He replied, ‘In two weeks’ time I am leaving with Darling Motherdear, Toria and Maudie on a long-arranged trip to Greece. We will be returning at the end of April and, when we do, I will propose to May.’

‘Thank you, Georgie.’ His grandmother beamed at him. ‘An engagement announcement in the month of May, for a bride-to-be named May, will be most suitable. And,’ she added, ‘so will a summer wedding, in either June or July.’

A month later, with Georgie still in Greece, it was May’s turn to be summoned to Windsor. The Queen regarded her thoughtfully, aware of how changed she was by Eddy’s death. There was a new gravity and maturity about her, and the twinkle that had previously lit up her cornflower-blue eyes was still sadly absent.

After saying that she thought May looked very fetching, dressed in the half-mourning colour of deep lilac, the Queen asked May to sit beside her. ‘I wish,’ she said, taking hold of her hand, ‘to speak with you about your present unhappy situation, May, and of how it can best be resolved.’

For a wild moment May wondered if exile was again going to be suggested as a solution to a Teck ‘unfortunate situation’. Instead her Aunt Queen said, ‘Before Georgie left for Athens, I had a long talk with him and, when he returns in a couple of weeks’ time, he will be speaking to you in order that your position can be rectified in a way beneficial to you both.’

Certain of what was now about to come, May caught her breath, her eyes widening in alarm.

Seeing her reaction and ignoring it, the Queen said firmly, ‘You must be realistic, May. Your position as Eddy’s bereaved fiancée renders it impossible for anyone of lesser rank to make you a proposal of marriage. The only suitable person is Georgie, and so the newspapers are quite right in thinking that marriage between the two of you will be the best possible outcome, from what has been a terrible tragedy.’

‘But surely my marrying Georgie would be wrong?’ There was a pain in her heart so deep she could scarcely breathe.

The Queen’s fierce eyes were stern. ‘It would not be wrong, May. It would be your royal duty, for the qualities that would have made you such a supportive Queen Consort for Eddy are the same qualities Georgie will be in need of. Despite their being so different in looks and personality, there were strong similarities between them – the first being that neither of them was educated to an acceptable standard. The result has been a total lack of fluency in either French or German, languages essential for the monarch of a country as great as ours, and languages you have been fluent in since childhood.’

The grandfather clock in the corner of the room began striking three and the Queen paused until it had finished chiming.