The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee comes exactly 20 years after her “annus horribilis” – one of the most difficult periods of her reign. It was 1992, and three of her four children’s marriages had ended or were on the rocks. That year, the Princess Royal divorced, the Duke and Duchess of York separated and the Prince and Princess of Wales were splitting up.

Andrew Morton’s book, Diana: Her True Story, alleged that the Princess was deeply unhappy and had attempted suicide.

The scrutiny of failing royal relationships seemed relentless. Then came the devastating fire at Windsor Castle which saw 200 firefighters battling to save the historic residence filled with priceless artworks. More than 100 rooms were damaged in the blaze, which is thought to have been started by a spotlight shining on a curtain. Yet public opinion turned against the royals amid fears that taxpayers would have to foot the bill for the repairs. The Queen announced that she would pay tax on her income and cut down the size of the Civil List. In an unusually personal address at a Corporation of London Guildhall luncheon on November 24, 1992, to mark her 40th year on the throne, the Queen delivered her own take on the recent events. “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure,” she told more than 500 VIP guests. “In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’.” The Queen’s use of the Latin phrase – which translates as “horrible year” – was a play on the more commonly used phrase “annus mirabilis”, meaning “year of wonders”. The “sympathetic correspondent” was Sir Edward Ford, a former private secretary to both George VI and the Queen. The Queen also highlighted the importance of constructive criticism. “There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life,” she said. “No institution – City, monarchy, whatever – should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don’t.

“But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society, and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding.” In Diamond Jubilee year, the trials and tribulations of 1992 remain simply a distant memory.