An eminent man of letters who was also a radical visited the Palace. He accepted the invitation “in a spirit of mingled curiosity and ribaldry.” The mood survived until the Queen appeared and her guests were presented.

“Suddenly I felt physically ill,” he said. “My legs felt weak, my head swam and my mind went totally blank. ‘So you’re writing about such-and-such, Mr~?’ said the Queen. I had no idea what I was writing about, or even if I was writing a book at all. All I could think of to say was, ‘What a pretty brooch you’re wearing, Ma’am.’ So far as I can recall she was not wearing a brooch at all. Presumably she was used to such imbecility. Anyway she paid no attention to my babbling and in a minute or two I found that I was talking sense again.”

Quoted in Crown and People by Philip Ziegler (1978). Check out the best price.