Ron Willis of Falconer Street, York, wrote to tell me this interesting insight into the state of royal finances. "A friend of mine sells programmes at the York Millennium Mystery Plays outside York Minster. He was very excited because he almost sold one to the Duke of York on the opening night, June 22. But at the crucial moment HRH realised he had no money."

Bet he didn't pay for his ticket either, Ron, perhaps his mum and dad have stopped his pocket-money.