What the butler saw to

He said the atmosphere preceding a royal visit was ordered chaos. Clean bed linen is re-washed, clean silver is repolished - everything is cleaned again - whether it's dirty or not.

''They will be getting all the bedrooms spick and span, checking everything is clean - they'll be at it at least eight hours a day,'' Mr Eldridge said.

''Household attendants - they were called footmen before - look after all the silver and make sure all the silver, all the crystal, all the chandeliers, are clean.''

In the past the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh have slept in the Vista Suite.

''The one they call the Queen's and Duke's rooms.''

Mr Eldridge resigned from the household of the Governor-General in 2004 after more than 36 years.

Even to this day, he won't give anything away about the private lives of the royals.

''Basically you see and hear everything, but know nothing and act dumb ... I signed a confidentiality agreement that's why I can't write a book - not that I want to.''

He said the Queen was comfortable in the Yarralumla house and looked on it as her own.

''She loves walking around the grounds she loves - oh I can't say that - she thoroughly enjoys it.''

The staff addressed the Queen and the Duke as advised by her protocol officer.

''It wasn't Betty and Phillip it was Ma'am and Your Royal Highness.''

The pair travel with many staff.

''They bring a hairdresser and a dresser - the Duke will have the valet - the Queen will have a dresser.''

''They have a set menu and her staff would liaise with the chef. They have their own tea.''

Mr Eldridge served the Queen privately in the Vista Suite when required. But she prefers to have her own staff around.

One of the proudest moments of his life was being presented with a Royal Victoria Medal for personal service. ''She personally gave me that one, the Royal Victorian Medal, in 1988.

''I'm pleased that she's come round, and sad that I'm not there.''