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.
Has she seen Charles I yet?