On a much different note, it is very nice seeing so many members of the family again, and all at the same time. Vicky, Irène and Ella and their husbands have already arrived in Coburg, and I cannot remember the last time we have all been together in such a way. Vicky and Louis have brought all three of their children with them, and Irène and Heinrich have brought Waldemar with them. He is five now, but as he has inherited the family blood disease, they cannot let him run about and be boisterous like other boys of his age. Ella and Sergei arrived yesterday, as did Vladimir and Paul, Sergei’s Grand Duke brothers, and best of all – and oh, with what mixed feelings I write this – Nicky is due to arrive by train this afternoon. One part of my heart is singing with joy at the very thought of being with him again, while the other half is utterly broken at the knowledge that my Lutheran faith means I can never truly be his.

I do so, so, so wish that you had been able to travel and be here with me over the next week when Nicky is here, but fully understand that as your happy event is due in only a few weeks, it is utterly impossible for you to do so. Willy is going to be here and doubtless will have a handful of his sons with him. I don’t know if Dona will also be attending the wedding, for if Willy can attend things without her, he generally does so.

And before I forget, Granny Queen and Uncle Bertie are expected at any moment. Coburg is such a tiny little duchy, and it has quite lost its head at the thought of Granny Queen gracing it with her presence. But of course, as Grandpa Albert was raised in Coburg, her attendance has never been in any doubt.

There came the sound of horse-drawn carriages entering the palace’s cobbled courtyard and many feet running along corridors and down the stairs.

Putting her pen down, Alicky ran to the window in the hope that the carriages signalled her grandmother’s arrival. She was just in time to see Missy step down from the leading carriage and, with Nando a few steps behind her, run into the arms of her loving mama.

It was time, as a sister of the groom, to socialize with her cousin and soon-to-be sister-in-law, and even though doing so was always torture for her, she had never found it difficult with Missy. Neither, according to Ernie, had many other people, including one of Nando’s equerries, and an officer in his uncle, King Carol’s, Imperial Guard.