Must You Go_ - Antonia Fraser [74]
1986
24 January
Lunch at Kensington Palace with the Prince and Princess of Wales for Shimon Peres, Prime Minister of Israel. Philip Roth in his waggish way: ‘Of course Harold hasn’t been invited: he’s Jewish.’ Like the child who goes to the panto, I was ready at an early hour – green suede dress, black patent shoes, pearl necklace. I was much too early and had to sit by Kensington Public Library for ten minutes, then realized I would be late. Felt very nervous, amid the immense security precautions (for the President, not the Royals). Inside, saw a tall crimson streak who proved to be the Princess of Wales. Gazed into the famous face. A perfect pale pink complexion, pale rose colour, not pink or white. Azure-blue eyes, even bigger than in her cartoons, ringed with what looked like kohl. Her voice has that light rather flat upper-class quality I have noted on TV, but what I hadn’t appreciated is that she’s extremely vivacious, eager to please, rattles on: ‘Are you writing a new book? Oh, I do hope so.’ And so on and so on. To Peres: ‘Yes I’d love to come to Israel. Anything for some sun.’
Princess: ‘I always used to believe what I read in the media until I was in the media.’ She shook her beautiful head mystically. Peres: ‘I want to say what inspiration you have given to children all over the world.’ Princess: ‘They always expect me to have a crown on.’ (I guess that’s her stock remark.)
Magic moment when Princes William and Harry rush in. The Israeli Ambassadress is enchanted: ‘Children break down all barriers.’ Prince William would certainly break down any barrier. He’s quite marvellous, tall, straight, thick glossy hair. Totally un-shy. Ran about. Then looked up at Noel Annan and pointed like the Duke of York at Richard III at the opening of the Olivier film: ‘You’ve got no hair.’ Intense pleasure of other guests. Princess collapses in giggles. Noel attempts to be good with children and drops artily to his knees: ‘The wind blew it away’ – said in an exquisite voice. Prince William: ‘Where to?’ Prince Charles, at the end: ‘Is your husband all right about not coming?’ Harold had not been asked because we were supposed to be historians, to please Shimon Peres. Prince Charles adds concernedly if not accurately: ‘I expect he is eating scrambled eggs at home?’
A new vista was shortly to open up in my own work, thanks to a chance visit when I was in New York. In 1988 when The Warrior Queens was published, the third history book published during my twelve years with Harold, I see from my Diary that I was casting about for a subject for a new book. I contemplated writing about Madame de Maintenon, last mistress and maybe wife of Louis XIV. I thought I could sink myself in the court of Louis XIV and the fortunes of this odd woman, and do something interesting and original, if not particularly popular. To dig and not to count the cost, to adapt Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Harold always applauds non-commercial decisions, to his great credit, and applauded this one. Although he’s deeply proud of my commercial success, as and when it happens (from time to time, but not every book every time), he would have made a good husband to a reclusive lady scholar of impeccable integrity, indifferent to sales. The interesting thing about Harold and money is that every now and then he decides to worry about it, as part of a general cafard; but fundamentally he’s not interested in it. Certainly, in the years I have known him, he’s never taken on anything for money.
April 1988
An exciting thing happened when I visited Bob Gottlieb, now editor of the New Yorker (office newly kitsched up, according to Bob’s taste, two lamps made of ballerina’s legs in pink tights and shoes). I was supposed to go to Philadelphia to be interviewed but the journalist broke her arm so I seized the opportunity to see Bob. Talked about my future plans for a book. Bob: ‘Well, I have