The Windsor Knot Quotes

“The Queen considered that she did not underestimate President Putin, thank you very much, and resented being told she did. “Do explain.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“He offered her his arm and they walked down the aisle together, towards the window. His window. It showed timelessness, and recovery and hope. It didn't stop her feeling terribly for the young man in the attic room and the innocent girl in her flat, and even the other one, who suffered such terrors before she died, but it gave her the strength to walk calmly and capably back into the busy castle, where she was the center of its turning world.
In two days she and half the Household would head back to London to prepare for the State Opening of Parliament. Life very much went on. One did what one could. Right now, it was absolutely time for a little gin.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“One could do what one liked in one’s own castle, but staff did not appreciate surprises in areas they considered their own.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“The Queen solves mysteries. She solved the first one when she was twelve or thirteen, so the story goes. On her own. She sees things other people don’t see—often because they’re all looking at her. She knows so much about so many things. She’s got an eagle eye, a nose for bullshit, and a fabulous memory.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“The Queen frowned. She was certain she reminded him of his doddery granny. It was tempting to remind him that she had signed several state papers this morning and could recite all the countries in Africa in alphabetical order, and the kings and queens of England from Ethelred up to herself.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“Charles beamed with gratitude (though he and Camilla had departed after coffee for an event at Highgrove the following day, leaving her feeling like the mother of a university student who comes home merely so one can do his laundry).”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“There was nothing in life as satisfying as beating a posh boy at something he was good at.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“So he gets a knighthood, and he goes on thinking she's a dim old lady who lives in a nice castle?"
"A dim old lady he works his guts out for, right or wrong."
Rozie shook her head. "I still can't get my head around it. I mean, who has that much..."
"Self-discipline?"
"Yeah."
"One person in the world, I'd say. Enjoy it while you can.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“Gavin Humphreys was a methodical man who lived by an old adage, beloved of his military father, known as the Seven Ps: Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance. The director general of M15 planned, he was prepared, and he never expected to underperform.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“Philip was full of the news when he arrived to share a coffee with her after lunch.
"Lilibet, did you hear the man was nude?"
"Yes, actually, I did."
"Strung up like a Tory MP. There's a word for it. What is it? Auto-sex something?"
"Autoerotic asphyxiation," the Queen said grimly. She had Googled it on her iPad.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot

“and little George so nicely lined up to follow him after all the ghastliness, that wouldn’t be such a terrible prospect at all. But Windsor would be best. One could bear anything here.”
― S.J. Bennett, The Windsor Knot