"I have no idea what is up with this dress." Anna mumbled, trying to get the zipper on Evee's back up. "It was fine when we fitted it two weeks ago."

Evee bit her lip, immediately releasing it afterwards, realizing that she should not bite her lip because her lipstick would get stuck on her teeth. She let go of it, rubbing her teeth slightly with her forefinger. It was nearly one o'clock in the afternoon and they were expected to go to the royal palace in Amsterdam, ready to be greeted by the King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. "Okay, I think I got it." Anna mumbled, finally releasing the dress. "Let me just have a quick look at your hat and then we're ready to roll."

"You know I hate these things, I can barely look at you." Evee mumbled from underneath the big white hat that was crooked upon her head, nearly covering her right eye.

"It fits the dress and it's pretty." Anna pointed out, "They will love your dress here." She trailed her eyes over the light orange summer dress. "We should leave soon, I will find your husband and then we're off."

Evee nodded her head, grabbing her white clutch. She knew the weather was good. For the month June, it was actually quite hot, she could already feel the sweat drops rolling off her back and she hadn't even stepped a foot outside. Her heels were for once quite comfortable around her feet. Her eyebrows lifted and a smile spread on her face when she saw Harry enter the hotel room wearing a suit. "Look at you." Evee grinned, "You look handsome."

He grinned at her, tugging on his sleeve. "And look at you, nice hat by the way." He cheekily spoke, trying not to laugh when she raised her eyebrow at him. "No sweety, you're practically glowing. You look a lot better than you did on the plane."

"Ah the wonders of make-up." The blonde replied. "Ready to go?"

"Yes, are you?" He looked at her in concern, trailing his eyes over her stomach once again.

"Can you see anything?" Evee mumbled, turning around sideways and placing her left hand upon her stomach.

He looked at her hand, noticing her engagement ring and the wedding band resting on her ring finger. "If I'm honest, if you really focus on it, you can spot a little stomach." He tried to say it as carefully as possible.

"I'll try to cover up as much as possible. Maybe we should have told everyone at home already." Evee answered, biting her cheek.

"We couldn't, William and Catherine are in Norfolk and my father's at Balmoral." Harry looked at her, "You know I want to tell them really badly but I don't want to do it over the phone."

"Yeah, you're right." The blonde shook her head, "If they're rumours, they're rumours, so be it. Family comes first. I was thinking... What if we stopped in Belgium next week, before we return home to actually tell my parents and family?"

Harry nodded his head, "Yeah that should be possible, we have a couple of days off after this visit anyways. By the time we get back to Britain, my father should be home anyways. Maybe we can host a dinner or something."

"Dinner would be nice." Evee agreed, "And I'll ring my parents to inform them of our visit. Do you-"

A knock at the door ended their conversation and both heads turned towards the source. Bobby's head poked into the room, "Your Royal Highnesses, the car is ready."

"Okay, let's go. You feel okay, right?"

"I'm fine, Harry. Let's get this show on the road." Evee spoke more to herself than to him. She watched how Harry stepped aside to let her exit the room first. It wasn't a far walk towards the car in the private parking lodge. They were all staying at The Grand Hotel, they even had their own floor and elevator.

As soon as the car doors closed behind them, silence overtook them. Evee had gotten used to the rush; police officers escorting them, tons of security being around. "If you feel anything or you start feeling dizzy, you just say so, will you?"

"I will." The blonde gave her husband an encouraging smile, squeezing his knee.

"As soon as this state visit is over, I will talk to Oliver to notch down the agenda for you. You need to rest."

"Stop being so worried, everything will be alright. We'll figure it out." She ensured him. He had been so worried these past days, it was almost driving her insane. It was true, she got sick on the plane and sure, she could probably take a nap or two in the car right now but she did not have any other options. The show must go on and she was damned if the news would be spilled just because she couldn't hold herself together anymore.

When the car pulled up in front of the Royal Palace, Evee could see the crowd through the window. "Lots of people." She mumbled towards Harry.

"It's the first time we're visiting, plus they obviously feel a connection with you since you speak the language, it's normal that there's a lot people." He answered, looking at her one more time before both their doors opened and Evee stepped outside under the clicking sounds of the dozens of cameras.

