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.
January 2020 – London, Thomas's Battersea & Buckingham Palace
On a brisk January morning, Princess Matilda pulled her coat tightly around her as she walked hand in hand with her siblings, George and Charlotte, toward the entrance of Thomas's Battersea. The city's winter chill was biting, but Matilda hardly noticed; she was too busy setting a confident pace for her younger siblings. At nine years old, she embraced her role as the eldest Cambridge sibling, especially at school where George was now in Year 2 and Charlotte had just begun her school journey a few months earlier.
"Matty, wait!" Charlotte squealed, her steps quickening to catch up.
Matilda turned, offering her sister a warm, encouraging smile. "Don't worry, Lottie, we're almost there," she said in a reassuring tone, adjusting Charlotte's scarf and then George's, who looked up to his sister with a mix of admiration and shyness.
Upon arriving at their classroom doors, Matilda gave her siblings one last gentle nudge, whispering, "You'll do great!" And with that, George and Charlotte grinned back at her before heading off, reassured by her steady confidence. She felt a quiet pride knowing they depended on her, especially during busy school mornings like these.
Matilda loved school, particularly the blend of subjects that allowed her to explore a world much wider than the walls of Buckingham Palace or Anmer Hall. She had a curious mind and felt a particular passion for science and art, subjects where she could let her imagination and curiosity soar. In science, Matilda found herself captivated by anything related to nature. During a lesson on ecosystems, she raised her hand to ask, "If we stop taking care of the plants around us, would that hurt the animals too?"
Her teacher, Miss Hughes, smiled. "Exactly, Matilda. Plants, animals, and humans all rely on one another. It's called an ecosystem. And it's why we all need to care for the environment."
That idea stuck with Matilda, and later that day, she could hardly wait to share her new insights with her father. "Papa, did you know plants and animals depend on each other just like we do on each other at home?" she asked eagerly as they sat by the fire that evening.
William chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "You're absolutely right, Tilly. That's why we need to protect the world around us. It's not just about us—it's about everyone."
But as January progressed, there was something else on the family's mind. On the evening of January 8, as the children settled down after dinner, a hush seemed to settle over the household. William and Catherine had gathered in the sitting room after the day's duties, looking more serious than usual. When Matilda peeked around the doorframe, she noticed her parents deep in conversation, heads close, their voices just a murmur.
She knew not to disturb them during "grown-up talks," so instead, she returned to her room, where George and Charlotte were already playing a game of cards. "What do you think they're talking about?" George asked, glancing at Matilda with a furrowed brow.
"Oh, just boring adult stuff, I bet," Matilda replied, trying to brush it off. But her own curiosity lingered.
The next morning, Catherine decided it was best to offer a simple explanation to the children, especially Matilda, who was keenly aware of changes in the household.
"Matilda," her mother began softly over breakfast, "there's been a big decision in the family. Your Uncle Harry and Aunt Meghan have decided they need a bit of space. They're going to be spending more time on their own, away from royal work."
Matilda took this in thoughtfully. "So... does that mean we won't see Archie as much?"
"Maybe a little less often, darling, but they'll always be family," Catherine replied, reaching out to brush a strand of Matilda's hair back.
There was a pause before Matilda responded. "Why do they need space?"
Catherine gave her daughter a thoughtful smile. "Sometimes, grown-ups have to make choices that are best for their own little families. It doesn't mean they love us any less—it's just something they feel is right for them."
Matilda nodded, feeling a quiet understanding, though she couldn't shake the feeling that something big had shifted. But as much as Matilda could sense the change, she was grateful her parents made sure their home life felt as normal as ever.
Over the following days, however, Matilda couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations between adults. She gathered bits and pieces—words like "senior duties," "transition," and "independence." Though she didn't grasp it all, Matilda understood this was more than a little family matter. People everywhere were talking about it.
One evening, as the family gathered around a crackling fire in Anmer Hall, George asked, "Mama, what's 'royal duty' exactly?"
Catherine smiled gently, her eyes meeting William's. "It's about helping others, Georgie. It means serving and taking care of people, just as we take care of each other at home."
Matilda, listening quietly, asked, "Will we have more royal duties, then, since Uncle Harry won't be doing as many?"
William nodded, impressed by her perceptiveness. "You're very clever, Tilly. Yes, we might have a few more things to do, but remember, we're all a team. And someday, you'll help out too. But for now," he added with a playful smile, "your duty is to keep being curious and learning new things."
The change within the royal family felt more like a distant rumble to Matilda, something stirring in the background while her own life carried on. She threw herself into her schoolwork, excelling in science and art and even surprising her French teacher with her growing fluency. She delighted in showing her siblings simple phrases: "Bonjour, George!" and "Merci, Lottie!" She even taught Louis a word or two, although his attempts were more giggles than coherent sounds.
As January drew to a close, Matilda was nestled in her room, sketching birds she'd seen in the garden earlier that day. She thought back to her science lesson about ecosystems and her talk with her father about taking care of the world. In some way, she thought, their family was like a little ecosystem—interconnected, each person playing their part to keep things balanced. Uncle Harry and Aunt Meghan's choice to step back was like a bird flying to a new part of the forest; the family felt different, but still whole.
As she put down her pencil, Matilda felt a sense of calm. The world around her was shifting, but her own small world remained steady, anchored by the love of her family, the curiosity of her mind, and the comfort of familiar routines. She was ready to face the months ahead with a sense of wonder—and the quiet assurance that no matter how things changed, she had a role to play, just as each member of her family did.
With that thought, she closed her sketchbook, nestled under her blankets, and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of both the world outside and her special place within it. For Matilda, the journey ahead was just beginning, and though she was young, she was prepared to grow with every new step along the way.
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