We had our biennial visit to Buckingham Palace yesterday to report on the affairs of the Royal Academy:  walking at great speed through the crowds in Green Park in morning dress;  discovering that I had left nearly all means of identification in the wallet in my suit jacket;  walking through into the inner courtyard where there was nothing but freshly brushed gravel and a black carriage drawn up by the porte-cochère.   We were after the new Peruvian and Italian ambassadors had presented their credentials (I was accidentally mistaken for the Italian ambassador even though she is a woman).   For us, the equerry was allowed to take off his sword and medals.   I know that I am not allowed to report on what was said, only that the Queen has a great number of paperweights on her desk.