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.
One sunny afternoon in March, the soft glow of sunlight poured through the windows of Anmer Hall, casting a warm light on the quiet family room where Matilda sat reading the newspaper. Although she was only eight, her curiosity and attention to detail meant she often noticed things adults might skim over. Today, a particular article had caught her eye, and she found herself re-reading it with furrowed brows. The headline mentioned a "rivalry" between her mother, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
Intrigued and slightly puzzled, Matilda read further, absorbing the article's claims and the mention of rumors circulating about her mother and Rose, a family friend who lived nearby with her husband. Though young, Matilda was no stranger to the complex world of the press and the strange stories that often emerged around her family. Still, she couldn't help but wonder: Was there any truth to these rumors?
After a while, she closed the newspaper and walked through the quiet halls to find her mother. She found Catherine in the garden, tending to the flowers, her expression peaceful as she worked. Matilda approached her, holding the newspaper in her hands.
"Mum," she started, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "I read something in the paper... about you and Lady Rose."
Catherine looked up, noticing the concern on her daughter's face. She smiled gently and set down her gardening tools, brushing off her hands as she knelt down to be at eye level with Matilda.
"Did you, darling?" she asked calmly. "And what did it say?"
Matilda hesitated, trying to find the right words. "It said... it said you two might not be friends anymore," she murmured, glancing down at the newspaper. "And that you're... rivals."
Catherine's smile didn't waver; she reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind Matilda's ear. "Oh, my love, you mustn't worry about what the papers say," she reassured her softly. "They often make up stories to create drama, especially when there isn't any."
Matilda looked up, still thoughtful. "So, it's not true?" she asked, searching her mother's face.
"Not at all," Catherine replied, her voice warm and steady. "Lady Rose and I are fine. Sometimes, people just enjoy stirring up trouble when things are quiet." She paused, placing a reassuring hand on her daughter's shoulder. "There are no 'rivals' here."
Matilda relaxed, relieved to hear her mother's calm explanation. But as she looked down at the newspaper again, she couldn't help but feel a hint of frustration. "Why would they say something like that if it's not true?"
Catherine sighed gently. "Sometimes, the media creates stories that seem exciting, even if they're not real. They know that people will read them and talk about them." She took Matilda's hand in her own. "But the important thing is that we stay true to ourselves, no matter what they say."
Matilda nodded slowly, her trust in her mother reassuring her. "So... it's okay to just ignore it?"
Catherine smiled. "Exactly. When we know the truth, we don't need to be bothered by what others say."
Feeling comforted, Matilda leaned against her mother, hugging her gently. Catherine wrapped her arms around her daughter, feeling grateful for this moment to reassure her. "Thank you, Mum," Matilda whispered.
"You're welcome, darling," Catherine replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her daughter's forehead. "And remember, I'll always be here to talk if you ever feel unsure."
With the reassurance from her mother, Matilda felt her worries slip away, replaced by a newfound understanding. She knew she could face whatever rumors came their way, as long as she stayed close to her family and held on to the truth.
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