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.
The morning of March 29, 2022, dawned with a somber dignity at Kensington Palace. Matilda stood by the window, smoothing the pleats of her navy coatdress, her expression thoughtful. She and her siblings, George and Charlotte, had been told of the significance of the day—they would be attending a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey to honor their late great-grandfather, Prince Philip. It would be their first time attending such an important public event as a family, and the weight of the occasion was not lost on them.
Catherine entered the room, her poised presence calming. "How are you feeling, darling?" she asked Matilda, kneeling to adjust the ribbon in her daughter's hair.
Matilda hesitated, then said softly, "A bit nervous, Mama. There will be so many people."
Catherine smiled gently. "It's okay to feel that way. Just remember, we're all there together, and it's a day to honor Great-Grandpa Philip. He'd be so proud to see you there."
George, already dressed in his sharp little suit, poked his head into the room. "Ready yet, Tilly? Papa says we need to go soon."
"I'm coming," Matilda said, casting one last glance in the mirror. With her coat buttoned and her shoes polished, she felt ready—or as ready as she could be.
The journey to Westminster Abbey was quiet, the atmosphere in the car respectful but not heavy. William sat in the front seat, speaking occasionally with the driver, while Catherine sat between Matilda and Charlotte, holding both their hands. George sat across from them, his usual playful demeanor subdued by the solemnity of the day.
"Will there be a lot of people watching?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes," William replied from the front, turning to look at his children. "But you don't need to worry about that. Just stay close to Mama and me, and remember, this is about honoring Great-Grandpa."
When they arrived at the abbey, the sight was breathtaking. Rows of dignitaries and representatives from around the world were entering, their somber attire a testament to the occasion. The historic building stood as a symbol of continuity and reverence, its grandeur heightened by the purpose of the day.
As they stepped out of the car, the children instinctively clustered around their parents. Cameras clicked furiously, capturing the family as they walked towards the entrance. Matilda kept her chin high, just as her mother had taught her, though her fingers tightened around Catherine's hand.
Inside, the atmosphere was hushed and reverent. The family was led to their seats near the front, where they joined the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, and other senior royals. Matilda felt a swell of pride as she saw her great-grandmother, the Queen, seated with quiet dignity. Despite her recent health struggles, her presence was a reminder of the strength and resilience that defined their family.
The service began with a stirring choir performance, the harmonies filling the abbey and lifting everyone's spirits. As the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of Prince Philip's life, his dedication to public service, and his unwavering support of the Queen, Matilda found herself reflecting on the man she had known. To her, Great-Grandpa Philip had always been a source of warmth and humor, his sharp wit balanced by the twinkle in his eye whenever he told a story about his naval days.
George leaned over slightly, whispering, "Remember when he told us about the time he got stranded on an island during the war?"
Matilda nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "And he said he made friends with the goats!"
Charlotte, who had been listening, giggled softly, earning a gentle shush from Catherine.
When the time came for the hymns, Matilda sang quietly but earnestly, her voice blending with her siblings'. The music seemed to wrap the abbey in a comforting embrace, a fitting tribute to a man who had given so much to his family and country.
After the service, the family joined other guests in paying their respects at a private reception. Matilda stood with her siblings near their parents, listening as William and Catherine spoke with guests about Prince Philip's legacy.
An older gentleman, a former naval officer, approached the children and smiled warmly. "You must be the next generation of his legacy," he said kindly. "Your great-grandfather was a remarkable man. I served under him once—his leadership inspired us all."
Matilda felt a swell of pride. "He always said we should try to help others," she said. "I hope we can do that too."
The man nodded, clearly impressed. "I'm sure you will."
As the day drew to a close, the family returned to Kensington Palace, the weight of the occasion settling over them. William gathered his children in the sitting room, his voice gentle but firm.
"I want you to know how proud I am of you all," he said. "Today was not easy, but you carried yourselves with grace and respect. Great-Grandpa Philip would have been proud too."
"Even though we got a bit nervous?" Charlotte asked.
"Even then," William said with a smile. "Being nervous is normal, but you didn't let it stop you from being there for your family."
Later that night, as Matilda prepared for bed, she sat by her desk and began sketching a small portrait of her great-grandfather. It wasn't perfect—his sharp features were hard to capture—but it felt like the right way to honor him.
When Catherine came in to say goodnight, she saw the drawing and smiled. "That's lovely, Matilda. He'd have loved it."
Matilda set down her pencil and hugged her mother tightly. "I miss him," she whispered.
"I know," Catherine said softly, stroking her daughter's hair. "But he's always with us, in the stories we tell, the lessons he taught us, and the way we carry on his legacy."
As Matilda drifted off to sleep that night, she felt a deep sense of connection—not just to her great-grandfather, but to the family and traditions that had shaped her. It had been a day of reflection, pride, and love, one she knew she would remember for the rest of her life.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
