The Queen’s later years were partly dominated by royal matters, from State Openings of Parliament to greeting heads of state, royal visits and the inevitable Red Boxes of papers, but more so by family.
Some family events were gloriously happy, some worrying, some sad, some terrible. Throughout, the Queen took it in her stride.
In 1996, she turned 70. It was low-key, even if special commemorative coins were issued. Charles and Diana, plus Andrew and Sarah, had divorced, and the royals were keeping their heads down.
A year later, turmoil erupted when Princess Diana was
