This is the story of Princesse Matilda Victoria Eleanor de Galles. The Eldest daughter of Princess Catherine and William of Wales. The futur queen of England.
Christmas at Sandringham had always been a grand affair for the royal family, steeped in tradition, luxury, and warmth. This year, it was extra special for Princess Matilda, now four years old. The family estate, nestled in the countryside of Norfolk, was aglow with lights, the smell of pine and spices filling the air as members of the royal family gathered for the festive season.
Matilda, though still young, was now old enough to participate in some of the family's holiday traditions. She'd watched in awe as the giant Christmas tree in the drawing room was decorated with twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments, her eyes wide with excitement. For her, Christmas wasn't just about presents; it was about spending time with her family—especially her new baby brother, George, who was now just over two years old.
"Come on, George!" Matilda giggled, leading her little brother by the hand through one of the grand hallways. George, still a bit wobbly on his feet, tried to keep up with his older sister's infectious energy, his tiny hands clinging to hers. Matilda adored him. Since his birth, she had taken her role as "big sister" very seriously. She loved showing him her toys, teaching him new words, and trying to make him laugh, even when he didn't quite understand what was so funny.
The day before Christmas, the family had already settled into Sandringham, and the children were allowed to open one gift early. Matilda had been eager, her face lighting up as she unwrapped the present her parents had carefully chosen for her.
"Oh, Mummy, look!" she gasped, holding up the colorful cover of the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. "It's the book with the boy and the magic wand!"
Catherine smiled warmly, kneeling beside her daughter. "Yes, darling. It's a very special book. When you're a little older, we can read it together, and maybe one day, you'll get to visit the studio where they made the films."
Matilda's eyes widened in delight, already lost in the world of Hogwarts even though she hadn't yet turned a page. "Can we go to the studio now, Mummy?" she asked, her face full of hope.
William chuckled from across the room, walking over to join them. "Not quite yet, Matilda. But..." He reached behind the Christmas tree and pulled out an envelope with Matilda's name written in beautiful calligraphy. "This is a special ticket. It's a gift from Mummy and Daddy for you to use when we can take you to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London."
Matilda's jaw dropped, her little hands shaking with excitement as she opened the envelope and saw the shiny ticket. "Really? We can go? I can see where they made Harry Potter?" Her voice was full of awe, as if this was the most magical thing she could imagine.
"Yes, we can go," Catherine said, giving her daughter a loving hug. "Maybe in the spring, when the weather is nicer. You'll love it."
Matilda beamed, hugging both the book and the ticket close to her chest. It was one of those perfect moments where everything seemed magical, even more than the story of the boy wizard she'd just discovered.
Christmas Day came, and with it, all the grand traditions of the royal family at Sandringham. Matilda and George wore matching festive outfits as they attended the traditional Christmas morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church, holding hands and waving shyly to the well-wishers who had gathered outside.
At dinner, Matilda sat next to her brother at the grand table, surrounded by her cousins, including Mia Tindall, with whom she had formed a special bond over the summer. Mia, a year older, had taken on the role of the adventurous cousin, and the two girls had spent much of their time together playing outside, chasing each other around the palace gardens.
The highlight of the day came after the grand Christmas lunch, when the family gathered in the cozy living room for their gift exchange. It was during this time that Matilda had her first real conversation with George, who was still learning to talk.
"Georgie, look at my book!" Matilda said, showing him the Harry Potter book proudly. George, his chubby little hands trying to grab at the book's cover, looked up at her with wide eyes, his curiosity piqued.
"B-book," George mumbled, his voice still soft and unsure.
Matilda laughed. "Yes, book! One day I'll read it to you when you're big enough!"
As the adults watched this sweet interaction between the two siblings, William and Catherine couldn't help but smile. They exchanged a glance, their hearts full of pride for the little family they had built. Matilda, growing more independent and thoughtful every day, had embraced her role as the elder sister with such grace and love. And George, still the baby of the family, looked up to her, following her around with wide, curious eyes, eager to learn from her every move.
As the evening came to a close, the children sat by the grand fireplace, their new toys spread out around them. Matilda, still clutching her Harry Potter book, turned to her parents.
"Can we read it tonight?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
William knelt down beside her, pulling her into a warm hug. "Maybe not all of it tonight," he teased, ruffling her hair, "but we'll read a few pages before bed. Deal?"
Matilda nodded eagerly. "Deal!"
That night, after all the excitement of the day, Matilda lay in her bed, the soft glow of a nightlight illuminating her room. Catherine sat beside her, opening the Harry Potter book to the first page, her voice soft and comforting as she began to read.
"'Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much...'"
Matilda's eyelids grew heavy as she listened to the story unfold, her mind already whisked away to the magical world of wizards and spells. As she drifted off to sleep, she dreamed not only of Harry Potter, but of the adventures she would soon have with her family—and of course, the day she would visit the studio where the magic had all come to life.
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