​Will Queen Camilla bring peace to her new family as another era of Royalty begins?

Lady Mary’s splendid career of sporting success over the years since that Coronation of our late Queen is an amazing achievement, one I’ve no doubt has inspired many young people down the decades. It was people like her that our late Queen would have considered an inspiration to the rest of the people she reigned over. Her honourable title of Lady was well deserved.

As a young journalist in Belfast in 1972 I covered the magnificent welcome Mary received when she brought home a Gold Medal from the Olympics in Munich. An open topped bus ensured the

thousands there that day in the centre of Belfast got a good view of her. It was truly an amazing event which I’ve never forgotten. People came from all parts of the country to acknowledge her

success.

Lady Mary has been an inspiration since then to all athletes. King Charles will not have forgotten the importance her success was on up and coming athletes over the years.

In fact it’s quite possible King Charles ensured that for his Coronation she would `be amongst the first people on parade behind him’. So I will be looking out for her.

And so I move on and get to one of the talking points of this historic event – what dish will people be eating today? The King’s chosen Coronation dish has been quite a talking point and I believe the country is very happy with his choice.

Having studied domestic science at school I would have no difficulty in making quiche but it is not my favourite dish and is such a bother to make. If you mess up on the pastry – as I have done in the past – you might as well throw it in the bin.

Over the years I have resorted to commercial quiches – nowhere near as nice as the home made variety but acceptable – so when occasionally someone asks `did you make it yourself’ Himself enjoys enlightening them with the name of the relevant supermarket.

The Brits, of course, love quiche and I wish them luck with it. This household will celebrate Coronation Day with cooked ham in a cauliflour and cheese sauce, new, locally grown potatoes and

a variety of green vegetables. Dessert will probably be Ulster’s favourite brand of ice-cream.

By the end of the day my stock of Champagne will be somewhat smaller. This will probably be the last Coronation in my lifetime so I intend to raise a glass or two of the best to our new King and

Queen.

It’s a huge burden to take on at his age though he won’t have to do it alone. Queen Camilla is the perfect companion. Not much younger than me, her commitment now is to King and country.

A life of duty means early rises, constant dress fittings, less time for her grandchildren and reading up on the next day’s engagements. That takes love, dedication and a deep sense of duty. Then there is dealing with the new Prince of Wales and his difficult brother. As a mature mother let’s hope she can bring some stability in particular to Prince Harry’s life. The loss of his own mother has affected Prince Harry in so many ways something I’m sure the King is well aware of.

We are lucky to have her. The new King’s life looks a good deal happier with her in it.