She tried to stand up as gracefully as possible, a big smile upon her face. She gave the crowd a little wave and turned her attention towards the palace in front of her. Her clutch held in one hand, she waited for Harry to walk around the car. When he did, the Prime Minister, Mark Rutte immediately marched over towards them, shaking both their hands and giving them a small curtsy. "Your Royal Highnesses, welcome to The Netherlands. It's an absolute pleasure to meet you both."

"Thank you for having us." Harry smiled politely, immediately letting his professional side show.

Evee looked around, noticing how The King and The Queen stepped out on the red carpet to welcome them. Their three daughters walks by behind them. "Welcome! Welkom!" King Willem-Alexander spoke, giving Harry a handshake and then immediately turning towards the blonde, Eveline did was she was taught to do. Her knees buckled in an elegant curtsy, smiling at the King. She ignored the flashes of the photographers in the background when he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Bedankt dat we hier mochten zijn." (Thanks for having us.) Evee spoke in Dutch, turning towards the Queen to cursty once again.

Queen Maxima grinned at her, "It hasn't been so long since we both saw you. I hope the honeymoon was good?"

"It was fabulous." Harry grinned, taking in the three daughters of the couple.

King Willem-Alexander turned towards his daughters, introducing all three of them to the couple. It surprised Evee how much they all looked like their father. Three daughters, Evee couldn't imagine having all girls in the home. She honestly thought Harry would go mad.

The blonde knew from the schedule Anna had given her that they would go inside and have a reception to welcome them. Afterwards, a professional photographer would take their pictures all together. Harry and the king slowly marched next to one another in front of her and Queen Maxima. "Ik hoop dat de reis wat meeviel?" (I hope the travel went well?)

Evee smiled, not wanting to bother the Queen with tales of her being sick, "Het ging heel vlot, het is dan ook niet ver. Jullie hebben drie prachtige dochters." (It went very smoothly, it helps that it isn't that far. I must say, you have three beautiful daughters.)

"Dank je wel. Ze zijn bijzonder enthousiast met jullie staatsbezoek." (Thank you. They're very enthusiastic about your state visit.) Queen Maxima replied, stepping inside the palace right next to Evee. They marched into a ballroom with the press on their tales.

"Oh echt? Wel, mijn man en ik zijn zelf ook heel blij om hier te zijn." (Oh really? Well, my husband and I are very glad to be here.) The blonde immediately noticed the many people spread around, dressed for the occasion. There were high tables and waitresses running around with plateaus.

Evee watched how The King and Harry turned towards them once again when they were at the front of the ballroom, their daughters still having bright smiles upon their faces. She noticed a waiter coming over with glasses of champagne.

The blonde hadn't thought of this part of the trip. Shit. She tried to lock eyes with Harry, wondering what the hell she was supposed to do. She could go with it, of course, grab the glass of champagne and just hold it in her hand, maybe raise it in the sky when The King would do his speech. She couldn't sip from it, she wasn't allowed to drink and if she even pretended so sip and the press would find out she's pregnant in a couple of weeks, this would be scattered upon the whole front page of The Sun.

Evee took a deep breath, turning towards The Queen, lowering her head towards her in a whisper "Dit komt misschien heel onbeleefd over maar je hebt toevallig niets alcoholvrij?" (This may sound very inpolite, but you wouldn't happen to have anything without alcohol?)

Queen Maxima did her best to not look startled, not raising her eyebrows and keeping a perfect pokerface. A grin spread her face though, she crooked her head at the Duchess in wonder.

Evee explained, "Niemand behalve mijn man en ik weten het. We weten het pas sinds dit weekend." (Nobody except my husband and I know, we've only found out this weekend.)

"I try to get you some apple juice." Queen Maxima whispered back. "Alvast proficiat. Mijn lippen zijn verzegeld." (Congratulations, I won't tell.)

"I should have thought of this. I'm very sorry for the inconvenience."

"Hey." The Queen grinned, placing her hand on top of Evee's forearm. "It's not a problem. I promise, no one will notice."

"Thank you." Evee smiled appreciatively. She noticed The Queen whispering to one of the guards, who immediately subtly turned around to talk to one of the waiters. When an older man came back with a tray holding four glasses, the Queen immediately grabbed two front, giving one to Evee with a twinkle in her eye.

Somehow, the Duchess of Clarence and Avondale felt home instantly.