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.
Date: September 7, 2022 Location: Lambrook School, Near Ascot, Berkshire
The summer warmth still lingered in the air as the Cambridge family stepped out of their car at Lambrook School. The school grounds, with their expansive greenery and charming brick buildings, were alive with the buzz of excited families and children getting ready for the start of a new school year. For Princess Matilda, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and little Prince Louis, it was a day of mixed emotions—anticipation, excitement, and just a hint of nervousness.
Matilda, now twelve, walked alongside her mother, Catherine, the then Duchess of Cambridge. She carried herself with quiet confidence, her dark eyes taking in every detail of her new surroundings. Her younger siblings, Charlotte and George, stuck close to her, with Louis occasionally darting ahead only to be gently reined in by their father, Prince William.
"Matilda," Louis said, grabbing her hand, "are you going to stay with me the whole time?"
Matilda smiled down at him. "Not the whole time, Lou," she replied gently, "but I'll be nearby. It's going to be fun. You'll see."
The settling-in afternoon was an opportunity for the children to familiarize themselves with their new school and meet their teachers and classmates. For Louis, who was starting his very first year, it was a momentous occasion. George and Charlotte, already accustomed to school life, were ready to jump into the fray, while Matilda, entering the upper grades, was eager to explore the opportunities Lambrook had to offer.
As the family approached the main building, they were greeted warmly by the headmaster, who extended a firm handshake to William and Catherine before crouching slightly to address the children.
"Welcome to Lambrook! We're so delighted to have you all here," he said, his cheerful demeanor putting the children at ease.
Charlotte, ever curious, tilted her head and asked, "Are there horses here? I like horses."
The headmaster chuckled. "Not horses, I'm afraid, but we do have plenty of outdoor activities—gardening, sports, and even a few friendly sheep."
"Sheep?" Louis exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "Can I feed them?"
"Maybe later in the term," William said with a laugh, ruffling Louis's hair. "For now, let's meet your teacher."
The family was led inside, where the hallways bustled with students and parents. The warm, inviting atmosphere of the school immediately put Matilda at ease. As they moved toward her designated classroom, she noticed clusters of students chatting excitedly, some glancing curiously at her and her siblings. She wasn't new to being in the spotlight, but today, she was determined to focus on making connections and settling into her new environment.
In her classroom, Matilda was introduced to her teacher, a kind woman with a welcoming smile. "Princess Matilda, we're so pleased to have you join us this year," she said. "Your classmates are looking forward to meeting you."
"Thank you," Matilda replied politely. She glanced at the seating arrangements and spotted a few familiar faces from the initial orientation days. One girl, with curly brown hair and a friendly grin, waved at her shyly. Matilda waved back, feeling the beginnings of a potential friendship.
Meanwhile, George and Charlotte were being shown their own classrooms down the hall. Charlotte tugged at Catherine's sleeve as they walked. "Mama, do you think we'll have art classes like last year?"
"I'm sure you will," Catherine replied. "And I've heard they have a wonderful music program too."
Matilda joined her siblings during the group activities planned for the settling-in day. One station featured a scavenger hunt across the school grounds, where the children teamed up to find hidden items while familiarizing themselves with their new environment. Matilda took the lead, her natural sense of direction and knack for solving clues proving invaluable to her team.
"Over here!" she called, pointing to a small wooden chest tucked beneath a tree. "I think this is the last clue."
George and Charlotte ran to her side, their laughter filling the air as they opened the chest to reveal a small plush lamb—the school's unofficial mascot. Louis, tagging along despite being in a younger group, clapped his hands in delight.
"We won!" he shouted. "Matilda, we're the best team!"
"Of course we are," Matilda replied with a grin. "It's because we stuck together."
As the afternoon wound down, the family gathered on the school's main lawn for a tea reception with other parents and children. William and Catherine mingled effortlessly, chatting with teachers and other parents about the school's curriculum and extracurricular programs. Meanwhile, Matilda found herself surrounded by a group of curious classmates eager to know more about her.
"Do you live in a palace?" one boy asked, his tone both respectful and awestruck.
Matilda hesitated for a moment before answering, "Not exactly. It's more like a big old house with a lot of history."
"Do you have a crown?" another girl inquired, her eyes wide.
"Not yet," Matilda replied with a playful smile. "Maybe one day."
Her answers were met with giggles and nods of approval. She appreciated their interest but was relieved when the conversation shifted toward more relatable topics, like favorite sports and hobbies. By the end of the afternoon, she felt like she'd already begun to find her place among her peers.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the school grounds, the Cambridge family prepared to head home. The children, tired but happy, piled into the car, each with stories to share about their new school.
"So, what did you think?" William asked, glancing at them in the rearview mirror.
"I love it!" Charlotte exclaimed. "The library is huge, and they have a chess club!"
George added, "And the football field is massive. I can't wait to play."
Matilda leaned back in her seat, a satisfied smile on her face. "It's a great school," she said thoughtfully. "I think we're going to be really happy here."
As they drove away from Lambrook, the family felt a renewed sense of excitement for the school year ahead. It was a new chapter, full of possibilities, and for Matilda, it was another step in her journey as part of the royal family while carving out her own identity.
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