A thunderous roar of welcome greeted the Queen and Prince Philip last month as they joined the audience in the Albert Hall to watch the 100th Royal Variety Performance.

This was clear evidence, in case anyone doubted it, that as this crowded and exhausting Diamond Jubilee year draws to its close, our 86-year-old monarch and her 91-year-old husband have achieved the zenith of their popularity.

Harsh though it may be, it seems impossible to imagine the future King Charles III and Queen (or Princess Consort) Camilla ever receiving such an overwhelming demonstration of public affection.
It is not so hard, however, to imagine the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, my near-neighbours on the small, windswept Isle of Anglesey, inspiring such an ovation.