Elizabeth was thinking that in fairy tales the prince is in love with the princess. But she smiled, of course, because that’s what princesses do, and told Mr Hartnell that his design was beautiful, which it was.

Remembering the scene a little sadly now, Elizabeth tells herself yet again to stop being so silly. She is marrying Philip. They came to an agreement and she has what she wanted. It is too late now to start getting sentimental or resentful about the fact that she still has to be back at the palace by ten o’clock at night, while Philip can drop her off and then roar off in his MG to meet his friends for late-night drinks and laughter. She said she would not interfere with his life as long as he was discreet.

But now it seems he is not being discreet.

It hasn’t taken long for the story about the smoke bomb at the Thursday Club to reach Buckingham Palace. Elizabeth is told about Philip’s exploit by the King and a deeply disapproving Tommy Lascelles.

‘It’s time the boy grew up,’ snaps the King. ‘Tommy’s had to work hard to keep the story out of the papers. God knows what people would think if they knew the heir to the throne is marrying someone who’s carrying on like an idiot. I’ve asked him to come and see me,’ he tells Elizabeth to her dismay. ‘I’ll try and knock some sense into him.’

Elizabeth can’t imagine anything less effective but she’s cross with Philip for causing yet another problem to be smoothed over.

‘We warned you he wasn’t one of us, Lilibet,’ her father says. ‘He doesn’t have the same sense of humour.’

‘While Your Royal Highness is here,’ Tommy puts in smoothly before Elizabeth can respond, ‘there is another matter it might be wise to discuss at this stage.’

Elizabeth suppresses a sigh. ‘What’s that, Tommy?’

‘It’s to do with the marriage vows. As you know, Lieutenant Mountbatten’s rank is considerably lower than yours, particularly now that he has given up his royal title. You are, moreover, a senior officer in the services. Might it not be a little incongruous if you were to use the traditional vows for a bride which, as you know, are “to love, to cherish, and to obey” her husband?’

‘No, Tommy,’ Elizabeth says firmly and he pauses, his brows lifting in polite enquiry.

‘Your Royal Highness?’

‘No, I’m not going to change the vows,’ she clarifies. ‘I am to be Philip’s wife so I intend to promise to obey him. There are few enough opportunities for us to have a traditional marriage, and it’s important that he knows I’m happy to be a wife like any other. We cannot take this away from him as well.’

***

That afternoon she and Philip are due to view an exhibition of some of the presents that have been pouring in from all over the world. Some are spectacular indeed. Her parents have given her a magnificent double-string pearl necklace. The Shah of Persia has sent a beautiful Persian carpet, a wreath of diamond roses has come from the Nezam of Hyderabad. Elizabeth’s secret favourite, a gift from the Aga Khan, is Astrakhan, a chestnut thoroughbred filly who for obvious reasons is not on display, though Elizabeth has already been to coo over her at the royal stud.