Royals: Part 4

Chapter 15

'Oh Baby! Jackie and Kate Stun During Last Official Appearance at Trooping the Colour'

'The Queen's annual birthday celebration at Trooping the Colour looked like a jolly (royal) family gathering yesterday. Prince William and Kate giggled and flirted. Prince Harry and Jackie cracked jokes back and forth on Buckingham Palace's iconic balcony. The Queen, striking in blue, acknowledged the spectacular fly-past with a beatific smile.'

'But if the day belonged to the 87-year-old Monarch, all eyes were on the eight-months-pregnant Duchesses of Cambridge and Windsor, making their last public appearance before the births of their first children.'

'Kate watched proudly as Prince William took part in the traditional Trooping the Colour on horseback as Colonel of the Irish Guards. Then, she joined Prince Harry and Jackie Baker in a horse drawn carriage to travel to the pageant. The young royals waved and smiled at the immense crowds, rivaling those at both royal weddings.'

'Harry, Jackie, and Kate joined the rest of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, watching the fly-past and waving to the crowd. Jackie and Kate both looked happy and healthy (and very pregnant!), wearing Alexander McQueen.'

'Following a sharp warning to the press from Princes William and Harry, the expecting parents looked at ease. If the paparazzi heed the plea to end the pursuit of photographs of the pregnant Duchesses, we won't be seeing Jackie or Kate again until they present the royal babies outside of the Lindo Wing within just 4 short weeks.'

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"Based on what Jackie has told me, I've narrowed it down to ten candidates." Elizabeth handed Jackie and Harry each a one-pages handout. "I've put down the basics of each one, their achievements and previous employment. I've called all their references, but I've got the numbers here, if you'd like to call for yourself."

"If they all meet your standards I'm sure they're lovely," Jackie said, scanning the summary Elizabeth had made for each of the possible nannies.

Elizabeth gave each Jackie and Harry one more paper. "I've also made a checklist for you both, so you can check off the basic traits you see in them, you know, strict, relaxed, friendly, firm. And a spot to take notes for each one. That way you'll have an organized way to decide."

Jackie beamed at her lady-in-waiting. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Elizabeth, not one to show her emotion, repressed a smile. "Shall I bring the first one in?"

Harry nodded. "Please."

Jackie turned to her husband and gave him a hopeful smile. "Maybe we'll be able to get this over with today."

Harry let out a sigh. "I hope so. Gran will kill me if we don't. Her staff has been emailing me every day asking if we've picked a nanny yet."

The door opened, and Elizabeth escorted the first candidate into her office. Jackie and Harry stood to shake hands with the woman. Elizabeth introduced her as Sophia Cabello. She looked to be in her late thirties to early forties, had her light brown hair pulled into a neat bun, and was dressed in the traditional uniform of Norland College, a prestigious childcare college in Bath. The Queen herself had recommended Harry and Jackie interview graduates of the school while searching for a nanny.

"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me," the woman said as everyone took their seats.

"Thank you for coming all the way here, Elizabeth tells us you live in Reading?" Jackie asked, looking at the handout.

"Yes, I left my most recent position with a family who lived in Surrey and moved to a flat in Reading," answered Sophia. Jackie was impressed with the woman's calm demeanor.

"Why did you leave that position?" Harry asked.

"The children were all off to school," said Sophia with a fond smile. "I've been with only 2 families since I graduated from Norland College, and stayed on until the children didn't need a nanny anymore."

"That's great," Jackie said, checking off the box labeled "loyalty" on the checklist Elizabeth had given her. "Well, can you give us a general overview of how you care for a child on a day to day basis?"

Jackie and Harry asked question after question, which Sophia answered with ease. She was born in Spain and came to England for her schooling. She earned top marks at Norland, where she learned only the best child-rearing techniques. Jackie liked the nanny more and more with each answer she gave. When she spoke of the children she had cared for in the past, Sophia's eyes lit up like she was speaking about her own child. Jackie got the feeling that she knew how to be firm, but would be a warm and loving caretaker.

"As of now, we won't need you living with us full time," Harry explained. "Jackie's going to be taking quite a bit of time off, and I've cut down on engagements so I'll be able to help for a while. So in the beginning, we'll put you up in a small cottage on Sandringham Estate, where you'll be provided with a car and anything else you'll need. And we'll just ask you to come over and help when we need it. Obviously once we start taking on our full time schedules again you'll move into the house with us."

Sophia nodded. "That sounds perfect."

"So you'd be willing to take on the job?" Jackie asked hopefully. It seemed to be a lot to ask, for the woman to totally devote her life to Jackie and Harry's lives. She would have to travel overseas on royal tours when the baby came along, and deal with the ever present paparazzi.

Sophia smiled. "Of course, Your Highness."

Jackie and Harry stood up, shaking hands with Sophia. "Well, we have a few more candidates to interview, but I'd say things are looking good," Jackie with a grin.

"That's wonderful," said Sophia, her voice kind.

Elizabeth escorted Sophia out of her office before returning to face Jackie and Harry. "Well?" she asked.

"I love her!" Jackie gushed.

"I think she'd fit in with us really well," Harry agreed.

"Well, I'll bring in the next candidate," said Elizabeth. "But my guess is you've already made up your mind."

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Jackie and Kate are obviously supposed to be very pregnant in the edit, but I don't have the skills to photoshop that :)

Please give any comments or suggestions!