When Sally Axworthy first became an ambassador back in 2016, she did what all heads of mission representing the UK abroad do: learnt as much as possible about her posting; talked to her predecessor. But she also had to be measured for a special uniform and given a ceremonial sword. For Axworthy’s role as a diplomat is a highly unusual one: she’s Britain’s ambassador to the Holy See, a place where ritual and tradition really matter. Axworthy is our woman at the Vatican, representing Britain’s interests to the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. It is a little known role, and it is certainly unique.