen to give Lightbody the boot? According to Kozlowski, it all came down to the pudding incident.
"In 1956, the Queen sent the nursery a simple request that Charles, then eight years old, be given a special pudding she thought he might like," Kozlowski writes. "nanny Lightbody refused, crossed the dessert from the menu, and incurred the Crown's wrath. Nobody crosses out the Queen's request."
That's a lesson to live by.
-
These Royals Could Step Up to Help Prince William When He's King "If He Calls on Them"Three members of the Royal Family are likely to pitch in with duties down the line.
-
Why King Charles "Refuses" to Give Kate Middleton Advice About Becoming Queen"For much of the same reason, Camilla has not felt compelled to speak with Kate about what it's like to be queen."
-
How Prince Harry Honored One Man's Unexpected Request While Helping California Wildfire VictimsThe Duke of Sussex reportedly went incognito to find a special item for an elderly man affected by the disaster.
-
Princess Kate Isn't Always "Well Enough" for Royal Duties, but She's Learning to "Pace" Herself"She is looking after herself and is wise to do so," a family friend shared.
-
Queen Elizabeth's Final Birthday Gift to Kate Middleton Was a Precious Heirloom With Specific Rules AttachedThe present, which was from the Queen's private collection, "brought tears to Kate's eyes."
-
Why Prince Andrew Has Been Reported to the Police Over a Fake Name and Business VentureGet ready to meet the royal's alter ego, "Andrew Inverness."
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Daughter Lilibet Has Already Entered Her "Princess Phase"The Sussexes are very "down-to-earth" parents, according to a family friend.
-
Prince William Views This Royal Family Member as a "Brother" and Someone He Can "Always Rely On""There's no doubt Wills sees him as the brother he lost."
-
Why the Royal Family's Annual Income Is Increasing by $56 Million in 2025The royals will receive a whopping $165 million, which critics have called "scandalous."
-
This Unexpected Royal is Being Called "a Reincarnation" of Queen ElizabethHer legacy lives on.
-
Former Prisoner Recalls Life-Changing Meeting With "Amazing" Princess Kate: "Saw Me as an Equal"Francesca Fattore shared the "one thing that surprised" her about the Princess of Wales in a new interview.
