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

Wimbledon

Chapter 13

Wimbledon (June to July 2014)

Spring transformed into summer. Caroline informed her sisters-in-law of Joachim's plans to move to London, who, in turn, broke the news to Will and Harry. The two brothers were fine with Joachim's decision to relocate closer to Caroline. The couple had been dating a month shy of two years at this point and it had been long distance; Joachim's relocation to London was natural at this point and supported.

The British and Liechtenstein royals found themselves immersed in joy and anticipation after an announcement in June—Maria-Anunciata was pregnant with her and Harry's first child. The baby was expected to be born sometime in mid-December. Harry, already doting and loving towards Maria-Anunciata, went into overdrive in order to make sure she was comfortable to the point that Maria locked him out of Nottingham Cottage for several hours.

The Belgian and Greek royals were also in a state of joy. Philippos proposed to Maria-Laura on a getaway to the French countryside, and she said yes. The wedding date was set for early in the spring of 2015. Caroline had squealed ecstatically at the news of their engagement.

The first week of July brought foreign princesses to Kensington Palace for the start of a new tradition—attending the Wimbledon Championships. The group of royals pulled up to the gates for the start of the tournament's second week. The fourth round ended today and it was always exciting to see which seeds would be upset.

Pippa fixed her sun hat and giggled to Catherine. Catherine was happy; Pippa—now being Amedeo's girlfriend—could experience this part of her life, the outings with other royals.

Maria-Laura and Maria-Anunciata, who now supported a small a baby bump at the beginning of her second trimester, exited the car. The two princesses' conversation centered on the pregnancy. The newly engaged Maria-Laura could not wait until it was her and Philippos having a child.

Alexandra was in a fit of nerves as she followed the other four and Caroline out of the car. She had not seen Rafael in several months and hoped that she would be able to see him play today. She and Rafael had little communication during the major tournaments, and had not talked to him since he beat Lukas Rosol in the second round.

"Pippa, we have to pick up a draw and schedule first," Alexandra commented to the Middleton sister at the front of their group as they waited in line.

"Why did no one think to bring Alexandra a Spanish flag?" Caroline winked at her friend as the others giggled.

Alexandra ignored the other girls, rocking on her heels, as she stared at the slow-moving line.

Pippa then reached into her purse and pulled out a Spanish flag. Yes! and You did not! quickly filled the air. Alexandra took the offered flag from Pippa's hands, a smile graced across her face.

"Pass please, ma'am, and place your purse in the basket," the worker at the gate called Pippa forward.

Pippa flashed the man her pass and placed her purse on the table to walk through the detector. The princesses followed suit and, once inside, Caroline and Alexandra interlocked arms and made a beeline to the nearest station that sold the daily schedule and tournament draws.

The Luxembourg princess snatched a schedule with haste as Caroline paid. As Alexandra scanned the schedule for Rafael, Caroline's attention went to a spot across the courtyard. The strawberry and cream stand was still there from the Olympics. Today would was sure to bring up a lot of memories as Caroline had not been to the Wimbledon grounds since that day with Joachim.

Maria-Laura asked Alexandra, "Did you find Rafael on the schedule?"

Alexandra nodded, "Yes. He plays the second match on Centre Court against Nick Kyrgios, an Australian."