20 FEBRUARY 1993, Page 31

Sting in the tail

Sir: On the subject of the Princess of Wales's non-relations (Letters, 6 February), I was commissioned by Weidenfeld and Nicolson to write Sisters-in-Law, a view of the effect of the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York on the monarchy. I was sharply overruled on the accuracy of the title.

Soon after publication, I received the most beautifully calligraphic letter post- marked Manchester. Expecting the usual adulatory ramblings from such a script, the anonymous letter read: 'The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York are not sis- ters-in-law — you, Mr Courtney, are an ignorant bastard.'

Nicholas Courtney

9 Kempson Road, London SW6