Page 108 of The English Queen

Robbie continued. “As my mother wrote yesterday. I am imperfect. I am human. I am fallible. However, I am also dedicated and dutiful. I will give this role my best and try my hardest to represent Britons and this nation in a way that is fair, dignified, and respecting of our institutions. I will never be perfect, but I will always give it my best effort.”

He smiled at the audience for a moment. “Today is bittersweet but it is the beginning of another chapter. Where my mother left off, I pick up. It will not look the same, but progress never does. She put her faith in me. I will try my best to ensure her legacy remains but, also, the institution continues to meet the needs of our evolving nation. Thank you all.”

Robbie stepped back, took Vanna’s hand and left. The Council dispersed.

“That was a good speech,” Elise agreed.

“It was. He is a good speaker. I wish I delivered things so well.”

“You do just fine, darling,” Beth assured her husband. “I’m not taking the piss. Don’t look at me like that.”

Louis squeezed her knee and shook his head. “I have to curate any appearance and rely heavily on you to carry me, mijn liefste.”

“It’s not carrying. It’s teamwork. Vanna does the same for Robbie. He can be all over the place. She grounds him. He’d do all sort of strange things if she didn’t call him on his flighty ideas. She manages him, if anything.”

“Well, you can manage my nonsense, then. But you deserve credit where it is due.”

“Now, what?” Elise wondered.

“They blow these trumpets and proclaim Robbie as King from the balcony of St. James’s Palace,” Beth said.

“You’re joking,” Marie laughed.

“No, he’s going to go round and gather in the courtyard with Vanna and the kids. We would have met them there, too,” Beth said.

Louis shook his head. “Stop it with the guilt, mijn maanstraal. You can’t help it.”

“I mean, I wish I could. I know Mummy wanted me to attend and is cross about it.”

Elise shook her head disapprovingly. “Your mother is being unreasonable. Your health comes first. I’m sure your brother would prefer you be well.”

“Of course. But it is so hard to be away sometimes. I’m the bad sibling. The press say it is a snub.”

“Beth, you know how to quell those fears, but you won’t let me say those words,” Louis said.

He was desperate to release news about the baby.

“Maybe next week. And it’s the Brits, like you say, who would disparage me. It’s not here in Brussels.”

“No, of course not. You are saintly here. Even more so when people find out you’re with child,” Marie said. “That’s the best thing you could be. Anyone who would expect you to risk your health to stand outside for a trumpeting is ridiculous.”

Robbie travelled to the courtyard where he stood with the family. George stood to one side and Vanna the other. Paul pressed in ahead, turning to Vanna for instructions. She tried to tell him not to step in front. Robbie assured her it was fine. Kiersten, on Vanna’s hip, smiled like an adorable doll. Natalie stood next to Georgie, holding his hand to quell the nerves both felt. At least they had one another.

“The children are all so sweet,” Elise noted. “Your family has adorable children. I think Vanora has done well with them.”

“She has, yes,” Beth agreed. “Robbie has, too.”

“That baby is too sweet. All of them look like your brother,” Marie said.

“Pa found a picture of me as a baby. And put it next to Kiersten at the same age while we were back in London last.”

“I couldn’t really spot the difference,” Louis said. “Dead ringer.”

“It is good for you, Louis, if she can produce an adorable, fat baby like Kiersten,” Elise said.

“Mother, we will have a beautiful child no matter what it comes out like, and you will love it all the same.”

Beth snickered. “Oh, Elise, it will be fine. Louis was a sweet baby.”

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