TPASD 20

Henry stormed out of that meeting catching Philip's smirk on his way out. Henry had never really wanted to punch anyone before in his life, but in that moment, he would have loved nothing more than to punch Philip, right in the mouth. But he didn't. Violence wasn't him and it wasn't the answer.

Shaan had followed him out of the meeting, out of loyalty. When he finally reached his childhood bedroom in Buckingham Palace, Henry was pacing. He was angry and furious at himself. Feeling a raging internal anger at himself for not standing up for queer people everywhere. Knowing that saying nothing before he left, would be for the best. Henry knew Catherine would definitely catch wind of this meeting and there would be hell to pay for Philip. But it had felt cowardly to Henry, that he hadn't stood up to his brother, the royal advisers and the church.

"Sir?" Shaan knocked, letting himself in without waiting for Henry's affirmative. He thrusted his personal cell into Henry's hands and bowed at him. "Take your time, I will be outside when you are done."

Honestly, Henry never looked at the screen of his equerry's phone before putting it to his ear. "Hello."

"Baby," Henry would recognise that voice with the southern lilt in a Texan twang. "Shaan told me what happened. How can I help?"

"I am not sure you can, Alex." Henry let out a breathy sob, before he let the tear gathering fall down his face. "So much for trying to stand up for the community. I was just publicly humiliated by Philip, in front of the archbishop and the royal advisers. I am a coward."

"You're not a coward Henry, and Philip is a dick!" Alex reminded him. His crass, yet apt description of Philip gave Henry a weak smile.

"Alex? I need something." Henry begged. He didn't even know what he needed, just that he needed something. "I...I need to see you. See Gabriella. I miss you both. But I am trapped here."

"I know." Alex sighed; his heart felt like it was breaking for Henry. He knew Henry had to stay at Buckingham and deal with all of the ceremonial garbage to do with his grandmother's funeral. "We miss you too."

Silence ensued between the two men on the phone, it was a moment of weakness for both of them. Henry wanted to run away, and Alex wanted to rescue him, but neither could make the right move. Alex hated silences, he wanted to fill the void with noise, but mentally, he thought it might just push Henry too far.

A knock at the door on Henry's end put the stalemate of silence to bed. "Ah, I best go. Talk to you, soon." Henry disconnected the call, assuming it was Shaan at the door and not his mother. His own mobile vibrated with an incoming message from Alex. Opening it and ignoring his mother's presence in his room, he smiled instantly when he saw that Alex had sent him a picture of a happy, smiling, Gabriella on his lap. She looked happy and vibrant. Her skin was glowing again, and she looked so adorable leaning against her father, all cuddly and happy. Her father, Henry thought, looked like an Adonis, tanned skin, warm smile, sparkling eyes. But it was those curls. Those curls were going to be the death of him. Those curls looked exactly like they had last time Alex had been in his bed and Alex had been teasing him, calling him baby. Alex had been all soft with sleep and those tousled curls had been trying to kill him then.

"Is Gabriella, ok?" Crap. Henry had forgotten that his mother was still standing there, yet to say anything. Until now, that is.

"Yes." Henry smiled. "They brought her out of the sedation yesterday and she is recovering."

"Want to tell me why I had a call from the archbishop? Insolence and disrespectful behaviour." Catherine asked, looking at her son carefully. She had been in Liverpool on her 'grief tour' when she had received the call. She had driven back to sort this mess out. It was important right now that they presented a united front. The account of her younger son's behaviour from the archbishop had been odd. "Very unlike you Henry."

"If you're all for a new and modern monarchy, then why is it that the archbishop is being told to focus on the evils of homosexuality in his sermon for her funeral." Henry snapped. "Being called on in a meeting to agree with that dick that the people of the Commonwealth have been behaving like degenerates for their queer behaviour is appalling. It is disrespecting to me. Especially since I am a member of that community. Or have you all forgotten when Gran outed me at the dinner table? Because I sure as hell haven't. Nor will I ever."

"Really, Henry? Disrespect aside, calling the archbishop a dick for following the teaching of the religion is a bit much." Catherine told him. "Even if you -"

"I was calling Philip a dick." Henry defended himself. "He is the one who levelled those claims. His suggestion to the archbishop. Of course, all of the royal advisers were on his side and if I didn't know better, one would assume I was only asked to sit in on the meeting so they could talk about how my queerness is reprehensible."

