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 the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's Cathedral dawned cool and bright, with London once again a sea of patriotic color. The bells of the great cathedral echoed through the city as the royal family prepared for the solemn and historic event. For Matilda, it felt like stepping into one of her history books, except this time, she was part of the story.
Dressed in a demure lavender dress with a matching headband, Matilda fussed briefly with her gloves before following her siblings and parents into the waiting car. George, dressed sharply in a navy suit, adjusted his tie for the fifth time, his expression a mix of nerves and pride. Charlotte, wearing a pale yellow dress with a sash that matched Matilda's lavender, chattered excitedly about the grandness of the cathedral, while Louis, too young for such formal occasions, stayed behind at home with the nanny.
"Remember," Catherine said gently as they arrived, "we are here to celebrate Granny's incredible achievement and to honor her. Stand tall, smile warmly, and be respectful."
As the car pulled up to the cathedral steps, the family was greeted by the cheers of onlookers lining the streets. Matilda could feel the weight of so many eyes on them, but her father's steady hand on her shoulder gave her courage.
Inside the grand cathedral, the atmosphere was reverent but electric. Matilda marveled at the high ceilings, the stained-glass windows casting colorful patterns on the stone floors, and the deep, resonant voices of the choir filling the sacred space.
They were shown to their pew, and as they settled in, Matilda noticed a ripple of murmurs behind them. Turning slightly, she saw the source of the reaction: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had entered, their presence immediately drawing attention.
Matilda didn't miss the way her father's jaw tightened ever so slightly, or how her mother's smile became a touch more controlled. The Sussexes walked down the aisle with exaggerated poise, heads held high, seemingly soaking in the attention.
Matilda leaned toward George and Charlotte, who were seated on either side of her. "Don't stare," she whispered firmly, noticing George's curious glance.
"But why is everyone looking at them?" George asked in a hushed tone.
"Because they love the spotlight," Matilda replied, her voice low but matter-of-fact. "Just focus on the choir."
Charlotte, less subtle than her siblings, leaned in close to Matilda and said in a whisper that bordered on theatrical, "They're acting like they're the king and queen."
Matilda bit her lip to keep from laughing, glancing at their mother, who was trying not to overhear. "Shh, Charlotte," she admonished, though she couldn't entirely disagree with the observation.
As the service began, the family's attention shifted to the solemnity of the occasion. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the Queen's unwavering dedication to her country, and the choir performed a stirring rendition of Zadok the Priest. Matilda felt a swell of pride as she thought of her great-grandmother and her incredible reign.
But even amidst the grandeur, Matilda's protective instincts remained on high alert. She noticed Meghan casting glances in their direction, her expression difficult to read but unsettling nonetheless. Matilda straightened her back, instinctively pulling closer to George and Charlotte, determined to shield them from whatever subtle scrutiny was happening.
Charlotte noticed too. "Why is she looking at us?" she whispered, her brow furrowed.
"Just ignore it," Matilda replied calmly, patting her sister's hand. "We're here for Granny, not for them."
As the service continued, Matilda's focus stayed on the meaningful moments—the heartfelt prayers, the organ's powerful notes, and the speeches celebrating the Queen's legacy. Yet, she couldn't help but notice the undercurrent of tension surrounding the Sussexes, who seemed to be the unspoken topic of whispered conversations among guests seated nearby.
When the service ended, the congregation rose to their feet as the Queen was escorted out. Matilda watched her great-grandmother move with regal grace, her presence commanding respect despite her increasingly fragile mobility. As the rest of the royal family followed, Matilda felt a surge of pride at being part of this historic moment.
Outside the cathedral, the cheering crowd was deafening. Matilda held tightly to George's hand as they descended the steps, glancing back to make sure Charlotte was close behind. The sunlight was blinding after the dim interior of St. Paul's, and flashes from cameras added to the chaos.
Once inside the car, the children let out collective sighs of relief.
"Did you see all those cameras?" George asked. "I thought my face was going to freeze from smiling so much."
"You'll get used to it," Matilda replied knowingly. "It's part of what we do."
Charlotte leaned forward, her expression still puzzled. "Why do Harry and Meghan act like that? It's like they want everyone to look at them instead of Granny."
Matilda considered her words carefully before answering. "Sometimes people forget what's important, and they focus on themselves. But we know why we're here, Charlotte. It's for Granny. That's what matters."
Their mother, overhearing from the front, turned around and smiled at Matilda. "Well said, darling. You're wise beyond your years."
As they headed back to their residence, Matilda felt a mixture of emotions. The day had been a success in celebrating the Queen's achievements, but the undercurrents of family tension had not gone unnoticed. She resolved, more firmly than ever, to stand by her siblings and support her family, no matter what challenges arose.
Back at home, Matilda joined George and Charlotte in recounting the day's events to Louis, who had been eagerly awaiting their return.
"Did you see the big church?" Charlotte asked excitedly. "It was huge, Louis!"
"And the choir was amazing," George added.
Matilda smiled as she listened to her siblings chatter. Despite the complexities of the day, the bond they shared as a family was unshakeable, and that, she thought, was what truly mattered.
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