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| Christopher Warwick's website |
Christopher Warwick, the acclaimed royal biographer, died yesterday, March 14, most likely at his home in Ascot. He was 72 years old.
The news of his death was announced on his Facebook page. The cause of death is not known. He was active on Facebook only a few days ago, and we chatted about the update of his biography on Princess Margaret.
He was born on April 14, 1949, in Hendon, Greater London, the son of Leslie Warwick and Eileen Howard.
He is survived by his "Chris leaves behind his wonderful partner Brian Auld, his brother and sister-in-law and nephew who loved him so much."
Chris was the author of numerous royals books, including The Life and Death of Grand Duchess Ella, George and Marina, Duke and Duchess of Kent, Her Majesty, Queen Mary’s Photograph Albums, and Kensington Palace. He is also write The Universal Ustimov, authorized biography of the late British actor, Peter Ustinov.
He is best known as Princess Margaret's authorized biographer. From his website: " both of my stand-alone studies, first Princess Margaret (published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson) and later Princess Margaret – A Life of Contrasts (published by Andre Deutsch) were written with the personal co-operation of the princess. To mark the twentieth anniversary of her death in February 2022, Albert Bridge Books published an updated edition of Life of Contrasts in e-book, hardback, and paperback formats."
He also wrote for Majesty Magazine and other publications and was often appeared on television (live and documentaries) because of his experience and knowledge. He was one of the most consummate and professional biographers ever. For Chris, Facts mattered to Chris, but he also understood the emotions and nuances of his subjects' lives.
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| https://www.christopherwarwickbiographer.com/ |
He took umbrage with how the Netlflix series, The Crown, portrayed Princess Margaret. In August 2021, he told the Express:
"Thanks largely to The Crown, you get the idea that the Queen asked her to wait for two years [before marrying]. That’s not true.
"When Margaret went to the Queen, the Queen said: ‘In the circumstances, I have to ask you to wait for a year. Now, I think the idea was that it might have all settled down and gone away within that year. It didn’t.
"Margaret went back and said: ‘We’ve waited the year; can we now get married?’ And the Queen said: ‘I have to ask you to wait another year. I think that was on ministerial advice."
In an earlier interview with the Express, Chris discussed Margaret's "difficult" role within the Royal Family. She once said to me: 'I never minded being the younger daughter. 'But I always minded the younger sister'."
Majesty's Managing editor, Joe Little shared this statement with me:
"Chris Warwick edited Majesty magazine in the early 1980s and the association endured for some 40 years. A significant contribution from him will appear in our Platinum Jubilee publication, to be published at the end of March. We will miss his friendship and expertise."
Elisabeth Bashford, the author of Princess Mary the First Modern Princess writes: "I am absolutely heartbroken to learn that Chris is no longer with us. I was always in awe of his incredible knowledge and talent as a biographer. I wrote to him a long time ago after reading his biography of Princess Margaret and he wrote back to me as if he was surprised that anyone should hold him in such high esteem. When I began to research Princess Mary, I wrote to him again and that was how we developed a wonderful friendship. He was an invaluable support to me during the research and writing of my book. My husband always said that he could tell when I had been talking to Chris because afterward, my face would light up at the sheer joy of spending time hearing his anecdotes and witticisms. I was always telling him that he should write a book about his life but with his usual modesty, he said that only I would read it. If I have to sum Chris up the words that always come to mind and I am sure will be repeated by many, are generous, kind, highly intelligent, and funny. He really did love life though and he always seemed to be having fun whether it was appearing on a new television programme, visiting historical places, or going out to lunch. He will be missed by so many, and I am honoured to say that I knew him.
My thoughts are with Brian, his family, and of course his beautiful cats."
In 2019, Elisabeth interviewed Chris.
https://www.christopherwarwickbiographer.com/index.shtml
I recommend all, but my favorites are the Princess Margaret biographies, The Royal Brides, and Two Centuries of Royal Weddings, which is one of the best books ever on British royal weddings.
My condolences to Brian and Chris' family.
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Marlene, a wonderful tribute. Such a fun person beside being a royal historian. I was lucky enough to hang out with him a few times and laughing was the order of the day! I will miss him! XO
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