Virginia Blackburn

THE Crown is set to return for a new series in November: can’t wait. There has already been some controversy as it has emerged it will contain material about the “difficult” early stages of the Queen’s marriage to Prince Philip but I sincerely hope HM won’t give it another thought. Whatever happened 50-odd years ago, the couple clearly have an immensely strong bond and, as the Queen herself once put it, the Duke of Edinburgh has been “my strength and my stay”.

And despite the fact that he has now stepped down from public duties, she will be needing that strength and stay yet again. Reports that HM will step aside for Prince Charles to become regent have been strongly denied. I bet they have. If the Queen could live for another few decades through sheer force of willpower alone, I’m sure she’d do it for the sake of the country to which she has dedicated her life.

The 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death was always going to arouse strong emotion but who would have thought that two decades on she would once again be threatening to keep Prince Charles from the throne? His popularity levels have plummeted over the past few weeks in the wake of new books and documentaries telling the story so many of us know by heart and yet still can’t help ourselves from reading again.

What must the Queen be thinking? As she approaches a great age, having more than fulfilled her vow to dedicate her life to this country, yet again the monarchy is rocked, if not