“So, what is the strategy?” the Queen asked, shaking me out of the odd encounter.
“Well, I spoke with the Duchess early this morning,” Abi began. “And it seems our best approach is to isolate Prince Duncan so we can control the narrative. Go back to basics.Identify the strengths where he shines in the media and exploit them. Now, I have a few ideas based on what I know. I pulled some recent data.”
Abi circulated two pieces of paper. The fact that Abi gathered opinion data while sitting at an OB appointment was unsurprising. She loved numbers. We both did.
“So, as you can see...”
The baby threw the paper down. The Queen returned it to her son.
“Thanks, Mum,” Duncan finally spoke. “You need to calm down, Vanna. Let the adults read. You'll get it someday.”
Hedoted. At least the man could act.
“Go on, Mrs.. Forrest,” Her Majesty said.
“Yes, of course. About to have one of my own. Distracting in the best way. Yes. So, The Prince of Wales is well-liked among young women between the ages of 16 and 40.”
“Good,” The Queen said. “Unsurprising.”
Abi continued, “From a short survey of social media, the greatest engagement on the Kensington Palace social channels came with posts about military service, visiting veterans, playing with animals, and greeting children. He is far more beloved when he makes it to the countryside.”
“Kissing babies and playing with horses,” Prince Duncan joked awkwardly.
I got terrible secondary embarrassment, aware this was awkward for him. I adjusted in my seat and recrossed my legs at the ankle. He looked over at me. He should have been contrite, but couldn’t stop making jokes. Did he think laughing it off with a baby in his lap lessened the harm of verbal abusing his girlfriend?
“So, move him out to the country?” the Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, asked.
“One would assume that is best, yes, Your Royal Highness.”
“Let's list some places, Lucy. Some possibilities,” the Queen detailed.
The Duchess nodded.
“You can't just ship me off like I'm avoiding the blitz!”
“You are quite literally evading the blitz,” the Duke said.
While her husband whipped up in anger, The Queen remained subdued. I wondered if that was because she was apathetic or because she was so disappointed. I suspected the latter. I'd never known the Prince Consort to shout. The media made him out to be such a sweetheart—Britain's father and Her Majesty’s constant companion.
The Queen said, “Be grateful we can hopefully get you out of this.”
“I will... try to keep an open mind then,” Duncan said flatly.
Yep. He was fit to be tied. And he had no choice to go along. I suspected, however, the Prince would not go quietly into the night. He would be an exhausting “adventure” of a client—the type that kept me up at night and made me pull my hair out.
5
ATONING
DUNCAN
6 December
London Daily Times
We have finally received a statement from Buckingham Palace. They promise that by day's end The Prince of Wales will speak to the media regarding his misdeeds. Another statement was released from Scotland Yard this morning. It appears they are investigating the hack into Lady Leroux's messenger account. No word from the palace on matters of a cybersecurity issue. Insiders say Her Majesty is “beyond cross” and “livid” with the wayward princess. We are not sure what the Palace's strategy will be, but Britons are speaking up. Here is a spattering of views on the issue:
“He's no longer a young man. He needs to get his act together and act like a grown man.” -Harry, 77
