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!

Lives in previous centuries for women are largely a matter of class. It would have been fun to have been a rich, privileged woman in the 18th century, but no fun at all to be her maid.

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

I love hearing details of writers' craft, as cannibals eat the brains of clever men to get cleverer.

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

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

I realize that I had always in my heart of hearts planned to write a biography of Marie Antoinette.