Thursday 3rd October 1968.

Awaking the following morning, Clarisse pulled herself from her bed and began getting ready for the day ahead, it was going to be a long day and she wanted to try and look her best but it wasn't until she was sat at her dressing table that she realised that she hadn't checked the time. So finishing with putting the last hair pin in her hair, she checked the time and finding she was late, she gasped and quickly stood to her feet.

Hurrying out of her suite, she made her way to wake the boys but as she walked through the door she was surprised to see Rupert with them, and that they were already dressed.

Seeing his mummy first, Philippe ran towards her with his arms up as Pierre and Rupert turned to look at her "Mummy," he exclaimed as she crouched down and wrapped her arms around him.

"Good morning," said Rupert as he watched her cup her sons face and kiss his forehead.

Looking over at him, Clarisse slowly stood back up straight "good morning," she said and looked at Pierre as he walked over to her "and good morning to you too." She smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Are you surprised to see us all ready for school, mummy?" Asked Philippe as he took hold of her hand.

"I am, I am very surprised." She answered with a nod of her head "silly mummy was running late this morning, but she is pleased to see you both ready."

"Oh mummy, a Queen is never late," Philippe smirked "everyone else is simply early."

"Is that so?" Asked Clarisse.

"It is," Philippe smiled up at her.

"I will have to remember that," Clarisse smiled back down at him then looked across at Rupert "I thought you had an early meeting this morning?"

"I postponed it, I wanted to have breakfast with my boys and get them ready for school." He answered, studying her face.

"I see." Clarisse answered.

"And we're going to be late," Philippe exclaimed.

"A Prince is never late, everyone else is simply early." Smiled Rupert.

"No daddy, when a Prince and a King are a late, they are late." Philippe said, looking up at his father as he stood beside them "only a Queen can never be late, and everyone else is early." He said and smiled up at his mother.

"Oh, I see." Rupert answered and looked up at Clarisse.

"Oh, well thank you darling," she smiled and looked down at her boys "now quick, let's get your school bags and go down to meet nanny."

"They are both downstairs ready to be collected." Rupert said as Clarisse looked back up at him.

"Let's go down then, shall we?" Clarisse smiled and watched as both boys bolted out the door. Laughing, they followed behind them.

But as soon as they got out the door, Philippe took Clarisse's hand as they made their way downstairs to Clarisse's mother, Beatrice, who stood patiently down in the foyer. Putting their coats on, they gathered up their school bags and said goodbye to their mother and father before heading out the door and standing side by side out on the drive both Clarisse and Rupert waved them off as they walked to school with nanny.

"So, I have been thinking," Clarisse began, her eyes fixed on her mother walking with Pierre and Philippe.

"Yes?" Rupert answered and looked at her, feeling hopeful that she would tell him that what she said last night was a mistake. "About what?"

"That we should wait to tell the boys until after school tomorrow, that way we, well I at least can spend the weekend with them as they will be very upset." Clarisse answered while folding her arms, her gaze still fixed on her mother and sons.

"You still want to go ahead then?" Rupert asked.

"Yes," Clarisse answered, giving her sons one last wave before they disappeared out of sight "I told you last night, I can't do it anymore." She said and looked at him a moment before making her way back inside, leaving Rupert stood out on the drive.

But as she disappeared back inside the palace, Rupert slipped his hands in his pants pockets and turned, walking away. He knew that he had pushed her over and over again, how she had wanted to remain as his wife up until now he didn't know but he knew asking Charles about her whereabouts yesterday was the final straw. He hadn't been the ideal husband since they married, and how he had managed to keep his affair secret from her for the first five years was beyond him. He did love her, he loved her more than she believed but he had now also lost her.

Sitting down a few moments later, he let out a long sigh and looked back at the palace.

Early Afternoon.

Coming into the foyer, Rupert stopped when he saw Clarisse speaking near her office door with her lawyer. He had been occupied elsewhere so had no idea when he had arrived, and seeing them shake hands before bidding each other farewell he took a deep breath and made his way over to her, as her lawyer walked towards the door to leave.

Looking at Rupert, Clarisse folded her arms "did you have a nice walk?" She asked, being civil.

"I did, but how did you know?" He asked.

"Well, I just assumed that's where you went when you didn't return after me this morning." Clarisse answered.

"I see,"

"Anyway, was there something you needed?" Clarisse asked.

"Um, yes actually there was." Rupert said and watched her a moment "I was thinking, maybe we could take the boys to the lodge after school tomorrow. Have a family weekend together, and yes I know, we aren't really a family anymore but I thought it would be nice for them to see that their mother and father can still get on even though they are getting divorced."

Thinking a moment, Clarisse nodded and agreed. "I think that's a lovely idea, but don't you have a full weekend schedule?"

"Leave it with me, I just wanted to run it by you first to see what you thought before clearing my diary." He said, watching her.

"Ok, well if you can clear your diary then we will do it. It will be nice for the boys, to see us getting on."

"Great, I will go and speak with Carol now."

"Ok," Clarisse answered and watched as he began walking away.

But stopping after a few steps, he turned and looked back at her as she made her way back into her office "Clarisse?" He said softly and watched as she stopped and turned back to him.

"Yes?" She said, watching him.

"Thank you." He said, offering her a small smile before continuing on his way.