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.
March arrived in a flurry of change. The world outside seemed as unsettled as the winds that swept through the tall trees surrounding Anmer Hall, where the Cambridge family had been spending some time away from London. The quiet of the countryside was a welcome respite from the pressures of royal life, but even in the tranquility of Norfolk, Matilda could sense that something was amiss.
It began with whispers—the kind of hushed conversations that echoed through the halls of the estate, drawing her attention even as she sketched quietly by the fire. Matilda was no stranger to adult talk, though she was often shielded from the heavier, more complicated matters. But this time was different. Her parents, Catherine and William, were speaking in a tone that was uncharacteristically serious, their voices low and careful.
She had overheard enough to know that it was about her Uncle Harry and Aunt Meghan.
That Afternoon: In the Sitting Room at Anmer Hall
Matilda sat on the floor of the sitting room, her legs crossed beneath her, as she focused on sketching a picture of the royal family's dog, Lupo, who had curled up contentedly beside her. She loved drawing Lupo; the dog's soft, dark eyes and luxurious fur were always so captivating to her.
But the quiet murmurings of conversation between her mother and father started to distract her. They were sitting on the opposite side of the room, in the midst of a conversation that Matilda couldn't quite make out. Words like "interview," "press," and "family" floated through the air, and Matilda's curiosity got the better of her.
"Mama?" she asked quietly, her voice breaking the silence. "Why is everyone so serious about us? Are we in trouble?"
Catherine, who had been staring at the fire with a pensive expression, turned to face Matilda. There was a softness in her eyes, but also a kind of weary resolve. She had heard her daughter's question before it was fully spoken, and she knew this moment had come—a time to answer Matilda's innocent inquiry with care.
"Darling, it's not that we're in trouble," Catherine replied, her voice gentle, though tinged with the weight of the conversation. She patted the space beside her on the sofa, inviting Matilda to sit with her. "Your Uncle Harry and Aunt Meghan have shared some things about their experiences in an interview with someone named Oprah Winfrey. It's made a lot of people think about the way our family works, and the role we play in the world."
Matilda furrowed her brow, feeling the confusion cloud her mind. "But... why is everyone talking about it? What did they say?"
Catherine hesitated, gathering her thoughts. She wanted to explain without overwhelming her young daughter. "Sometimes, people share their feelings, Matilda. They may not always agree with the way things are done, and they want to express how they feel. It's not always easy to hear, but it's important to listen."
Matilda's blue eyes widened as she processed the information. Her gaze dropped to the floor as she thought it over. "So... is it bad? Are people mad at us?"
"Not exactly," Catherine said softly. "It's not about bad or good, darling. It's about understanding different points of view. People sometimes see things in ways that we don't, and that's okay. It doesn't mean we're doing anything wrong, but it's important that we respect others' feelings and perspectives."
Matilda looked up at her mother, still processing. "Like... Aunt Meghan?" she asked hesitantly.
Catherine took a deep breath, brushing Matilda's long brown hair behind her ear. "Yes, darling. Like Meghan. She has a very different perspective from us. And sometimes, people don't always respect the traditions or ways of life that we've been raised with. It's difficult, but we have to remember that every family, every person, is different. We don't always understand why they act the way they do, but we must still be kind and patient."
Matilda nodded slowly, though her mind was racing. She had only met Meghan and Harry a few times, and while she had always found Meghan to be warm, something about her seemed... unfamiliar. Matilda wasn't sure what it was—perhaps it was just that Meghan wasn't like her mother, or the way Harry and Meghan always seemed so separate from the rest of the family.
But her confusion deepened now. She remembered the last time she saw them—at an event where Meghan had hugged her tightly, smiling all the while, but something about it had felt forced. It wasn't the same as the way her mother and father showed affection, so it left Matilda unsure. And Archie, her little cousin—she had only met him once when he was a tiny baby, and she couldn't quite remember what he was like. Then there was the baby girl on the way—Lili, as they had heard from the news.
"But Mama, I don't like Meghan," Matilda blurted out without thinking, the words escaping before she could stop them. She instantly regretted saying it, but once they were out, she felt a knot form in her stomach. "I don't know... I just don't trust her."
Catherine's face softened, though there was a quiet sadness in her eyes. She leaned in, pulling Matilda into a gentle hug. "Sweetheart, it's okay to have feelings. But remember, we don't always know the full story. We don't know what it's like for other people, or how they feel in their hearts. Sometimes, we have to learn from them, just as we would hope they'd learn from us."
Matilda nodded, but the feeling of unease lingered in her chest. It was hard to explain why she didn't trust Meghan. There was something about the way she spoke to people that felt different from what she was used to. It wasn't like the calm way her mother spoke or the firm but kind words from her father.
"Do you think we'll see Archie again?" Matilda asked quietly, her thoughts drifting to her little cousin, whom she barely knew.
"I don't know, darling," Catherine said, brushing a lock of hair from Matilda's forehead. "Things are changing. But just remember, family is always there, even when we don't see them as often. And it's important to love them, no matter where they are."
Matilda stared at her mother, trying to make sense of everything. She knew family was supposed to be there for one another, but what if they didn't always understand each other? What if they were too different to truly feel connected?
She didn't have the answers, but for now, she was content to sit with her mother in the warm comfort of the firelight, where things felt safe and familiar.
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