Winds of Change
Chapter I: The Pain of Loss
February 8th, 1952
It was all a blur, yet she tried to keep her focus on everything unfolding in the room. The Privy Council gathered in front of the Royal Family, faces etched with unspoken grief for the death of their King. Tommy Lascelles and Captain Townsend, lurking quietly in the background.
The rest of the family around her. Granny, perfectly composed, though Elizabeth knew too well that sorrow lurked in her eyes. Margaret, standing beside her, their shoulders barely brushing, as if her younger sister needed reassurance that everything would be all right.
Their mother, who Elizabeth could tell was shattered by Papa's death, though she put on a brave face.
Philip, hovering close by to offer support. Elizabeth was glad he was there.
And her little brother John, who was now - the thought made Elizabeth's heart lurch - Sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It's not fair to him, she fumed silently. He's only fifteen, far too young to be King. When Philip had broken the news of Papa's death, her first reaction was utter shock, for she had not expected that Papa would die on John's fifteenth birthday.
"The Regency Act of 1937 states that guardianship of the Sovereign, if he be under the age of 18 and unmarried, will go to his mother, if she be still living. Therefore, while the King remains underage, he will be under the care of Her Majesty, The Queen Mother."
Mummy only nodded briefly at the statement, resting a hand on John's shoulder.
"The Act is also clear on who is to be named as Regent. The King's elder sister, the Princess Elizabeth."
All eyes turned to her. She swallowed; though she had, on some level, known that she would be the likely choice - no, the choice required by law - to be named as John's Regent, to hear it said so bluntly brought the reality home. For John, she thought. I will do this for him. She glanced at her brother before turning back to the Council with resolve in her eyes.
"Is Your Highness prepared to take the oath as Regent?"
"I am."
Once the proper oaths had been taken and the papers signed, the new Regent of Great Britain curtsied to the King. John looked his elder sister straight in the eye and nodded slightly. She managed a slight smile in return. Together, King and Regent moved to the door, followed by their mother, sister, and Philip.
As they left the room, the voice of the herald rang out from the Proclamation Galley overlooking Friary Court, proclaiming John's accession to the throne as King John II.
