Running Around Royal (Prince Harry #4)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Touching down in Warsaw, it was a busy day ahead of them. It was back into the real world, where it meant doing two countries in a day. Poland in the morning; Hungary in the afternoon; Croatia at night. With a day off, the pain was having to make up for that time. It meant that morning in Sweden was meant for early rising. On the airplane, Meredith's hair and makeup were done while Jessica went over the schedule, and the couple had barely time to eat. It meant that when the airplane touched down in Warsaw, it was go-go-go.

The sun was barely up as the couple were shown to the Lazienki Palace in Warsaw. It had been refurbished in 1766 by King Stanislaw August Poniatowski. During the second World War, the Nazis had drilled holes into the building in hopes of blowing it up, but never got the chance.

Meredith leaned down and whispered to her secretary, "Doesn't lazienki mean bathroom?" She always tried to learn a few things when traveling to new countries, and with three countries in one day with multiple languages, Meredith knew "Gdzie jest łazienka?" Basically, she only knew "Where is the bathroom?"

"Baths Palace, ma'am," Jessica corrected with a tight lipped smile. "Palace of the Water, Palace on the Isle."

Meredith liked Bathroom Palace much better, even though Lazienki Palace was extraordinary with mural interior of bright colors and gold of the neoclassical era. Old portraits hung of past rulers, painted by some of the most famous artists. Some of the old furniture was still left inside, showing off what might have been the original palace look.

After seeing Lazienki Palace, it was breakfast with the president of Poland. Working through the unitary semi-presidential representative democratic republic system, Meredith had always been fascinated in the Polish hybrid political system of president and prime minister.  She wasn't allowed to show that since she was supposed to remain neutral to all politics, but in university, she had received a minor in political science. This breakfast, of course, took place at the Presidential Palace of Warsaw. Also done in neoclassical architecture, it was white on the outside, almost mimicking the White House. It was almost simplistic. Meeting with the president and his wife, they ate breakfast after taking pictures in the frozen garden, where Harry and the president talked about "business" and Meredith talked to the first lady about fine china.

Once back in the car, Harry smiled at her. "How was that conversation?"

"I was bored out of my mind," Meredith admitted. "How am I supposed to know anything about fine china? I realize that it's a safe topic because I can't go so, how's your economy decline, but seriously? China? Not even the country." She fidgeted wit her winter jacket. "It's a man's world, isn't it?"

"When it comes to this, yes." Harry went on to explain that the president wanted to talk about the European Union more, which Harry had none to give.

The Copernicus Science Centre was next with over five million visitors since it opened in 2005 and with over 450 inactive exhibits. It was one the most advanced in Europe with technology and experiments. There were six main galleries, however other exhibits came and went. One of the largest attractions was the Planetarium The Heavens of Copernicus, which Harry and Meredith were brought to first.

Sitting down in a large spherical room, the exhibit showed more than starry nights, but rather popular science of astronomy, natural science and ethnography. As if being immersed in the display, loud surround sound played within the dome. It was easiest enough to reach out and hope that there was a star to catch.

After the planetarium, the duke and duchess were shown to one of the interactive exhibits, where they got to do some experiments of their own. Situated in front of many children, an almost Bill Nye the Science Guy scientist preformed experiments with the help of the royal couple. He switched easily between Polish and English as reporters snapped pictures. There wasn't a dull moment with acid foaming over beakers and the kids pointing at the science while screaming out the answers to the Polish that Meredith certainly didn't know.