"Oh Henry," She sighed, pulling her youngest son into line her arms. "Philip should have never and never should have the advisers. That is not the way I am going to rule, I promise you. If Philip thinks he will be staging a coup, then he better prepare himself for war. Perhaps he should even remember that his father and I raised you all, and it was not like this. Also, his own wife and children are on my side. Arthur and James' best friends, William and Noah, they have two mothers. Their mums are lesbian and Martha's dearest friends. In the meantime, tell me." Catherine patted the sofa beside her. "What's happening with Alex? Have you asked him out yet?"

"MUM!" Henry exclaimed. "We are in mourning; in case you have forgotten. I am stuck here at Buckingham until after the funeral."

"No, you're not." She told him. "In fact, I am ordering you back to KP. You and Beatrice. First thing after breakfast. This place is killing you. Is Alex still at KP?"

"No, Shaan and I thought it best to move Alex and the girls to a rented flat in Shaan's name." Henry explained to her. "We thought it best to avoid media speculation."

"Good idea." Catherine told Henry softly. "Alex is aware that when you come out and if you pursue a relationship, he will be in the media. He will be open to scrutiny. So will Gabriella."

"He himself is the son of not one, but two US Senators. He knows how to handle the media." Henry didn't mention that his mother had just voiced one of his worst fears out loud. That Alex would not be able to handle the additional attention and would decide that Henry is not worth it.

"Pack up, Henry. Prepare for you to go home tomorrow. I will tell Shaan and make the arrangements."

By midday, Alex was returning to the flat with Gabriella and June and Nora had been preparing a small feast for them to celebrate. This afternoon, Nora and Alex were set to meet with Sabin and see what was left of his home.

In the hours that Alex had either been with one of the women, or away from them while his daughter was in the hospital, they had been scouring ads, looking to get some basic things that Alex would need for his daughter. They got Alex some more crib linen and an actual wooden crib, in lieu of the porta cot Catherine had procured for him to loan. Pez came through for the girls, as he had promised with all new bed linens for her, as well as sleep bags and sleep suits in all of the togs she would need.

As they settled in preparing to eat, the doorbell rang, and Nora sent June a wink as she headed off to answer it. Percy's joyous voice filtered through the makeshift home. As the billionaire philanthropist came into view, so did a shy and stumbling Henry dressed in glasses and a hoodie that Alex knew did not belong to the royal. Alex knew it did not belong to Henry because it was Alex's hoodie. It was the one that lived in his sweats in the bottom of his locker at the shelter. The one that he would use when he'd change out of his work clothes to go for a run or play basketball with the kids.

"That wouldn't be you, abusing your authority as gatekeeper of the staff's spare locker keys to break into another staff member's locker. Would it, Pez?" Alex mock-glared at his friend.

"Nonsense, I would never do such a thing. Alexander, I am deeply hurt by your accusation." Pez feigned hurt, holding his hand over his chest for dramatic effect in a way that only Pez could pull off. "But I did stand guard while Bea broke in."

"Rude!" Bea huffed from behind Henry. Alex hadn't even noticed her standing there. She had been dwarfed by him and used his height to hide behind. "Henry needed a hoodie, I simply commandeered one."

"It's my hoodie." Alex said, staring right into Henry's eyes. His eyes boring into the prince. Alex had a million thoughts running through his head and all of them had dwindled down to one thought at the sight of Henry, all soft in jeans, a ball cap and his hoodie. The one that bore the logo of a wildcat, with Austin Central High School written on the front and AGCD printed on the back. "You're supposed to -"

"Yes, yes, yes, we're supposed to be in mourning, languishing away inside the palace slowly dying inside. All so very dull and boring." Bea cut Alex off. "Besides eating some great food and celebrating your little one's health and the witch's death is much more our style."

"My mother sends her love." Henry added with a shy, hooded eye look from beneath the hood of Alex's hoodie. "Besides, it's all soft and comfy. It's worn in and it smells like you."

"Y'all are just in time, come on in. Let's eat." June welcomed them in. Alex blushed. He had forgotten June was standing beside him and watching him in a way that only big sisters watched their kid brothers.

The boisterous noise and laughter through lunch did not even seem to phase Gabriella. Her eyes had lit up with excitement as soon as she saw Henry. She had made her giggly, excited happy noise at him and that had been all it had taken. Henry had swooped in and scooped her up, laughing with her and raining kisses all over her face, making her laugh harder and louder.

