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 sun shone brightly over Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday, casting long, golden rays across the carefully manicured lawns. Matilda walked hand in hand with her younger sister, Charlotte, as they approached St. George's Chapel with their family. Dressed in a pastel yellow coatdress and a matching ribbon in her neatly braided hair, Matilda exuded a maturity that belied her eleven years. George walked ahead, adjusting the tie of his navy blazer with the self-importance of an older brother on a special outing.
"Stop fussing, George," Charlotte teased. "Your tie is fine."
"Maybe for you," George quipped. "But I'm setting the standard today."
William chuckled at his children's playful banter, placing a hand on George's shoulder as they ascended the steps of the chapel. "No competition needed, George. We're here to celebrate, not to compete."
Matilda grinned, her nerves easing as the family made their way inside. She loved Easter services—the solemn hymns, the stunning stained glass, and the sense of renewal and hope. Today, however, her thoughts were slightly distracted, brimming with excitement about the news her grandmother, the Queen, had shared just days before.
Two days earlier, the family had gathered at Sandringham to celebrate the Queen's 96th birthday. While the occasion had been marked with the usual private elegance, one particular moment had stood out for Matilda.
The Queen, dressed in a soft lavender cardigan and skirt, had invited Matilda for a quiet walk through the stables, where the smell of hay and the sound of gentle whinnies created an atmosphere of serenity. Emma, a favorite pony of the Queen's, poked her head over her stall door, sniffing curiously at Matilda's hand.
"She likes you," the Queen said with a smile. "Emma has an excellent sense of character."
Matilda patted the pony's neck gently, feeling the warmth of the animal's coat beneath her palm. "She's beautiful, Granny," she said. "And she seems so kind."
The Queen nodded, a wistful expression crossing her face. "Emma and Balmoral Leia have been my companions for years. There's something special about horses, Matilda. They teach you patience, strength, and trust."
After a pause, the Queen added, "One of these ponies, Balmoral Leia, will be yours when you turn eighteen. By then, I hope you'll have the knowledge and confidence to care for her as she deserves."
Matilda's eyes widened. "Truly, Granny? She'll be mine?"
The Queen nodded. "A special gift for a special young lady. You'll make an excellent horsewoman, I'm sure of it."
Matilda had shared the news with her siblings that morning before the Easter service. Charlotte, ever the practical one, had insisted on making a plan.
"You'll need to practice more with Granny," Charlotte said as they waited in the foyer for their parents. "Leia's big, and she'll need a lot of care."
"I will," Matilda assured her. "And maybe by then, you and George can help too."
George raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference. "Horses are fine, I suppose. But don't expect me to muck out stalls."
"You'll change your mind when you see her," Matilda said confidently. "She's incredible."
The Easter service began with the opening hymn, the rich voices of the choir echoing through the grand arches of St. George's Chapel. Matilda stood between her parents, her voice clear as she joined in the singing. She noticed the approving glance her father gave her and stood a little taller.
After the service, the family mingled briefly with other attendees, exchanging warm Easter greetings. Catherine bent down to straighten Charlotte's coat as Matilda admired the bright floral displays lining the chapel. She overheard a conversation nearby where several well-wishers commented on her growing resemblance to her mother.
"She has her father's height already," one said. "But there's something of the Middleton sparkle in her smile."
Hearing this, Matilda flushed with pride, trying to hide her grin.
Later that afternoon, back at Windsor, the Cambridges joined the Queen for an Easter luncheon. The spread was as festive as ever, with glazed ham, roasted vegetables, and an assortment of desserts. Matilda's favorite part, however, was the Queen's Easter egg tradition—a special chocolate egg for each grandchild and great-grandchild, carefully selected for their unique tastes.
When Matilda opened her box, she found a delicately painted egg with a miniature horse crafted from marzipan resting on top. She smiled, understanding the thoughtfulness behind the choice. "Thank you, Granny," she said, leaning over to kiss the Queen's cheek.
The Queen smiled back, her eyes sparkling with affection. "It seemed fitting, don't you think?"
Charlotte eyed Matilda's egg with mock envy. "You've definitely got a theme this year."
As the day wound down, Matilda joined her siblings in the garden for an impromptu Easter egg hunt organized by their father. Though George tried to take charge, Matilda's sharp eyes proved unbeatable, and she managed to find the largest egg hidden beneath a bed of daffodils.
"Looks like I'm the champion this time," she teased, holding up her prize.
"Only because Papa made it too easy," George countered, though he couldn't hide his smile.
Charlotte giggled, skipping alongside her sister as they carried their haul back inside. "Next year, we'll team up against George," she suggested.
"Deal," Matilda agreed, looping her arm through Charlotte's.
That night, as the family prepared to return to London, Matilda reflected on the day's events. Between the Easter service, her growing excitement about Balmoral Leia, and the warm moments shared with her family, it had been a day full of meaning and joy. Sitting by the window of their car as they drove away from Windsor, Matilda watched the fields blur into the horizon, her mind brimming with dreams of the future—both the responsibilities she would one day take on, and the adventures that awaited her.
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