I believe you have met Mrs Beatrice Gould, joint editor with her husband, Mr Bruce Gould?

The magazine was very interested in getting Her Majesty the Queen to author a column, but, unfortunately, the offer was dismissed by the Palace. I am sure you remember that!

As you know, relations between the UK and USA have been strained since the war. America feels that its service to the United Kingdom and Europe between 1941 and 1945, and the many lives of their servicemen lost during that time, has not been properly acknowledged.

As it was explained to me, ‘They need to feel a little love from across the pond.’

Perhaps we could discuss this further over dinner at the club. Are you free next Thursday?

D.M.

Buckingham Palace, 27^th September 1947

‘Bobo!’ Crawfie tucked her head around the door and grinned at her old friend.

Bobo looked up from her ironing and squealed in delight. ‘You’re back! How are you? Tell me, tell me, tell me everything.’

‘Finish your ironing and I will make us tea.’

‘I haven’t got much left to do – just these last two blouses for the Princesses. You’d have thought there wouldn’t so much to do now they are grown up. I thought I was busy when they were little, but there’s no end to looking after two beautiful young women. The stockings they go through that need mending – and you know Margaret! Likes to change several times a day and can never wear anything twice without it needing washing.’

Crawfie smiled. ‘I don’t know what they’d do without you.’

With the tea brewing and the iron and board put away, the two women settled in front of the fire.

‘I have a photograph to show you.’ Crawfie pulled a large envelope from her bag. ‘Here.’

Bobo stared at it, her fingers running gently over it. ‘Oh, you look so beautiful. What colour was your dress? It looks like cream satin?’

‘Yes. Mother thought the white was too bright for older skin and I think the cream is a warmer shade anyway.’

‘Older skin!’ Bobo scoffed. ‘You are pure peaches and cream – Alah used to say so. And you went for calf-length?’

‘Yes. I wondered about full-length but Mother said the shorter length was more suitable.’ What she’d actually said was that Marion would look like mutton. ‘But Dad chose my veil and the little crystal tiara. I’ve brought them back with me to show you.’

Bobo clutched her hands to her small bosom. ‘I should love to see them.’

‘Nothing like the ones Lilibet will wear at her wedding.’

‘It’s the love that they carry, not the cost,’ Bobo said. ‘Is that a bunch of heather you’re carrying?’

‘Yes. White heather. The first flower George ever gave me.’

‘That little bunch, all dried up in the vase from Queen Mary?’

‘Yes.’

‘And look at the Major in full highland dress. Very handsome.’

‘Bobo, when I saw him waiting for me at the altar … I felt exactly like a princess.’