Sophie Winkleman is sitting beside a crackling fire in Robin Birley’s private drawing room at the top of 5 Hertford Street, sipping tea decorously. She is, of course, also known as Lady Frederick Windsor , daughter-in-law of Prince and Princess of Michael of Kent . But within seconds, it’s clear that this 43-year-old is nothing like most PR-schooled actresses, let alone members of the Royal Family. Suddenly, she delves into her voluminous Aspinal tote bag, pulling out a claw clip she then yanks through her long black hair. ‘Sorry,’ she winces. ‘I came out without a brush.’

Funny, ebullient and super-smart (she has an English degree from Cambridge ), Winkleman has an air of old-school charisma about her. When Birley wanders in, she cries: ‘Robin, this is snuggly and heaven!’ To me:

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