Philippa Gregory: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? — FLAPSS

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

PG

Philippa Gregory

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I’m a lucky woman – I was walking in the rain yesterday and was really happy.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Bernadine Evaristo English author and academic

When I met my husband, David, in 2006, on Dating Direct.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2020 source ↗

Olivia Colman British actress

When my husband and I first said we loved each other, in our student flat in Cambridge.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 May 2013 source ↗

Now. Five years ago, I started looking after myself a bit more, emotionally and spiritually, and it’s paid dividends.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 January 2025 source ↗

Matt Smith English actor

I believe happiness is in the moment, so now.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2013 source ↗

More from Philippa Gregory

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Trolling, meanness and male violence.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I’m lazy domestically. I don’t do housework. My mother would have called me a slut.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

An exciting idea. I usually write for an hour or so, and then I go to sleep.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I was very sorry to stop at two children – I would have liked to have had a third – and I am very sorry to have got divorced.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

I take my family on holiday. We went to Egypt just after Christmas. Golly, it’s expensive.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

Not for a long time.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

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