The Queen and Prince Philip’s next concern was for their grandchildren, Princes William and Harry. For William it was particularly difficult as he was only two months into his first ‘half’, as Eton call their terms, when his mother gave her infamous interview. He was thirteen years old and every poignant moment of his parents’ messy life was being played out in daily reports in the press. His parents did what they could, but they too were limited in what they could achieve. Charles, for all his heartfelt concern for his son’s predicament, had always found it difficult to confront problems, while Diana’s influence was now being seriously undermined by the courtiers she both disliked and feared. Her private secretary, Patrick Jephson, noted: ‘It was no secret that towards the end of her life, reactionary elements in the establishment were questioning her desirability as a mentor in the art of kingship.’

The one person who could help, who had to help, was the Queen. She knew only too well what pressures William was facing. She told her advisers that she feared he might crack up like his mother had. But her natural inclination was to let the situation ride in the hope that somehow the problem would melt away. Once again, it was down to Prince Philip to intervene and he pointed out vocally that it was not going to happen and the problem was not going to go away. He insisted the situation that Diana had created had to be confronted – and with Charles too wrapped up in his own concerns, the Queen had to step in to encourage and help their grandson.

On Sundays, all the Eton boys are allowed out into the town. For William it involved a short walk along the high street and across the bridge to Windsor with his detective Graham Cracker at his side. He started joining the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for lunch. Afterwards, Prince Philip would make a discreet exit and leave the Queen and her grandson together in the Oak Drawing Room overlooking the quadrangle. They talked in a way they could never have done before. One of her great sadnesses was that, until the separation, she had hardly seen him. Now at last she was able to do so on a regular basis and form a proper relationship.

In this quiet intimacy, the Queen was able to impress upon William that the institution of the monarchy was something to be upheld and respected, and worth preserving. It was his birthright, after all, as much as hers. Many years later, William admitted the two of them agreed they had a ‘shared understanding of what’s needed’. But this all came about because, once again, the Duke of Edinburgh had stepped in and saved the day.

Chapter 11

THE DEATH OF DIANA