Which had set Bea, Pez and Nora off. Alex had sat there and stared at them. He had a look of adoration on his face and in front of these people he felt like he didn't need to school his features. He could let his feelings for Henry out a little. These people were his safe space.

Lunch was over all too soon. Over lunch, Bea had told Alex, June and Nora how her mother had ordered them back to KP and Bea had taken it upon herself to tell Pez that Henry was upset. June had chimed in that Pez had messaged her and together, Pez and June hatched the plan for lunch. Alex was appreciative.

"Alexander darling, you know as much as I do," Percy crowed at him. "I am here for the one and only Gabriella. Oh, and a chance to get to know your sister more, and her lovely, charming wife."

"Lord help me." Alex muttered and Beatrice laughed out loud, spurting her mouthful of cola through her nose in a very unladylike fashion. "Why do I put up with you, Pez?"

Before Pez could respond, Gabriella let out a cry. She was playing in her sit and play. She had been awake for a few hours now and was more than likely ready for a bottle and a nap. "I'll do her bottle, Alex." June offered. "You've got to get ready to meet Sabin and Pez and our royal friends have to head back to the palace before anyone notices them missing."

"Let me do it." Henry begged, taking the offered bottle Nora had been making before Gabriella had started fussing and crying. "Come here sweetheart, Hen's got you."

"You're gonna make a fine house husband one day Henry." Bea told him, that sisterly gleam in her eye.

Usually at this point, Henry would have told his sister to lovingly fuck off. But he had taken into consideration what his mother had told him about language and babies' development, so instead, he flipped her off behind Gabriella's back. "She's due for a nap, right?" Henry asked Alex and Alex stared at him so hard, he thought his heart might beat right out of his chest. "I'll give her the bottle and pop her down before I go."

Henry sat on the sofa, Alex's daughter in his arms, feeding her and Alex was feeling all kind of feelings in his chest. Feelings that once he had identified them, did not want to leave him. If this flat was not full of June and Nora, Henry's sister Bea, or Percy, as soon as Gabriella was asleep, Alex would be dragging Henry into the bedroom and wanting to do 'bad' things to him. He knows he promised Henry, he would make it worth his while. But Alex isn't sure how much longer he can wait right now.

"If you were pining any harder there, Alejandro, you would die." Nora teased him in the way that only Nora had ever been able to. "It's sickening, but don't worry, he's jonesin', just as hard."

"Nora!" Alex protested.

She knew Alex probably better than he knew himself. Nora could read Alex like a book and refused to take Alex's protests as gospel. As soon as she had seen Alex and Henry interact in the hospital when he had taken her and June there, she knew. She'd had an inkling in the past when he had met Erica, but she had never felt so strong about it as what she did today. Her wife always said that when it came to Alex, Nora had a sixth sense about him.

Nora had been the first person that Alex had confided in about his potential sexuality crisis. It had been after he and Nora had dated (for an all of five minutes) and before he had met Erica. The man in question had been a classmate of the two of theirs and Nora had clocked it long before Alex had. Alex had been weirdly obsessed with Liam. Even thought the two men had shared things in common, Nora had told him it would take a special man to turn Alex's head. She was right too.

Liam was special. He and Alex had grown close. Both through their love of lacrosse and debate. But the problem with Liam was it fizzled out before it had a chance to go anywhere. They had kissed twice and made out a little at a party. But Alex was new to his bisexuality and hadn't fully accepted it yet. He had unknowingly avoided Liam's advances and Liam had been hurt. Effectively choosing to ice Alex out of their friendship it.

Alex had naively thought that they drifted apart, until he confided in Nora and Nora informed him that he had been dumped. From that moment on, Alex became very selective when it came to the men he was interested in. Whilst appreciating his bisexuality and observing men, Alex never pursued men. Not to say he wasn't pursued, just that he chose to focus on himself.

Then he met Erica and his world changed.

Now here he was. Erica was gone and Alex was entertaining the idea of a ... well Nora wasn't really sure what Alex was entertaining the idea of with Henry. But it was definitely more than friendship. Not to mention from the stories June had told from her previous visit, and what Nora had seen so far, Alex and Henry had heat. They had chemistry. And they were sickeningly sweet together.

Now with Henry gone, Alex was sidetracked as he let Nora drive his SUV out to his place to survey the damage. Sabin and Shaan had warned him that the damage was extensive, and Alex honestly thought he had prepared himself for it, mentally. But nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.

