23rd of March 2020 - York House
Seven days ago, all non-essential travel had been stopped. Four days ago, Boris Johnson had said that the UK could "turn tide of coronavirus" in 12 week.
Today Boris Johnson announced the first lockdown in the UK, ordering people to "stay at home". Adeline felt her stomach turn watching the announcement, her children all asleep and she sat on the couch unable to believe that this was actually happening.
It had been horrifying to watch the spread of COVID-19 around the world, how bad it seemed to have gotten so quickly and she wished that there was something that she could do.
All her engagements had to be rearranged for video conferences, it was strange to think that this was happening; that the world was coming to a complete stand-still because of a virus with no end in sight.
Simon was seated beside his wife, his mind racing knowing that it would take days to implement such a thing and such a decision needed royal approval; his mind raced with possibilities knowing that staying in central London would do them no good.
Despite having the space to themselves, it wasn't ideal for the kids to be locked away here for months if things escalated like they had across the world at such a rapid rate.
The Queen and Prince Philip were secluded away in Windsor Castle, William and Catherine would likely head for Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate while Charles and Camilla would be staying at Clarence House.
"We should head to the manor," Simon murmured looking to Adeline, it would be the perfect place for them and the kids during a lockdown.
Lucy and Celina would stay in FitzClarence House, protecting their daughter from what was going on; Anne staying with them helping with the baby.
Rupert and Ellie had their own space, a home where they could hide out while the world turned itself upside down.
Adeline opened her mouth before stopping and nodding her head, it didn't feel real and she didn't know what to say; she could work from anywhere if everything was over skype and phone now.
FitzClarence Manor would afford them the chance for more space for the kids, Daphne and Sebastian would certainly appreciate that in the long run; although Daphne would be upset about not seeing her friends from school.
***
24th of March 2020 - FitzClarence Manor
Stepping into the hall, Adeline let out a sigh not sure how she felt about fleeing central London like she had, a part of her wishing that she could stay the course and remain in London but she had to think about the children.
FitzClarence Manor offered them more seclusion away from the virus, it was just them here and they didn't have to worry about cross contamination like they did with York House which was connected to St James Palace.
It was safer for them and the children to be in the countryside, it would take some getting used to and the Queen had reassured Adeline that it was okay for them to make the move.
Daphne would attend her classes over video chat for the time being, the school scrambling since the announcement for lockdown and the uncharted territory that they now entered.
It reminded Adeline of that film that had come out a few years back with Kate Winslet, Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow starring in it.
It had been on the tv, the other night and she hadn't been able to sit through it as she thought about what was going on in the world right now.
"You okay?" Simon asked stopping beside Adeline, his arms filled with stuff that he had been bringing in from the car that they had brought with them from York House; it had been a swift move for both of them.
It hadn't been an easy night since they had made the decision to come here, it had been a long night of packing so that they would have everything that they needed from their main home.
"It just feels so unreal," Adeline admitted tiredly, she still felt like she had forgotten so much while she had packed for herself and the kids.
Simon sighed setting down the items that he was holding and wrapping his arms around her, he held her close and wished that there was something that he could do.
The sense of not knowing was something that everyone felt right now, it was the unknown that was so frightening to people as they tried to make sense of all of this.
"I wish there was some way that I could help, to serve my country during this time," Adeline whispered holding Simon, she felt so useless that there was nothing that she could do to help anyone.
Simon sighed, he knew that this would not be easy and the best thing that they could do right now was nothing; it would be on doctors, nurses and the NHS staff to do what they could during this time.
It had been hard watching the death toll these last weeks, the numbers already making his stomach turn as he thought about his own family and all those who had been lost to this virus that seemed to be spreading to every corner of the world without so much of a sign to slow down.
Adeline doubted that this would get any easier, watching the world come to a standstill; royal assent approved, lockdown would start tomorrow with Boris Johnson stating that it was only for a few weeks.
However, Adeline didn't believe that for a moment and she had a feeling that the Prime Minister was about to find out that this was going to be the year that made him or broke him.
"Mama," Daphne called from the living room, no doubt wondering what was taking her so long and Adeline sighed stepping back from Simon; they had tried to keep things as normal as possible for the children.
The last thing that Adeline and Simon wanted was to frighten them, they kept the kids away from the news channels and opted for time away from the tv whenever possible.
The radio was never on, the news often playing with updates about the spread of the virus and Adeline couldn't bare to listen to the death toll; the thousands that had already lost their lives to the spread of the virus.
Simon watched Adeline head into the living room, he knew his wife and he knew that this wouldn't be something that she'd be able to move past without finding a way to help those most affected by the virus.
***
Vancouver, Canada
"We can't stay here," Meghan pleaded with Harry, it was clear that things weren't going to work out like she had wanted when they had made their triumphant exit from the Royal Family when they had come to Canada.
Her advisors telling her to lay low for a while as the situation across the world only seemed to grow worse, her plans for a grand reveal of her new life suddenly coming to a screeching halt.
"I have a friend. He's willing to help us, he'll give us a place to call home," Meghan stated, her eyes searching her husband's face as she waited to see how he would react to the offer of a mansion in Los Angeles that they had been offered.
It was far more fitting for them than this run down place that Harry had gotten for them in the middle of nowhere, a place where no one could find them at all.
Tyler Perry had sent Meghan a letter before her wedding to Harry, about his sympathy for Meghan during her estrangement from her father after what Thomas had done to her.
It had been Tyler that Meghan had expressed her concerns to, the one that she told about how the press were treating her and he had told her that her fears were valid; in light of the way Harry's mother had been treated.
Tyler offered them his Beverly Hills mansion to stay in for as long as they need, and promised that they would have security there; it was everything that Meghan had wanted and more.
Harry stared at his wife before nodding his head, if his own family weren't going to protect them then he didn't care what they had to say about this; why should they stay in Canada when they were so uncomfortable here.
Already the pair had started to film for their documentary, using their phones in preparation for the show that Meghan had a deal with Netflix for that they were preparing for since they had gotten engaged.
None of the family knew that this had been their end game, scenes filmed while they were still in London that would be used to showcase their plight within the Firm.
Meghan grinned, she moved around the kitchen counter knowing that this was just another step in their flight to freedom from the control of the Royal Family that had denied them both so much.