| CROWN II | 👑👑

CHAPTER 4: BIRTH OF PRINCE GEORGE

22 July 2013

family—and the world—was anxiously awaiting the birth of Prince William and Catherine's second child. For two-year-old Princess Matilda, however, the day was less about royal succession and more about something much more personal: she was about to meet her new baby brother.

Matilda had spent most of the day with her grandmother, Carole Middleton, who had been keeping her company at Kensington Palace while her parents were at St. Mary's Hospital. The toddler had been curious, though somewhat confused, about the idea of a new sibling. Catherine had spent the past few months gently explaining to Matilda that soon she wouldn't be the only child in the family, that there would be a baby who would need her love and care.

"Will the baby be tiny?" Matilda had asked more than once, her wide eyes filled with wonder as she patted her mother's growing belly.

"Very tiny," Catherine had said with a smile. "But one day, he'll grow big, just like you."

Now, sitting by the large windows of the palace nursery, Matilda looked out across the gardens, her small legs dangling off the chair. In her little hands was a soft teddy bear that she'd chosen as a gift for the baby. Carole smiled at her granddaughter, admiring her patience despite her young age.

"Are you excited to meet your brother, Matilda?" Carole asked gently, sitting beside her.

Matilda nodded, gripping the teddy bear a little tighter. "I want to show him my toys," she said earnestly. "But...will he like me?"

Carole's heart warmed at the question, and she leaned in, giving the little girl a hug. "Oh, he will love you, Matilda. You'll be the best big sister. He'll look up to you and follow you around everywhere."

Matilda smiled at the thought, but her attention was quickly diverted by the sound of the palace doors opening downstairs. Her little heart raced with excitement—could it be?

Moments later, William's familiar voice echoed up the grand staircase. "Matilda? Where's my big girl?"

Matilda jumped down from her chair, her feet pattering quickly against the polished floors as she rushed toward the sound of her father's voice. She spotted William at the top of the stairs, a beaming smile on his face, and behind him, a palace aide gently cradling a tiny bundle wrapped in a soft, white blanket.

"Is that him?" Matilda asked, her eyes growing wider as she approached, clutching the teddy bear to her chest.

William knelt down beside her, his smile never fading. "Yes, darling, this is your baby brother." He glanced at the teddy bear she was holding. "Is that for him?"

Matilda nodded quickly and handed the bear to her father. "It's his now," she said proudly, her face glowing with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

With the same care he'd shown the first time he held Matilda, William took the bear and carefully placed it beside his newborn son. "I think he'll love it, Matilda. He's already so lucky to have a sister like you."

Catherine, looking a little tired but radiant with joy, emerged from behind William, her eyes brimming with emotion. She watched as Matilda gazed at her baby brother, unsure at first how to react to the tiny person before her.

"Come closer, sweetheart," Catherine encouraged, her voice soft and full of love. "You can say hello to him."

Matilda took a tentative step forward, her eyes fixed on the baby's face, barely visible under the folds of the blanket. She leaned in, peeking at the tiny hands and the little nose that was barely the size of her thumb. He didn't move much, just made soft little noises that fascinated her.