Chapter Sixteen | A Bittersweet Christmas
A Bittersweet Christmas for the Royals
It's a bittersweet Christmas for the Royal family this year as Princess Victoria who fell into a coma back in November as made no improvement.
A royal source says, "The family is trying their best to keep everything together but the pain that they are feeling from not having Victoria awake is overbearing."
Things are only getting worse as the media has now launched a full attack against Prince Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan Markle is being criticized for every single thing that she's doing. And a journalist recently claimed that it's difficult to sympathize with the Duchess of Sussex for some of the things she has done.
The Star's national columnist Emma Teitel said that there is no denying the fact that Prince Harry and Markle are both victims of undue criticism, especially from the tabloid press.
For instance, the "Suits" alum was slammed for holding her growing baby bump all the time. Markle was also crucified for wearing jeans to a sporting event. Prince Harry and his wife were also criticized for their decision to keep their son Archie's christening private.
"But when it comes to this particular press firestorm, it's difficult to sympathize with the Sussexes. Of course, nobody is perfect, nor can we reasonably expect Harry and Meghan to sail (instead of fly) to Elton John's estate on the open water with their baby in tow," Teitel wrote.
The journalist said that if Prince Harry and Markle can cancel their luxurious vacation and they still decided to take a private jet, the royal couple must consider stopping preaching about the environment.
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Members of the Royal Family arrived for Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House. The Queen's country estate in Norfolk.
David and Emersyn were one of the last ones to arrive since David had to stop and pick up Kitty. Kitty was attached to Emersyn as her godmother and a trusted legal guardian so it was only right that the Queen invited her for Christmas, knowing that Victoria would want that for Emersyn's first Christmas.
Today, The Queen and Members of her family, will put the final touches on their Christmas tree.
Harry had custom Christmas ornaments made for Archie and Emersyn, and he would place them on the Christmas tree for their first Christmas at Sandringham House.
Normally, Victoria was the one to have custom Christmas ornaments made for every new baby that joined the family but she wasn't awake to do so. Harry knew she would have wanted all Christmas traditions to continue without her around.
"That was very thoughtful and sweet." The Queen said, as she watches Harry places the ornaments on the tree.
On Christmas Eve, The Royal Family lay out their presents on trestle tables and will exchange their gifts at teatime.
The Queen and other members of The Royal Family attend the morning service on Christmas Day at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham.
"This is going to be a very bittersweet Christmas." Eugenie said to Kitty as they watched how sad Charles, William, and Harry looked.
"Hopefully, attending church service may be the perfect time to pray for a miracle." Kitty said.
"I agree with that." Eugenie said as she held Emersyn in her arms. It made her happy to see the little girl so comfortable in her arms but it made her sad because she wanted to announce her pregnancy but she wouldn't do so until Victoria wakes up.
Eugenie wanted her cousin awake and well when she would finally announce her pregnancy. She didn't want anyone to be sad anymore.
"You know you'll be an amazing mother." Kitty said.
"And so will you, Kitty. I mean you're doing amazing with Emersyn and I know Victoria would be grateful for everything Rachel and you have been doing for Emersyn in her absence." Eugenie said.
"May I have everyone's attention, I know you all have traditions but with the Queen's permission I would like to do something a little bit different." Meghan said, looking at the Queen.
"Continue." The Queen said.
"These last few months have been very difficult for the family and I know Victoria being sick and in a coma has been very devastating. I believe that she would not want us to be sad so I've decided that I want everyone to say something about Victoria and the role she plays in your life." Meghan said.
"I'll go first." Meghan said. "I've never really had to deal with anything like this before but this is here is like a stab in the heart. Seeing how heartbroken you all are and Charles, Camilla, David, Kitty, William, Catherine, Harry and I all chipping in to take care of Emersyn makes sad and happy. I know Victoria is proud of everything we're all doing. Victoria is the strongest person I know. I remember when I first met her, she had this bright smile on her face and she gave me the biggest hug and said welcome to the family. I was shocked. She held my hand and said 'if you ever need anything please feel free and comfortable to come to me.' And I did. Oh God, the day Harry and I were going to announce our engagement, I called her so quick in the morning and she spent forty minutes on the phone with me. I knew just how much of a genuine person she is. I'm lucky to have each great women in my life but Victoria is truly the person who inspires me the most and thankful to say she is my sister." Meghan said, taking a seat next to Harry.
"I'll go." Catherine said, standing up. "Victoria, was the first person I met when I began my relationship with William. I was honestly afraid that she would not like me and probably chase me off. But I was wrong, Victoria was very sweet and caring to me even though I'm older than her, she took me under her wing and I will always be grateful for her believing in my relationship with William and being an ear for when I had doubts because without her I would not be here today with a wonderful family." Catherine continued. "To my beautiful sister, I cannot express how much I love you, respect you, admire you... You inspire me everyday. I couldn't ask for another better little sister." She said, taking a seat next to William, who handed her a napkin to dry her tears.
"I would like to go next." Harry said, standing up. He cleared his throat and said, "My life would be meaningless without Victoria, she was always there for me to copy everything she did when we were children and now she is there to teach me everything as an adult." He said, making a few people chuckle. "Victoria is the best daughter, friend, sister, and I know she would be the best mother to Emersyn and she is loyal to a fault. I learn so much from her everyday even now without her here. I learned something about Victoria, she is an important person to our family and I'm proud to be her big brother." Harry said, taking a seat.
William stood up and cleared his throat. "Victoria is my Wayne to my Garth. I cannot express how I much I love her, respect and admire her. She has challenged me to always be a better person and for that I'll always be grateful. I miss my best friend, sister, and most of all my headache. Truly, she was really Catherine and I's first child. The days were she would run into our home and make a mess and we would have to clean up after her and support her when she felt she was alone made us feel blessed. I know that she will wake up and the first thing she will do is jump right into motherhood because that is the kind of person she is. I know she is glad we're all here today celebrating family and her." William said, taking a seat.
"After hearing all the kinds things about Victoria, I would say you all have summed it up for us but I would like to say some things." Charles said, standing up. "After having two boys, I never really thought I would have a daughter but the day Diana gave birth to Victoria, I swear the light hit the window and there was a rainbow in sky. I just knew she was my special girl. Victoria, my stubborn but most passionate child of mine. She could have you wrapped around her finger in a instant. She made you listen to want she had to say and she made you believe everything she said. She is truly one of a kind. A caring, emotional, and loving person. She is truly amazing. I'm proud to say that Diana and I created three amazing individuals who make their marks on the world. But Victoria, she is something that the world will never forget." Charles said.
Then everyone took turns saying great things about Victoria and the role she plays in their lives. The Queen was last to go and by then everyone in the room had tears in their eyes at her powerful words.
It was truly a bittersweet Christmas for the Royal family.