KATE

Re-posted from 16th September, 2022

She had learnt much from Queen Elizabeth II but perhaps nothing more important and vitally essential than knowing when to keep others guessing about what you are thinking.

"Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom," the queen said to Kate one afternoon quoting the statesman and philosopher Francis Bacon as she noticed the duchess's downcast mood after a testing week of negative publicity for the royals.

It wasn't easy at times for the Duchess of Cambridge, especially when certain parties were clearly aggravating already stressful situations for the family and attempting to goad an emotional response out of key members of the House of Windsor, including her husband William, the Duke of Cambridge. But stoic and tight lipped Kate remained, though never so tight lipped that she couldn't break into Duchenne smiles at any given moment, deploying them like strategic weapons that instantly weakened her adversaries' attempts to bismirch her through the media rumour mills and with their internet troll squads.

"A smile a day keeps the enemy at bay," the Queen said in jolly fashion to the duchess one time having enjoyed a glass of her favourite gin and Dubonnet which had become an increasingly rare ritual lately as a consequence of her majesty's failing health.

Kate always listened with keen ears to any advice the queen had to dispense her way. Nothing, not even if seemingly said in whimsy or jest, was ignored by Kate who made a mental note of every little thing the Queen appeared to pass onto her as if she were attending the most important university lecture on earth. She considered herself still very much a student of the royal game.

Deep in reflection by the large open fire in her favourite crimson drawing room at Windsor Castle, the queen took the opportunity one winter's afternoon to discreetly prepare Kate for a future without her majesty in it.

"I won't be around forever, you know. I'm afraid not even Queens of England are exempt from shuffling off this mortal coil. It's a comfort to know that you, along with a few others, will be able to steer the ship in the right direction should it occasionally find itself in choppy waters."

Nodding to indicate her acceptance of that responsibility, Kate hoped that day wouldn't come anytime soon. She felt she still had much to learn from the elderly monarch. But deep down she sensed time was running out for the queen.

Meanwhile, Kate's silent "ma'am's the word" strategy versus the Duchess of Sussex's unsubtle public outpourings of victimhood (mostly on American national television) had become now a point of pride for the duchess and yet she knew, as the queen had often reminded her, to make sure she found ways to soften herself in between the daily battles.

"It's simply not sustainable to be like a rock always. Sometimes one has to be like water. And sometimes scissors, too," the queen had said with a steely sparkle in her eyes.

William would occasionally liken his grandmother to Marlon Brando in The Godfather yet with a far sweeter dispositon.

"It's both unnerving and disarming for people to be in the company of someone so consistently polite at all times," he'd told Kate on one of their first dates during their early courtship.

"You mean kill them softly with kindness?" Kate added.

"Exactly," confirmed William.

To now find herself tutored by the longest reigning monarch in the history of the British royal family was indeed an honour for Kate and one she never took for granted. She had seen what complacency had done to other royals and vowed to herself privately never to make that same mistake.

Besides, there was simply too much at stake. The fate of the monarchy could become far more precarious once the queen was no longer alive. Kate knew this may be why the queen had taken such care to spend time with her so that she was prepared for the war to come.

"Long live the King!"

Yes, it was her father in law but it still felt strange to hear the words after her entire life being accustomed to the phrase uttered soley for the queen up until now.

The family were committed to a gruelling schedule but Princess Kate, as she was now confirmed, knew that they must all uphold the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II by never complaining and maintaining a consistency of quiet dignity and diplomacy.

Standing before the queen's coffin for the commencement of lying-in-State service in Westminster Hall, Princess Kate made sure to avoid any eye contact with the Duchess of Sussex who had the unique ability at trying everything she could to divert attention from what really mattered on solemn occasions like this. She could sense her palpably passive aggressive body language permeating the sacred atmosphere of the space.

As Kate stood there, trying to stop herself from breaking down in public, she touched the diamond and pearl leaf brooch on her left lapel to steady her nerves. Closing her eyes momentarily, she thought back to her conversation with the queen that winter's afternoon by the fireside and remembered something else she'd said to her.

"If you ever find it all too much being watched by the eyes of the world, including your enemies, think of yourself as a soverign island surrounded by water, one you must protect at all costs from its enemies. Be strong always in ensuring that the values of your sovereign island are maintained in how you conduct yourself so that people will envy your grace and dignity. Then you will find those resources of strength that I have called upon myself in difficult times."

Opening her eyes again, the Princess of Wales felt as if she had revived her spirits and been somehow reborn into a new version of herself.

Yes. She could do this.