In our day, we had separate summer and winter uniforms—these are our summer dresses. In winter, we wore navy skirts (in varying lengths!), white shirts, navy-and-burgundy school ties, navy V-neck jumpers, and brown shoes, topped off with a heavy wool cape for going out. For modesty, we were required to wear large grey “knickers,” known as grey bags, over our underwear. Sundays meant an itchy grey wool suit for chapel, which we couldn’t wait to take off.

My family was living and working in Saudi Arabia. My sister and I attended the international primary school but at the age of 11, there were no suitable schools available for me. My mother was reluctant to send us to boarding school, so she returned to the UK.​ My grandparents lived in Bath and they recommended the Royal School. I began as a day girl in Wellington House. However, my mother found it difficult to settle back into life in the UK and missed both the climate and living in Saudi Arabia. As a result, my sister and I became boarders, and I moved into Laurence House.

Today, I run my businesses from Bradford on Avon, just eight miles from Bath. Although I’ve travelled extensively and lived around the world, I chose to return to this area to raise my daughters. My eldest began her career with a company that took her to Africa and is now married with a two-year-old daughter—my granddaughter. She currently works alongside me at Meg’s Cottage Fudge. My youngest daughter is a chef who has worked in France, New Zealand, and London, and is now based at The Hop Pole, just outside Bath.