Not Quite Royal : Part One

Born a gardener's daughter, then orphaned at eight, Maisie's godparents and their family take her in as one of their own. The twist? Her godparents are royals! Raised with the Queen's oldest four grandchildren, Maisie stays loyal and protective of her new family. And then she falls in love. Will she have to choose?Not Quite Royal - Part One is a 'fly-on-the-wall' retelling of the British Royal family from 1981-2011 ending with the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Part Two is expected to release January 2022. The cover photo was taken May 1987 by the author while on active duty and stationed in England.Chapter OneBreakfast was relatively informal at Balmoral. Royals and guests alike were up between seven and eight and by eight-thirty had joined the others in the dining room where a sumptuous buffet was laid out on two side-tables. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were usually among the first down, about eight, with the Prince of Wales and Queen Mother soon after. This made things easier for guests as it was a 'bow/curtsy to the most senior and get it over for the day'. Discussions were kept quiet as morning mail was sorted and delivered, on a silver salver, to each person as they made their appearance.That morning in late August, with the Prince and new Princess of Wales in attendance, the Queen slipped the letter opener through an envelope and extracted the note. Beaming with pleasure, her gaze swept the long table and saw that all the royals and guests were present."Oh, this is nice," she spoke.Immediately, every conversation stopped mid-word as every head turned towards her. "What is that, dear?" her husband inquired from her left, glancing over his paper."'Your Majesty, Good morning, ma'am, and welcome home. Following the Balmoral tradition, we most humbly request the honor of a royal godparent for our first child expected in November. With the utmost respect and affection to all, Ian and Alison Giles.'""Oh, that is lovely," nodded her mother on her right. "Balmoral tradition?" inquired Diana, next to her husband who was seated by his father."Dating back to Queen Victoria, the children of Balmoral staff have at least one godparent who is royal," the Queen Mother explained. "I have thirty myself," she beamed. "Six are children of godchildren.""I'm surprised anyone has time for other things," murmured the newest royal."Oh, we divide it up," Andrew assured her from the middle of the table. "Otherwise, as you say, we would have no time for anything else.""You're behind by a couple," noted Anne, across from him and smiling. "Is that why you enjoy your ships so much?" she teased."Well, then, I would like this honor," he retorted, glancing at his mother."As would I," Charles spoke up. "There's a fair chance we'll share a birthday.""Or an anniversary," Philip noted, smiling at his wife."Same here," Anne agreed with a wink to her older brother."That would take care of two godparents then," he grinned as she had married on his birthday. "Well, it has been a while since I had one," Margaret frowned from her seat next to her mother. "All the children have been taking them on.""You're arguing to have one?" Diana seemed amazed. "Who are these people?""Ian is the senior gardener and Alison is in charge of the flowers," the Queen replied, setting the note in her pile for a personal reply. "They met at the Chelsea Flower Show three years ago. Her rose beat his if I recall correctly.""It did. Amazing color of a rich peach," confirmed the Queen Mother with a nod. "She called it the Devon Rose. She planted two bushes in the gardens at Clarence House specially for me last autumn."