Page 107 of The English Queen

“Wild, right?”

Marie giggled. “Poor Natalie.”

“I doubt it will side-line her. Robbie and Vanna aren’t pearl-clutchers. Nat is into history and asked Robbie for it. He was glad to grant it.”

“She was so forthcoming to ask?” Elise looked appalled.

“Oh, that’s Natalie.”

Elise pulled a face. “The women in your family are… headstrong.”

“We like it that way,” Beth said, satisfied.

On the television, Robbie stepped to the podium for his speech.

“The worst part,” Louis groaned.

“He doesn’t mind. He’s good at this.”

“You’re from a family of performers,” Marie said. “See, Louis, if your baby is like Beth and her ilk, it will embrace that aspect of royal life.”

“One can only hope,” Louis sighed.

When Louis told Elise the good news, she demanded they tell Marie and her husband. The two visited with their children in early summer. Beth let it go. Marie and Elise were over-the-moon about the baby. Beth kept her feelings in check. She was not unhappy, but worried about a loss. She didn’t want to get attached before seeing the baby on scan. That would be next week’s task.

Robbie spoke. “It is a great honour to stand in front of this Ascension Council and to take the same oath my mother took when she became monarch now twenty-five years ago. It is bittersweet.

Robbie paused to look on those gathered. “My mother’s quarter-century of dedication as monarch to our nation was always instructive and inspiring for me. While my children are too young to see me today take this oath in person, I am glad they are watching—as are many at home. It was inspiring to me, only a bit older, to see my mother stand here.”

“Do you remember it at all?” Louis wondered.

Beth giggled. “I was like three when Mum officially took over and four on her coronation day. So, no. I only remember the show a bit. I remember her being in a big white dress and sitting on Robbie’s lap for most of the day. That was it. It’s trippy I’ll be watching him undergo the coronation next year.”

“The real question is do you remember it, Louis? We all went to London,” Marie gave Louis a hard time.

“Well, I was a teenager, so yes. Thanks for making it awkward.”

Elise grinned. “I remember meeting Beth, actually. You had a little headband. You looked like a fairy princess.”

“Okay, thanks, Mama. Thanks for making it weird.”

Beth snickered, tuning to the ceremony.

“It has been a challenge to take on this role quite often since I was just twenty-five. My mother promised me I would be prepared for it. I did not believe her, but she was right. The best part of this arrangement, and that which I told my own son this morning, was I got to learn the job with her advice and counsel as I went. I wasn’t alone, either. My wife was always there to support me. And without Queen Vanora, I would be overwhelmed, my children would be struggling, and I would be less-positive about our future.”

“I must also credit my father. Throughout my mother’s time as monarch, he was always there to take care of us all—Mum included—and to herd cats. Sometimes, grownups were cats. Sometimes, we were the cats.”

The room chuckled and Keir’s deep laugh was heard. It brought comfort to Beth to hear her father even if she couldn’t see him.

“You have your father’s laugh,” Louis picked up on it.

Beth smiled and nodded.

“Vanora brings us stability as a teammate and as the one who will always be there to attend to our young children. Thus, I ask you grant us both grace in this transition. Know she is as dedicated to this nation as Someday, they will have our children to rely on. I have seen the future in this country’s youth, and I am encouraged. I see diverse opinions, an eye for equality and equity. I see marked compassion.”

“That was all Vanna,” Beth said. “Those are her words.”

“They are good,” Louis agreed. “But I could see her saying it.”

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