The Duke and Duchess of Clarence

Chapter Ten: The South African State Visit

The South African state banquet marked the first time that Adeline had put on the Clarence Tiara since her wedding to Simon eight years earlier.

Adeline had felt it would be fitting to wear the gift from her grandmother at such an important event, especially since it matched the outfit that she was wearing that evening and complimented it. 

Simon had been thrilled to see the tiara again, knowing that it deserved to be worn by Adeline as much as possible before she passed it down to their daughters and future daughters-in-law.

Adeline had accented her ensemble with two badges; the first was the badge of the Royal Victorian Order, a white enamel Maltese cross with a Tudor crown for which she had received for services to the crown from her grandmother earlier that year. 

The second was the yellow Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II, which is bestowed on female members of the British monarchy and which would one day be accompanied by one from her father. 

"How are things going with your sister?" William asked standing next to Simon, it was hard not to ignore the speculation around the extended engagement of Prince Joseph as people wondered why there was still no official date for the wedding. 

William did not envy Joseph or his family for their position on all of this, they were waiting to see how things worked out with Susan and her family before they moved forward with any planning. 

"Difficult. It's not been easy and there's a lot of questions being brought up about the wedding," Simon murmured, this wasn't the time or the place to talk about it but from what he had heard from his mother the wedding wouldn't be going ahead at this time. 

Joseph felt the need to step back, Susan was understanding of this despite being heartbroken and the two had yet to announce the breakdown of their engagement to the media as they sorted things out privately between them. 

William nodded his head, he patted Simon on the shoulder knowing that they'd be able to catch up properly later when they weren't being watched by the media. 

He turned and looked over at Catherine, a smile on his face as he watched his sister and wife converse with each other; he knew how blessed he was and he wouldn't change it for a moment. 

The rumours about him having an affair with Rose continued to pop up, more so now and they refused to quieten down; people said he was just like his father and how disappointed his mother would be in him. 

Then there was whatever would be brought up in Harry's book and Netflix documentary that they'd have to contend with, there seemed to be no end in how his brother would attack them these days. 

William didn't believe that there would be any fixing the relationship with Harry, he didn't think that his brother could come back from what he said in his book nor the documentary when they came out. 

The Palace had been refused chances to examine both works, even when they were asked to comment on things that Harry and Meghan had disclosed in both pieces of work. 

Catherine was still moving ahead with her carol concert, several members of the family already agreeing on attending; a show of a united front no matter what Harry and Meghan had to say.

This year's carol service would be dedicated to the late Queen and the values that she had demonstrated throughout her life including duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others. 

There would be musical performances by guests including Craig David, Alexis Ffrench and Samantha Banks as well as readings delivered by William, Adeline among others. 

It was the second carol concert that Catherine would be hosting, after last year's success were Catherine had accompanied 'For Those That Can't Be Here.' 

The only downside being that the first part of the Harry and Meghan documentary would dropping exactly a week before the carol concert would be filled while the second part would drop the day after. 

It seemed like the dates had been picked deliberately by Harry and Meghan to eclipse Catherine's plans for the carol concert that had been in the making for months now. 

Simon patted William on the shoulder, he didn't have to ask to know what was going through his mind right now; it seemed like they were all waiting for the drama that was about to be unleashed upon them. 

It wasn't going to be easy, no matter what Harry and Meghan said during that show they wouldn't be given any response to fuel their actions. 

To fight back would only add fuel to the fire, the media would enjoy the fight between the royals if the other members of the family spoke out; the media had enjoyed the mud fight that had been Diana and Charles separation and divorce more than anyone. 

Now they wished to see their children do the same, except William and Adeline were refusing to take part in Harry's temper tantrum; they would weather the storm that was brewing together and nothing would change that. 

Harry could say what he liked, they both knew the truth and they refused to allow him to drag them into his mess of a marriage.