It seemed like only a short time after Rizzio's murder when it was time for the Queen to begin her lying in. The royal apartments of Edinburgh castle had been chosen for the arrival of the new Stuart prince, and we made the chambers as welcoming as we could for the Queen.

“I am very glad to finally be here,” she exclaimed, as she walked into the dark, airless room that was be her chamber for the next few weeks.

“I am sorry that it is not as comfortable as your chamber at Holyrood, but we have done the best we can.”

“This is wonderful!” she exclaimed. “I do not mind anything if you are all here with me!”

It was hot during those days leading up to the birth and during the day the air in the chamber quickly became uncomfortable. W...

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