| CROWN II | 👑👑

CHAPTER 33: CELEBRATIONS & VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS

Date: April 23, 2020

Place: Anmer Hall, Norfolk & Birkhall, Scotland, Windsor Castle

The month of April brought a mixture of joy and challenges for the royal family, and for Matilda, it was a time of special celebrations and newfound family closeness. On April 23, Prince Louis, her younger brother, celebrated his second birthday in a small and intimate family affair at Anmer Hall. Despite the lockdown restrictions, the Cambridges ensured Louis had a fun-filled day, captured in photos that would become some of the most cherished images of the year.

Matilda, now nine, was incredibly involved in the day's events. As the big sister, she took great pride in helping Louis open his gifts. He was thrilled by the colorful new toys he received, but what Matilda loved most was the simple joy of spending time with her family during this unusual and isolated period.

"Louis, look, it's a truck!" Matilda exclaimed, as Louis excitedly tore through the wrapping paper. Her eyes sparkled with the same excitement, even though it wasn't her birthday. It was these small moments, she realized, that made everything seem right again—despite the chaos of the world outside.

"Thank you, Matilda!" Louis giggled, holding the truck in the air as if it was a precious treasure.

William and Kate watched their children with pride, grateful for the simplicity and intimacy of family life at Anmer Hall. Since the pandemic had kept them all at home, there were no large celebrations, no grand royal gatherings—just the Cambridge family, surrounded by nature and the warmth of home. Kate, who had taken on the task of homeschooling, made sure that the day was as lighthearted and joyful as possible, knowing how challenging it had been to adapt to their new routine.

"Let's take a walk, shall we?" Kate suggested after the presents were opened and cake had been served. They all stepped outside into the fresh Norfolk air, where the rolling fields stretched out beneath a soft blue sky. The birds were chirping, and there was a sense of calmness that they had grown to appreciate during the lockdown.

Matilda skipped ahead, hand-in-hand with Louis, and the two laughed together as they ran through the grass, their voices filling the air. George and Charlotte, older now and more reserved, trailed behind, chatting about their schoolwork, which had been increasingly challenging with each passing week. But it was clear to everyone that these simple moments of connection were what mattered most—family, nature, and time spent together.

As the family walked, Matilda noticed how different everything felt in that moment—like they were in their own little world, tucked away from the pressures of the outside. The royal responsibilities, the events, the pressures of the media, all felt miles away, and in its place was a quiet, grounding sense of love.

Meanwhile, across the UK, the royal family's efforts to adapt to the pandemic were becoming more public. Prince Charles, who had recovered from a mild case of COVID-19 earlier in the month, spent the majority of April at Birkhall, his Scottish residence. He took up his royal duties virtually, making calls to various charities and organizations to offer support during the pandemic.

One of Charles's calls stood out as particularly moving. As part of his ongoing work with the Prince's Trust, he called a group of young people who had been affected by the pandemic. "This is a difficult time for us all," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "But you are all resilient, and I believe you will rise to the challenge of these circumstances."

Though Charles had been away from London, his presence was still felt through these virtual engagements. The royal family had learned to quickly adapt to the new reality, using technology to continue their work despite being physically distanced. And for Charles, it became a way of not just fulfilling his royal duties but offering a sense of reassurance to the nation.

Back at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth was leading by example. The Queen, who had spent much of her time isolated at the castle, was now connecting with people virtually in a way she never had before. For the first time in her reign, she conducted meetings via video calls. The historic "We will meet again" broadcast in April was a particularly touching moment, as she spoke directly to the public from her study in Windsor Castle.

"We will meet again," she said, echoing the words of wartime morale, offering comfort and a sense of hope to a nation in crisis. "But for now, we must stay apart to protect each other."

Her message resonated deeply with the British public, reinforcing the spirit of unity and resilience. It was a rare occurrence for the Queen to address the nation outside of Christmas, and in this moment, her words were a balm for a country in distress. The broadcast also served as a reminder of the monarchy's role in providing stability during uncertain times.

In the Cambridge household, life continued with a new rhythm. Matilda, George, Charlotte, and Louis settled into a routine that balanced schoolwork, outdoor play, and family time. Matilda, ever the responsible older sister, was especially helpful in keeping her younger siblings engaged with their lessons. Kate would set up activities for them, sometimes in the garden, and sometimes indoors when the weather wasn't as cooperative.

"Alright, kids," Kate said one afternoon, as she guided them through their art lesson. "Let's get creative today. You can paint your favorite thing in the world."

Matilda's eyes sparkled as she prepared her paintbrush. She loved art, always had. She was excited to dive into her project, focused on her brushstrokes as she created a colorful landscape of their home at Anmer Hall, the vast greenery and trees that she had grown to love. George, in his usual curious way, painted a detailed drawing of the royal helicopter, which he had been fascinated with ever since he had seen it land on the grounds during one of their royal engagements. Charlotte, meanwhile, painted a picture of a playground, with a swing that seemed to sway in the wind.

As the children worked, Kate and William kept their distance but observed quietly, happy to see the children embracing their new world with such enthusiasm.

Later that evening, after their art lesson, the family gathered in the cozy living room of Anmer Hall for a quiet night together. They played games, watched movies, and simply enjoyed each other's company, cherishing these moments when they could all be together without the usual distractions of royal duties and public life.

For Matilda, April was a time of personal growth. She had become more mature over the past few weeks, understanding the importance of being there for her siblings and adapting to the world around her. She often found herself thinking about the world outside their little bubble, but she knew that for now, this was their reality—and she was determined to make the most of it.

In the larger world, the royal family was embracing its role in leading by example, as they navigated the virtual landscape of royal duties, offering hope and solidarity to the nation. Matilda, like her family, was learning to adapt, and together, they were stronger for it.