The Queen did not look up, as if unaware that someone else had entered the room.
She was wholly absorbed in attending to Victoria's hair.
Her touch was light but incredibly nimble.
Hank Clegg watched as she teased Victoria's hair out of its braid and wound it into another cluster of locks.
This was a traditional Sez hairstyle, also a signature style for the women of the Royal Family.
The Queen herself was currently wearing the same hairstyle.
As she continued to carefully comb Victoria's hair, seemingly oblivious to everything else, she said softly, "When you were little, I always hoped to comb your hair in this manner. But you were not with me, so I had to practice with your aunt's hair. I'm clumsy with my hands, but after practicing for more than twenty years, I can just about manage it with you. It's just as well that your aunt was an adult and now you are too, so my practice was just right."
