The Queen and Prince Philip have spent most of their married lives entertaining or being entertained. Even though she has been doing the job for more than sixty-five years, the Queen is still shy and her conversation can be very stilted. If she is with friends or in the company of people who understand breeding thoroughbreds or racing them, she is animated and chatty, but with people she doesn’t know or is never likely to meet again, her conversational skills are minimal.

Throughout their married life, it has been Prince Philip who has done most of the talking socially. Occasionally, to liven things up, get a reaction, or just because he is bored stiff, he will make one of his famous gaffes. At times he can appear downright rude, but he can also be very funny, and when he needs to put on the charm he can outshine the most obsequious of courtiers.

Although the Queen is head of state, and many of her duties don’t necessarily involve her husband, in previous years when they were travelling or entertaining at one of the royal residences, it was very much a united effort. The Queen has always relied on the Duke of Edinburgh to make conversation not only with the first lady, whoever she might be, but to all the other visiting dignitaries. When he was seated next to former French President Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni, at the state banquet at Windsor Castle in 2008, things went extremely well. Philip was at his most charming throughout the evening and his bonhomie was infectious.

Although a state banquet is probably one of the most splendid and awe-inspiring formal events, there can be a few surprises as to how the royal family behave. When King George VI was still alive, as soon as he put down his knife and fork, his page, who always stood behind him, would immediately clear away. This was a signal for every other plate on the table to be taken away, regardless of whether the other diners had finished eating.

The Queen has not exactly ended this custom, but found a way around it. She looks carefully around the table – no matter whether it’s a state banquet or a smaller, more intimate meal – and checks on her guests’ progress. As she eats frugally, she will often have finished before anyone else, but she has a small salad on a side plate and she toys with it until the rest of the guests have caught up. Once she has finally put down her fork, it’s all systems go.