Royal Tour 2048: How the Duchess of Oxford reinvented herself as down-to-earth future Queen

On the last stop on their sixteen-week tour of all 53 Commonwealth countries, Royal watchers noticed something crucial missing from the Duchess of Oxford - her engagement and eternity rings.

It wasn't by accident that she had left the 'bling' padparadscha sapphire ring and the emerald eternity ring behind. This was by design. The Duchess, accompanied by the Duke, was visiting a local hospital in Costa Rica and helped out the medical team there, treating children, elderly and even assisting to an open heart surgery, while sister Josie and her fiancé Edward Rothschild watched the Oxford Triplets in the hotel.

Given the high infection risks Lorelai decided to leave her sparkly rings back at the hotel. In their place, the Duchess wore a very simple, slim band that reportedly cost just 200 on a necklace around her neck, just like the Duke.

The Duke and Duchess of Oxford looked casual in jeans and shirts as they showed once again what they're best at: connecting and helping people. The future King and his chosen Queen have an exhausting sixteen week world tour behind them, yet somehow George and Lorelai looked fresh and compassion on their last engagement of their tour.

The last sixteen weeks, were a constant Lorelai and George show - with the stars being their three Princesses. They really showed their true colours: they are the most in-love and in-tune couple, and very hands-on parents. The Duke and Duchess did not shy away from showing bags under heir eyes after a sleepless nights, the Duchess even went makeup free for private walks in the park with their daughters. During the tour, the Duchess announced 53 new patronages, one in every commonwealth country! The PR team of the Duke and Duchess have done an outstanding job at managing to give us only so much of the Oxford Family that we craved more. From play dates with local Mums and Dads with their kids - which showed us just exactly how much the Princesses grew over there last sixteen weeks - to walkabouts, garden parties, private dinners and state banquets. During which the Duchess showed once more how recyclable her fashion is. Unlike many other Royals, it seems like the Duchess only packed a certain amount of clothes and is not afraid to rewear and restyle certain items in her closet.

The Commonwealth-tour has provided the perfect platform for them to serve and represent their country and how important the Commonwealth countries are to the British crown. This trip wasn't on His Majesty's request, however the couple did not shy away to pay tribute to their King, The Prince and Princess of Wales as well as George's dead grandma Diana, by posing in front of the Taj Mahal in India and in Uluru, a.k.a. Ayers Rock, where His Majesty The King and Princess Diana as well as The Prince and Princess of Wales also posed for a photo. The Oxford Princesses even met several national animals at the many zoo visits and on strolls through the park with Mummy Rory, Daddy George and aunt Josie and soon-to-be uncle-in-law Edward. The Bolton sister and her fiancé stayed behind the scenes most of the time but paparazzi caught them on walks, playgrounds and beaches with the Oxford Princesses as well as solo diving in the Great Barrier Reef.

A well-placed source told the Telegraph: "It wouldn't look right to turn up in a township in an expensive dress with expensive jewellery. The Duchess thought that wouldn't be right. The same thing applied to the rest of the tour. There's a lot of re-wearing of outfits that have been seen before."

The source said there was input from the team that surrounds the Duke and Duchess, that includes her sister Josephine Bolton, who has been named as a person of significant role in the Oxford Royal Foundation. But, said the source, "most of this is coming from the Duchess herself".

During the Royal tour, there were 53 official 'meet and greets' by the host country at the bottom of the aircraft steps with a dazzling future King and Queen and their three gorgeous Princesses. They always had an aura of mystery, and a hint of old-world sophistication around them. This isn't old Hollywood.

It's new Royalty.

Down-to-earth, dazzling smiles and sparkly tiaras on state banquets. The Duchess is mastering the balance act of true Royalty and humanitarian work effortlessly. In a way, she reminds us of Princess Diana.

Slowly but surely, the Duchess, 25, is creating a brand.

She has launched herself on this tour as a champion of animal and climate protection; of people with HIV; and of vulnerable children suffering from health issues. She's the Queen of helping hands and is not afraid to get dirty to get the work done. She spoke of her fears of a global "consciousness crisis". The Duchess reminded everyone that she will be Queen one day but right now she's the Mum of three, the wife to an evenly brilliant man, but most of all she's a humanitarian.

Her press team have dispensed with decades of Royal tradition by refusing to release each day details of what the Duchess was wearing, normally a staple piece of information on an overseas tour. According to sources, the Duchess didn't want her wardrobe to distract from the engagements themselves. But it didn't take long for the Royal fans to find the brands, the prices and the links to get those items. Most clothes were from old engagements and those who were new were all ethically sourced and supported the country they were in at the time.

Royalty is unique. That's why fashion is important. We expect royals, despite the culture around them, to have a certain timelessness and glamour - a wow factor.

And Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Oxford and their daughters The Princesses of Oxford delivered exactly that.

