Breaking news: The Boltons sit in the Royal box at Royal Albert Hall
The Duke and Duchess of Oxford made a surprise visit to Royal Albert Hall. The Duchess was dazzling in a skintight black shoulder free velvet dress by Givenchy and sparkling Louboutins. The couple was joined by both parents. The Prince and Princess of Wales looked flawless in the historic walls of the Royal Albert Hall. The Princess of Wales wore a pale blue dress by her favourite designer Alexander McQueen while the Prince of Wales, just like the Duke of Oxford, wore a black tuxedo with a bow. The Royals sat in their golden Royal box, where they were joined by Gabriella and Troy Bolton!
That's a massive breech of Royal protocol. No commoner - apart from the Duchess of Oxford when she was still Prince George's girlfriend - has ever been allowed to sit in the Royal box. Not even the Middletons were allowed to sit there. But clearly other rules apply to the Boltons.
The Boltons, the Oxfords and the Prince and Princess of Wales were snapped laughing, smiling and giggling. The Royals are clearly very comfortable with the Boltons as they have known each other for over nine years. And ever since the marriage of their children, the families have gotten even closer.
That serves us very beautiful images which are writing history.
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF OXFORD'S VISIT TO AUSTRALIA, FIJI, TONGA AND NEW ZEALAND
The Duke and Duchess of Oxford will go on their second official tour.
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Oxford will undertake an official visit to Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand between Friday 27th December and Monday 11th January 2048.
Their Royal Highnesses have been invited to visit the Commonwealth Realms of Australia and New Zealand by the countries' respective Governments, and Fiji and Tonga at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This will be The Duke and Duchess's first joint visit to these four countries.
Across this sixteen day tour, Their Royal Highnesses' programme will focus on youth leadership, and projects being undertaken by young people to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the region. The Duke is particularly keen to highlight these youth-led initiatives in his new role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, and to shine a light on the work and aspirations of young people across the Commonwealth.
The visit will also concentrate on environmental and conservation efforts, from engaging the local community in forest protection schemes in Colo-i-Suva, to the promotion of sustainable tourism on Fraser Island. The Duke and Duchess will dedicate a number of projects to The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy in each country, learning more about local conservation initiatives, whilst visiting some of the region's most beautiful landscapes.
The Tour will include visits to Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Bundaberg and Cairns in Queensland, and the Gove Peninsula and Darwin in the Northern Territory. In Vanuatu, The Duke will visit Port Vila on Efate.
More details on the exact dates and itinerary will be issued in due course.
The Duke and Duchess of Oxford are very much looking forward to meeting as many new faces as possible.
Duchess "Difficult"
Duchess Lorelai seems to be a strict boss! Royal insiders revealed that the Duchess wakes up every morning at 5 am to start her day right. The Duchess usually goes for a run through Hyde Park, that's right at her doorsteps before finishing my off her workout with Pilates and a cool down of Yin Yoga. Then, at around 7 am she starts texting the Royal staff as she plans her day. Lorelai has been long known for her very healthy lifestyle so it's no wonder she chooses green juice over a hot cup of coffee to wake up.
Not so her husband. Prince George loves his morning cup of coffee, but much more later in the day. Unlike his wife, the Duke wakes up at around 8:30 am. At this time his wife has already held meetings all over the world and had written her ''morning pages'. What are morning pages you ask? It's essentially a technique to clear your mind as you write down everything that's going on there in a notebook without lifting the pen.
According to Palace Insiders there has also been a wave of quitting Royal staff members as the Duchess seems to be too difficult. The Duchess follows a strict vegan diet and is believed to have her staff do the same. In addition, ever since getting married a year ago, it is believed that the Duchess has turned Nottingham Cottage to a Zero Waste household, much to the enthusiasm of King Charles, who liked the idea so much that Clarence House is doing the same now, too!
Haters have started calming the Duchess of Oxford a virus that's infected the whole Royal Family, while others praise the Duchess for being true to herself and her ethics. Climate change, plastic reduction and using all natural products have always been close to the Duchess's heart.
So is Lorelai really Duchess "Difficult" it is she just the change that the Royal Family so badly needs?
Neither Clarence House nor Kensington Palace have commented on this.
Redefining health and reinventing wedding planning: How the Duke and Duchess of Oxford are changing the world!
The Duchess of Oxford has started a new trend of bridal fashion! Just a little over six months after marrying her Prince in a jaw dropping wedding gown, Duchess Lorelai has started a new trend in fashion! Brides to be are now asking for dresses with an open back, long sleeves or elegant floral lace on a wide organza skirt! Bridal designers from all over the world took inspiration from the iconic wedding dress that came from the fashion house Chanel. While of course, the Duchess's wedding dress was unique, replicates were quickly made by ambitious Chinese. But of course they couldn't replicate the magic and quality that the bespoke wedding gown had.