The house that he and Erica had fallen in love with at first sight looked nothing like what it had looked like when he and Henry had left the house eight days ago. Besides the stench, which almost had Alex dry retching. It had smelt like a moist and moldy basement. The kind that belonged back home and had been leaking moisture with every rainfall for the last fifty years.

Sabin, Shaan's brother was nothing like what Alex had imagined him to be, but in the same thought, he was exactly as Alex had pictured. While both men were detail oriented, impeccably dressed and seemed to possess a wild streak. Sabin was dressed down. Something Alex firmly believed that Shaan could never do. Pulling up on his Harley, Alex let out a low whistle at the bike. It was a nice bike, and even Alex had to admit, he was a good-looking man.

"Down boy," Nora hissed at Alex. The lilt in her voice was teasing and kept the situation lighthearted enough that Alex didn't get lost in his thoughts. "You have a literal prince waiting for you to make a goddamn move, Alex."

"I can look and appreciate, but not touch, you know?" Alex hissed as Sabin came over and introduced himself. They had spoken on the phone and communicated by email before but had never met in person.

Nothing on the bottom floor of the house was salvageable and Alex had been on the verge of tears when Sabin told him because of the risk of mold, Alex would have to toss everything. The one lone trunk Alex and Erica had stored in the attic was salvageable, and Sabin encouraged Alex to take it today.

Alex managed to hold his tears inside as Sabin showed Alex and Nora the structural damage and explained that until his insurance company sent an assessor out to look at the property, he couldn't begin to clean up the mess. Alex felt disheartened at what he was seeing, and the stench was unbearable. There was only so much he could handle and when he saw his office and he saw the dirty water line more than three quarters up the height of the wall. It pushed him over the edge.

"Oh Alex," Nora hugged him, holding him tightly.

Everything was gone. All of his material possessions. Gone. His house was mud and sludge, instead of plush carpet and Italian marble tiles. The walls were wet and musty, coated in dirt, instead of the rich vibrant accent colours he and Erica had painted them when they had first bought the house.

He had memories of Erica saying yes to his marriage proposal in the dining room. Memories of late night studying in his office. Commercial sex and Netflix sex on the sofa in the living room. Memories of fighting with her, of making up. Memories of a positive pregnancy test. The following fight and making up once more. Memories of the excitement kicking in, knowing they were finally going to be parents. Memories of Erica coming home from the hospital and Alex being the inconsolable one when he realised they weren't bringing their baby girl home with him. Memories of all the people he loved under one roof to surprise Erica with a family baby shower. Memories of June and Nora, his mom and Leo, his Pa, all dropping everything and coming over to the UK in the days after he had lost Erica. Gabriella in this house. Her first home. Henry here, in his bed. Henry drunk in his bed. Sleeping, albeit platonically with Henry in his bed. Henry and him in his bed, Gabriella between them, one soft morning. It was all gone.

"It's all gone, Nora." Alex sobbed and Nora just held him tighter. She had been prepared for this and although Alex knew in theory. Seeing it first-hand had wrecked Alex.

Sneaking back into the palace was an art form that Bea and Henry had done to a tee so many times before it was practically second nature. What they should have suspected was that Shaan would be waiting for them. Shaan always knew. A chastising motion, but slight mirth written on his face.

"Next time you want to sneak out of the palace, have the courtesy to at least leave word of your whereabouts with me." Shaan chastised him, as he escorted Bea and Henry from the secret side gate of the south side of the palace, back to the main house at Kensington. "And how is Mr. Claremont-Diaz and Miss Gabriella doing?" Shaan asked and Henry blushed.

He and Alex hadn't had a chance to be alone, something Henry had truly wanted. June had accompanied him when he had laid Gabriella in her new crib. He had wanted Alex to accompany him so they could have a chance to steal some kisses. He had needed to feel Alex's lips on his and he needed to feel Alex's body pressed up against his. Even if it was only for a fleeting moment. A stolen encounter. Just so he could mentally recalibrate and get through the next week of ceremonial pomp.

"They were good." Bea answered cheekily. "Henry's a little put out because we refused to let Henry be alone with Alex. It was too risky to allow Alex and Henry to get caught up in each other. God forbid the media had of found us and Henry appeared all lips swollen, and kiss bitten. The press would positively pitch a collective fit."

