NB: The lines in italics are from the movie. Just to explain: I've described coronation in two sections- Mia and Clarisse- as it was two hard to do it in the same section. I wanted to cover Mia first, and then Clarisse!

The Princess Diaries and characters don't belong to me.

"…So that's what happened, until Lily interrupted us," Mia concluded 10 minutes later, and Clarisse smiled happily at the story.

"I wondered who had been in the throne room earlier! But, it's wonderful news, darling. He seemed like such an honourable young man, especially after he turned down the crown."

"He was actually changing his mind at the parade, and had decided that I was the rightful future ruler of Genovia…Yes, I know he did try some dirty tricks to distract me, but he had no idea what his uncle had actually planned. He had gone to him to tell him to stop all the tricks- and that's when things went out of control. But, I'm not worried anymore."

"Neither am I. I knew his father, and I knew that he didn't want Nicholas on the throne…"

There was a slight pause, before the doors swung open and both Charlotte and Lily entered.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, it's almost time for you to be finishing getting ready," Charlotte said calmly as the two of them stood up.

"Really?" Mia exclaimed as she glanced over at a clock. "Has the time really flown that fast?"

She was getting nervous now, and Charlotte's announcement had only intensified the butterflies in her stomach. Everything had been planned, arranged and rehearsed so often that she was sure that everything was going to be fine, but still….maybe she would have another of her clumsy moments! Clarisse, sensing her thoughts, took her hands in hers.

"Mia, you are going to be absolutely perfect this morning, and nothing is going to go wrong. If it does…" she shrugged carelessly. "It doesn't matter- it's your day."

"Thank you, Grandma," Mia whispered, tears in her eyes. "But there is one thing I would like to ask you- I don't want to you to curtsey to me when I am crowned."

"Mia, I must and I will. I am paying my respects to you as my Queen!"

"Alright, but let's make a deal. After this one time, you are not to curtsey to me anymore- I've never done that with you, and it's not going to happen once the roles are reversed."

"You have my word that I won't do it after this once," Clarisse said calmly, before kissing her granddaughter and leaving the room. It was time she was back in her suite, and having the crown placed on her head for the last time.

"Is the crown here?" she called as she walked into the suite.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It's in here," The maid nearest to the door replied as she entered the room. And there, sitting on a cushion on the table, was the crown of Genovia. Sitting on an identical cushion was a small, jewel encrusted coronet, which she slipped on easily. An outgoing Queen was a very rare occurrence (the first time, in fact) so Mia and Sebastian Motez had got together and planned a small coronet for her.

"Why on earth am I wearing that?" Clarisse had been stunned when they had shown it to her.

"Grandma, you are still going to be a Queen, no matter what, so this is just a symbol representing that," Mia explained.

She turned from the cushion to look at the Crown, sitting innocently on the table- how many monarchs had worn that crown on their coronation day, she wondered.

"Your Majesty, who is putting it on for you?" Charlotte, who had been following her, asked from behind. Clarisse looked around for a moment, and then her eyes stopped on Joseph, handsome in a navy suit- she had been planning this moment all week, and couldn't wait to see his reaction.

"My husband," she said calmly, sitting down in the chair adjacent to the crown as Joseph stepped forward, looking slightly confused and even a little frightened. Charlotte, on the other hand, was secretly applauding the decision.

"Clarisse, why me?"

"You are the closest person to me in every way…and I want you to do it," she replied easily, while Joseph looked more uncomfortable.

"What if I drop it?" he asked as he walked over to where she was sitting, and looked down it- this was the symbol of everything Genovia, and Clarisse, stood for, and he wouldn't be able to bear it if he dropped it.

Clarisse took his hand in hers for a moment, and pressed it warmly.

"You won't. I trust you."

Joseph stared at it for a moment, before taking a deep breath and gingerly lifting up the crown in both hands. It was heavier than he had imagined, and he was very careful to place it as gently as possible on her head, perfectly covering the smaller crown.

"How does that feel?"