Wedding planning has also taken a new trend: Churches are now turning into flower gardens just like Westminster Abbey on August 9th 2047 and wedding cakes are more colourful as well! The plain white is getting ditched and replaced by bright colours and artificial flowers. Speaking of cake, the wedding menu is changing, too! Brides and grooms from all over the world have been inspired by the Duke and Duchess's wedding menu, which was plant based but featured a seafood and meat option for guests who weren't plant based. In addition, the wedding menus are now, especially the desserts and cakes, sugar free!
Ella Mills, the woman behind Deliciously Ella, was stunned by the huge interest in her brand that followed the Royal wedding. Her brand increased a 500% growth in just six months! Ella's deli is getting overrun by tourists and her books are sold out online and offline. Deliciously Ella opened another deli in London while also expanding their frozen food options and snack options that are now sold all over the world!
On the other hand, fast food chains, such as McDonalds, Burger King and KFC, have lost customers as they start having a closer look at what exactly they're putting into their bodies.
Healthy eating is definitely on trend thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Oxford!
Young Royals all over the world unite to help the less fortuned
In the Christmas spirit, along with Princess Leonore of Spain, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium and Princess Gabrielle of Monaco, the Duke and Duchess of Oxford helped pack boxes for UNICEF that will be send out to Zimbabwe in Belgium. Their Royal Highnesses worked in the factory for over two hours, long after the cameras were gone.
The young generation of Royals were laughing, giggling but also serious as they listened to a few speeches about the situation in Zimbabwe. The Duke and Duchess of Oxford have done charity work in Zimbabwe before, so naturally they feel deeply connected to the country.
But all eyes were on the Duchess's belly. The Brits - and the whole world with them - are waiting for a Royal baby announcement since the Royal wedding in August.
THE DUCHESS OF OXFORD ANNOUNCES PATRONAGES
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Oxford will become Patron of nine organisations that reflect the causes and issues with which she has long been associated including tennis, mental health, support for women, environmental protection and animal welfare.
His Majesty The King has passed on two patronage to the Duchess of Oxford - Breast Cancer Now and British Red Cross Society. The King has held the role for 45 and 40 years respectively.
The Duchess of Oxford will also take on Patronage of the Women's Institute, of which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was Patron until her death. She held the role for over 103 years. Her Royal Highness feels very honoured to have been passed on the privilege of becoming a patron of such a remarkable organisation.
Her Royal Highness will also take on Patronage of two sports club, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club alongside the Princess of Wales and The Lawn Tennis Association.
In addition, Her Royal Highness will take on Patronage of four additional charities as part of her official working portfolio – Cancer Research UK, Young Minds, Animal And Plant Health Agency and Women's Environmental Network.
Having a Royal patron provides vital publicity for the work of these organisations, and allows their enormous achievements and contributions to society to be recognised.
Aside from being the Royal patron to those organisation, Her Royal Highness will continue her work at the Prince's Trust Foundation, The Royal Foundation and the Invictus Games.
The Duchess of Oxford will also work at her husband's side as a youth ambassador to the Commonwealth.
Over the last year, Her Royal Highness has held meetings and conducted private visits to each of these organisations.
The Duchess will undertake public visits to all organisations in the upcoming weeks.
I stop in the living room that has hardwood floor and stare at the huge Christmas tree across me. Just like in the last years, we've decided to celebrate Christmas Eve in Della and Wlad's place. Which also means they've put up the Christmas tree with our unique Christmas ornaments that also have our birthdate engraved on them. I have a pink peony, Ana has a white English rose, Della has a pale pink ballet shoe, Troy's ornament is a skyscraper, Nate's a blue snowflake made out of glass, Jo's a red heart with diamonds, Rory's a blue/green/purple hummingbird as that's her favourite animal, Elias' a navy plane, Cal and Gideon have two sailing boats, Isabella and Caroline have each a unicorn, Sergej has a rainbow trout, Sasha a silver gun and Wlad a grey protection shield. George and the rest of his family don't have ornaments yet but I told them to pick their favourite ornament from their Christmas trees at home and bring them here. The Middletons will do the same. We'll be 27 people today.
It will be a very full house today.
"Do you like it?" Della asks me.
I look to my left and see my oldest daughter standing next to me in casual clothes. It's quite early but as it's tradition we will all start Christmas Eve with a visit to a local homeless shelter until noon. We're all wearing baseball caps and dark clothes with sneakers, hoping to not get noticed by anyone. That's going to be hard. Especially for George and Rory... and the rest of the Wales Family. Even Catherine and William will join us as they have loved our tradition for years but never had the morning of Christmas Eve off. But this year everything is different.
