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9th June

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The car is arriving in five minutes to pick us up, which means I have silence for a few minutes. Patrick, Annie and Dad are in the lounge area with Gemma while I'm in the second bedroom, staring into the mirror with the news on in the background. 

The people are getting more and more hyped. Since last night, they've been dancing and singing in the streets of London. More people have come down, and the entire country is basically at a standstill for this wedding.

All I can think of is getting to the top of that aisle and seeing Kai. We haven't messaged since around midnight, when he messaged to say Happy wedding day, Peach. I responded and then we said goodnight. From what I've seen on the news, which hasn't been much, there have been celebrities arriving at the abbey, members of government and other royal members from other countries. 

The abbey is decked out with actual trees from Windsor Castle's grounds – I heard they were doing it, but didn't think they would actually manage it. There are flowers around the place, and everywhere you look there are colourful hats and posh-looking people.

I stare into the mirror, checking everything for the last time. The dress is drop-dead gorgeous, one-of-a-kind and handmade by a famous designer. They didn't have much time, but they employed so many people to stop everything and focus solely on the dress, and they pulled it off.

It's an A-Line gown that doesn't accentuate my bump too much, but does show it off just right. My bodice is a sweetheart neckline with beads and pearls on it. The back of the bodice has small, delicate buttons on it and has a small V-neck design as well, so the upper covering bodice can fit seamlessly. 

The upper bodice is a tuille cover over my chest and long sleeves with hand-embroidered flowers on it – the rose, thistle, daffodils and a shamrock to represent each country of the United Kingdom. They're super subtle and they look perfect. The skirt is made of tuille as well and has pearls and diamantes on so when I walk, it glitters just enough in the light. My shoes were hand-designed and made as well; high pumps with the same flower design threaded in for the UK, but also with small diamantes on. They're covered by the dress, but I'm sure the media will want photos of them.

The jewellery I chose is my charm bracelet from my family, along with a smile diamond bracelet on my left hand. Both are hidden by the sleeves of the dress, but I know they're there. I put my engagement ring on my right hand until after the ceremony, and my mum's wedding ring is on my right middle finger. My earrings are little drop pears and diamonds borrowed from the Queen – she wore them on her wedding day, as did Lucy, so it's a tradition.

My tiara is borrowed from Charlotte and has a history in the royal family, dating back to Hugh's mother, who was gifted it by her husband, the King by blood. She was a normal, non-royal woman as well, and they call it a starter tiara, as it's subtle, has fewer diamonds than other ones in the royal collection, and was bought as a first one. As soon as Charlotte told me the history, I decided this was the one for my wedding day. 

It's a small band of small diamonds and on top, bigger swirly diamonds until it meets in the middle to make a swirl of more diamonds, and topped by one bigger diamond. They had to sew it via a small plait discreetly made at the top of my hair and then sewn through. The stylists made the rest of my hair let down and curly and softened my fringe as well. The tiara holds my veil in place, which is what they call a royal cathedral veil – so freaking long, I swear – almost longer than the train on my dress – and hand embroidered with the UK flowers again, and sewn in with diamantes. We've put it over my face until I reach the top of the aisle, where Dad will put it back for the ceremony.

I put my phone in the clutch bag along with my lip gloss, which Gemma will keep as my maid of honour. I had a nightmare last night that my waters would break right as I say I do right in front of the entire world – I suppose it would be the least embarrassing thing I could do because it's nature, and the bump is obvious, but still.

There's a knock on the door.

"Yeah?" I call.

My dad walks in with my bouquet of flowers and a smile on his face. He's already cried tons this morning, and I can see him tearing up again as he takes me in for the fifth time.

"Car is here. We need to go!" He hands out my flowers to me.

I nod and hand him my clutch bag in exchange for the flowers.

When we're downstairs in the lobby, all the staff are out wishing me well, smiling and happy.

We stop just out of view of the main doors. There are still screens up, but the moment I walk out of those doors, people and cameras will see the dress.

"Sweetheart, you look amazing," Annie says through her tears. "Our princess is about to become a princess."

I smile. "Don't. I don't want to cry my makeup off. I'm about to get married in front of the world, Mum!"

She carefully hugs me before walking towards the door. Her, Patrick and Gemma will go in the car in front so they can get out and help with this ridiculous train that my dad's holding. Patrick takes her place.

"Sis... Seahorse—"

"Not today of all days! I hate you!" I joke.

