Politically, of course, the new King Haakon was of no importance whatsoever. His brother-in-law Tino, the newly crowned King Constantine of Greece, was in a different category, Greece being in such a close geographic position to the Balkans.

Just thinking about the Balkans gave Willy pause for thought. There was always trouble in the Balkans, an area where two great empires, Austria–Hungary and Russia, had opposing interests. The problem with that, of course, was that as Germany had an alliance with Austria–Hungary, and Britain had an alliance with Russia, if Austria–Hungary and Russia went to war over their differences there, Germany and Britain would find themselves on opposing sides; and for half-English Willy, such a thing was unthinkable.

Sissy’s wedding was a heaven-sent chance to discuss the matter with Nicky and Georgie. All three of them were emperors. If they got their heads together, surely they should be able to come up with a solution that would pacify Austria–Hungary and ensure peace in Europe.

He gave himself a shake. War – why the devil was he thinking of war, when he was about to play host at such a joyous event as Sissy’s wedding?

Throwing off all thoughts of war as easily as throwing off a cloak, he shouted for his valet, in the tones of an English sergeant-major shouting for a squaddie. He needed to be dressed in his British admiral’s uniform. Georgie and May would be arriving later that morning and although, among his hundreds of guests, Nicky was the most important, being not only a fellow emperor but one who ruled as an autocrat, Georgie and May were the guests Willy was always most pleased to see.

Even as children, he and Georgie had always got on well, and he had sincere affection for May. Even if it hadn’t been for the childish Kindred Spirit nonsense all those years ago, he would have singled her out as one of the few women whose company he enjoyed and whose intelligence he respected.

His late beloved grandmother had known what she was about, when she had ensured that May would one day be Queen of England – and the proof of her being so single-minded about it was the way, after his Cousin Eddy’s death, that she had simply arranged for May to marry Georgie instead.

And Willy counted Georgie a very fortunate man, for May had all the qualities his own wife lacked, chief of which were common sense, intelligence and, above all, the ability to remain in command of her feelings at all times. No matter what the situation, it was impossible to imagine May being reduced to hysterics. Dona, on the other hand, gave way to hysterics at the slightest provocation. There were even times when he wondered if, like Alicky, she was a little touched in the head.