"Perfect- you put it in the exact spot I wanted it," Clarisse said as she took his hand, and stood up very slowly. "But yes, it's still very heavy," she added as she walked over to the mirror and looked at her reflection.

"How long do we have, Charlotte?" he asked the assistant, who glanced at her watch.

"About half an hour."

"May I have a few moments with Her Majesty?"

"Of course," she said with a smiled, and disappeared, taking both maids with her. Clarisse turned to him with a warm smile. She was no longer as nervous, but she could tell that Joseph was feeling a little jittery on both her and Mia's behalf, and she loved him more for it.

"Are you nervous," he asked huskily as he took her hands in his- he didn't dare take her into his arms.

"Not anymore," she said peacefully. "I want my own life now, with you, and Mia is ready to take her place as Queen. Do you know that Mia didn't want me to curtsey to her?"

"No, but that sounds like Mia. What did you decide on?" he chuckled, knowing that both grandmother and granddaughter possessed the same stubborn streak.

"We agreed that, after today, I won't do it again."

"Very sensible," Joe said as he raised one of her gloved hands to his lips. "You look so beautiful today, Clarisse."

"Just wait till you see the Queen-to-be!"

"I know she will be beautiful, but there's only one woman I will have eyes for today," and she touched his face gently with her gloved hand.

"By the way, you will have company while you're waiting. Nicholas and Mia have made up," she explained to his puzzled look, which quickly relaxed.

"I'm glad- those two are obviously meant to be together…"

He was interrupted by a tentative knock on the door, and Charlotte poked her head in, looking apologetic.

"I'm sorry Joe but you have to go downstairs now. We're moving into positions." He sighed and turned to his wife with a smile.

"In an hour's time, you will no longer have a Queen as your wife," Clarisse teased softly as he moved in to kiss her.

"In an hour's time, you will still be my Queen, and my wife," he replied before kissing her. "I love you, Clarisse."

"I love you too, "she whispered before a louder, insistent knock interrupted their moment. He walked over to the door, and opened it for her to walk through before, outside, they went in separate directions. Clarisse watched him disappear down the hallway before turning and beginning the careful walk to where she was meant to be waiting.

Downstairs, the guests were beginning to arrive and were mingling happily in the ballroom as Joseph entered and headed to where he had been designated. He would have been much happier further down, closer to the wall, but Clarisse had insisted that, as her husband, he would be very close to the coronation podium.

"I'm going to need you to hold me once the crown has been lifted off," she said by way of explanation.

As he headed over, he nodded to several parliamentarians, although he also got a few miffed looks. He knew that there was a minority that disapproved and resented his marriage to Clarisse- she was still a very beautiful woman- but he didn't care. He knew who Clarisse had willingly and happily married, and who she loved. Thankfully Sebastian and most of parliament approved of their relationship. Young Lord Devereaux was standing in what was obviously his spot when Joe arrived.

"Good morning, Lord Devereaux," Joe said pleasantly as he took his position- from where they were standing, they were almost in front of where Clarisse would be descending.

"Good morning Joe," the young man said nervously and, sensing that, Joe turned to him.

"You don't need to explain anything, Nicholas. You redeemed yourself with me a while ago."

The tension on the younger man's face disappeared, and was replaced with a smile.

"Thank you, Joe. I really appreciate that….I was actually planning on standing towards the back…."

"Let me guess. The Princess decided otherwise."

"Yes," Nicholas said with a rueful grin.

"You're very important to her, Nicholas, and I know you won't let her down."

Joseph stopped when he waved to Mia's mother and stepfather, on the opposite side of the room.

"How was Her Highness this morning….maids know everything," he added when Nicholas looked at him with a surprised look on his face.

"Very nervous, but she's got nothing to worry about. I'm glad I declined-she really does love Genovia, and she's going to do wonderfully."

"And look good on a postage stamp," Joe muttered under his breath and they both grinned.

"True. How is Her Majesty this morning? I heard you two were married last week."

