Page 78 of The English Queen

Beth was whisked, along with Vanna and Izzy who attended her, off to the Royal Palace where everyone else waited. Beth had not wanted fifty women in attendance. She and Louis opted to stay at Laeken the night before. He’d left by helicopter early to prepare in town. Beth stayed with her closest cousin and her sister-in-law. Meghan and Veronique stayed, too, but ran ahead to make sure everything with Beth’s costume change was assembled properly at her next port of call. Beth would arrive at the Royal Palace by car along with Vanna and Izzy before linking with her parents and heading to Brussels City Hall on Grand-Place. Beth had done this drive hundreds of times. It only took about half an hour. However, today they drove slowly.

“Look at them all,” Izzy scoffed. “All for you, Beth.”

“The news is saying more than 800,000 people came out,” Vanna said. “It makes sense. They’ve lined all this way. What a logistical nightmare!”

“Well, we’re giving them the first opportunity to see a royal balcony appearance at a government building. It is a big deal. But mostly, it’s due to the fact we’re covering so much ground with these parades. They lined up to see us leave the gates, come back, and then to go to City Hall, then return through the North loop, and then we will go East and South after the church ceremony. It’s impressive. I have to hand it to Louis’s deputies, the police chief, and all of Robbie’s hard work. This was a security masterpiece. I can rest easy today.”

“You are so relaxed. I wish I felt the same when Robbie and I wed.”

“I am. I’m elated. I spent the morning in peace with you all. And now, I can greet the fam happily. It’s my wedding day. I’m so happy to do it. Louis is nervous. I hope he can calm down.”

“He will the minute he sees you. He will calm down. It’s so much easier with you there. I know Louis. You steady him.”

Beth nodded. The car pulled up at the palace and a deafening sound of cheers. Beth got out and waved kindly, beaming like an idiot. She couldn’t help it. She took Vanna’s hand almost gleefully and walked forward with Izzy. The press ran off the name of the designers of everything and the provenance of all of her jewels. They’d been provided these that morning but had clear guidelines as to when they briefed the public. The actual release was sparse.

Beth walked into the palace, her entire staff there to bow and fuss. It was a special day for them, too. Beth took up the work, but everyone had a part. She hugged and kissed her three ladies-in-waiting who were all a bit tearful. Then, Beth decided to greet the rest of her family who assembled in a drawing room separate from where the King and his family gathered. Even though Beth had been followed all day by a videographer and a couple photographers, she didn’t notice them as she tapped the door.

“Ribbit, ribbit,” she declared as Robbie appeared.

“You can’t do that anymore,” he chuckled, opening it to unveil the bride in her finery.

“I can do as I please, brother,” Beth hugged and kissed Robbie.

“You look lovely.”

Beth stepped in and saw her parents looking downright overwhelmed.

Beth shook her head, dabbing her eyes with a tissue Vanna handed her. “Papa, stop!”

“You are beautiful.” Keir gave her the tightest squeeze and a big kiss on the cheek. “The most beautiful lass of the day. Hen, have you ever seen her look so beautiful?”

“I don’t think I have no. Come here. My God. You look…” She couldn’t find words as she held Beth close.

“She looks like you on your wedding day, Maggie. You look a picture, darling.”

“Thank you, Auntie. I’m ready for this.”

There was a knock on the door and a footman said, “Your Majesty, Your Highnesses… The Dowager Queen would like to enter.”

“Of course,” Beth sad.

The footman opened the door for Elise, dressed in a happy coral suit with a red and white hat.

“My goodness,” she remarked in French. “You look beautiful, mon chere.”

“Merci,” Beth continued in French.

They rarely spoke in anything but French.

“I know it is against British wedding tradition but… would you mind… settling… our groom. He’s wound a bit tight and is struggling this morning. A simple word might bring him back down to earth. I have tried,” Elise looked frustrated.

“Oh, of course. I don’t care about that stupid superstition.”

She turned to her family briefly. “I love you all. I will be back in a moment. Louis needs some words of affirmation.”

Maggie protested, “Beth, it is bad luck.”

“Mummy don’t tell the priest, but he left our room this morning at 4 AM and he’s already seen me today,” Beth said, annoyed.

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