For me there was one more piece of unfinished business.
I went off to find the office of the Bee.
Luckily, I ran into the Queen’s friendliest page, who’d always liked me.
I asked for directions; he said he’d take me himself. He led me through the kitchen, up some back stairs, down a narrow corridor.
Just that way, he said, pointing. A few steps later I came upon a huge printer, churning out documents.
The Bee’s assistant swung into view.
Hello! I pointed at the printer and said:
This seems to be working fine?
Yes, Your Royal Highness!
Not broken?
That thing?
It’s indestructible, sir!
I asked about the printer in the Bee’s office. That one work too?
Oh, yes, sir! Did you need to print something out?
No, thank you. I went farther down the corridor, through a door.
Everything suddenly looked familiar. Then I remembered. This was the corridor where I’d slept that Christmas after returning from the South Pole.
And now along came the Bee. Head on.
He saw me and looked extremely sheepish…for a bee.
He could tell what I was up to. He heard the printer whirring away. He knew he was busted.
Oh, sir, please, sir, don’t worry about that, it’s really not important.
Isn’t it? I walked away from him, went downstairs.
Someone suggested that before I left I should step outside with Willy.
Cool our heads. All right. We went up and down the yew hedges. The day was freezing. I was wearing only a light jacket, and Willy was in a jumper, so both of us were shivering. I was struck again by the beauty of it all. As in the state room, I felt as if I’d never seen a palace before. These gardens, I thought, they’re paradise. Why can’t we just enjoy them?
I was braced for a lecture. It didn’t come.
Willy was subdued. He wanted to listen. For the first time in a long time my brother heard me out, and I was so grateful.
I told him about one past staff member sabotaging Meg. Plotting against her. I told him about one current staff member, whose close friend was taking payments for leaking private stuff to the press about Meg and me. My sources on this were above reproach, including several journalists and barristers.
Plus, I’d made a visit to New Scotland Yard.
Willy frowned. He and Kate had their own suspicions. He’d look into it. We agreed to keep talking.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex. .