The Duke and Duchess won't be troubled by such old fashioned views. They are shaking things up at the Palace, and deliberately so.

I lean back in my plane seat and look out of one of the many oval windows. I can't believe we're going to touch my hometown's ground in just thirty minutes. The last sixteen weeks were extremely hard and required my full attention, so coming home and relaxing for a few days sounds like a dream come true right now.

Rory and George are sleeping in one of the bedrooms along with their three girls. I can't believe how much they've grown over the last sixteen weeks. They're already crawling, so I guess walking is not too far away on their agenda. The Royal tour was a huge success. The Oxfords made headlines wherever they went with what they wore, said, did and lastly with their auras that we're full of love and care. They turned a Royal PR tour into a sixteen week long mission to help others. The press got wonderful photos of them embracing children, but also working in shelters as doctors. They were royals but also always humanitarians no matter where they went. As promised Rory filmed yoga videos with Boho Beautiful. They just need a little bit of editing before they will be published on Boho Beautiful and Rory and George's YouTube channel.

I got to experience the royal bubble first hand and I must say it's not just about shaking as many hands as possible on walkabouts or attending state banquets with tiaras, it's about anything you want it to be.

"Jo?"

I tear my gaze off of the view in front of me and look at Edward. Sixteen weeks of stress and we didn't fight once. We've had lots of sleepless nights, not due to sex but due to baby sitting. But even then, when we were at an all time emotional high, we didn't fight. We've had highs and lows during the last four months but they all felt the same. "Yes?"

"My Mum sent me our new coat of arms." Ed explains before handing me his iPad. "What do you think?"

I look at a coat of arms that consists of two shields, one from the Rothschild family and the other one of the Bolton family, the motto - unity - is written underneath it. The two shields are surmounted by a baronial crown, wound round with small pearls and decorated with five large pearls, topped with three crowns which are surrounded with, on the right, black and gold and on the left blue and silver covering, on top of noble "tournament-style" helmets; from the crown positioned above the visor of the helmet in the centre stands the eagle as described above, the helmets on the right and left are turned towards one another, from the crown on the right helmet floats a golden star between two alternately coloured gold and black buffalo horns, from the crown on the left helmet come three ostrich feathers, viz. two blue and one silver. Edward's supporter is a golden lion while mine is a silver unicorn.

"It's a bit much, isn't it? With the crown, the feathers, the buffalo horns..."

"That's part of the Rothschild's Coat of Arms."

"Yeah, I know but isn't... too voluminous?"

"We can talk to my Mum and Dad about but I'm pretty certain they won't want to change anything."

I sigh and give up like so many times in the last sixteen weeks. I've come to terms to saying yes to anything Hannah and my Mum have chosen. The wedding turned out to be a very big event with nearly 300 guests. We'll get wedded on March the 20th, the first day of spring.

That's all that matters to me.

"Fine." I give in.

"We have a cake tasting tomorrow morning."

I really care less about a bloody cake right now! I sigh, "I thought we could sleep in a little."

"Not with my mother." Ed grins at me. "But if you want, I can call her-"

"No. We'll do the cake tasting but afterwards we're going straight home and back to bed."

"We have a meeting with the interior architect afterwards considering the planing of the tent. And then we need to check on the table setting with all the decorations and try some options for the menus."

I bury my fingertips in my scalp and inhale deeply. "I thought our mother's took care of all of that."

"They did but we need to check on it anyway. To make sure we like it."

"I don't care!" I snap at him.

"Jo, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Jo, are you getting your period again?"

"No! I just need a few days off. I'd like to sleep in a little for the first time in sixteen weeks, run myself a hot bath, do a hot yoga class and go horse riding. I'm tired. Not just physically but mentally. I loved every second of the tour, I really did, but now I'm exhausted."

Edward grabs my left hand and squeezes it softly. "Okay. I'll call my Mum and have everything rescheduled. No appointments for the next three days. Just us."

I nod, "Thank you."

I stop the white horse on top of the white cliffs near Dover. The wind is cold and it has started to snow a few minutes ago but it's so beautiful. I get down from Snow White and bind the leash around the bench before wiping the bench clean from the snow and sitting down. I love this peaceful place. Grandpa's gift was, next to Ed's proposal, the best I have ever received. A ranch with 12 wonderful healthy horses with different temperaments and great staff to take care of them. I've decided to keep the Ranch but redo the horse stalls and main building. It needs a bit of modernisation. Most horses can be turned into therapy horses to treat all kinds of diseases. I want this to be a therapy centre as well as a place for people to calm down and relax.

I want it to be for everyone exactly what it was for me: a safe haven.

I drove to Dover a day after landing in London and have stayed here for the rest of the week. Ed took care of the meal options, the venue planning and all the other wedding preparations because he knows how much I need this. I have to have some time for myself before I can throw myself into this wedding chaos that has erupted around Ed and me a few hours after we got engaged. Everything has happened so fast that I didn't have a moment for myself so this week... this week was exactly what I needed.

