The Queen replied, ‘I am more worried than I can say. The tension, sorrow and loneliness are unbearable. The King, if he were still alive, would surely talk sense into David. What a mess we have got into, and all for such an unworthy person!’

The Duchess lowered her voice still further and what I heard next I couldn’t believe. ‘How can David contemplate such a step as abdication? It puts Bertie and me in such a horrible position.’

Yes, that’s what she said. Abdication. I had no idea that this could even be allowed. Is the new King, Edward VIII, really discussing the possibility of giving up his birthright for Mrs Simpson? It doesn’t seem possible. This is 1936, not the dark ages. Surely a man can marry the woman he loves, whatever her background?

‘I shall write to him,’ the Duchess continued. ‘I will ask him to be kind to Bertie. We love David and want him to be happy, but I am so terrified for my husband, and for us all. I will ask him not to tell Bertie that I have written. It would only upset him further.’

Mother, I wish I had not overheard this conversation. The King cannot, must not, abdicate. Perhaps – and forgive me for saying so – perhaps he can marry a respectable girl, one the nation can love, one who can bear the children he must produce, and then keep Mrs Simpson as a friend of whom he is very fond? That must surely be a way forward. Which king hasn’t had a favourite? A way must be found.

Otherwise, the Crown will go to the next son and his wife: the Duke and Duchess of York. Icy fingers grip my heart at the thought of dear Lilibet becoming the heir to the throne.

She wants a life in the country with horses and dogs. She and I have imagined that often enough.

‘I want a stable full of horses to look after and lots of dogs to go on long walks with,’ she told me, only a few days ago. ‘And a nice husband and some children.’

The Crown would change her life forever.

Abdication?

It can’t happen.

It’s a storm in a teacup.

Not the first one either, but the Prime Minister and the King will make sure the waters are soothed, I am sure.

We will all get through this the same way we got through the Great War. Bravery. Trust. Strength.

Dear Mother and Dad, thank you for reading this and allowing me to get it all off my chest. I feel a lot better for it. I am finding increasingly that life in the royal family – indeed life for any adult – is all about training oneself to deal with all and any unpalatable dilemmas.

Yours fondly,

Marion

PS The RMS Queen Mary really is a very wonderful ship, truly the greatest liner the world has ever seen and a testament to the Scottish shipbuilders of the Clyde.