The small man sitting opposite Queen Salote (mentioned by Clive James in "Saying Famous Things" in your March issue) in the open carriage processing through the streets of London for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the wizened Sultan of Zanzibar.

She was grinning and waving her ham-like arms to the appreciative applauding crowd and he looked absolutely terrified, shrinking into his seat. Presumably a roaring mob in Zanzibar meant something a bit different! I remember the scene well, watching from my perch sitting on top of a Keep Left sign at Marble Arch.