And now I'm ready for my return. I'm ready for trying on different wedding dresses, choosing icing for our cake, planning new initiatives for Oxford Royal and working on old ones. I'm ready for my job as a person of significant control and director of Oxford Royal, as a sister, as a daughter and as a fiancé.

I'm ready for the whole hustle and bustle.

I stripe off my black leather gloves and get my iPhone out of the pocket of my coat. I call Ed, my fiancé who has as always given me exactly what I needed. Time and peace.

"Hi!"

"Hi, there. I'm just calling to let you know I'm going to drive home tonight."

"That's great! I'll cook for us."

"You don't cook." I point out. Ever since we started dating, Ed has never cooked for me. Well, nothing more than eggs and bacon.

"Okay fine, I'll order something. Mexican?"

"Mexican sounds great."

"Listen, I've got to go. I have a tuxedo fitting right now. For the wedding."

I grin, "Okay. Have fun."

"I love you."

"I love you, too." I say before hanging up.

I stare out at the shores in front of me. The waves are crashing against each other. The sea of rough as it's windy and snowy today. Dover is a beautiful city...

It's a city I never made it to with Oliver. I remember making plans with him once about going horse riding together but then it didn't work out.

We didn't work out as well.

But it was all for the best. I'm now with Edward and I hope Oliver is better off with someone else as well. I wish him all the best.

MEDIA FACILITIES AHEAD OF THE BIRTH OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF WINDSOR'S BABIES

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their babies.

Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their babies private. The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.

Palace Rota

Within a few days after the birth, the Duke and Duchess will take part in a photo call with their new babies within the grounds of Windsor Castle. This will be captured by a Palace rota compromising of 1 PA reporter, 1 PA photographer and 1 TV (camera only).

Broadcast Fixed Position

A large fixed position for broadcasters and reporters will be facilitated on the Long Walk in Windsor. They will only become open for access once it has been announced that the Duchess is in labour. The facility will be operational from 6am until 11pm and for up to 72 hours after the Duchess has given birth.

I park my pear white Pininfarina in front of my childhood home before getting out. I walk through the pebbles driveway that's covered in a blanket of snow. It's icy cold today as Christmas is just around the corner. I open the huge double doors and step into the home I grew up in. Zeus comes running right away to greet me with a wet long and some loud barking. I run my fingers through his long fur. The diamond cluster ring is sparkling through his fur. It's a massive engagement ring.

I get out of my shoes before I follow the smell of cooking food. It smells Italian so I know my Dad is cooking lunch on his Saturday noon.

I spot him cutting some herbs on a cutting board at the kitchen island. He always looks so free when he's at home, especially in the white marbled kitchen. "Hi Dad!"

He looks up from the cutting board and shows me a smile that he has only reserved for his children. "Hi Jo! Are you coming for lunch?"

"No, actually I'm just coming by to check on some things."

He stops cutting the Thyme and Rosemary. "What's up?"

"I'm going to sign the prenup in a few hours. Before I do so I want to clear some things with you."

He tosses the cut herbs into the tomato sauce that's cooking in a pan on the stove. Another pot is filled with cooking pasta. "Okay."

"Is it really safe for me to give up my last name? Can I exchange Bolton for Rothschild?"

"The Rothschilds are one of the most wealthy and powerful families in the world. They'll protect you just as much as we will."

"I know. I thought about a hyphenated name..."

"No. Bolton-Rothschild won't work. It's Bolton or Rothschild only."

"Edward won't give up his name. His parents won't allow him to. He's the only male in his family. He has to give on his last name."

"I'm fine with you becoming a Rothschild. It's perfectly fine and safe."

"Is it?"

"Yes. Don't worry about it. You're not compromising on power or safety."

I nod, "Okay. Where's Mum by the way?"

"She flew to Switzerland to pick up the boys and girls." Daddy says with a smile on his lips. He loves having his children home.

"She's alone with five kids under ten?" I ask him shocked. That will be some crazy flight home.

"She'll be fine. Besides they love her and flying solo with her. Do you want to stay for lunch?"

I shake my head, "I've got to drive to Bath for the prenup. Maybe Ed and I will come to dinner, though."

"Okay. Call me so we'll know for sure."

"I will."

"But everything else is going fine? The wedding planning is not too much?"

"I'm good. I've let Hannah do most of the decision making. Ed and I check on it and change it if we don't like it."

"That's smart." He says with a smirk on his lips.

"Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Bath on March 20th."

"That's a nice cathedral. I was there with your Mum once. The colourful windows will look pretty when the sun hits them."

"I think so as well. Now that we've got a date, we just need to hope for sunshine on our wedding day."

"If that's your only worry, I'd say you're pretty happy."

"I am very happy indeed."

"And you got a new car. A Pininfarina if I'm not mistaken." He smirks at me.

