Mary Queen of Scots was my first love, and that is always something special.

I have seen all, I have heard all, I have forgotten all. marie antoinette

It can be a long gap between the emergence of fully researched historical biographies.

People in my books tend to get their just deserts, even if not at the hands of the police.

I think there's a tremendous split between people who've been through a war and people who haven't.

As the Dauphine stepped out of her carriage on to the ceremonial carpet that had been laid down, it was the Duc de Choiseul who was given the privilege of the first salute. Presented with the Duc by Prince Starhemberg, Marie Antoinette exclaimed: 'I shall never forget that you are responsible for my happiness!

Her imperturbable self-confidence (Duchesse de Maine) caused Madame de Stael to write that the Duchesse believed in herself the same way she believed in God, without explanation or discussion.