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In a delightful snapshot from 1954, two young women beam with excitement as their open car speeds through the sunlit streets of Australia, surrounded by a blur of onlookers. Captured in this moment is the late Queen Elizabeth, navigating her newfound role on the world stage, alongside her devoted lady-in-waiting, Lady Pamela Hicks. Just two years into her reign, Queen Elizabeth was embracing the responsibilities and experiences that came with being a monarch.
This charming candid is part of a new visual biography by India Hicks, daughter of Pamela, now 95. Lady Pamela’s life story unfolds through her unique experiences, from being the daughter of the illustrious Lord Louis Mountbatten to her childhood friendship with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. She was even a bridesmaid at Elizabeth’s wedding to Prince Philip in 1947 and stood by her side when she received the shocking news of King George VI’s sudden death in February 1952, which thrust the 25-year-old Elizabeth onto the throne.
India Hicks, an accomplished entrepreneur, former model, and writer, draws from old photographs, diary entries, royal memorabilia, and personal conversations with her mother to craft this intimate portrayal of Lady Pamela’s remarkable life. The biography offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of royal connections and the personal stories behind them.
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“I found the picture among her things,” India Hicks shares with PEOPLE. “I imagine a member of the royal party snapped it. It perfectly illustrates what a lady-in-waiting does.”
Hicks elaborates on the role, noting, “They’re there to represent the Queen before she comes down for dinner, to recognize the most senior person in the room, or to receive a bouquet. As my mum used to say, ‘We don’t want a crumpled Queen.’”
While the term “lady-in-waiting” is no longer commonly used in royal circles, having been replaced by the title “companion,” Hicks emphasizes the enduring essence of the role.
“But really — as Queen Camilla has now coined the term — it is a companion,” she explains. “That photograph absolutely shows the companionship between these two women. My mother would say, ‘You’re there to have a giggle,’ and that photograph captures that moment beautifully.”
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