"I know that's a baby you're still missing in your collection." I tease him. "You want to take it out for a drive?"

"Hell yes! But after I finished making lunch. Give me five more minutes."

I chuckle. Daddy has given Della and me the gasoline in our blood. Like father like daughter.

"I just want to read it through one more time." I tell Ed's parents. I open the folder that's containing Edward and mine prenup. It's quite a thick folder because there's a lot to manage. From properties to paintings, boats, insurances, stocks, cars, bank accounts...

"Of course, dear." Hannah says as my eyes scan through the papers. We've hired four attorneys to set up this prenuptial agreement. After all, this is two of the world's most wealthy families merging.

I stop at the section dedicated to future children. It covers everything about the future child's upbringing, from kindergarten to preschool to boarding school to university. There's even a suggestion of topics to study and in which part of the Rothschild empire that child would later on work in. Everything's planned to the detail and there is a clear distinguishing between a girl and a boy.

My future with Edward is planned within 40 pages.

I look up from the prenup. "I'd like to talk to Edward for a moment in private please." I tell Hannah and Victor.

"Of course." Hannah nods before urging her husband out of his study. It's a room that reminds me of my Daddy's study at home. But it's less modern and more masculine. Lots of mahogany wood and dark colours.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't like this." I point at the section that's planning our future child's future.

"What about it?"

I bite on my lower lip, "Ed, I don't want children." I breathe out. "I know we talked about it briefly at Rory's tennis match and I said I'd be up for adoption but it looks like your parents want biological children and I don't want that. I don't even think I want to adopt. Ever. I'm sorry, I'm just saying it now but I really-" I stop talking as Ed takes the pen out of my hand and strikes through the paragraph.

"No children." He says before handing the pen back to me.

"Are you sure? It's a very big decision."

"I want you. I'm sure. I'm okay with not having any children."

"Really?"

"Yes. If it's just you and me until the day we die than that's perfectly fine with me." He promises me.

I flip to the last page and place my signature on the marked spot. This was the last time I used my full name on a legal document. Because in a little less than three months I'll be Josephine Ophelia Elise Rothschild.

And I'm perfectly fine with it.

The salesperson of Carolina Herrera closes the zip on the back of the ivory coloured silk wedding dress that I'm in. It's four days before Christmas and before Ed and I are having our engagement party tonight, I have another wedding dress fitting. After going to five different bridal designers, I chose Carolina Herrera. I tried on various Jenny Packham and Elie Saab dresses and I really loved them but Hannah convinced me they weren't the right fit for the wedding in the cathedral in Bath. Hannah said I needed a bigger dress to make a statement on the day of my wedding. So, I chose and off-shoulder right silk Carolina Herrera dress with a three metre train that pleases everyone.

"Show us the dress!" Char's cry fills my ears. She's due in five days, yet she insists on being here today.

"I'm coming!" I yell back before picking up the dress. The salesperson pulls back the curtain and I step out. My Mum, Hannah, Char and Ana are sitting all in a cream coloured sofa. Della has to work just like Daddy. I don't mind, if it were up to me no one would be here. I begin to understand that a wedding is much more about everyone else than the bride and groom themselves. It's about how to keep them entertained and what to feed them, when's the best time to dance and the best lightning for taking photos.

I don't care about all of this if in the end I'm just wedded to Ed. That's all that matters to me and the rest is just show.

I kind of understand how Charlotte felt on her wedding day. Her bump is massive by now and she's officially on maternity leave, which also means she won't be doing the Christmas morning walk in Sandringham with Rory and George. The King has officially prohibited any sightings out of Windsor but Char doesn't care. Nothing can keep my best friend away today.

"Oh, wow!" Char breathes out.

"You look wonderful, Sweetie!" My Mum says with a big smile on her face.

"Very elegant and sophisticated. It suits you perfectly." Hannah agrees, smiling just as much as my mother. "Edward will love this dress."

"It's a stunning dress." Ana whispers to me with her hands resting on the bump. She has grown quite a big belly in the last 16 weeks as well. That 24-week-old baby boy is developing just fine.

I look at myself in the big mirror. For grand ceremonies like the cathedral wedding we are planning, this dress has the magnificent fullness of which even Scarlett O'Hara would have approved. It's tight at my chest before opening up wide in a traditional A-cut line. The fabric is glossy and sleek, the cut simple and elegant, yet modern with the off-shoulder style. The dress even has pockets but I didn't show them Hannah, afraid she'd think it's too modern.

I look like the perfect Rothschild bride.

"How are you going to wear your hair?" Ana asks me.

"In some up-do."

Hannah nods in approval, "It'll look perfect with the Rothschild tiara."

Woah, Ed didn't warn me about a tiara! I look at Hannah with wide eyes. "Tiara?"

"Yes. It's a Rothschild tradition. A very pretty diamond bandeau tiara. It's been passed on form bride to bride over 200 years now."

