Queen Elizabeth has ended her feud with the boss of highstreet sex shop by
inviting her to an official dinner.
The monarch has invited Jacqueline Gold, chief executive of Ann Summers and
Knickerbox, to the Reception for Women in Business, at Buckingham Palace, on
Valentine's Day.
The gesture is expected to mark the end of a grudge between the queen and Ann
Summers, which was sparked in 2002 when the sex toy and lingerie chain
commemorated the royal's Golden Jubilee by using her image to promote a sex
book.
The "Wild Guide to Sex" featured a picture of Elizabeth's head with a thought
bubble above it reading, "Phwoar, one must get one."
The palace complained and two years later Gold was left off the guest list for
the Women of Excellence lunch. Insulted by the snub, Gold hit out at the queen
calling her "short-sighted."
She was quoted at saying as the time, "Perhaps she should ask her
granddaughter, Zara Phillips, who is a customer and recently held an Ann
Summers party at her mother's house."
Although the feud may be over, Gold remains adamant she will not be sending the
monarch any Ann Summers samples as a thank you.
She told Britain's The Independent newspaper, "We wouldn't dare."
The adult store is also popular with Prince William's girlfriend Kate
Middleton, who was spotted buying some raunchy underwear there shortly before
Christmas.
