Page 69 of The English Queen

Beth knew Vanna wanted Robbie to inherit this beauty of a tiara. It was one of the grandest in her mother’s collection. Vanna would have looked lovely in it.

“I will wear it to the royal banquet before the wedding. It will be a hit. It is… so heavy.”

“It is a substantial tiara, yes. But you wear the big guns well. It would chuff me to see you wear it.”

“Oh, Mummy and Pa, thank you.”

“You’ll look a picture, chicken. As you do now. We’ll miss you, Bethy.”

“I will miss you, too. I love you both. It will be a new adventure, but we will see you this summer. We will be at Balmoral. Louis is insistent.”

“That will be a delight,” Maggie said.

Beth dabbed her eyes. “Best to get it over with now—the tears.”

“Yes, indeed. Well, I will leave you then. Your father and I wanted to check in.”

Beth let her parents leave.

“Put it out, please,” Beth said of the tiara. “I just want to look at it. It’s one of my favourites. She didn’t have to do that but… I have waited years to wear it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” her dresser agreed.

Beth was on cloud nine by the time she dressed and met with Louis.

She pointed to the diadem, “Look what I got from Mum and Pa! Is it not spectacular? Robbie loaned me her favourite brooch permanently.”

“They are beautiful,” Louis said. “Well, this makes me feel a bit silly.”

“Why, darling?”

“Because she knew I had a tiara commissioned for you. And… well, this is like Margaux.”

Beth snickered. “Very on brand. Oh, darling, I am sure it is lovely.”

“I was going to give it to you next week.”

“You had it made for me?”

“Yes, of course. I wanted you to have something unique. I couldn’t find what I wanted so Vanna and Mama helped me have it imagined. I will show it to you when it arrives next week. I’d be honoured if you would wear it to the church.”

Beth kissed him. “I am sure I will love it, Louis. I love this tiara. I’ve waited my entire life to wear it. However, you made me a tiara. I am sure it will mean the world. It already does.”

He nodded. “Well, I don’t have a physical present for you Beth, but I wanted to tell you what I was up to. There is something.”

“What now? Besides a secret tiara project?”

“I… I decided to change the name of the house. It needed a change. I’ve said this before but… I didn’t know what to do.”

“Okay.” Beth wasn’t sure how this affected her.

“It will reflect the house seat in Flanders–Laeken. And it will also include you. Given our lions on the crest and your name… it can be French enough, yes. It will be Lyons-Laeken. And I will announce the change the week after the wedding.”

“Lyons-Laeken?” Beth was astounded.

“It only seems fitting. Our children will bear both our names. Beth, I value you more than words and you have already done so much. I want our children to realise their mother is as important as I am. They see she is my equal. I saw what your parents did. It seemed fitting.”

“I am… honoured,” Beth stammered. “Beyond measure. You didn’t have to—”

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