"Oh, wow!" ShIt, now I know of the significance of this thing I can't turn it down.

"And since you're becoming a Rothschild, this would be a great welcome into the family."

"I'd be delighted to wear that tiara. It's a great honour." I say to Hannah with a smile on my lips.

Char throws me a look as if I had three heads - I ignore it.

In less than three months I'll be Josephine Rothschild.

The engagement party is in full swing at the Ritz. The flower arrangements are massive, the food as luxurious as the diamonds sparkling around the women's necks and wrists. Everything is held in red as it's Edward's favourite colour. The only colour in the whole room is one of the wall that has a huge flower arrangement which shows Edward and mine coat of arms. It's beautiful and smells divine, but it's also a waste of flowers. Edward promised me to give the flowers away to hospitals after tonight.

The who-is-who is here tonight, including British Royals, diplomats and other high ranked people. I had no idea the Rothschilds knew so many influential people but I guess I shouldn't wonder too much. Over the last weeks I've gotten a taste of the world I'm going to marry into. It's not one of Royalty but pretty close.

I've been chatting with people from all over the world for the last three hours. I never truly knew how useful it would be to speak so many languages fluently but today I found out. It feels like my whole life, my upbringing, prepared me for this.

"Gentlemen, excuse for a moment." I tell the three French diplomats that have been eating my ears off for the last hour. I'm wearing a dramatic red Valentino gown with ruffles and a short train.

I turn around and walk away from them, eager to find some champagne. I need more alcohol to survive this night. It's emotionally exhausting. Truly exhausting.

I spot another water walking around with a silver tablet full of sparkling champagne flutes. I pick one up and empty it in one go. I had no idea becoming a Rothschild would be such an exhausting journey. I thought planning the wedding is stressful but all those parties are even worse.

Suddenly, I spot my little sister, who is surrounded by at least fifteen people. The Duchess of Oxford is like a people's magnet. "Hey!"

Rory turns around and excuses herself from the crowd around her. I watch her strutting over to me in her deep emerald dress. "Jo, how are you?"

"Honestly, pretty exhausted. I had no idea they knew so many people!"

"I know. Even I'm impressed!" Rory says with a smile on her lips.

I stopped smiling a few hours ago because my facial muscles hurt so much. I've taken over three hundred photos tonight already.

"Where's Ed?"

I scan the crowds. The people are clearly enjoying themselves. They've grouped together into lots clusters of people. But under all these crowds, I can't spot Ed. "I don't know. I lost him an hour ago or so. He got torn away by some old friends."

"Perhaps he took off with George and Nate."

"They're gone as well?" I ask her.

"George said they'd go out for drinks afterwards. To Whites. So maybe that's where they are."

"He can't leave me here alone!" I breathe out in panic. I can't do this on my own! I scan the crowds one more time. My parents are chatting with some politicians and so are the Ed's parents. Ed's sister Meredith couldn't make it, but somehow it doesn't seem to bother him. Where the hell is my fiancé?!

"Jo,"

I wince as I suddenly feel Edward's hands on my shoulders. I turn around and stare at him. He looks very handsome tonight but not even his black Armani suit can help him right now. "Where the fuck have you been?!" I hiss at him. He fucking left me alone here! And he fucking stinks of cigars!

"The men wanted to smoke some cigars. We went into a separate room for it."

"Did George smoke?!" Rory asks him shocked.

"No and neither did I."

"You sure as hell smell like it." I hiss at him again.

"Relax."

"Relax? You fucking left me here alone for an hour!"

"I'm going to see what Mum and Dad are up to." Rory mumbles before disappearing like a mouse.

"Jo, I wasn't gone for that long."

"This is our engagement party but it feels like some kind of state banquet!" I tell him. "What happened to small and intimate?"

"You know this is small and intimate." He reminds me. It was hard enough to narrow it down to 200 people as Hannah didn't want to offend any of the family's friends.

I inhale deeply to calm down. "I know. Let's just get this over with. I want to get home as quickly as possible."

"Just a few more hours." He promises me.

I'm sure those will be the longest of my life.

AN OPERATIONAL UPDATE - THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF WINDSOR

The Duchess went into labour yesterday noon. The Duke of Windsor was by Her Royal Highness' side. An announcement will be made soon.

Edward stops his silver Pininfarina in front of my childhood home that's covered in a white blanket of snow. It has started to snow a few hours ago on this Christmas Eve morning. I promised to help my Mum and Dad with the Christmas dinner tonight and Ed wanted to spend some time with my little brothers.

I get out of the car and walk through the snow in my sneakers while Ed gets out our outfits for tonight. It's been a while since the family has been home so I'm looking forward to it. Though, this year we might get two whole new reasons to celebrate Christmas as Charlotte went into labour yesterday noon. She's currently in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's, not too far away from here.

I open the heavy black double doors and walk into my home. Zeus is the first one to greet me with loud barks and a wet tongue. "Hi, buddy!" I missed my Springer Spaniel.