Rory and George will surprise everyone with the happy news tonight. No one but Troy and me have a clue yet. And to my surprise, we were able to keep our mouths shut but Rory's body speaks for itself. While she wore more loose clothes during public engagements, she didn't try to hide the growing bump when she's at home. However, the Prince and Princess of Wales have been on a Royal Tour in Africa for the last weeks so they haven't seen Rory and George other than from official photographs where the bump was well hidden. So, the Wales Family has no idea.
Unlike the Bolton Family.
"I love it." I say with a smile on my lips.
"I'm curious to see what the Wales Family will add to our collection."
"Me, too."
Suddenly the sound of many feet walking down the spiral staircase fills my ears and I turn around.
"Are you guys ready?" Troy asks us. Our boys are behind him along with Sasha, Sergej and Wlad.
"Yes. Where are Ana, Jo and Rory?"
"We're here!" I can hear Ana's voice coming from the kitchen. A moment later my girls join Della and me in the living room. Rory's bump has grown massively in the last few weeks. So much that she and George have decided to make the announcement before the traditional Christmas Morning walk in Norfolk tomorrow and going on the Royal tour. The news will hit the world just before the King's annual Christmas speech, in which he will make a reference to Rory's pregnancy.
When we're chopping and cooking veggies in a homeless shelter in Putney, far away from Kensington Palace, the people will have no idea there's a new Royal generation on their way.
Our Christmas Eve dinner was filled with old and new traditions. After helping out at the homeless shelter until noon with the Wales family, who all went incognito with baseball caps and casual clothes, we drove back to Della and Wlad's place. Sergej watched the little ones while we were away. They helped him out in the kitchen, preparing the different salads and main dishes. We're having traditional British food for our Christmas dinner. Roasted potatoes, pigs in blankets, Yorkshire pudding with gravy, Brussel sprouts, Beef Wellington... and much more. For dessert I made English trifles, that's a combination of fruit, sponge cake, whipped cream, pudding and jelly, and traditional Scottish Cranachan.
It's our first Christmas as an officially joined family, but we've always been close to the Wales family and having the Middletons over just makes it even more fun. Carol and James enjoy being with their grandchildren as much as being with our children.
We're all sitting in the living room after having the main course. The fire is roaring in the open fireplace as we watch the snow is falling down through the floor to ceiling transom windows that make up the whole wall in Della and Wlad's home. The Christmas tree is lit, sparkling with twinkling lights and the many different bobbles that we've put on. Catherine brought the special ornaments we asked her to. She picked out a camera for herself and an airforce plane for William. Louis brought a green parrot, because he's the clown in the family who always makes us laugh. Charlotte went for a sapphire jewelled sewed bauble in blue that actually looks really cool. George went for a diamanté holly glass bauble with real rubies. It looks good. Carol Middleton brought a Loganberry Christmas bauble and her husband James went for a beaded fabric peacock bauble. Pippa, Catherine's sister, went for an emerald feather flower bauble while her husband James chose an open lease bauble that's sparkling. Their son Arthur went for a green crackle bauble.
Our Christmas tree has never looked better. The wrapped and colourful gifts are already underneath the tree.
And next year there're going to be three more baubles hanging on the tree.
I finish my English trifle that turned out really well. Soft Christmas tunes being played by my brother Ryan, who's sitting at the black Bechstein piano. The little ones are running around, excited for their gifts.
"Before we start with the gifting, there's a gift Rory and I would like to make you." George starts, looking at his parents and grandparents. Even Pippa and James stop playing with the little ones at the seriousness of George's voice. They've been entertaining the little ones with Sergej the whole evening. "And it might be the biggest gift ever." he adds. Rory kept wearing a black blazer over her navy dress that's quite loosely fitting. She didn't want to give away the surprise before after dinner.
I still can't believe that my girl is pregnant with triplets!
"We're pregnant with triplets." Rory tells them with the most beautiful grin on her lips.
"No!" Catherine breathes out shocked. "You're pregnant?!"
Rory nods as Catherine embraces her.
"Congratulations!" William says with a wide smile as he hugs his son before embracing his wife. "Triplets, huh?"
"The Bolton genes." Rory says with a grin on her lips and a shrug.
"That's wonderful!" Carol agrees. The whole Middleton and Wales family start gathering around my daughter and her husband. They all hug her and congratulate the couple. It's lovely to see.
"When will you make the announce?" Pippa asks them.
"It's going live just an hour before the King will hold his speech." George says.
"He will mention the pregnancy, so we kind of had to tell the world now." Rory explains.
