Autobiography of Miss Cornelia Knight, lady companion to the Princess Charlotte of Wales, Volume 2 (of 2) with extracts from her journals and anecdote books

In this candid memoir a former lady‑in‑waiting recounts her years beside the talented Princess Charlotte, providing a vivid glimpse into the inner workings of the British royal household during the turbulent Regency era. She details the sudden collapse of the proposed marriage to the Prince of Orange, the ensuing dismissal of the princess’s household, and her own correspondence with the Regent concerning a pension. The narrative reveals how court politics and personal loyalties were tightly entwined.

The memoir then follows her on diplomatic trips to France, the restored Bourbon court, and several German principalities, where she records receptions, cultural observations, and the personalities of figures such as the Prince de Condé and Marshal Marmont. Her journals capture the public euphoria after Waterloo and the queen’s levées, while also noting subtle intrigues surrounding the princess’s own marriage prospects. Interspersed are charming anecdotes about luminaries like Lord Nelson, Talleyrand, and the young Prince Leopold, giving listeners a personal window on an era usually told in grand strokes.