"Yes, you missed that excitement. Her Majesty is fine, and she is ready to step down. We are all so proud of Her Highness, and I know for certain that her father would have been too."

Meanwhile, Mia was standing in her designated spot, next to the right hand set of stairs and letting everyone fuss over her dress and train. She was trying to get into the right frame of mind for the coronation…she was unbelievably excited about her future plans, but she also felt a little sad- this was the end of an era for her grandmother, but also the beginning of a new life with her husband, which balanced it out.

"How's my train?' she asked Brigit as the maid, clad in a dress of pink, finished smoothing out the end of the train. She and Brigitta were to carry it down the stairs for her.

"It's fine, Your Highness."

"At the moment," Mia murmured under her breath as she looked up the ceiling- knowing her luck, by the end of the morning celebrations, at least one person would have stepped on it. She couldn't peek around the corner to see the guests, and she had a little while to wait until the music started. She could hear the marching band warming up outside- when she heard them march in and then stop, and Kip Kelly finish yelling, then it was time. On the opposite side of the stairs, she could see Clarisse smoothing down her dress, and chatting with Charlotte.

"She looks nervous," Charlotte said sympathetically as they watched Mia fidget, and then turn to look at her maids again.

"She does, but she has nothing to worry about," Clarisse said serenely. "I believe in her, and I know she's going to be fine."

Charlotte looked at her employer for a moment- Her Majesty didn't look nervous at all…in fact, she looked peaceful, and happiness seemed to radiate from every angle. Her marriage to Joseph had been the best decision she had ever made…Everyone had been worried when she had turned him down but, after a few words from Mia, they were now going to live happily ever after, just like in a fairy tale, Charlotte thought happily.

She was so thrilled that they were married- everyone had seem the looks and laughter they had shared over the years, and it was clear that they were soul mates. Charlotte was brought back from her reverie with a start when she realised that the Queen was speaking to her.

"So Charlotte, what are you going to do after today? I assume you will be Mia's assistant for a while, and then Lily will take over."

"That's the plan," Charlotte said quickly. "Lily will be finishing up graduate school in 3 months, and then she'll be coming back here."

"What are you going to do then?" Clarisse asked seriously- this young woman was nearly a daughter to her, and she wanted her to be happy. Charlotte blushed for a moment, and then began hesitatingly.

"You're going to think this is silly…but I want to be in parliament."

She looked down at her shoes for a moment, feeling like a school girl, and then glanced up at Clarisse. She was surprised to see that Clarisse wasn't laughing- in fact, she had a thoughtful look on her face.

"That doesn't sound silly at all Charlotte. You've got the experience, and know Genovia inside out…In fact, if you want, I would be very happy to recommend you to Mia and Sebastian. I know that Mia wants to introduce women into parliament, and she would be very happy to consider you."

Charlotte smiled- she had been worried that Her Majesty would have thought that it was silly, and that she should stay with her current job. As if she knew what Charlotte was thinking, Clarisse leaned closer to her.

"I ruled a country without a man for a long time, and in a man's profession! It's time that traditions were changed- and I think you would make a good parliamentarian…"

She was going to say more, but then the marching band began marching in- the signal that the coronation was about to begin.

"Congratulations," Charlotte, unable to think of anything else, whispered before she stepped back- after Clarisse started her descent, she was disappearing down a secret passageway to stand next to Nicholas and Joseph.

"This is it," Clarisse murmured to herself as she looked over at her visibly nervous granddaughter, and gave her a warm smile.

"This is it," Mia thought to herself as she smiled in reply to her grandmother, who really looked beautiful today, and very regal with the crown she herself was about to wear.

"COMPANY HALT!" bellowed Captain Kelly from below, and stepping just a little closer to the doorway, Mia could see that he was standing next to Lily, and Lily slipped a piece of paper into his jacket. Behind her, she could hear Shades say:

"The Sparrow is taking off."

