Backstairs Billy : the life of William Tallon, the Queen Mother's most devoted servant

One of the nation's best kept secrets, life behind the gates of Buckingham Palace is subject to worldwide speculation. In this book Tom Quinn traces the fascinating relationship between the Queen Mother and her most devoted servant. William Tallon, who died in 2007, was a shopkeeper's son from the Midlands who rose through the ranks to work for the Queen Mother for more than fifty years. Known as "Backstairs Billy," he was charming, amusing, occasionally bitchy—and extremely promiscuous. Billy adored her and she adored Billy; perhaps because of his high-camp style and outrageous remarks about the well-born equerries, royal press people and advisers, but mostly because he made her gin and tonics just the way she liked them—nine-tenths gin and one-tenth tonic. Outrageously funny, scandalous, sometimes shocking, but always fascinating, this is the royal family through the eyes of one of its most extroverted servants. **Tom Quinn** is the author of many titles including __London's Strangest Tales__, __Cocoa at Midnight: The Real Life Story of My Time as a Housekeeper__, and __The Cook's Tale: Life Below Stairs as it Really Was__. He also writes occasional obituaries for the __Times__ and edits __Country Business__ magazine. Annotation One of the nation's best kept secrets, life behind the gates of Buckingham Palace is subject to worldwide speculation. In this book Tom Quinn traces the fascinating relationship between the Queen Mother and her most devoted servant. William Tallon, who died in 2007, was a shopkeeper's son from the Midlands who rose through the ranks to work for the Queen Mother for more than fifty years. Known as "Backstairs Billy," he was charming, amusing, occasionally bitchy--and extremely promiscuous. Billy adored her and she adored Billy; perhaps because of his high-camp style and outrageous remarks about the well-born equerries, royal press people and advisers, but mostly because he made her gin and tonics just the way she liked them--nine-tenths gin and one-tenth tonic. Outrageously funny, scandalous, sometimes shocking, but always fascinating, this is the royal family through the eyes of one of its most extroverted servants. Tom Quinn is the author of many titles including "London's Strangest Tales," "Cocoa at Midnight: The Real Life Story of My Time as a Housekeeper," and "The Cook's Tale: Life Below Stairs as it Really Was." He also writes occasional obituaries for the" Times "and edits "Country Business "magazine From Humble Beginnings As A Shopkeeper's Son In Coventry To 'page Of The Backstairs' At Clarence House, William Tallon, Or 'backstairs Billy' As Hecame To Be Known, Always Knew He Was Destined For A Life In The Royal Circle ... Charming, Loyal, Promiscuous And In Possession Of A Truly Wicked Sense Of Humour, Billy Entered Royal Service At The Age Of Fifteen And, Over The Next Fifty Years, Became On E Of The Most Notorious Figues, And Most Remarkable Characters, Ever To Have Graced The Royal Household. Although Nominally A Servant, Over Time Billy Became One Of The Queen Mother's Most Trusted Friends And Confidants. While Others Came And Went, Billy Was The One Servant The Queen Mother Just Could Not Do Without. She Adored Him, And He Her, Perhaps Because Of His High Camp Style Or His Witty And Provocative Remarks About The Well-born Equerries, Royal Press People And Advisers. Sometimes Scandalous, Often Shoscking, And Always Entertaining, [this] Is The Fascinating Life Story Of The Man Who Spent More Than Half A Century Working For One Of The World's Most Elusive Institutions --publisher's Description. Tom Quinn. "William Tallon was a creature of extremes: though intensely loyal, he was also a dangerous risk-taker; though charming, he could also be vicious; though considerate and amusing, he could be ruthless and predatory. For much of his life he was driven by two demons: a powerful sex drive and an intense, almost pathological love for the Queen Mother..." From humble beginnings as a shopkeeper's son in Coventry to 'Page of the Backstairs' at Clarence House, William Tallon, or 'Backstairs Billy' as he came to be known, entered royal service at the age of fifteen. Over the next fifty years, he became one of the most notorious and flamboyant characters ever to have graced the royal household - the one servant the Queen Mother just could not do without. While others came and went, he remained by her side, becoming one of her most trusted friends and confidants. The fascinating life story of the man who spent more than half a century working for one of the world's most elusive institutions, Backstairs Billy provides a rare glimpse of what the royals really get up to behind closed doors... From humble beginnings as a shopkeeper's son in Coventry to ‘Page of the Backstairs' at Clarence House, William Tallon, or ‘Backstairs Billy' as he came to be known, always knew he was destined for a life in the royal circle. A fierce collector and fan of all things related to the royal family, even as a small boy Billy was fascinated by this glamorous world of pageantry and excess. Charming, loyal, promiscuous and in possession of a truly wicked sense of humour, Billy entered royal service at the age of fifteen and, over the next fifty years, became one of the most notorious figures, and most Outrageously funny, scandalous, sometimes shocking, but always fascinating, this is the life story of one of the most original characters ever to have graced the royal household Backstairs Billy: The Life of William Tallon, the Queen Mother's Most Devoted Servant