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CHAPITRE 22: ROYAL BANQUET AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE WITH DONALD TRUMP

June 4, 2019

Buckingham Palace was alive with grandeur, celebrating a state banquet in honor of President Donald Trump's visit to the United Kingdom. Amidst the gilded halls, the soft strains of the orchestra, and the aroma of expertly crafted dishes, Princess Mathilda found herself taking her first steps as an official representative of the British monarchy. Now eighteen, Mathilda was the youngest royal to ever attend such a grand occasion, and as she entered the ballroom behind  her father Prince William and her mother Duchess Catherine , she felt the weight of her role, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

Mathilda looked radiant in a delicate evening gown, chosen carefully with the guidance of her mother, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Her elegance and poise did not go unnoticed; guests whispered admiringly as she made her way to her seat, beside none other than the guest of honor, President Donald Trump himself. It was a thrilling, if slightly nerve-wracking, position for a young royal on her first engagement. But Mathilda's confidence grew as the evening went on, fueled by her strong sense of duty and her natural charisma.

President Trump, noticing her grace and attentiveness, turned to her with a warm smile. "You're quite the young lady, Princess Mathilda. You carry yourself with such poise," he complimented her.

"Thank you, Mr. President," Mathilda replied, her voice steady, yet warm. "I'm honored to be here tonight. It's a historic friendship, isn't it?" Her words echoed the theme of the evening— the longstanding "eternal friendship" between the United Kingdom and the United States.

President Trump seemed impressed by her maturity. "Yes, it certainly is," he agreed. "And having you here tonight, at such a young age, is a great example of how that friendship will continue into the future." The two spoke for several more minutes about Mathilda's studies and her interest in diplomacy, and it became clear that the young princess was making an indelible impression on the American president.

As the evening progressed, Mathilda was also introduced to First Lady Melania Trump. Melania, recognizing the young princess's charm, spoke highly of her to Catherine, and the conversation soon turned to children and family life. The First Lady mentioned her son, Barron, who was around Mathilda's age, sharing stories of his love for sports, reading, and his curiosity about royal life.

"Barron and Mathilda would have a lot in common," Melania remarked with a warm smile. "Perhaps, one day, she could visit us in America. I think they'd enjoy each other's company." Catherine smiled, nodding thoughtfully. "Mathilda has always been curious about the world," she replied. "Perhaps a trip to the States would be a wonderful experience for her. It's something we'll certainly consider."

Mathilda overheard the conversation and felt a surge of excitement at the prospect. Though she was devoted to her duties, the idea of visiting America intrigued her—she had always wanted to see New York City and visit the national landmarks she'd read about in her studies. Besides, Barron sounded like someone she might enjoy meeting; they had similar interests, and perhaps they could find some common ground as young people with unique roles in the world.

As the banquet drew to a close, the Queen stood to deliver a heartfelt speech. She spoke of the "shared values and common heritage" between the United Kingdom and the United States, and how both nations had faced the trials of history side by side. Her words resonated with all those present, including Mathilda, who felt a renewed sense of pride in her heritage and in the history she would one day help to carry forward.

When President Trump took to the podium, he echoed the Queen's sentiments. "The alliance between our two nations has brought peace, prosperity, and stability," he said. "It's a friendship that has seen us through the darkest of times, and it will continue to do so." He then raised his glass in a toast to "the eternal friendship of our people, the vitality of our nations, and the remarkable reign of Her Majesty the Queen." As the guests raised their glasses, Mathilda felt the importance of the moment and the role she was now stepping into, officially and personally.