May shuddered. Fond as she was of her mother’s Mecklenburg-Strelitz relatives and her father’s Württemberg relatives, she had always been glad that visits to their very stiff and formal courts had never lasted too long. The thought of spending the next couple of years, or perhaps even more, as guests in one of them was a prospect that chilled her to the bone.

‘And so,’ her father continued, ‘this evening I must break the news to your mama and I would like you and Adolphus with me when I do so.’

‘And Frank as well?’

‘I think not. At fourteen, Adolphus is old enough – and, like yourself, sensible enough − to be a support to me.’

‘Frank is only a year younger, Papa.’

‘There is a big difference between being nearly thirteen and being fourteen – and besides, like you, Dolly has a sensible head on his shoulders. Francis hasn’t. Francis would see exile as an adventure, not a disaster.’

Ten hours later, bolstered by the presence of May and Dolly and fortified by brandy, the Duke of Teck told his wife of Queen Victoria’s remedy for their financial difficulties.

Her reaction was neither shock nor horror. Instead, seated on two chairs, for one chair was never wide enough for her to sit comfortably, she laughed it merrily away as if it was all the greatest joke.

May’s father, always ineffectual when dealing with his wife, looked towards May for help.

May said in deep concern, ‘It isn’t a joke, Mama. Papa says bailiffs will soon be at the door and, unless we come up with another solution as to how to live more cheaply, there is going to be no alternative but to do as Aunt Queen suggests.’

Her mother patted her daughter reassuringly on the hand. ‘Nonsense, sweetheart. You forget how close my relationship to Victoria is. I am her closest cousin and I have known her far longer, and far better, than anyone else – be they in or out of the family. The suggestion would have been made when she was temporarily out of sorts, and by now she will have forgotten all about it − as I shall do.’ She beamed sunnily. ‘And I have news that will cheer us all up, for I have come from arranging a lavish redecoration of White Lodge. Just think of it, my darlings. When it is complete we will be as grand as the Waleses are at Marlborough House!’

Facing such blatant disregard of all that had just been said, her husband dropped his head into his hands. Dolly looked disbelieving. May was horrified.

Unperturbed by their reactions, the Duchess said happily, ‘And now, pet lambs, I think it’s time for a late-night snack. Hot chocolate with cream, cheese on toast and Abernethy biscuits, I think. May sweetheart, will you ring the bell?’