I get out of my shoes just as Edward walks inside. There's Christmas music filling my ears as I stripe off my coat. Edward places our outfits on the bench in the foyer before getting out of his coat and shoes as well.

"Anyone home?" I ask in a loud voice.

"Kitchen!" My parents yell back.

"Can you bring these up in my room?" I ask Ed who nods before grabbing our outfits and walking up the left staircase with Zeus following him.

I get the little ornament out of the pocket of my coat before I walk down the steps that lead to the living room and have a look around. The Christmas tree is sparkling with different ornaments. Every family member has one with their birthday engraved on it. Mum has a pink peony, Ana has a white English rose, Della has a pale pink ballet shoe, Daddy's ornament is a skyscraper, Nate's a blue snowflake made out of glass, Rory's a blue/green/purple hummingbird, Elias' a navy plane, Cal and Gideon have two sailing boats, Carolina and Isabella have two unicorns, Sergej's some kind of fish, Sasha's a gun and Wlad has a protection shield. Mine is a red heart with diamonds.

Edward chose his family's coat of arms.

I hang the coffee cup next to my ornament. An angel is sitting on top of the Christmas tree. I spot my family's coat of arms in form of an ornament on the tree as well. It does look very good next to Rory, George, Char and Nate's coat of arms. Catherine and William's are somewhere here as well as Louis'. The tree has really grown with the different ornaments. As with every year, it's very pretty. I'm sure in a decade we won't need any other ornaments but our own. It's already pretty full.

With a smile on my face I walk into the kitchen. My Dad and my Mum are preparing the food for the homeless shelter that we're giving away this morning. It's a lot of food to do a lot of good. I love our Christmas traditions. Sometimes the Wales Family joins us as well. But this year the Oxfords are getting ready at Frogmore while the Windsors are busy expanding their own family.

"Have you heard anything from Nate?" I ask my parents.

My Mum turns around. "Yeah, the girls are here. Early morning."

I grin, "Really? That's wonderful!"

"The best Christmas gift we could have wished for." My Dad says with a smile on his family.

"How about we visit them before going to the homeless shelter?" I ask them.

"Sounds good. We're nearly done here. Where's Ed?" Mum asks me.

"Upstairs. We brought our outfits for tonight." I explain just as I hear his footsteps approaching us.

"Hi!" He greets my parents with a big smile on his lips. "Wow, you guys have cooked a lot. Were you up all night?"

My Dad chuckles, "No, we just have enough experience and with the right planning everything goes smoothly."

"Char has given birth." I inform Ed as he reaches me. I grab his hand and squeeze it softly. Our hands almost fit perfectly together.

"That's great!"

"We want to visit her before we go to the homeless shelter."

"Homeless shelter?" Ed asks me confused. "That's not the food for tonight?"

"No." My Mum says before looking at me. "You didn't tell him?"

"We discusses the seating chart on our way here. I forgot." I tell her before looking at Ed. "It's a tradition in my family to pay a local homeless shelter a visit the morning of Christmas Eve. Ana started it years ago and we still do it."

"That's a wonderful tradition. I'm honoured to become a part of it."

"Good, because you're going to carry all the heavy trays." My Dad jokes.

"Where are my brothers?"

"Movie theatre. Can you get them?"

"I'll get them." Ed offers. He's out of the kitchen before any of us can protest.

"He loves them." I tell my parents.

"And they love him. See them as a big brother."

"They said that?"

"Eli did and Cal and Gideon agreed."

Edward's just the perfect man for me. "I've hung up his ornament on the Christmas tree."

"What did he choose?" Daddy asks me.

"The coat of arms of the Rothschild family."

"Clever." My Mum says with a smirk.

THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR HAS BEEN DELIVERED OF TWO DAUGHTERS

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Windsor has been delivered of two daughters at 02:58hrs and 02:59hrs on the 24th of December 2048.

The babies weigh 5,59lbs and 5,47lbs.

The Duke of Windsor was present for the birth.

The King, The Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Oxford have been informed and are delighted with the news.

The Duke and Duchess's grandmothers, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales and Dame Gabriella Bolton, who are overjoyed by the arrival of her granddaughters, are with Their Royal Highnesses at Adelaide Cottage.

Her Royal Highness and the babies are doing well.

A Christmas gift: The Windsor Twins are here!

The Duke of Windsor stepped out to face the media just a few minutes after announcing on WindsorRoyals that they are parents of twin girls!

The posted caption showed the couple's cypher (the entwined C and N) underneath a crown in gold on a pale pink background. Underneath the couple's cypher it says 'It's two girls!', while two girls written in big letters. Underneath the announcement it says: 'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Windsor are overjoyed to announce the birth of their children'. Underneath the caption, the couple released some more information: "We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Windsor welcomed their first children in the early morning on December 24th, giving us the best Christmas gift! Their Royal Highnesses' baby girls weigh 2,54kg and 2,48kg.

