‘I couldn’t think of a better game to play today.’

Buckingham Palace, 17^th May 1937

Crawfie stood outside the Queen’s sitting room, waiting to be called in. She had asked to see Her Majesty urgently, and had been granted five minutes between a meeting with her dressmaker and the American Ambassador’s wife.

Eventually, the dressmaker left, a sheaf of designs in her hands and a pincushion on her wrist. Crawfie was ushered in.

The Queen was at her desk, looking at some swatches of silk. ‘Ah, Crawfie dear. Which do you think the King would like? The peach?’ She held it to her cheek. ‘The blue? Or the lilac?’

‘You suit all of them, but I think the blue really compliments your eyes.’

‘I think I agree. Dear Bertie does love blue.’ She put the swatches down and indicated a chair nearest to her.

‘Thank you for seeing me at such short notice, ma’am.’

‘I have the American Ambassador’s wife arriving shortly, but I was told you wished to see me as a matter of urgency. Are you ill?’

‘No, ma’am. I am very well and very happy. In fact, I have good news.’

‘I like good news.’ The Queen smiled. ‘Tell me.’

‘I am going to be married.’

The Duchess’s smile froze. ‘Oh dear. When would this be?’

‘We have not made a date yet, but neither of us wish to delay.’

‘What a surprise and, may I say, a shock. My dear, what about your work here? What would the Princesses do without you? They are so fond of you. And with the move from 145, the stress of the coronation and Lilibet’s dawning realization that she will one day be Queen, you leaving us would be a catastrophe. You must see that.’

‘I was hoping that I might be allowed to continue my work after I am married. The Princesses’ education and happiness is my first priority.’

‘And yet you wish to seek your own happiness?’

‘Well, yes – but I can do both.’

‘Where would you live? I can’t see how you can be married and still live here. It would be impossible for your husband to join you.’

‘He works in Scotland and occasionally London, so we would be living apart a lot of the time.’

‘And he would permit that?’

Crawfie hadn’t discussed any of this with George. She hoped she could persuade him later. ‘Oh yes. He knows how much my work here means to me.’

‘And what if he wants you back in Scotland? What if you were to have children of your own? My husband and I and our daughters need someone we can totally rely on. It would never do to have a governess whose domestic arrangements might take her away at any moment.’

Crawfie tried to sound reassuring. ‘I would see him during the holidays and he would come to London when he can.’

The Queen paused. ‘And how long have you known this man?’

‘Seventeen months, ma’am.’

The Queen looked at her governess, unblinking. Her pretty blue eyes that almost always twinkled were now shrewd and clouded with thought. She shook her head. ‘I don’t think it possible. It is simply not convenient for you to leave us. You must realize that this is the most difficult time for my husband and me. We need someone we trust, to care for the girls and give them stability. We need you, Crawfie, dear. You must see that?’