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!

My mother was a politician in my formative years.

Of course there's no such thing as a totally objective person, except Almighty God, if she exists.

I can't read historical fiction because I find the real thing so much more interesting.

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!

I'm very interested in good and evil and the moral natures of people.

My mother, who was quite sharp when I was young, became utterly mild.