Road To The Moon [one-minute stories]

Coronation for the people

"Don't be so stubborn, your majesty!" Elizabeth covers her mouth, shocked by her own words.

Queen Wilhelmina shoots her an angry glare before she lets herself fall onto the sofa. As her dress tightens around her stomach, the small bump becomes apparent. Quickly covering it with a pillow, she sits up straight returning her attention to the ambassador. "Edward has been acquainted with my family for years. I see no reason why I can't attend his coronation."

"All the other royals have already left, leaving their ambassadors to represent their countries. Your Majesty will be the only foreigner in a British celebration."

Wilhelmina can't help but snicker a bit, "there will be people from all over the British empire, it's not like I'm the only foreigner."

"Your presence will reflect badly on the other royals, besides," Elizabeth nods towards the pillow, "you have other things to worry about."

A moment of silence hangs between the two women before Wilhelmina rises to meet Elizabeth's gaze. "I have no doubt you will represent the Netherlands very well, but the Second Boer War has just ended and I have to straighten things out with King Edward."

Seeing determination flash in the queen's eyes Elizabeth realises she's fighting a losing battle. "There is no way I can convince to go back to The Netherlands, is there?"

"Not a chance, my dear."

"Very well! But I beg you, your majesty, wear a disguise."

"Glady," the young queen smiles gleefully, "just call me Mina, your new assistant."

~~~~~~

Westminster Abbey is decked out in the most lavish decoration Elizabeth has ever seen. Adorned with flags and flowers galore, the church seems to be prepared for this domesticated turn of events, reflecting the pride of the British empire.
Glancing to her side, Elizabeth sees that queen Wilhelmina, dressed in a similar fashion as herself, takes more interest in the people than the decorations. Her eyes scan over the Indian princes, past the many Lord's, all the while mumbling their names to herself.

Only when they approach the ambassadors' deck, does the queen resume her role of assistant and stands slightly behind Elizabeth. The other ambassadors have already made themselves comfortable, chatting conventionally with each other like they would at the Derby.

"Elizabeth, darling!" Klaus, the ambassador of Germany, beckons her over to his side. "So glad you could make it, this going to be the coronation of the century!"

"I wouldn't doubt that. Gentlemen, I would like to introduce my assistant, Mina. Queen Wilhelmina send her to England to help me cover the coronation for her majesty."

Klaus guffaws, "did even the Queen of the Netherlands run back to the other side of the channel? Uncle Europe must have made her really mad."

"Her Majesty had other matters to attend." Wilhelmina interrupts, distaste evident in her voice.

"Other matters?" The German ambassador chuckles, "what kind of matters could there be in a minuscule country as the Netherlands?"

Her eyes burn with anger as the queen is at a loss for words. Fearing the worst Elizabeth tries to step in, but is ignored by Klaus, who inches closer to Wilhelmina. "My lady, Emperor Wilhelm II has guards that are seven feet tall and your Queen's guards are only shoulder-high to them."

Wilhelmina simply smiled politely and replied, "Quite true, your Emperor's guards are seven feet tall. But when we open our dikes, the water is ten feet deep."

A small giggle ripples through the crowd as Klaus burns up with embarrassment. Trumpets announce the beginning of the ceremony before other insults can be thrown. Elizabeth let's out a sigh of relief as both she and Wilhelmina sit down in silence.

King Edward VII enters looking worn out and pale, heavily leaning on his cane. He's clearly still suffering from his illness. Nevertheless, he marches on, glowing with pride as sees his beloved Alexandra being crowned Queen.
His bliss could no longer be contained when his son bows before him. Throwing his arms around his child, Edward hugged him tightly. A brief gasp echoes through the crowd.

Elizabeth hears Wilhelmina sniff, her wishful gaze locked on father and son as she brushed her stomach.

Whispers of upset simmer when the service continues slowly because the conducting infirm Archbishop has to be supported by two others throughout. The elderly man is not even able to rise after kneeling, needing the help of the King and several bishops. But he had steadfastly refused to give up his duties, reminding Elizabeth of another stubborn woman.

Leaning towards the Queen, Elizabeth points discreetly to the Archbishop. "That is Fredrick Temple, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Beside him is-"

"Was my coronation so outrageously outdated?" Wilhelmina asks in a hushed voice.

Elizabeth stares at her wide-eyed.
"No, this is how it's always done."

"But is that how it should be?" Wilhelmina counters, "should monarchy lean on the pillars of the church and tradition when it's crumbling?"

Noticing the terrified glance in Wilhelmina's eyes, Elizabeth takes her hand after the ceremony ends, "Follow me."

Dragging the queen through the crowd Elizabeth makes her way to a door that leads to a side corridor in the church. Making long strides she is at the end of the hallway in mere minutes.
"Elizabeth Saxton, requesting an audience regarding the Boer War," she announces to the guard.

"Come in," King Edward calls from the other side. Both women enter the small chamber.

King Edward's eyes widen the moment he turns to face them. "Wilhelmina? Why are you here?"

The Queen bows, "I didn't want to conclude the Boer War on bad terms, your highness."

"Oh, dear child," he motions for her to sit, "I know my mother didn't take you seriously, but you don't have to go to such lengths to talk to me. Your ambassador has already made everything clear, you love your people as I love mine."

Releasing a sigh of relief Elizabeth walks out, leaving them to talk in private for a moment.

Word count: 999 words

Notes: - Uncle of Europe was King Edward VII's nickname. Because he was pretty much related to every royal house in Europe because of Queen Victoria's many children marrying into almost all of them.

- Queen Wilhelmina was pregnant during the coronation of 1902 for the first time after her miscarriage a year earlier. Her husband was also sick, leading her to travel a lot alone.