The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor (42 page)

Diana had had no such preparation. She was working in a kindergarden when she began seeing Charles – and knew nothing about dealing with the media. But it didn’t take her long to learn. She became an expert.

Happy families on the balcony to watch the Royal Air Force fly past, ending the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony – a fixture in Royal calendars since 1748. But appearances were deceptive – the Prince’s marriage was already in trouble.

Back on the balcony during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Diana gone, the dynamics changed bur life goes on. And, des pite the horrors of the Nineties and media predictions that it would be a flop, huge crowds greeted the Queen as she toured the country and hundreds of thousands flocked to the Mall.

The Party at the Palace – the night the Queen hosted a pop concert for 12,000 people in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. Nothing like it had ever happened before. Modern music but old-fashioned protocol: Camilla Parker Bowles was seated in the row behind the Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles shooting at Sandringham accompanied by Michael Fawcett, at that time his valet. He resigned after the Peat Report but still has great influence.

A young Paul Burrell in happier days, carrying one of the Queen’s corgis off the Queen’s Flight as the household returns to London after the summer break in Balmoral.

The Queen and Prince Philip arriving at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on Concorde in 1979. Important – not just for strengthening links between the two countries, but also to be flag-waving for British industry.

Not all travel is supersonic when you’re Queen. The Gold State Coach, used only three times during the course of her rein, was built by George III in 1762 and has been used for every coronation since 1831. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh also used it to take them to St Paul’s Cathedral for the service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees.

Prince Philip on parade during the Trooping the Colour. He no longer rides a horse at the ceremony – to his indignation – bur he is there beside the Queen as he has been for more than 50 years. Most men of his age have been retired for twenty years.

The Queen Mother, a diminutive figure beside the regimental mascot of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. She had a magic touch with everyone and a very soft spot for all her regiments – and their dogs.

The Queen in her element – rain or shine – at the Windsor Horse Show. She was insistent that the people of Britain should know abour Monty Roberts, ‘the Horse Whisperer’, and his revolutionary training methods.

‘Here is the stuff of which fairytales are made’ declared the Archbishop of Canterbury as he made Charles and Diana man and wife. And the nation roared in approval as the Prince kissed his bride.