hire staff, begin training, perfect our processes, fine-tune decorating techniques so they are uniform, and gear up for production in April. And with the help of renting a big commercial kitchen, we’ll have everything ready to take to Frogmore House before the big day arrives.
We have one more commercial kitchen tour in Battersea after lunch, which I hope is the one we like the best, because that one is only eleven minutes from my flat in Sloane Square.
But it’s been so fascinating to be included on the business side. To be asked my opinion on what would be best for this project. I liked hearing what Shane and Matilda had to consider from a financial and logistical standpoint, too, which was eye-opening, to say the least.
The Battersea tour isn’t until two o’clock, so I have the unusual luxury of a long lunch today. I’m indulging in that opportunity and meeting Isla at our favourite Indian restaurant, which happens to be a few streets away from Westminster Abbey.
I pause on the path as Westminster Abbey stands majestically before me, the gothic stone towers punctuating the blue sky above. While people move around me, I smile as I gaze at it, remembering how Isla and I took a tour of it when we first moved to London. Even though I see Westminster Abbey all the time now, I’m still awed by the splendour of it. I allow myself to marvel at the arches and angles and intricate details of the structure, which is now bathed in the golden light from the sun.
When I went inside of it, I was surprised at how emotional I felt. I swear, I could feel the history seeping from every crack and crevice. The vaulted, intricate ceilings of the nave, the beautiful marble, the way the light filtered in through the stained-glass windows. When I stepped inside the building, I could feel the history that took place there come alive.
I continue to study Westminster Abbey, thinking of the Poets’ Corner, where more than one hundred poets and writers are buried or memorialised. There are other famous people buried there, from Stephen Hawking to Sir Isaac Newton to Charles Dickens.
And, of course, I think of the historical events that have taken place inside the hallowed walls that involve the royal family.
I feel something catch in my throat as my mind shifts. King Arthur and Queen Antonia were married here. Xander’s grandfather is buried here. King Arthur’s coronation ceremony was here, and I’ve seen the footage of him sitting upon the coronation chair, which has been used since 1303.
1303.
And one day, Xander will sit in that same chair, with a crown placed upon his head, and he will become part of a very exclusive club.
He will be king.
My God.
The world seems short of air, as all of it is sucked from my lungs. A fraction of the weight Xander has been carrying his entire life suddenly falls upon my shoulders. I feel my throat grow even tighter. No wonder he ran from this, rebelling in the ways he did. I can now truly feel the pressure he has had to live with since he was born. The weight of that crown is more than physically heavy. It’s the tradition, the history, the expectations that come with it. King Arthur has been a good king for us, but society is changing. It will fall upon Xander to find a way to not only serve his people well, as his parents have, but to serve them even better and in more relevant ways if the monarchy is to survive another thousand years.
The future of the crown will lie in his hands.
And if he doesn’t handle it right, he could destroy it.
A sick feeling seeps through my body as reality hits me. This is the future that will be handed to Xander, whether he wants it or not.
The future that could be mine, too.
My stomach clenches. I feel my palms grow damp with sweat. Before, when I thought of the royals and Westminster Abbey, it was of weddings and services and coronations. Whenever I saw clips of King Arthur and Queen Antonia’s wedding on the telly, I always imagined how fun it would be to see a royal wedding in person. Even from the path. I saw the women in dresses and fascinators and hats and always amused myself with what I would wear if I were one of those people invited. Like a red dress and a big hat. It was