"On that note," Shaan sighed softly. He really hated having to be the one to tell Henry what he was about to say, but orders were orders. "Prince Philip and Lady Martha have invited themselves to dine here this evening and are demanding both of you be present."

"How wonderful is it, that Philip barges into our home and invites himself and his wife to dinner?" Bea said rhetorically, her tone dry and just.

"I ought to have known this would be coming." Henry muttered, looking to Shaan. Bea had to have known too. When she had heard what had gone down between the brothers in the meeting, she had been livid. She hadn't meant to overhear, but Philip was ranting to Martha in the hallway outside her bedroom, loudly.

Martha had beaten Bea to the punch and laid into her husband, verbally. Then Bea had flung her bedroom door open and the look on Philip's face had been priceless. Before she too had told him exactly what she thought. Philip had sighed in relief when Bea was done, then his mother had appeared before him. He had relaxed a little more, before she had suddenly summoned all of her late mother's advisors and told them in no uncertain terms that Philip had been ill-informed.

Her late mother's most trusted advisor and closest friend, Alfred, had put up a refusal and Catherine had dressed him down verbally, before asking did anyone else have any concerns. No one said a word. She then ordered Alfred to reschedule the meeting with the archbishop, telling Philip in no uncertain terms that she would do his job for him, if he could not be trusted to do it himself.

At dinner, Henry and Bea made sure to keep Philip waiting. It was a small and petty gesture, but Bea had claimed it was karma for all the times that Philip had ever spoken down to them or treated them like five years old. Bea hadn't told anyone the reason for her idea simply being that only she and Shaan were aware, Catherine would be joining them for a small, 'friendly' family dinner.

Apologizing for their tardiness, Philip let out a sigh of protest, but Martha swiftly gently smacked her husband's arm, pulling him back into line. Before anything further could be said on the matter, Catherine glided into the room, in her royal way. The look on both Henry and Philip's faces would have been hysterical, if not for the fact that Henry straightened his spine a little taller in his seat and smirked at his brother. Bea managed to catch Martha's eye and it was quickly worked out that both women had been in on the plan to get the family together.

"Hello darlings," Catherine cooed, greeting them all and kissing the top of each of her children's heads, as well as Martha's as she passed them. "Before we eat, let's get this mess sorted out. Who is going first?"

Henry sat there defiantly, refusing to go first. He could see by the look on Philip's face, and despite the verbal tongue lashings he had received, he was expecting an apology. Henry was not willing to apologise. He could be a stubborn shit, but in his stubbornness, he was channeling Alex. Alex was the most stubborn person Henry had ever met in his life and even when he was beating his against a metaphorical brick wall dealing with Alex's innate stubbornness. Henry was in awe of how stubborn the Texan could truly be.

"I suppose I can be the bigger man and apologise first." Philip sighed, breaking the stalemate. "Gran made me promise her a long time ago that no matter what happened, I was to push her dedication to the teachings of the church into the sermon. It was her last wish, and she died rather angry at me. She had died, feeling betrayed by me. I guess in combination with listening to her advisors, I thought I was making amends with her."

"Henry?" Catherine prompted him, and Henry shook his head angrily.

Like with Alex's innate stubbornness inspiring him, Henry let Alex's anger at injustice get the better of him. Taking a deep breath, he channeled his inner Alex. He would not be backing down without a fight. "You don't get to sit there, talk down to me about the evils of homosexuality and preach the sinful behaviour of the queer community to the archbishop knowing I am a gay man and expect me to follow your bullshit party line." Henry admonished his brother. "You have no fucking clue, and you never will, until you pull your head out of your fucking arse and listen to me. Living under her rule was a fucking nightmare I could not wake up from. I could not escape, I was trapped. The first man I ever had remotely genuine feelings for had his life upended so badly he fucking killed himself to get away from me. That woman claimed to love me, but emotionally blackmailed and manipulated me from the age of seven. She forced me to make questionably immoral decisions. She played fast and loose with her affections for me, as her own brand of a homophobic prison. I might mourn the loss of the woman I knew prior to the age seven, before I knew she was a queen, but I mourn no version of the woman after that moment in time. As for your so-called apology, you can shove it up your fucking arse. Until you use the words 'I am sorry' your apology doesn't mean shit. I am done being everyone's emotional punching bag."

