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

I hate the only one of my book jackets when I was made up professionally, my hair made into a smooth bell.

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

The concentration in my book on Marie Antoinette's childhood and on her family influences. It is surprising how some books actually start with her arrival in France!

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!

I decided as usual that justice lay in the middle - that is to say nowhere.

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