On the left is Die Grafin Sieben (Liz Smith).  The Second - and rather more successful - Schtimmian Ambassador; recently married to and shortly to be widowed by the Duke of Sutton (me, on the right). She took it quite well all things considered, telling friends:
"If he hadn't died in battle I'd probably have assassinated him myself... Well... he was a psycho!"
This may have been a valid, if debatable point. People who never compromise on matters of principle under any circumstances can be uncomfortable to have around. Especially when they have their own army.