"He knows?" James asks them surprised.
"The King always knows." Rory, George, Louis, Char, Catherine and William say out of one mouth.
"Right... of course, he knows." James shakes his head, "I'm still not used to all this royalty stuff." He's been married to Pippa for ten years but it still feel strange to him. Maybe because he doesn't have as much direct contact to the Royal Family as the rest of us.
"The bump is definitely obvious if you wear something tighter." Catherine notices. "How far along are you?"
"I'm in the second trimester. 13th week."
"It definitely looks bigger than that." William eyes the bump.
"That means you'll walk with an open coat to the church tomorrow morning?" Catherine asks my little girl.
Rory nods, "Yes. I chose a light grey outfit. Quite a tight cashmere dress by Victoria Beckham with nude heels from Jimmy Choo. The grey coat will be from Club Monaco and my black gloves from John Lewis. The bag will be a charity bag from Dior."
"The fascinator?" Charlotte asks her. Royals always wear fascinators to big events like Christmas, weddings, Royal Ascot, church services...
"Also light grey from Philip Tracy."
Charlotte nods, "Good. I'll be wearing a muted pink. We'll look good next to each other."
"I'll be going with a pale blue." Catherine tells her.
"The men will wear navy." William answers for him and his sons.
The colour palette would is clear then. I'm sure it's going to make lovely photos.
"Do you want to join us?" Catherine asks Troy and me.
"Join you?" I ask back shocked. "No..." I shake my head, "Christmas Morning walks are always served for Royals."
"I wasn't a royal on my first Christmas Morning walk." Rory interferes.
"But you're now one." I tell her. "Catherine, we can't. We're no Royals. It would be a massive breech of protocol." I look at the Middletons.
"Oh we've been asked in the past as well, but we refused. We didn't want the spotlight. But the King would be alright with it, my dear." Carol tells me.
"Really?" I ask back surprised.
"Yes." William tells me. "His reign is different than from my grandmother. And that includes allowing you guys to sit with us in the Royal box in the Royal Albert Hall. He is informed about every 'breech' of Royal protocol that we make. And he's alright with it."
"Actually, he would really like it if you walked with us. The Tindalls always join us as well." Catherine pushes us again.
"I... I don't know..." I stutter. That would really piss the Brits off. A lot.
"Think about it. We're taking the helicopter at nine tomorrow morning." Catherine tells me. "But this is a one time offer."
"Can we get our gifts now?" Arthur Matthews, Pippa and James' son, asks us impatiently.
THE DUCHESS OF OXFORD IS PREGNANT
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Oxford are delighted to announce that the Duchess of Oxford has been blessed with a pregnancy and is due in the Spring of 2048. The King and members of both families are very delighted with the news.
The Duchess of Oxford is doing very well and will continue her work for her Patronages and participate in future Royal engagements, including the Christmas Day morning walk to the church service at St. Magdalene church in Norfolk.
The Duke and Duchess of Oxford are very much looking forward to their Royal Tours to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji as well as India, French Polynesia and Bhutan at the end of the month.
As previously announced, The Duke and Duchess of Oxford will visit Norway and Sweden on behalf of his Majesty The King of England in early January before visiting Germany and Poland on the behalf of his Majesty The King of England in the middle of February 2048.
Medical provisions will be made for each tour for Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Oxford.
Duchess Lorelai is pregnant!
George and Lorelai dropped the baby bomb just an hour before His Majesty The King made his annual Christmas speech!
Kensington Palace confirmed what everyone since their honeymoon - and the ominous dolphin swimming - had secretly wished for: The Duchess of Oxford is pregnant!
In the statement, Kensington Palace used the words 'blessed with a pregnancy', using a rather traditional way of announcing the pregnancy. Royal fans immediately recognised the words from when Lady Diana announced her two pregnancy, back in the days. The royal couple, who surely wrote the announcement, gave a subtle nod to George's dead grandmother that way. Furthermore, they stated that the Duchess is due in Spring of next year (aka sometime between March, April and May). While Duchess Catherine had to take a step back during the early stages of her three pregnancy, not so Duchess Lorelai. She and George will go on with their business as usual, including three Royal tours! In just a few days the couple will jet off to their second official Royal tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji as well as India, French Polynesia and Bhutan before visiting Norway and Sweden in early January as well as visiting Germany and Poland in February.
Afraid it's too much for the Duchess? No need, medical provisions will be made for Lorelai for each tour.
We can't wait to see the Duchess first engagement after the pregnancy announcement! Tomorrow she will join the other Royals on their Christmas Day morning walk from Sandringham House to St. Magdalene church.
