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The cold December weather embraced our skins as we drove towards our destination. Nerves scattered and a lot of mummers from the team — we are meeting the Princess.
Arriving at Kensington Palace and after going through the security procedures, none other than the cheerful Princess Y/N, who greeted us personally, remembering our names from the day of the shoot.
Clad in a yellow knit sweater, jeans and black boots, the Princess wore her most loved feature - a smile.
Greeting and leading us towards her terrace, it was easy to notice how cosy and comfortable her flat felt. The smell of cinnamon lingering in the air — "It's the cinnamon candles." She had said.
We sat down and got offered tea and biscuits, which she had baked prior to our arrival and so, we began.
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I:
Thank you for having us today, your highness, it's a pleasure.
HRH:
It's my pleasure. [Smiles]
I:
To start, our first question; You are close to your university friends, who had graduated with you. Was it hard to experience the normal university life with a status like yours?
HRH:
It wasn't very hard but I won't disregard the slight inconvenience that came with it. I made sure I wasn't called by my title anywhere there, it's one thing to have people recognise your face but to be called out "Princess" out loud surely attracts so much attention.
By the last year, everyone just seemed to have gotten used to it. I never felt like anything but a normal university gal who looks forward to stay in with her friends and eat chips, like any other person.
I:
Is it true you used a different name?
HRH:
[Laughs] It's true. I used Jenny.
I:
Why's that?
HRH:
Because when you see me and you think, "I know her, she looks familiar" and the you hear someone calling me Jenny you'd just "Oh, never mind." It added a thrill.
I:
Your brother, Prince William, did the same thing, right?
HRH:
Yes, he called himself 'Steve'. It was funny, I remember only calling him Steve that time.
I:
Speaking of brothers, you're very close to their highnesses. Has it ever crossed your mind that you needed a sister? How was living in a household as the only female?
HRH:
No, actually. My brothers and I have a very strong bond; we're best friends. They're very present in my life and it has never caused me any trouble or made me feel like I lacked something. They're very protective of me, which is something I don't consider to be limited on brothers only, I think all siblings are protective of their youngest.
I:
Are they protective when it comes to your love life?
HRH:
[Laughs] They used to be at first, very. But right now everything just feels very comfortable. It's a wonderful feeling knowing your siblings trust the person you're with. They didn't go all 'death-grip, death-stare', they lean more towards the befriending technique.
I:
You and your boyfriend, Harry Styles, have been together for quite a long time, yes?
HRH:
Yes, 3 years.
I:
Was it hard establishing a relationship with the difference of your lives in the middle?
HRH:
We believe in fate and time. We didn't jump or rush this, we took our time. But at the end of the day, when you want to be with someone, the most important factor is how they are as a person.
I:
You're very close to his family. Does the Royal Family accept him as a figure in your life?
HRH:
My family is supportive. He also makes it easy, given how he is and what he does to our society and the world. They definitely love him.
I:
When it comes to love, is Harry your first love?
HRH:
He is, yes. I have cherished and protected my 'I love you' for so long, it felt amazing to have it be said to someone I know is worthy of it.
I:
So to say you're in love with him just feels natural to you, right?
HRH:
Harry is someone very easy to love. He's very supportive of everything I do and I like to think I support him as well. He's an incredible icon for so many people of different ages and watching him grow like that has to be a wonderful privilege. Of course I'm so in love with him.
I:
That's beautiful. Everyone thinks your relationship is pure. Also, people have pointed out that you both aren't afraid to publicly express your love towards one another and in other words, PDA. How do you feel about that?
HRH:
It's not about PDA but Harry and I are very affectionate people. He's my first love so to have him beside me, holding his hand or calling him 'my love' or any other pet name in public just happens so naturally, I don't plan it and I don't consider it a slip up. There's nothing shameful about being in love; There are no rules for how you feel.
I:
Truly inspiring. You had once said in an interview in 2015 that your mother, Princess Diana, is the one person you will always wish to have beside you. Do you like to talk about her or is it too sensitive?
HRH:
I don't consider it a sensitive topic because my mother had always been a strong woman who deserves the constant appreciation and praise. She's not a taboo subject. Of course I wish she were here more than anything and it saddens me that I don't have her to run to when I receive good news or the slightest inconvenience happens but I believe that's natural. I love talking about my mother and I love it when people talk about her.