The Duchess and their baby girls are healthy and doing incredibly well, and the couple thank members of there public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives.

More details will be shared in the forthcoming days."

Speaking outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's in Paddington on a snowy morning, he said: "I am very excited to announce that Charlotte and myself had two baby girls early this morning. We have two very healthy twin girls giving us the best Christmas gift we could have asked for. Mother and both girls are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience I could have ever possibly imagined. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support out there. It's been amazing."

He then admitted he hasn't quite decided on his daughters names yet. He added: 'We're still thinking about the names, the babies are a little bit early so we haven't had a lot time to think about the names. That's the next bit, but for us we'll see you in two days as a family so everyone can see the babies."

The exact due date was not made public, but it had been expected that she would give birth in late November or early December – the latest clue being that Prince Charles, the royal baby's great-granddad, guessed it could be around Christmas time.

The babies are sixth and seventh in line to the throne and are the King's fourth and fifth great-grandchild.

I follow my parents down the hallway at the Lindo Wing in Paddington. The last time I was here, it was for Rory's girls. I can't believe only seven months later I'm here again. Edward grabs my hand as we walk past the many Royal security men that make sure the last part of the hallway is safe. When Rory gave birth, the whole floor was shut down and there were lots of specialised doctors but with Charlotte it's different.

Because His Majesty said so.

We stop at the last room at the end of the hallway. My Mum knocks before opening the door and walking in. I follow her with Daddy and Ed behind me. It's not the same room that Rory, Della and Mum have birth in but it's definitely a premium room.

"Aw, they're so cute!" My Mum breathes out the second her eyes spot the newest addition to the family. Nate and Charlotte are each holding a baby girl in their arms. They have the proud smiles of fresh parents.

"Congratulations you two!" My Dad grins as he hugs them both.

"They're beautiful. Do you already have names?" Es Asia the new proud parents.

"Yes. This here is Evangeline Luna Catherine Elizabeth Marie." Charlotte says as she hands her over to my mother. "She's the first born."

"And this gorgeous girl is Eliana Aurelia Catina Josephine Louise." Nate smiles at his daughter before handing her over to the proud grandpa.

"You named your second born after me?" I ask them shocked.

Charlotte shrugs, "Only so you have to return the favour." She jokes.

"Thank you. They are gorgeous." I whisper as I see the unconditional love in my brother and sister-in-law's eyes. Charlotte looks a little tired, but she's already dressed in a cashmere dress and black leggings. The car seats are already ready as well. "You guys are already leaving?"

"Yeah. The car is already waiting for us."

"King's order?" I ask Char with a raised eyebrow.

"No. My will actually. I want to spend our first Christmas Eve at home."

"In Adelaide Cottage or with Wills and Catherine at Kensington Palace?" Dad asks them.

"Actually with you in Richmond." Nate says to us. "We don't want to miss out on all the Christmas fun."

"Plus, I can recover best with family and loved ones around me." Char tells us. "Jo, could you take a photo of us in the hospital? One that we can post on Instagram when we reveal the names."

I nod, "Sure."

"Then maybe we shouldn't go to the homeless shelter." My Mum says. "We should still have some cribs in the basement. We'll clean them for you guys."

"No, you guys go home. Ed and I will drop off the food." I tell my parents.

Ed nods, "Yeah, we'll carry on the tradition."

After spending the noon with the homeless people in Richmond, it feels good to be back home. Edward seemed to enjoy the work at the shelter as much as me. Everyone was asking about Rory and George and Charlotte and Nate, especially about the freshly born princesses. Usually, we're there with the whole family but this year it was just Ed and I, which was fine.

I watch how my future husband urges my little brothers and nieces up the staircase. They were downstairs, watching a movie in the theatre with tea and popcorn. Edward smiles as he watches Elias, Cal, Gideon, Carol and Bella all run down the hallway. We're starting our Christmas dinner any minute. Ed and I changed into our Christmas dinner attire which consists of pyjamas. It's a Bolton tradition to wear pyjamas on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

"I'll get Charlotte." I inform Ed. "Get seated. We'll join you shortly."

He nods before kissing my left cheek. "This Christmas is epic. Thank you for this."

"It was you who is willing to have this for the rest of your life."

"Our lives." He corrects me with a smile before walking down the hallway that leads to the dinning room.

I walk to the guest bedroom that's Charlotte's recovery room and nursery to her daughter for the holidays. She slept for the last hours but woke up to feed her newborn daughters. I knock two times before opening the door. My sister-in-law is sitting on the bed and watches her two daughters sleep in their cribs.

"Dinner's ready." I tell her as I reach her.

Charlotte nods, "I'm coming..."

I sit down next to her and look at my two nieces. "They're gorgeous."

"They are... I can't seem to tear my gaze off of them."