I stare at the ceiling of the guest bedroom that Della and Wlad provided for us tonight. The kids are all staying in their own rooms, while Rory and George are staying with Nate and Char in the guesthouse. The Middletons are sleeping on the floor below us along with Catherine and William. We're really appreciating all the space that Della and Wlad's home offer us. It's perfect for our big family now.
"Troy?" I ask into the darkness. I can't seem to find any sleep tonight.
He growls next to me, "Yes?"
"Do you think we should go to Norfolk tomorrow?" I ask him for the hundredth time. We've talked it over and over and over... and every time we talk about it we come to a different conclusion.
My husband rolls over to his side and looks at me, "I've told you. If you want to go, we'll go. It's your decision."
"But it's not just my decision. It's our decision. What if we go and the Brits go crazy and it will have a bad effect on our firm... But on the other hand, I want to support Rory and George... and Catherine and William... our appearance would write history. It would make a lovely picture, especially after the picture we formed at the engagement photo call. It would bring back all these memories..."
My husband brushes through my hair, "If you want to go, then you better find some sleep because otherwise you will look like a zombie on the walk from Sandringham House to the St. Magdalene Church."
I nod, he's right. "But perhaps we shouldn't go."
He sighs, "Gabriella..."
"I'm being a pain in the ass right now, I know."
"Just decide." he says. His blue eyes look tired and his chestnut hair is messy. "I'll count to three and then you say yes or no, okay?"
I nod, because honestly after hours of debating it sounds like the best option.
"One, two, three."
"No." I breathe out.
"Good." "I mean, yes." I correct myself.
He growls, "Gabriella,"
"Yes."
"Yes?" he asks me back.
I nod before shaking my head again. "No... No. Some things should stay within the royals. Including the walk. Rory should walk with them... but without us."
"Okay. Can I go back to sleep now?"
"Yes."
"You won't change your mind?"
"No."
"You won't wake me up again?"
"No, not for this."
"Is there something else you want to talk about?"
I shake my head. "No, but there's something I want to do."
His blue eyes widen, "Now?"
"Yes."
"Della and Wlad are at the other end of the hallway."
"I've been told the walls are soundproof and I think we should test that." I tell him as I climb on him.
"Always up for taking a risk, my angel."
I pull his grey T-shirt that I wore to bed over my head, "It's why you love me."
The Duchess of Oxford and the art of hiding a bump
The news of the Duchess's pregnancy arrives just five months after their fairytale wedding at Westminster Abbey on 9th of August 2047. And, while rumours have been circulating since the happy couple's royal wedding in August, there's been plenty of subtle signs that Lorelai was expecting. On a number of occasions during the summer and autumn, the Duchess was seen discreetly using her body language to hide any sign of a bump – at a royal engagement in Dover, for example, she regularly held her clutch bag in front of her stomach. She also sparked rumours with her choice of dress at the '100 Days of Peace' concert to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War in September – the floaty blue Gucci dress featured a paneling detail that actually gave the illusion of a bump, though it was most likely too early for the former tennis superstar to be showing. As recently as their first Royal tour in North, Middle and South America during November and October, she was noticeably covered up, choosing a demure Givenchy cape dress for the state banquet in Cuba. And, aside from her fashion and her body language, many royal watchers have been quick to notice how radiant Lorelai has looked lately – from her shining hair to her glowing skin. Despite maintaining a fairly busy schedule throughout her pregnancy so far, aside from the eight week long honeymoon where the royal couple toured the world and underwent a yoga teacher class in India, the new royal has maintained her signature glow.
But this morning the Duchess stepped out of the gates from Sandringham House, proudly showing off her bump in a mostly light grey outfit. The Duchess kept her light grey from Club Monaco was open, so she could proudly present the bump that was covered by a grey cashmere maternity dress custom made by British designer Victoria Beckham. The Duchess wore nude heels by Jimmy Choo and a grey floral fascinator by Philip Tracy that made sure all eyes were on her and the bump! The Duke and Duchess of Oxford walked next to the proud grandparents to be, the Prince and Princess of Wales on their way to the church service, while choosing to stick with Princess Charlotte and Princess Louis of Wales on their way back to Sandringham House. The Duchess seemed to be in good spirits as she was joking with the King and the Queen, giggling with William and Kate and laughing her heart out with Charlotte and Louis.
The Duke and Duchess of Oxford kept close during the church service and attendees even said that they shared loving gazes through the whole service. The glow and love was evident as with all outings of the Duke and Duchess of Oxford.
