Some time ago, on the anniversary of Grace Kelly's death, an amiable-sounding clergyman called Monsignore Piero Pintus suggested that she ought to be made into a saint. 'She was an excellent actress who was 'never involved in any scandal. She gave up a lucrative career to become a wife, a mother and a sovereign'.

Some sacrifice, it was generally agreed. Monsignore Pintus spoke for us all. Instead of the usual, slightly uninspiring plaster statues still to be found in some Catholic churches, I began to look forward to the day when one could dart into the Oratory to light a candle to Princess Grace.