Robert Marshall's job in the early 1950s gave him a glimpse of the private life of the Royal Family.

He worked as a wireless operator on the King's Flight. And, To this day, he remains a staunch monarchist.

He remembers once incident particularly clearly: it nearly meant an early arrival in this world for Princess Anne

Trips abroad were frequent for the young Princess Elizabeth, before she became queen.

The Royal newlyweds liked travelling abroad

Robert remembers one such flight in 1950, when the heavily pregnant Princess Elizabeth was flying over the Alps, on a return trip from Malta.

The plane ran into serious turbulence - and eventually, to the crew's relief, the captain decided to make an unscheduled landing in Nice.

So a mid-air birth over France in a Vickers Viking was avoided - and at least one airman could afford a chuckle

Robert Marshall remains a staunch monarchist

Fifty years on, Robert Marshall's loyalty to the Queen remains undiminished.

He applauds her sense of duty. But he feels that the moral values of her subjects have declined

"People are more interested acquiring wealth and position than in public service, " he says

"They're pursuing dubious rights, but ignoring their responsibilities."