I:
What is something you wished you could tell her first thing after it happened?
HRH:
A lot, actually. There isn't specific news as I always wish I could tell her everything first thing but to answer, maybe when I finally founded the Healing For The Future foundation and how The Duch of Hearts benefit concert was a success. I definitely need her all the time but I know she deserves the peace.
I:
She truly does, your highness. A lot of people say you resemble Princess Diana, how does that make you feel?
HRH:
Honestly? Sometimes I feel like denying it. My mother was just...She was such an icon. A free spirited woman who went through a lot and had done a lot of the world. Of course it's an honour to resemble even the slightest bit of her. She's my idol.
I:
The Duch of Hearts was in deed a success. You have raised quite the lot of donations. What was the first thing that came to your mind when you went back home that night?
HRH:
It was 'What has just happened?' [Laughs] I had my friends and family with me and I was just gobsmacked, it was a long night full of a lot of adrenaline and wonderful people and acts. I wouldn't have done it without the incredible team that worked with me.
I:
Is it true you stayed around with fans in the concert?
HRH:
It is, yes. You'll never truly experience the concert rush unless you're with the fans. They have incredible energy and they're just there to have a good time. Nothing beats singing out of tune with people with the same vibe.
I:
It's amazing how close you are with people. Okay, returning for a second to your love life; Harry wrote released a song about you last March.
HRH:
Ah, yes. [Laughs] I knew you'd mention that.
I:
Of course! It was adorable! The song was so raw and the fact that it was acoustic added so much to the words. Did you know prior to the release that he had written a song about you?
HRH:
Harry is always writing. He's always perched on the sofa with his journal or he's sitting outside on the grass with a nice, soft playlist playing and writing and if he's not writing, he's recording. He had mentioned that our relationship is one of his utmost muses so I honestly assumed that there must be a line about me, not to brag. But I didn't know he'd release a song about me. There are a few songs he has written that stayed between us so that was a surprise.
I:
So he's not new to writing you songs? He sings you songs only for you?
HRH:
As I said, he's always writing. Music is his getaway and he's a very affectionate and emotional person.
I:
He also released it on your birthday. How did that make you feel?
HRH:
I actually cried, in all honesty. It was so thoughtful of him and it was very sweet. The lyrics also definitely are a tear-jerker.
I:
What was you favourite lyric?
HRH:
To be honest, the entire song is just perfect. But I think I finally cried at the "I only sleep to dream of forever with you". I was done.
I:
I think we all cried, honestly. Now speaking of songs, there was a video of you singing Heart Attack by One Direction...
HRH:
Oh God, please no.
I:
Ah, you remember it! It resurfaced again a couple of years ago and I think I have seen it recently again. Have you always been a fan girl?
HRH:
Okay, video aside, yes. I have always been a fan girl.
I:
I'm sure you give hope to a lot of fan girls. Stay alert, you might end up with your celebrity crush.
HRH:
Oh, yes, definitely. [Laughs]
I:
We're nearing the end. Do you have any future plans?
HRH:
I have a few plans for 2021, I'm excited about what this year has to bring for sure.
I:
Any other royal weddings happening soon?
HRH:
[Laughs] Most of my family is already married, I'm not promising you anything.
I:
Ah, dodging the real question.
HRH:
It's still a valid answer.
I:
Final question, can we see your pets? [Diego, Harvey and Evie] You seem to have a lot of pets around.
HRH:
Ah, Harry and I love pets! Of course you can see them.
I:
So to confirm, even though most people know, you and Harry live together?
HRH:
It's a big flat for one person. Now, I think Evie is sleeping in the room.
I:
Thank you for sitting with us today, your highness! We had fun.
HRH:
Thank you for allowing me. Don't worry, I'll let you meet the kids.
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Not only did we meet the "kids", who are very discipled and polite, but we also got the chance to meet a sporty Harry Styles who had returned from the gym with fresh bagels from Princess Y/N's favourite bakery.
Despite looking flustered, he gave us his lovable greetings before excusing himself.
The Princess led us to the gate, giving us more biscuits in recyclable, colourful bags and a very cheerful wave that was followed by: "Bye! Have a nice day."
Not only is our Princess a true icon of kindness, love and strength – she also makes amazing biscuits.
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Princess Y/N's shoot gallery:
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if not Y/N, what do you imagine the Princess' name to be?