It's a glorious February day in Boston. The weather is perfect for a late winter day with a shining sun and a cloudless bright blue sky. The campus of Harvard is filled with families from student who are about to graduate from Harvard Business School today. It's snowing cats and dogs but that's to be expected at this time of the year. The masters students are dressed in gowns of the Intercollegiate Code master's pattern, which is black silk with long closed sleeves. The gowns all have a crows-foot emblem on the front, which is a "double crows foot" for earned degrees, and a "triple crows foot" for honorary degrees. The Harvard regalia deviates from the Intercollegiate Code's standards in that the colour of the degree is shown on the crow's foot emblem instead of on the hood trimming, and the colour refers to the school granting the degree rather than the subject of the degree itself. The colour for the Harvard Business School is a medium grey. All graduates' hoods are black lined with crimson silk, and are cut in the Edinburgh simple shape. But Masters of Harvard Houses wear tippets embroidered with the House shield.
It reminds me of the day when Jo and Nate graduated from Oxford University, yet it is so different.
I prefer a Royal blue over black, though.
"We should head inside." Troy suggests as I still scan the campus. I can't believe Jo will already graduate from Harvard today. She turned a two year program into a 1,5 program while still graduating as best of her class today.
Sometimes, I think I've raised superwomen. Della found a cure for Parkinson's and is currently doing the same for Alzheimer's, Ana has a heart that's bigger than Mother Theresa's as she brought the Bolton Academy to life and Rory is the next Queen of UK.
And now Jo is leaving her footprints as well. She may not be as famous as the rest of our girls, but that doesn't mean she's less ambitious. She has a goal.
Our firm.
It makes me so damn proud to have raised such incredible women.
"My angel,"
I turn around at the sound of my nickname. "Yes, let's head inside."
Hand in hand we walk into the huge lobby that's filled with even more graduates and their parents. I spot my oldest two daughters standing in the middle of the room. In their bright red and olive green dresses they definitely stand out. Just like Anastasia, Adaline is wearing high Louboutin heels. Della has left her curls open while Ana pulled it up into a classic chignon. Their earlobes are glitters from the diamond earrings they're wearing. "Do you see Rory?" I ask my husband.
"No and neither do I see Nate." His voice sounds a little worried.
"I thought they all flew in with one jet." I'm starting to worry now as well. Our kids took a different jet than us, because Troy and I had some work to do in New York and Nashville.
"Maybe they're in the cafeteria getting a cup of tea." He says as we walk over to Della and Ana.
"Hi!" I embrace them. "Where's Rory?"
"You mean Rory and Nate." Della points out as she lets go of me.
"Yes, of course." I say as Ana lets go of me as well.
"I'll take your coat." My husband says to me.
I get out of my black cashmere coat, "So? Where are your sister and brother?"
"Rory's at the loo and Nate is watching the door." Della says while rolling her navy eyes at me.
I remember how many times I went to the loo when I was pregnant with the triplets. I used to live in the bathroom by the end of my pregnancy. "Why does she need Nate to go to the loo?" I ask confused.
"They're on the fourth floor. Not a lot of people have noticed that British Royalty is here today but it will spread like a haywire as soon as someone notices her... and then they will notice the bump."
"It's big?"
"It's huge! She looks like us at the end of the pregnancy already! And she has three more months to go!" Della tells me.
"But she's glowing." Ana says with a small smile on her lips.
"Sophie is not here?"
Della shakes her head, "But she briefed us before we got on the plane. We studied Rory's file on the flight. We know exactly what to watch out for."
"Yet you two allow Nate to accompany her to the loo rather than going with her." I narrow my eyes at them.
"I needed a coffee." Della says with a shrug.
"Me, too." Ana says.
I growl as Troy chuckles. That's so typical of them!
Della waves with her hand, "Don't worry, they're fine!"
"You don't know that because you're not on the fourth floor with them!" I hiss at her.
Ana looks at her bigger sister. "Perhaps Nate should take a midwife course."
"Yeah and maybe George as well - and with him the whole family!" Della hisses back before shaking her head. "She's just emptying her bladder. Everyone calm down! It's Jo's big day not Rory's."
No, Rory's big day is every day since she married George. The press just can't get enough of them - and Rory's belly. Ever since the news of her pregnancy broke out, the world has been going crazy. But luckily for them, Rory has been having public engagements daily and after being at a place for a few hours she continues with her work backstage.
I look at my husband, "Maybe I should go get her. Just to be sure."
He looks behind and suddenly chatters and other noises start filling my ears. "She's coming."
