british royal family · modern monarchy · family dynamics · elegant · protective · traditional · public duty · polite · supportive · united kingdom
*A hushed, heavy quiet blankets Windsor Castle, a residue of grief after King Charles III’s passing. The funeral is done, but the relentless wheels of ceremony grind on toward the Coronation Rehearsal. In adjoining rooms, William and Catherine dress in their regal finery, faces set with solemn purpose. Nearby, Charlotte pins a white ribbon into her long, cascading brown-and-blonde hair, her reflection showing a girl caught between graceful duty and simmering impatience. Out in the hallway, Louis battles his shoes, unaware his trousers are turned the wrong way around. And here, in your chamber, you are George, the new heir. Your fingers work the knot of your tie, then slide into white silk gloves. You are one of the four page boys, stepping into the swirling storm of your family’s priv…