C H A P T E R • O N E
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NOVEMBER 16, 2010
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His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton are engaged to be married
Published 16 November 2010
The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton.
The wedding will take place in the Spring or Summer of 2011, in London. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.
Prince William and Miss Middleton became engaged in October during a private holiday in Kenya. Prince William has informed The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince William has also sought the permission of Miss Middleton's father.
Following the marriage, the couple will live in North Wales, where Prince William will continue to serve with the Royal Air Force.
• • • •
Juliana sat on the couch with Daniel as she watched her eldest brother and Catherine take photos at their engagement photo-call on the television.
"Did you know about their engagement?" Daniel asked.
Juliana nodded.
"Of course, I did but I didn't know Harry gave William, our mum's ring to propose to Catherine with it." Juliana answered as the camera zoomed in on the Princess Diana's engagement ring on Catherine's ring finger.
"Harry had the ring?" Daniel asked.
"When our mum passed, we had to pick something of hers that we wanted to have and Harry chose her engagement ring." Juliana replied.
"Well, that was nice of him to let William have the ring to propose to Catherine with it." Daniel said.
"I guess it is nice on her." Juliana said.
"Are you planning to attend the wedding?" Daniel asked.
"Not sure." Juliana answered as the engagement interview started.
Tom Bradby: People are obviously very curious about you, so let's start with the obvious. William, where did you propose, when, how. And Kate, what did you say?
Prince William: It was about three weeks ago on holiday in Kenya. We had a little private time away together with some friends and I just decided that it was the right time really. We had been talking about marriage for a while so it wasn't a massively big surprise. I took her up somewhere nice in Kenya and I proposed.
"Of course, he would take her to Kenya." Juliana said.
"That was a nice proposal." Daniel said.
Miss Kate Middleton: It was very romantic (laughs). There's a true romantic in there.
TB: So you said yes, obviously?
Miss Middleton: Of course, yes.
William: Absolutely.
TB: And you knew you were going to do this from day one of the holiday or you waited until the end?
William: I'd been planning it for a while but as every guy out there will know it takes a certain amount of motivation to get yourself going. So I was planning it and then it just felt really right out in Africa. It was beautiful at the time. I just ... I had done a little bit of planning to show my romantic side.
TB: Kate, you'd been on holiday a while so did you see this coming, was he getting a bit nervous and jumpy?
Miss Middleton: No, not at all because we were out with friends and things so I really didn't expect it all. I thought he might have maybe thought about it, but no. It was a total shock when it came, and very excited.
TB: And produced a ring there and then?
Miss Middleton: Yes.
TB: there and then?
William: I did, yes. I had been carrying it around with me in my rucksack for about three weeks before that and I literally would not let it go, everywhere I went I was keeping hold of it because I knew this thing, if it disappeared I would be in a lot of trouble and because I'd planned it, it went fine. You hear a lot of horror stories about proposing and things going horribly wrong - it went really, really well and I was really pleased she said yes.
TB: And it's a family ring?
William: It is a family ring, yes. It's my mother's engagement ring. So I thought it was quite nice because obviously she's not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all - this was my way of keeping her sort of close to it all.
TB: I guess we better have a look at it. What kind of ring is it, are you an expert on what's ...?
William: I'm not an expert on it at all. I've been reliably informed it's a sapphire with some diamonds. I'm sure everyone recognizes it from previous times.
Miss Middleton: It's beautiful.
TB: Kate, you're going to be the envy of many.
Miss Middleton: Well, I just hope I look after it. It's very, very special.
William: If she loses it she's in big trouble.
Juliana chuckled.
"Of course, he would say that." Juliana said.
TB: Now it has to be said, you both look incredibly happy and relaxed.
William: We are. We are. We're like sort of ducks, very calm on the surface with little feet going under the water. But uh no, it's been really exciting because we've been talking about it for a long time so for us, it's a real relief and it's really nice to be able to tell everybody. Especially for the last two or three weeks it's been quite difficult not telling anyone, and keeping it to ourselves for reasons we had to. And it's really nice to finally be able to share it with everyone.
"Let's go get some food." Juliana said.
"Don't you want to watch the whole thing?" Daniel asked.
"No, I'm hungry." Juliana answered.
• • • •
•FEBRUARY 22, 2011•
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"Princess Juliana has declined the invitation to your wedding but she has sent wedding gifts to Catherine and you." William's Private Secretary, James Lowther-Pinkerton said.
William was angry.
After two years, of not being able to see his only sister. She declined to come to his wedding. The special day for Catherine and him, and Juliana wouldn't be there.
"What was her reason?" William asked.
"Her doctor has advised her not to attend due to the large amount of people that will be there. She is still learning to deal with her anxiety and he is afraid she may have an anxiety attack at your wedding." James answered.
Catherine rubbed William's hand to calm down.
"Wills, she has a good reason not to be there." Catherine said.
"But it's my wedding day." William said.
"Her mental health should come first." Catherine said.
William sighed.
"James, please ask her to at least attend the family luncheon." William asked.
"Juliana has requested that you both join her for lunch this afternoon as she won't be in the country in April." James said.
"Fine." William said.
"Don't be angry with her." Catherine said.
• • • •
APRIL 29, 2011
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Archbishop to Prince William: William Arthur Philip Louis, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony?
Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
He answers: I will.
Archbishop to Catherine: Catherine Elizabeth, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?
She answers: I will.
The Archbishop continues: Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?
The Archbishop receives Catherine from her father's hand. Taking Catherine's right hand, Prince William says after the Archbishop: I, William Arthur Philip Louis, take thee, Catherine Elizabeth to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.
They loose hands. Catherine, taking Prince William by his right hand, says after the Archbishop: I, Catherine Elizabeth, take thee, William Arthur Philip Louis, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.
They loose hands. The Archbishop blesses the ring: Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favour, and live together in love until their lives' end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prince William takes the ring and places it upon the fourth finger of Catherine's left hand. Prince William says after the Archbishop: With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honour; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The congregation remains standing as the couple kneels.
The Archbishop says: Let us pray.
O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Archbishop joins their right hands together and says: Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
The Archbishop addresses the congregation: Forasmuch as William and Catherine have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Archbishop blesses the couple: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.
• • • •
•JUNE 1, 2011•
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"Happy birthday Juliana!" Everyone shouted.
I smiled widely as I stood in the great room at Catherine's penthouse with Maxwell, Robyn and Anastasija by her side.
Daniel, Henry, Brenda, Ashley, Beatrice, David, Eugenie, Jack, Harry, Maya, Lela, and Jacob all entered through the foyer, holding wrapped gifts, and balloons for a little surprise birthday get-together.
"Happy birthday, Juls." Beatrice said as she smiled warmly as she gave me a hug.
"Thank you, Trixie." I said.
Harry walked up to me and pulled me into a hug.
"I've missed you so much." Harry said.
"So, you're not mad at me anymore." I said, hugging him.
"No, I'm not anymore but I am sad." Harry said.
"Is William still upset?" I asked.
"Yes, but don't worry about him." Harry answered.
"Julia!" Eugenie said as hugged me right after Harry. "Happy birthday!" She exclaimed.
"Thank you, Genie." I said.
An hour later, the party finally began to wind down.
The birthday cake and food had already been eaten, and Juliana had opened up all her birthday presents.
"I had so much fun." Juliana said.