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November 9, 2021
Any qualms I had about my worthiness for a damehood were banished by the sheer delight of this day.
I prepared for it with my usual lack of grace towards compliments, then ended up basking in them.
This morning I donned a designer trouser suit, borrowed earrings, and my neck chain on which hang the wedding rings of my two [late] husbands and my mum and dad — I wanted them to come with me — and felt, as [my second husband John Thaw] would say, ‘the business'.
My chaperone was Charlie, the grandchild chosen for the adventure as it coincided with his 17th birthday.
He too looked ‘the business'. His usual attire being shorts, jeans or a wetsuit, he was wearing a proper suit and tie for, I think, the first time, which he carried off with dashing aplomb.
The day started overcast and grey. The car taking us nearly missed the turning, the road leading to the palace looked so unassuming.
Until we were on it. Miraculously, the sun came out, and there, at the end of the long straight approach, glowed Windsor Castle.
We both said ‘Wow' and from then onwards we wallowed in the sheer beauty of the next two hours.
Inside, we were led through several galleries of superb furniture, gold wallpaper, lavish carpets, tapestries and pictures.
SHEILA HANCOCK: I confess that nowadays I am sometimes nervous of expressing an opinion. Because of the threat of being 'cancelled'
SHEILA HANCOCK: Any qualms I had about my worthiness for a damehood were banished by the sheer delight of this day (pictured being made a dame by Prince William in 2021)
There were lots of dignitaries in splendid outfits, smiling and greeting us.
One man covered in feathers, braid and medals clanked up to us and whispered that ‘We' — presumably he and other staff members — ‘are all delighted about your award.' Another, seeing me gawping at a Rubens, asked if I would like him to tell me about the art.
The whole occasion was an extraordinary mixture of ornate grandeur and cosy friendliness.
Several of the officials pointed out that they were happy that the investiture was being held at Windsor, rather than the usual Buckingham Palace, so that they could welcome visitors again after the long period of [Covid] isolation.
By the time we got to the ceremonial room for the actual dameing — is that the feminine of knighting?
— I was having a ball. There was a chamber orchestra playing in the resplendent big salon and Prince William greeted me with a lovely smile.
He is, surprisingly, very tall and had to bend down to hang my medal on the hook that had been put on my posh jacket in readiness.
Unfortunately, I had opted to wear a white as well as a red poppy, it being Remembrance Week, and they got in the way of the hook, so the poor prince struggled.
‘Can I help you?' I said, thereby nearly taking over my own investiture, which he hastily prevented whilst explaining that, because of Covid, he hadn't done a ceremony for two years and was out of practice.
I assured him he was doing very well.
To confirm even further my joining the Establishment, my son-in-law Matt Byam Shaw had organised a party at the Garrick Club, that grand institution that still bans women from being members.
SHEILA HANCOCK: This morning I ‘had a fall'.
That's how falling over is described when you are old, and it takes on ominous implications. Relatives tut-tut and hmm. It is presumed you have become unstable, and unable to be on your own
In my fiery youth, I once went to lunch there with [actor] Donald Sinden and deeply embarrassed him by invading a curtained area where women guests were absolutely barred.
I was expecting to see some important chaps engaging in serious Man Talk, when actually most of them were fast asleep, several snoring loudly.
This time I was warmly welcomed by the doorman and conveyed to the glorious library where my family awaited, all done up to the nines in bow ties, dinner jackets and party dresses.
They told me they were proud of me.
I held on to the rings round my neck and hoped that they were, too. I loved every minute of it. This class warrior was utterly seduced.
February 3, 2022
This morning I ‘had a fall'.
That's how falling over is described when you are old, and it takes on ominous implications. Relatives tut-tut and hmm. It is presumed you have become unstable, and unable to be on your own.
A fall presages your imminent demise.
A tragedy. My old-lady fall, however, was more of a joke. Caused by childish behaviour.
I was sitting on the side of my toilet shaving my legs in the bidet alongside. So far, so good.