On the Long Walk, the horse chestnuts had forgotten the snow of two days ago. A warm wind was blowing through them, teasing their candles of pink and white flowers into bloom.

Crawfie’s impatience was tangible and, walk as hard as she could, it only got stronger.

Finally, she turned and headed back to the castle kitchens. She would ask Ainslie to put a breakfast tray together for Alah and Bobo.

As soon as she entered she knew.

Shouting, clapping and laughter was coming from the servants’ hall and, running towards it, she could hear Ainslie’s voice. ‘His Majesty has a message for us all.’

Crawfie was now in the doorway, and listened as Ainslie produced a letter and read:

Today we are at peace. The long years of war are ended. The Queen and I offer you our sincere thanks for all you have done to keep our ship afloat. Your care, hard work and loyalty mean so much to us and our family. These have been times of hardship, danger and sorrow. We shall remember those of our household who lost their lives on the field of battle, brave men and women who will shine in our memories. God bless you all.

Your servant,

George VI

Many of the female staff were wiping tears and Crawfie found herself being hugged and happily hugging in return.

Then Ainslie’s voice cut through it all once again. ‘God save the King!’ he roared, and his family of staff roared it right back at him.

That very afternoon, the Princesses’ packed bags were loaded into a large van, and the Princesses themselves – Lilibet proudly wearing her ATS uniform – were chauffeured back to Buckingham Palace, the home they hadn’t seen for almost six years.

Crawfie, Alah and Bobo stood in the silence of the old room in Windsor Castle – the nursery, as it was still called – with its books and jigsaw, Ludo and cards. The Princesses’ rooms were cleared of clothes and ornaments.

‘Feels a bit odd, doesn’t it?’ Bobo said.

‘Unreal,’ said Alah, slowly sitting down into her favourite chair.

Crawfie wrapped a blanket over Alah’s legs. ‘You must be tired.’

‘Nonsense. Why would I be tired?’

‘It’s been a big day.’ Crawfie smiled. ‘Let me get you a cup of tea.’

‘That would be nice.’

In the little kitchen, Bobo helped set the tea tray. ‘You can get married now, Crawfie.’

‘Oh yes.’ Crawfie smiled. ‘Yes, I think I can.’

‘But you will still work here, won’t you? Alah and I would miss you if you left. You will stay, won’t you?’

Crawfie thought for a moment. ‘I would like to, yes.’

Buckingham Palace, 9^th August 1945

My Darling Joan,

Three months since the end of war in Europe and at last the Americans have ended the war in Japan by dropping two H-bombs. Reports are ghastly. I hope to God we never use weapons like this ever again.

I fear this will also bring up, once more, the problem of Anglo-American relations.