As we've seen with the debate surrounding the end of William and Kate Middleton's romance, little appears to have changed in some sections of Britain's upper classes, primarily amongst those who reside behind Palace walls.

Princess Marina believed — as, apparently, do many in royal circles today — that her son should marry another royal or, at the very least, a titled member of the aristocracy.

The result was that she was ardently opposed to her son's wish to marry Katherine, not least because she believed him to be far too young.

To the horror of the Duke, he was to discover this view was shared by the rest of the Royal Family.

Nevertheless, the Prince continued his attempts to win over the family. His determination to make his girlfriend a member of the world's most famous dynasty was never more clear than when he instituted meetings between Katherine and the most senior members of the Royal Family. This began with invitations to dine or meet with first Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, quickly followed by Princess Margaret and the Queen and Prince Philip.

Media speculation about Katherine and Edward stepped up a notch when it was noted the monarch and her husband had stopped off at Hovingham Hall during a day of engagements in Yorkshire. Speculation was rife that there was to be an announcement of a royal engagement and that the unassuming Kate would soon be promoted to Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.

However, just as quickly as Kate's ascent up the social ladder came, so too did her sudden fall from royal favour — at least that is how it appeared to the outside world.

In 1957, Katherine's father, Sir William Worsley, told an inquisitive press: "The Duke and my daughter are just good friends. A romance? Good gracious, I don't think so."