The good news is that the Queen Mother, at the age of 95, has undergone a successful hip replacement operation. The great lady is indeed a phenomenon of vitality. We can only wish that it will continue for many years to come, for she is, and recent events have proved it, an example of a monarchy which is popular without being populist. She is adored by the crowds, but she has never gone and never goes beyond the limits of her position. Incidentally, it was learnt recently that she has not given an interview to the Press since 1923. This is, to my mind, a sign of monarchical discretion. The populist style of monarchy, on the contrary, affects great familiarity with the media and finds itself, afterwards, the worse for it. But the Queen Mother is not only needed as a symbol of pure monarchy. Her presence is still very badly needed by the Queen who does need now as much help as she can get.