The Queen examines Windsor Castle after it was severely damaged by fire in 1992.

The fire was among the string of disasters to hit the Royal Family in that year, leading the Queen to refer to it as her "annus horribilis", or horrible year.

She said with some understatement: "1992 is not a year that I shall look back on with undiluted pleasure."

As well as the fire the Queen had to contend with the marital problems of her children and the publication of Andrew Morton's book on Princess Diana.