Not exactly. When not working in the Palace, I am back on my ancestral estates and ensuring all is being run well in my prolonged absences takes up all of my time when I actually am back "home". I appreciate the ancient swords collected (and indeed used) by my ancestors. I appreciate strolling around my grounds. I have a great deal of sympathy with gardeners and nature lovers but I prefer to read books/watch fairyvision programmes produced by these people rather than garden or wildlife watch.
There have been rumours there is a direct link between the Palace and FNN and that news items have been broadcast without the Council’s prior knowledge. Is there truth to these rumours?
I notice the Queen, to my mind, was evasive on this. Yes many things went out on FNN without the Council's knowledge and only two people really had the clout to do that without fearing the consequences - Eileen and the Queen herself. I believe humans have a saying that the ship of state is the only one that leaks from the top. I am certain that is one of the rare instances where they are right. As for "needing" to inform FNN, Her Majesty should still have done so with Council approval. Given we are at the Palace most of the time, it would not have taken much extra time to prepare information to go out with Council knowledge.
Was Eileen right in her assessment of the Witch in that had the latter been treated decently the crone’s rebellion may never have happened?
Eileen always was far too soft on the Witch. I appreciate that was because they were close in age and were for a long period effectively reared fairly closely together but Eileen gave the Witch far more chances than Eileen would have given anybody else. I am certain Eileen would never have brought herself to killing the Witch, despite protestations otherwise. In many ways I am thankful the Queen did that. Not only was the Queen carrying out her duty here, it saved Eileen a, what for her, would have been a most unpleasant task. But the Witch did not do anything to deserve Eileen's sympathy and that should be remembered. Eileen was kind here, something not usually associated with her.
What is the single thing you regret most?
Melanbury and I should have spent more time together, alone, before our marriage. I think we would not have been so hesitant about our relationship, so distant with one another, if we had begun the process of getting to know each other (and yes in every sense) a lot sooner than we did. Both of us feel we are making up for lost time.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
I suppose a sense of humour would be useful. I do not really have one and I know I come across as cold and unsociable as a result. It is not my intention to be like that but when one is aware of the ancestral background, one does not want to act in an undignified manner and I suppose that adds to my reputation for haughtiness, even amongst my fellow nobles.