Some years after the death of her beloved Albert, the well-weeded widow Victoria was at last successfully persuaded to hold a banquet at the palace.
A magnificent assemblage of the great and good of the land waited patiently outside the nble edifice in horse-drawn carriages until protocol dictated that the occupants of each should make their entrances and their presence be announced to the Queen.
No unjustifiably somewhat overawed by the occasion, each couple stepped nervously into the Imperial Presence where they were loudly announced by Candlestick At The Ready who relished this duty far more than his nightly ceremonial standing outside the Royal Bedchamber, golden candlestick in hand, until a discreet cough from the other side of the door signified his presence to be no longer required.
"The Cockburns, Your Majesty," he boomed, carefully articulating each syllable, as he announced the arrival of a newly wedded pair from the highlands.
The Queen was not amused.
And from that day the name was pronounced Coburn.