"If I don't get you to the table than your parents will do that."

"Do you think we could have dinner here on the bed?"

I chuckle, "Charlotte, this room is big but not big enough for 25 people." As with every Christmas Eve, we've got the Boltons, the Wales Family and the Middleton Family all in one place. It's crazy full but my parents love it - and I love it as well.

She sighs, "I know... I just can't leave them. Nate doesn't seem to have that problem, obviously. This man can eat whenever wherever."

"Yeah, that's typical for my brother." I say with a chuckle, "How are you?"

"Sore, exhausted but also full of love." Charlotte's navy eyes stare at her babies. "Jo, how can you still not want any kids yourself?"

I shrug, "I just do. I love children but I don't want my own. I don't have a motherly bone in my body."

"And Ed? I'm sure he wants kids."

I'm sure as well although he said otherwise. But I can see the glow in his turquoise coloured eyes every time he's around a child or baby. It's his heart's biggest desire. "He said he's okay with just having me."

"And you believe him?"

"No."

"You guys should clear that before you end up at the altar in March." Charlotte advices me.

"I'll talk to him after the holidays." I promise myself. I have to otherwise this might go up in flames. "But now, Mummy, you have to eat something yourself."

"Isn't rule number one to sleep when your babies sleep?"

"Yes and rule number two is to eat when your babies sleep. So now, come on. Get up and fuel yourself."

"Did Ella make her shepherds pie?"

That's Char's favourite Christmas food. "You bet she did."

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF WINDSOR NAME THEIR DAUGHTERS

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor are delighted to announce that they have named their daughters Evangeline Luna Catherine Elizabeth Marie and Eliana Aurelia Catina Josephine Louise.

The babies will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Evangelina of Windsor and Her Royal Highness Princess Eliana of Windsor.

For New Year's Eve, Edward took me to St. Moritz, a small town in Switzerland known for the old money. Of course, the Rothschilds have a holiday home here, up in the snowy mountains. Ed and I went skiing the whole day. The heavy snow reminded me of Finland... of Oliver, but only for the first moment I saw them. Then, Ed kissed me and all memories of Oliver faded. We were having so much fun all day that I didn't even think of Oliver again.

I walk over to the glass front that overlooks the snowy mountains of St. Moritz. The sun is starting to set. I can't believe this year has come to an end. It was a crazy one. It was my first year back home after my study at Harvard Business School. I started a job at my parents' firm. I met Oliver. I met Edward. I had amazing three months with Oliver but then I broke us up because of Edward. I changed careers. I started working for my sister and her husband - and it was the best decision I ever made. It's incredibly soul-fulfilling to work for the Oxford Royal Foundation. It's even better than having done the social project for the Bolton Foundation... On my birthday I got engaged. Charlotte had her twin girls. Edward spent his first Christmas with me.

And now we're here, a few minutes before the new year begins.

Ed wanted to go to some social party but I decided otherwise. I want to spend it with him, preferably fucking him.

I have to leave Oliver in the past, in this year. I can't carry him on to the next year, into my marriage and my life with Edward.

I just can't. I have to let him go.

Even if it hurts so much.

I wince as I feel Edward's arms embracing me from behind. It is only then that the sound of the running telly starts filling my ears again. The countdown will start any minute. "It's a stunning view, isn't it?"

The sun has set, so I stare at my Edward and mine reflection. We look perfect together. We are perfect together. "It's beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here."

"I thought this could be our New Year's Eve tradition. Just you and me up on the snowy hills. No distractions. No interruptions. Just us."

I smile, "Sounds perfect."

"I chilled a bottle of champagne for us. The countdown starts shortly."

"Ed,"

"Yes?"

"You sure, you don't want kids? I mean, biologically or adopted."

"Yeah. I told you that before you signed our prenup."

"I know but I saw you with Eva and Eli over the holidays. And with my little brothers and nieces. You have this glow in your eyes when you're around kids and I would hate myself if I took that away from you."

"My eyes are glowing because I see how much your brothers are like you. I can see the connection between you and your siblings - and it amazes me. As for Char's daughters, they're babies. Everyone gets big eyes about babies. It's natural to love them. It's a normal biochemical process that happens in our brains."

"You're okay with no kids?"

"Yes, I'm fine with it." He promises me with a soft squeeze.

"And you won't change your mind in say five, ten years?"

"No. But if you do, then you have to tell me. Because we're in this together."

I tilt my head to the side to look him into his turquoise eyes. "I won't change my mind."

'Happy New Year!' The voices from the telly yell.

"Happy New Year, Edward." I smile at him and run my fingers through his hair.

"Happy New Year, Darling." He whispers back before kissing me.

It's going to be a new year with a new me.

And a new surname.

Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!

The next chapter will be about the wedding. Do you think Jo has finally let go of Oliver?

Do you think Jo will change her mind about having children as she did about marriage?

Please review!

In gratitude,

Nicole