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An engrossing, comprehensive and gloriously bizarre portait of the late monarchThe actor Nigel Hawthorne – most famously, Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister – used to tell a story about being invited to lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, along with a score or so of fellow thespians. When the company was seated, each guest was presented with a small round plate upon which rested an unpeeled peach, along with a too-dainty knife and fork. All gazed in more or less consternation at this challenge to their dexterity; no doubt the more literary-minded put to themselves J Alfred Prufrock’s anguished question, “Do I dare to eat a peach?”All set to work on the fruit, peeling, slicing, forking, as best they could. In the midst of his efforts, Nigel glanced in the direction of their hostess. There she sat, Her Imperial Majesty, leaning forward at her ease, with elbows planted on the table, holding the peach in her fist and munching at it with gusto, a drop of juice about to fall from her chin. She caught him looking, and smiled a wicked smile. Who could not warm to the perpetrator of such a happy, harmless prank? Continue reading...