"Henry, darling." His mother sighed. She was glad Henry was fighting back, standing up for himself. Even if it was profane, the language he used. Not that she could judge him too harshly. He was his father's son and Arthur would swear like a sailor when on his high horse.

"I will not be remaining in the closet any longer." Henry stood up, using his taller and broader frame to lean in and physically intimidate his brother. "I am going to come out as gay, as soon as the mourning period is over."

"Why?" Philip asked on impulse and his wife, Bea and his mother shot him drastic looks as he tried to back pedal. But he couldn't. Not fast enough to save himself. "I mean why now?"

"Don't you fucking see it yet, Philip?" Henry hissed at him. "I'm finally fucking free. I am no longer a fucking prisoner locked in a gilded cage."

"Does this have anything to do with the guest gran had ranted on about?" Philip interrogated his brother.

"No." Henry stated firmly. His lips twitched.

"So, you're not sleeping with someone you work with like a common whore?" Philip laid his accusation bare. "Word around your home is you've been a fucking nightmare. Sneaking away from your PPOs to fuck your street whore."

"How fucking dare you?!" Bea seethed at Philip. "Sorry Martha. But how fucking dare you? Henry doesn't judge you for the number of women in your bedchamber who are not your wife. Try keeping it in your own fucking pants sometime."

"Thank you, Bea." Henry murmured, risking a glance at Martha. She seemed unsurprised by their sister's accusation at their oldest brother. Henry surmised she must have known about Philip's string of morally loose women.

"I do apologise." Philip whispered to Henry in a hushed tone at his mother's angry gaze.

"Jesus, Philip!" Martha exploded at her husband. "Did you not listen to anything Henry just said to you? It's not that hard to say I am sorry. Use your fucking words. You are a grown man, not a five-year-old. I know Mary told you apologising is a sign of weakness. But right now, I do not care. You are so far in the wrong, everyone in this room is ready to disown you."

Philip stared at his wife, slack jawed. He had never, ever heard Martha lose her cool or ever get upset. Here she was screaming at him about how wrong he was. She was telling him to apologise. Not to just say he apologises, but to use the actual words that his grandmother used to smack him across the fingers with her riding crop every time he would utter them.

"Here is what is going to happen." Catherine told them all. "Philip, you are going to accompany me to the meeting with the archbishop tomorrow. You are going to apologise for your behaviour and for your words, explaining you were misinformed and the ill-advised. Beatrice, you are going to apologise to Martha properly for airing their issues in the presence of the rest of us. Henry, you can back down off that slightly too high of a horse you have climbed up on and realise that you might be overdoing it a little.

Then, we are going to present a united family front on the goodwill tour. All of you will participate, no exceptions. After the funeral, Henry you and I, will personally work on a plan for publicly coming out, if that is something you still wish to do. Philip, you will also sit in on the planning. You will also be donating your time and touring the LGBT shelter Henry and Percy have in London. You will re-learn everything you thought you knew about what is expected of your role in my monarchy. You will be re-educated to think and act like it is today and not like my mother wanted it to be. I will not allow you to become a homophobic, xenophobic, racist bigot like her, do I make myself clear? You will apologise and make amends to Henry in a genuine and meaningful way. I am your mother and you're a grown man, I should not have to tell you to apologise properly. Nor should your wife, or either of your siblings.

Once Henry is out, Henry will have the option to step back from royal engagements if he wishes. I know it is not something that you want for your life Henry. Should Henry find a partner, you will be publicly supportive, as Henry was when you and Martha announced your relationship. Or do you not remember just how supportive Henry was of you? How supportive Henry was of Martha?

No one, and I mean no one will pressure Beatrice in any way to find a partner, nor will they urge her to hurry up or bully her into blind dates or set her up with someone. She will do whatever she would like, in the area of partnership with no undue influence from anyone.

Philip, as for your mistresses, you are a grown man, and I cannot order you to give them up. But I beg you to do the honorable thing and consider divorce if you feel you need a mistress. Martha darling, if Philip divorces you, or you choose you can no longer be married to him, you will have my full support. His father was such a loving and monogamous man, I cannot believe my son's morals have stooped so low.

If any of you do not like what I have laid out? Rose had abdication papers ready for you to go. Fill them out and sign on the dotted line. I need people who will support me as Queen, not stab me in the back."

Catherine pointed her last sentence directly at Philip, speaking low and harshly. Philip winced. Her direct hit landed perfectly.