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I will always be first and on my own--for the rest of my life

I reach the altar, where the Archbishop waits I step up to the throne, turn to face the congregation, and the cereins The Archbishop anoints ic Latin words I recite my oath, olden scepter and jeweled orb, and the Lord Chancellor slides the ring on ht hand

And then I take my place upon the throne

Saint Michael’s Crown--the jeweled and velvet glory of the Croels of Wessco--is brought forward by the Dean of Ansaline The Archbishop prays, then slowly, reverently, he places the crown on my head

And I wait for the transfor that I’m sure n

I wait and wait some more

Then, after a fewhappens

I don’t feel different I still feel likecrown on lance at the bishops and the crowd filling the cathedral pews No one else seeally, I walk back down the aisle, and every head bows before me Outside the cathedral there are more flashes and cheers as I wave, then descend the steps and return to the carriage that carries reeted and congratulated by all governnitaries I ss--but still it feels all so disappointingly irl, wearing her daddy’s crohich is too big for her head

And then it’s time to step out onto the balcony--the press loves this bit

As I proceed alone, a frigid breeze wafts over ers I rest my hands on the stone balustradeand look down

There’s an ocean of faces, , waving and clapping Tens of thousands of the down their faces, but all have a look of complete adoration

For me

They’re here for me

I’ve seen crowds before, my whole life I’ve met the public--but not like this, never like this

These are my people And for the first time, I understand what that means

Because I don’t just see they envelops me in its warm embrace Their joy, their trust, their lovetheir acceptance I feel it fros with it

This is what it , breathless sensation Or, how it must be to hold your own child and know instantly you will love hi to keep your children safe, to do right by theive the fluffy snowflakes drift down froical Like a blessing

I wave to the people "Thank you! Yes, hello! Thank you!"

They can’t hear me, but I want them to know that I hear them I see them I care for them as they care for meand I will never, ever let theoes blurry that I realize I’ with joy and relief, overwhel And still I wave I wave until , I walk back inside

"I want to go down I want to speak to the the faces look back athis throat

"Your Majestyit’s not done"

A govern parts The Crown is the key--but Parlia Council, the Lords and Secretaries of State, they’re the gears It’s a balancing act, a constant grinding tug-of-war--because the one who controls the key controls everything

"You mean, it hasn’t been done before, not that it can’t be"