It still rankles with me, the contrasting treatment of Angela Kelly, the late Queen’s dresser, and Susan Hussey, her Lady-in-Waiting. Angela was ousted from her grace-and-favour home on the Windsor estate, while Susan was reinstated posthaste following her unfortunate dismissal. One, a docker’s daughter; the other, an establishment figure – the wife of a former director-general of the BBC.

During the last twenty years of the late Queen’s life, Angela transformed her couturier image from a lacklustre, dare one say, frump-like one to a colourful, stylish one. For that alone, she should have been awarded a Damehood. But more than this, she became such a close companion – enjoying TV and walks together – that the monarch is said to have exclaimed, “We could be sisters.”

Why on earth did the late Queen not anticipate how the establishment would turn on her friend once she was gone and safeguard her future? She knew the nature of the beast that stalked the corridors of her palaces. Despite the awesome position she occupied, the late Queen was of a humble disposition and should have made it impossible for her friend to be treated badly after her passing. I would like to think – though we shall never know, since royal wills are never published – that she left her a few million in gratitude.