I turn around and notice Rory and Nate walking the hallway. The path divides itself for them and two security men in civil clothes. Rory is charting with Nate like this is everyday life and for her it is. Wherever she goes, the Duchess of Oxford gets noticed. And now, she gets noticed even more because of the prominent bump she's carrying. My youngest daughter is wearing an olive chiffon dress with a boat cut neckline and matching Jimmy Choos. As it's Royal protocol, she's wearing nude tights that match her skin colour. She's not wearing a fascinator like she would if she was in England and on royal duty, instead she has her hair braided into a glamorous bun that's pinned behind her head. She's also wearing pear earrings and of course the world's most famous engagement ring with the wedding band, her rose gold Cartier trinity ring of which one ring is covered in padparadscha sapphires and the rose gold Cartier Maillon Panthére ring with three diamonds. The padparadscha sapphires of her trinity ring and the engagement ring are sparkling in an orange pinkish colour. She doesn't just look like Royalty.
She actually is.
And then I suddenly notice Charlotte walking a few meters behind Rory. The line of the succession didn't change, however by marrying the second in line to the throne, Rory is now above Charlotte, which is weird. It's a bizarre thing to see Princess Charlotte of Wales walking behind the Duchess of Oxford.
"Char is here?" I ask confused.
"Yeah. She's Jo's best friend." Della says with a nod.
"And Nate's girlfriend." Ana adds in a whisper. "Why wouldn't she be here?"
My head swings back to my older girls in front of me, "But that's it right? No more Royalty?"
"Not British." Della says.
"What does she mean?" I ask Ana.
"The Grimaldi Family is here as Prince Jacque of Monaco is graduating with Jo today. They're actually both valedictorians."
"What?! How's that possible?"
Della leans forward, "It means they have the same grades and reached the same points in their tests. It's pretty obvious how it's possible, Mom."
"Della," Troy warns her.
"Apparently, Harvard wanted the Prince to hold the valedictorian speech as he is... you know, the Prince of Monaco." She shrugs, "But he refused and when Jo heard from Harvard's decision, she snapped."
"What do you mean she snapped?"
"She started pulling out her triumph cards and dared them to call her bluff."
"Della! She told us that in private!" Ana hisses at her old sister.
"Really? Like they wouldn't find out what happened in her time at Harvard. We're talking about Mom and Daddy here, Ana. They know everything and if they don't they'll find out. So we might as well tell them now. At least they won't freak out on Jo's graduation day."
"What triumph cards?" I ask confused. What the hell did we miss?!
"What did she do?!" Troy asks now as worried as me.
Ana licks her lips before opening her mouth.
"Not here." Rory's voice fills my ears and I turn around. I didn't even noticed her waking over to me with Nate and Char. "There's a waiting room for us. We talk there in private."
Baby Oxford is on its way!
You've read correctly. Kensington Palace Just announced that the Duchess is pregnant with her first child! The news hit the world just an hour before the King held his Christmas speech, in which he actually mentioned Baby Oxford. The King said that he is "delighted with the news and excited to become a great-grandfather. It's going to be an exciting next Christmas". The Queen is just as excited as the rest of the Royals. The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly spent Christmas Eve with the Bolton Family along with the Middletons. The Royals invited the Boltons and Middletons to their weekend home Amner Hall where the families had their very first Christmas together. That's also where George and Lorelai apparently dropped the bomb, informing their families just before it was time for giving the gifts.
Both families are said to be over the moon by this wonderful Christmas gift.
Unborn Baby Oxford is already went on it's first official royal tours to North, Middle and South America as well as Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand and Germany and Poland in January, where it rained with baby gifts and congratulations for the happy couple!
The next official engagement has not been announced yet but knowing the couple it won't be long until we get to see those loving gazes and the bump!
"So, you're telling me Jo had an affair with her professor, he blackmailed her with a sex tape and she didn't tell us anything but instead used this information to graduate earlier?!" I ask my kids shocked.
"Prof. Sam Porter got kicked out. He's gone now. He was a visiting lecturer of Business Administration from Northern Ireland." Rory tells me.
"How did we miss this?! Why didn't she say anything to us?! How-"
"Mom," Della interrupts me. "She informed Wlad about the incident and he took care of it. She begged him to not tell you guys. She was embarrassed to say the least. She had always been careful when it came to men but this time... she got carried away, I guess."
"But it's fine now." Rory ensures me. "We had the Royals put a bit extra pressure on him. He won't mention this until he's dead. She's safe."
"She's not safe!" I yell at them, causing them all to wince. "She's my little girl. She-"
The door of one of the lecture rooms here opens and the security guard dressed in jeans, a sweater, sneakers and a leather jacket walks in. "It's starting, Your Royal Highnesses."
Rory nods, "Thank you, Norris. We should go. You can discuss this with Jo after her graduation but I can ensure you she is fine."
Nate and Charlotte let go of their hands as we all walk out of the room. I can't believe Jo was blackmailed!
Our Jo!
How the hell did we miss that?!
Royal bump watch: Duchess Lorelai makes surprise visit in Boston!