Behind Clarisse, she could here Charlotte say, for the last time

"The Eagle is flying…for the last time." Clarisse was very touched to hear a catch in her loyal assistant's voice, but before she could think, the music was beginning, and she stepped forward, exactly in time with her granddaughter…..

Mia could vaguely hear the gasps and 'Wow's as they both appeared, and she tried not to look at anyone as she began the slow descent down the stairs. It was bad enough to keep straight and tall normally, but when she was in her coronation dress AND not looking where she was going, it was even harder. But, as she walked down the stairs, she couldn't resist looking around- her eyes immediately met Nicholas' and he smiled encouragingly….

The podium as set up…it hadn't looked as formidable last nigh as it did today…in a few moments she was actually going to be sitting down on the throne that her grandmother had sat on, and generations before her! Was she going to be cool and calm?

Both still as elegant as ever, and still in time, Mia and Clarisse stepped off the final step, but while Clarisse stopped near the side of the podium, Mia continued on with her maids holding her skirt. She quickly smiled at Lily before she stepped onto the podium, and took the Archbishop's hand.

They walked slowly toward the throne and, for a moment, she turned and smoothed out her skirt before sitting down on the throne, and looking around. She could see her mother and Patrick beaming happily a little distance away, and both Nicholas and Joe grinning…but all the other guests were simply a blur.

She was aware of her grandmother standing nearby, but she was concentrating very hard on what the Archbishop was saying, but she could understand how nervous her grandmother had been all those years ago! The ceremony was calm, but Mia could barely take it in before she was holding the orb and sceptre of the Genovian monarch, and the Archbishop was slowly taking the crown off her grandmother's head.

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of Genovia according to the statutes in parliament agreed on, and the respective laws and customs of the same? Will you, in your power, cause law and justice and mercy to be executed in all judgements?"

"I solemnly promise so to do," she said in a barely recognisable voice.

Once the Archbishop had placed the crown on her head, and moved away, she glanced nervously over at Clarisse with a shy smile and, to her delight, Clarisse was beaming proudly, shortly after joined by Joe.

She slowly stood up, as the choir, led by Prime Minister Motez and joined by everyone else, began singing the Genovian anthem:

Genovia

Mia glanced over at Lily, who had tears in her eyes while beaming, and nodding reassuringly.

The land I call my home

From Lily, she moved her eyes to Nicholas, who had a slow smile on his face, and she gave him a quick wink- very un-Queen like behaviour.

From the green clear summers

Kip Kelly shouted out "Draw arms!"

From blossoming pear trees.

Magnificent her mountains and seas.

She began to walk slowly towards the guard of honour- the crown, sceptre and orb were extremely heavy, especially when worn together, and she was a little concerned about dropping anything.

Genovia, Genovia

You're noble, proud and brave.

Genovia, Genovia

Forever

Will your banner

Wave!

She walked through the guards and stood, for a moment, unable to believe what had happened, but incredibly excited, before….there was a loud thump on the ground, and a call:

"Presenting…Her Majesty Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi, Queen of Genovia!"

She closed her eyes for a moment, still trying to push back the tears while saying a silent 'Thank you' before opening her eyes and smiling, standing proud and tall. She was Queen of Genovia!

Clarisse smiled and kept her eyes straight ahead- she was feeling like she was still the young 25-year-old who was afraid of falling on her face. However, she too heard the gasps and was surprised to hear some of them were directed at her. She glanced over at Mia and almost gasped herself- the girl looked so calm and radiant, so perfectly poised, and smiling to everyone around the room. She was going to make a wonderful ruler.

Clarisse could feel Joseph's eyes upon her for the entire descent and, before she stepped off the steps, she threw him a quick smile. It was very sweet and thoughtful how Mia had arranged for the 'men in their lives' to be so close to the action, but Clarisse wouldn't have wanted it any other way. She shared everything with Joseph, and this was no different.

She only had a quick journey from the stairs to make, so she stood patiently and watched Mia step onto the podium, and then sit down on the throne. The final rehearsal had gone rather silly as everyone had been excited about the coronation, but Mia had done everything perfectly today. She could see that Mia was relaxed, calm and listening intently throughout the ceremony- it was Clarisse herself who was shaking like a leaf!

