But when she opens her mouth, the words crumble on her tongue. It’s not fair that she is the only woman in the world who has to propose marriage, Elizabeth thinks in an uncharacteristic flash of resentment. Is this what it is like for poor Papa whenever he has to speak publicly? Feeling the words strangle in your throat? It is awful.

Well, hasn’t she just been telling Philip that she accepts her role? Get on with, she tells herself.

‘Philip,’ she blurts out, before she can change her mind. If she can just start, maybe the words will come.

But he is speaking at the same time. ‘Elizabeth—’

They both stop awkwardly.

‘You first,’ Philip says.

Elizabeth sits up, biting her lip. But she has to do this now. ‘All right.’ She takes a breath. ‘I’ve been thinking about marriage,’ she says, agonisingly aware that her voice sounds thin and high. ‘I know we’ve skirted around the idea a couple of times and talked in generalities about what it might be like.’

This isn’t anything like the persuasive speech she prepared! Swallowing, she clears her throat and ploughs on because if she stops she will never finish. ‘There wasn’t any rush before, and there isn’t any now. It’s just … just … well, I’ve been feeling that I’m ready to move into the next stage of life and I … I’d like someone to share that life with me. Someone who understands what it means to be royal.’

‘Someone like me?’ Philip asks. His voice is grave but his eyes are smiling.

‘Yes.’ Elizabeth rushes on before he misunderstands. ‘I’m not asking you for anything you can’t give, Philip. I don’t have any expectations that … well, it wouldn’t be a marriage like others can have. Obviously.’

She sighs, tries again. ‘There’s no need for you to pretend to have feelings for me, or vice versa. We both understand what’s involved in a royal marriage and that’s not what it would be about. Neither of us is silly or sentimental. But I … I think we’d make a good team, so I was wondering if you’d mind … if I could ask you what you thought …’

‘About marriage?’ he finishes for her as she flounders to a halt.

‘Yes.’

‘Are you proposing to me, Elizabeth?’

‘Yes,’ she says again on a shaky breath. There, it was done. The proposal was made. Now all she can do is wait for Philip’s reply.

He doesn’t answer immediately. A flock of oyster catchers fly squabbling over the loch and she watches them disappear up the valley before Philip speaks.

‘Can I be honest?’

Her heart sinks. It doesn’t sound very promising. ‘Of course,’ she says with a brittle smile. ‘I hope you will be.’

‘I do have one small problem,’ he confides.

‘Oh. I see.’

Philip picks up her hand. ‘The thing is, I know that it’s protocol for you to propose to me, but I really, really wanted to propose to you.’