Duchess Lorelai and Princess Charlotte of Wales have made a surprise visit to Boston. The private visit was purely private, which is why it wasn't announced. While the Duke of Oxford was joined by his father on a football game, his wife was at the other end of the world. Duchess Lorelai and her sister-in-law Charlotte flew to Boston to show their support on Josephine's graduation from Harvard Business School. Their Royal Highnesses were snapped sitting next to Lorelai's parents, Gabriella and Troy Bolton as the Duchess's twin sister received her diploma from an Ivy League College. She did so well, that she even held the valedictorian speech along with Prince Jacque of Monaco. Rumours have it that Josephine has ditched Prince Louis of Wales for the Prince of Monaco, however no pictures of her with either man have made it online.
The Duchess wore a stunning Carolina Herrera dress in an olive colour that she paired with matching Jimmy Choos while Princess Charlotte wore a black pant suit and heels by Dior. The Princess giggled with her sister-in-law and even felt baby Oxford kicking! The couple has been snapped cheering for the Duchess's sister along with her parents, two older sisters and brother Nate.
The Duchess's bump has significantly grown since the announcement on Christmas Eve. So much that Royal experts claim the Duchess is expected to be given birth in early March. Given that, experts say that Baby Oxford could have been conceived even before the Royal Wedding in August! That meant Lorelai was pregnant when she wedded her Prince - Another major Royal Protocol breech! It would be their biggest breech of Royal protocol yet.
However, we have to wait for the official announcement from Kensington Palace that the Duchess Lorelai is in labour. Instagram and Twitter are already going crazy with conspiracy theories considering the world's most famous couple!
I lean against the seat and stare at my daughter, who has fallen asleep in one of the couches that we have on the plane. We flew with the Boeing as our other jet is too small for Rory, Char and their ten headed security team. While the others are all in their private suites, sleeping or working, I decided to stay on the upper floor with Jo.
I can't believe she was blackmailed. I can't believe she had an affair with her professor! But most of all I can't believe how all of this happened without me or Troy knowing about it. I thought Della was the most secretive in our family, turns out it's Jo.
She looks so happy, so at peace when she's sleeping. She never even gave us a hint about what happened. She carried on as normal, smiled and laughed with us. She's so strong... She's stronger than all of us.
I can't even imagine the pressure she must've been under when that bastard blackmailed her. Not only because of the money but because of the reputations she protected. She protected her parents, her family, the Royal Family and herself without showing a drop of sweat. If she can work under this kind of pressure than working at our firm will be a piece of cake!
Suddenly, my daughter moves on the couch before opening her eyes. Her sky blue eyes widen and she sits up abruptly. "Mom, why are you crying?"
I didn't even realise the tears that started rolling down my cheeks. I quickly wipe them away and shake my head.
"Let me guess, Rory told you." She points out, narrowing her eyes at me. "No... No it wasn't her. It was Della." She corrects herself.
Shit, she's even better at reading people than Troy, Della and Wlad combined. "Sweetie, why didn't you tell us?"
She sighs before walking over to me. She sits down across me and yawns. "It wouldn't have changed anything. Rory was in the middle of planning her wedding to George, you guys were busy with the firm, Della got the job offer in Geneva, Ana was busy with the Bolton Academy... there was a lot going on. There was no space for my issues."
I grab her hands, "Sweetie, there's always space for your problems. We're your parents. It what we're here for."
"Anyway, it's done now. I contacted Wlad and we came up with a strategy that solved my issues with Professor Porter." She tells me. "I've learned my lesson. It will not happen again. I'm now making preparations that will ensure it."
"Preparations?"
"Yes. It's a safety net that will ensure no word about me and my family will be mentioned towards anyone."
"You're letting your one night stands sign an NDA?!" I breathe out shocked.
She nods, "Of course. I have to protect not only myself but my family and the Royal Family."
"Jo..."
"Mom, I can ensure you I am fine. It was a mistake that I've learned from. Please don't think I'm not worthy of working at Bolton's Enterprises just because I allowed this bastard to blackmail me for a second. I am stronger than this. I am smarter than this."
"There wasn't a second in which I questioned you belonging into our firm, Jo.l
"Good because I was born for this and as of Monday, I expect to find an office just as you promised." She says with a grin on her smile.
"You're a force of nature, Josephine Bolton." I breathe out amazed.
"Of course I am. I'm a Bolton."
Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!
Now you know why Jo uses the NDAs. To find out more about Jo, please read Someone's Someone.
Also a big thank you for all your lovely reviews on the last chapter.
For anyone wondering when My Shadow will be updated: I'm currently working on a new chapter, however it may still take a while. Please be patient.
As always, please review!
In gratitude,
Nicole