Jane Dodds and Siân Gwenllian have already mentioned the important role that the Queen had as a female leader. It is difficult for us to understand that, in 1952, public life was completely dominated by men. It wasn't until 1958 that women could be appointed to the House of Lords. And, when in 1966 Harold Wilson wanted to appoint Shirley Williams as a Minister in the Department of Labour, the Permanent Secretary lobbied against it. Even when Harold Wilson took absolutely no notice, this so-called servant of the Crown still refused to communicate with her directly. Incredible. So, when she took over, aged 25, in this male-dominated world, she obviously had to be really assertive to ensure that she wasn't just ignored as somebody who didn't need to be taken account of. Because she was intelligent and very hard-working—she read all her briefs, unlike some other people [Laughter.]—she quickly established herself as someone who knew what she was talking about and needed to be taken account of. 

We have titbits of information about what went on in those weekly meetings with the Prime Minister of the day, but there are no records of these conversations. But, clearly, 70 years dealing with Prime Ministers undoubtedly gave her a unique insight in how different political leaders dealt with the larger-than-life characters in their Cabinets. Whilst at home, she had to be inscrutable—that was the constitutional deal—about what she thought about the issues of the day, she did use her international role of representing Britain to give us an unparalleled insight into the workings of Government and to become a really accomplished diplomat.