At the age of 6, she first went on the stage with the help of Agnes Hewitt, the manager of the Olympic Theatre in Drury Lane, and earned three shillings a week.

After wandering the streets of London trying to find somewhere to stay, she caught pneumonia and was taken in by a spiritualist medium called Lydia Pagenell, who lived in Bloomsbury.

Clémence worked as Miss Pagenell's assistant for three and a half years until someone reported them for fraud, and they were both sent to Holloway Prison in October 1903.

Elizabeth insisted on taking Sarah back to Eaton Place and installed her as a scullery maid, the only vacant position.

In October 1908, she was set up by Thorkil Kraft, the batman of a Swedish Captain staying at Eaton Place, and was framed for theft, and left.

Much to everyone's surprise, she turned up at Elizabeth's wedding, apparently at James's invitation, and at the reception Hudson through gritted teeth had to call her "Miss".

The family solicitor, Sir Geoffrey Dillon, arranged for Sarah to stay in a cottage on the Southwold Estate.

However, she found Southwold too boring, and ran away to Eaton Place, turning up the evening the King was dining upstairs in early 1909.

Sarah was then given light work around the house, and after Elizabeth gave birth, she became baby Lucy's nursery maid.

When the Kirbridges separated, Lawrence offered to take him around the world as his manservant, but Thomas instead decided to come to Eaton Place as a chauffeur.

Subsequently, Thomas and Sarah were compelled to return to service under Richard de Brassey, an eccentric individual.

In an attempt to rescue him, Richard's efforts led to the collapse of the stable, resulting in his death, while Thomas managed to survive.