If you had asked me 15 years ago, my answers would have been slightly different, but now I would say:
The Queen Mother. I do miss her, she was actually an amazing combination of being royal and down to earth. My favourite story of her is when she called in for a drink on one of her engagements where she had been expected, and when offered a drink accepted [which was a surprise!] and then asked for a pint of beer!
The Duke of Edinburgh - I never actually disliked him of course, but now am starting to feel very fond of him. There is something quite touching, in my humble opinion, about a man who still contrives to be as active as possible in supporting his wife and his country. He's nearly 90, for goodness' sake! I had the honour one Friday in February of going to a reception he was hosting at Windsor Castle. A huge treat and a joy and a privilege for me, and as watched him 'circulate' - there was a good few of us there, he was punctilious about circulating and seeing everyone, had a kind word and a bit of interesting conversation with everyone, quipped that the canapes 'were rather good weren't they [which I think was a merry jest at me, because I had just accepted something to eat when suddenly the Duke appeared very quickly and there was I with something-delicious-on-a-little-stick ...... and [canape ‘protocolian’ disasters aside] all the time I was thinking,' it's Friday evening, it's dark and wintery outside, the Queen's upstairs, and she's probably relaxing in front of the tv after a week in London, and here we are downstairs keeping her husband away from her...
The Queen herself - something touching about having a monarch who is still undertaking quite vigorous duties at an age when a lot of her contemporaries are not around anymore.... She's 85, and yes, I know she has the advantage of a huge staff and the advantageous that money can buy, but every day, even if she is not actually out on an engagement, she is involved in her office, going through her red boxes of business...
The Duchess of Kent was a huge favourite of mine when she was carrying out duties. At Royal Ascot each year when she was walking in the paddock, she always used to say to everyone individually who she met ' SO good to see you'.. It was so friendly, and so appropriate, although it doesn't look much in print.
Alex