Prince Philip refers to his former daughter-in-law as a "bloody irritant".

Now it would appear that Sarah, Duchess of York's children are possibly showing their own feelings towards the sometimes irascible (but never hypocritical) Duke of Edinburgh, with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie loyally opting to spend time with "mummy" instead of the Royal Family in Scotland.

Usually at this time of year, most senior members of the House of Windsor gather at Balmoral Castle in the Highlands for an extended holiday away from the demands of London, not least the attentions of the prying eyes of the media.