As the Archbishop slowly took the crown off her head, she momentarily felt lost- who was she now- before the relief and the excitement overtook her, and she let out her breath. She hadn't realised that she had been holding her breath, but now that her part was over, she could enjoy seeing her granddaughter become Queen.

As she listened to the vows that Mia had to accept, Clarisse remembered how scared she had been when she had said them years ago, but she was so proud at how Mia had sounded- so clear and definite.

The Archbishop blocked her view for a moment, but then stepped aside and there she was…the crown on her head…Clarisse was absolutely awestruck. Then Mia had looked over with a smile, and Clarisse only beamed back with pride and reassurance, as she felt Joseph step beside her and take her hand. He squeezed it reassuringly- he could still feel her shaking- and she took several deep breaths.

Genovia…

The anthem began, but Clarisse was too choked up and too concentrated on Mia to be able to join in. Mia seemed to float down the guard of honour, and Clarisse moved away from Joseph for a moment to watch her journey. Mia's journey had only just begun but, by the look of it, it was already off to a fantastic start.

"Presenting…Her Majesty Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi, Queen of Genovia."

As she heard the sound of her granddaughter's new name, Clarisse suddenly felt chills of joy and pleasure run down her spine- Mia was now Queen! The tears were beginning to well in her eyes, but they weren't tears of unhappiness or jealousy, they were tears of joy. If only her son Phillipe, Mia's father, had been here to see this….

"Are you alright?" Joseph asked in an undertone as Mia began greeting her parliament members, having given her orb and sceptre to Charlotte and Lily.

"I'm fine, Joseph," she said huskily, looking for a handkerchief in her pocket. It wouldn't do to be seen crying in front of all these guests, but the tears were on the verge of falling.

"Come with me for a minute," he led her out the doorway nearby- the crowd was beginning to mill around, so no one would notice they had gone.

When they were in relative privacy, he took out his own handkerchief and gently wiped her eyes.

"You were absolutely magnificent out there, my love," he said as he put his handkerchief away and gently touched her face with his hand. "Mia was very beautiful and happy- but I could see that, if it was possible, you were even happier."

"I am…she's Queen now, and I'm free…free…" she repeated softly- she hadn't thought of it like that before. Of course, she would still have her royal duties and charities but now, instead of having to put Genovia ahead of everything else, she could put Joseph and their marriage first.

"Oh Joseph!" she cried, overcome with emotion as he put his arms around her and gave her a long kiss.

"You've just realised what else you can do now, haven't you?" he murmured in her ear and she nodded happily, looking at him with her wide blue eyes. Instead of tears of pain, and the sadness he had seen in them until recently, there was pure happiness in them.

"Yes! And it's wonderful!" She was going to say more, but then Charlotte coughed hesitantly from the doorway.

"Your Majesty, Joseph. Her Majesty would like Her Majesty for a moment."

"Charlotte," Clarisse laughed easily, feeling happier than she had in a long time. "I may still be a Queen, but you have known me long enough to call me Clarisse. What does Her Majesty want?" Her Majesty- the words rolled off her tongue easily, but she got another chill down her spine.

"She would like you, Clarisse, to go out onto the balcony with her. She won't go out until you come with her."

"I don't know…this is her day…"Clarisse began hesitantly before Joseph gave her a gentle nudge towards Charlotte.

"This is your day too- not only have you stepped down, but you are a proud grandmother who has seen her granddaughter become Queen. You have got to go out there.

"He's right, Clarisse," Charlotte added helpfully as Clarisse tried to collect herself, and was then struck by a thought.

"Can you please get her to come here for a moment?" she asked Charlotte, who immediately disappeared.

"Do I look alright?" she looked anxiously around for a mirror, but there was none.

"You look beautiful," Joe said calmly and then looked over her shoulder. Clarisse turned and there was Mia, smiling and radiant.