I'm the Princess of Wales; He's a Prince of Belgium

2006

2006

"Her Majesty has requested your presence in her study, miss," Mary informed the young Princess of Wales.

The almost-fourteen-year-old princess glanced up from the beginnings of her painting. She had been sat outside in the courtyard since early that morning. The Queen's Guard were the focus of the painting.

"Coming, Mary!" Caroline responded to the kind maid, placing her paintbrush down on the table next to her. She stood and looked at the guards a few feet from her. She pointed her finger at them, "Don't move. I'll be back!"

Caroline sternly stared them down for a minute longer, and unable to resist the young princess, the guards cracked a smile. There was no issue with Caroline painting the Guard; unlike some tourists Caroline had seen, she stayed out of their way and was respectful of their duty.

Mary separated from Caroline once inside to return to her duties. Caroline continued through the familiar hallways to her grandmother's study. She was warmly greeted by several staff members. Once at the door to the study, her grandmother's right-hand-man greeted her before opening the door to announce her presence.

"Do come in, Caroline," Elizabeth invited her granddaughter from inside the study.

Caroline walked through the door and smiled at Grammy before taking a seat on her favorite chair by the fireplace. "You wanted to see me, Grammy?"

Grammy nodded, taking the seat opposite of Caroline. "Yes, dear. I wanted to remind you that we will be going to Sandhurst tomorrow to see Harry's passing out."

Caroline squealed in excitement. The reminder was unnecessary. She was eager to see Harry complete his training at Sandhurst. William was also training at the military academy but still had eight months of training. Caroline had missed her brothers dearly.

"I know, Grammy! May I go finish my painting of the Guard now?" Caroline sweetly asked.

At Elizabeth's nod, Caroline kissed her grandmother before running out of the study. In the hallway, Caroline ran straight into the Prime Minister, Tony Blair on his way for the weekly meeting with Grammy.

"Excuse me, Prime Minister! I wasn't paying attention," Caroline chirped.

Tony Blair waved off the apology and replied, "On with you then, miss! I think you have a painting to finish."

The prime minister had seen the easel on his drive in and had taken a moment to admire it.

Caroline said her goodbyes and continued back to the courtyard.

~~~IPWHPB~~~

Alas, the morning arrived. Caroline was awake at six and arrived to breakfast before Grandpa and Grammy. It was half-past eight before her grandparents made their appearance.

"Good morning, ducky! Did you sleep well?" Philip kissed Caroline's temple before settling down in his chair.

Caroline took a sip of tea before replying, "Good morning, Pa. I hardly slept; I can't wait to see Harry and Wills!"

Grandpa fondly smiled at Caroline. "Best go dress, then. We can leave soon."

Mary followed Caroline to her room where she had laid out the outfit for the day. Caroline wore a burgundy dress, and Mary helped place a white, wide-brimmed hat on Caroline's head.

"Very pretty, miss!" Mary complimented, smiling at Caroline through the mirror's reflection. "Now, go on. It's about that time."

Caroline walked down to the cars, her grandparents waiting for her. Joe helped her in the car before climbing in the car behind. The hour drive down to Sandhurst was filled with Caroline's bubbly excitement.

At last, the entourage of cars arrived. Press were already waiting along with the Commandant of the Academy and Charles and Camilla. The Commandant led the way to the parade with Grammy. Grandpa followed, then Dad and Camilla, Caroline bringing up the rear.

Caroline let protocol fly out the window once she saw the figure standing near the stands. Will, in his Blues and Royals cadet uniform, grinned at his baby sister as she ran to him.

Caroline sighed in content as she was brought into her eldest brother's arms, "Wills! I missed you so much."

"And I you, baby girl. Shall we go see Harry?" Will placed Caroline's hand on his arm to escort her.

Once the group arrived in front of the Old College to the cadets lined up, Will, Grandpa, Dad, and Camilla stopped. Grammy continued with the Commandant to inspect the troops and Caroline followed a respectable distance behind, looking for her elder brother.

Once The Queen paused and slightly smiled at a cadet, Caroline knew it was Harry. Caroline patiently waited for her grandmother to continue inspecting the troops.

Harry saw his sister from the corner of his eye. Caroline, like Elizabeth, too stopped in front of Harry.

"Hars," Caroline lovingly whispered to her elder brother, tears stinging in her eyes.

In that moment, as Harry stood in salute, Caroline was not only unbelievably proud of him, but also had missed him incredibly. Harry found it difficult to maintain salute as Caroline stood before him. She had grown in the past couple months; and, on top of that, he could see their late mother in her.

Joe, from his position a few feet behind Caroline, knew that the press were going to have a field-day with this moment between the two siblings.

William left his spot next to Charles and gently touched Caroline's shoulder, alerting her to return to the family. Harry winked before Caroline turned away.

Camilla fumed from her spot on the other side of Charles, agitated at the little show her stepdaughter was putting on. Diana would have done the exact same thing.

Several minutes later, the parade ended and families were able to congratulate their soldiers. The royals met Harry on the steps of the Old College. Will got to the newly Second Lieutenant first and the two brothers hugged.

Caroline gasped in disbelief as she was carelessly pushed aside by Chelsy Davy, Harry's girlfriend. Caroline did not like the South African girl. Even William could not hide his shock of his brother's girlfriend pushing their sister aside. It was a well-known fact to never come between the three siblings.

Well, Caroline was not having any of that. She smartly tapped Chelsy on the shoulder and said, "Excuse you."

William hid his laugh under a cough at Chelsy's affronted face when Harry quickly forgot about her to twirl Caroline.

Caroline's shoe came off as Harry twirled her faster and he quickly stopped to retrieve it. Caroline lifted her foot up as Harry kneeled down in front of her, laughing when Will quickly did the same.

And like that, the two princes playfully fought about who would receive the privilege in placing the shoe back on their baby sister's foot.

Now that; that was the moment to capture.