He chuckles. "But in all seriousness, Mila, you look amazing. You are amazing. Good luck, all right? Though you won't need it. You're a natural. Love you."

"I love you too, you idiot." Go, or we'll all be late!"

Gemma runs in and air kisses me through the veil. She looks amazing in her purple dress, and she's due to take the flower girls of all the grandchildren of Kai's cousins and aunts and... I don't even know. Half the information for today went in one ear and out of the other. The only bit I really care about is this, not tripping up the aisle and exchanging vows. The rest of the pomp and ceremony is literally for the king and queen and the country.

It's funny, I've always found wedding ceremonies ridiculous. Surely the bride and groom only care about that small window where they look at each other and promise themselves legally and morally to each other? What's all the rest of it for if not for everyone else?

The three of them go off as the suited driver walks towards me and my dad. The footmen of the hotel open the doors.

My dad says nothing but nods as we make our way to the Rolls Royce they've got for me. My dad carries the train behind me, along with a hotel footman, to help us get it in. Immediately, as I walk out, the clicks of cameras and screams from the people start. I flush them all out as I get in the car and get comfortable.

When my dad's sitting, they close the doors, and we drive off. I put my flowers on my lap and move my hand out of the way so I can wave to the people as the car moves. The screams can be heard through the windows, along with the cheers and laughter. Everyone is dressed up either in formal wear or Union Jack regalia.

"I can't believe this," I whisper, turning to my dad.

"They love you, Mila. They love Kai, and they love your love. You two are the future of this country and they love it. They want to celebrate with you," he answers.

Dad grabs my hand and squeezes tight, tears pricking his eyes.

When I was a little girl, I imagined I might one day be a princess like Cinderella or Aurora. I never imagined I might actually become one. This is every girl's dream come true, right? It used to be mine. But somehow, I never imagined every single eye in the world would watch me, judging, writing a Tweet about me, or rating my dress out of ten for the world's biggest fashion magazines. 

I never imagined being a princess would involve people hating me because I'm normal or loving me because of that same fact. Disney sells princesses as gorgeous, love at first sight, people loving you no matter what and happily ever afters. While this marriage might be finally out of love and Kai might think I'm gorgeous, this isn't what I imagined as a girl.

But if Kai loves me, and we're due this baby, then surely this is, in fact, a happily ever after? Maybe Disney just doesn't account for real life in its films.

I carry on waving as we drive through London. The people are lining the streets and waving with smiles on their faces.

"Mila, before we get there, I want to tell you something," Dad says.

I turn to face him. He sounds so serious, I wonder if he's about to tell me he's got cancer.

"I'm not dying," he answers the silent thought.

"Thank god. Not today, please."

He chuckles. "Noted. But in all seriousness, sweetheart, I'm so proud of you. You've always been a princess to me, especially when you were small and would dress up like one. Now you really are a real life princess. Enjoy today, enjoy the rest of your life with him and your baby."

"Dad, I'm not leaving you. I love you, and Annie and Patrick so much."

He kisses the back of my hand. "Maybe not, but you will mainly be the country's now."

I laugh. "You'll always be my dad. I can feel her around me, you know? I think she'll be looking and be proud of us both. You're the best dad in the world."

He looks away, quietly crying at my words.

Dad's composed by the time we stop outside Westminster Abbey. "Here we go. You ready?"

I laugh as my hands shake in my lap, and my heart speeds the hell up. The baby starts kicking, just in time for our debut. "Not really, but yes?"

Dad laughs as a red-suited guard stands at my door. They all open the doors and the screams begin again. Wedding bells of the abbey are so loud over them.

"Are you ready, Miss?" the guard asks.

I nod. "Yes! Is my maid of honour here?"

The guard nods and stands aside, holding his hand out to help me out of the car. My dad feeds the train through as I make my step out of the car. A member of the military is standing by the car door, saluting me as I stand properly. Gemma grins, holding my flowers as I steady myself. I take the flowers back and zone in fully as Gemma grabs my train, and my dad gets out of the car.

All around me, people are cheering, waving flags and hands. There are American flags, Union Jacks, New Zealand and Australian flags. Cameras click and move around, and people shout and yell. I wave at them all, a smile taking over my nerves. They're here for me, and it's so weird.

I step onto the start of the red carpet that will run into the church and all the way up the aisle until the top where Kai will be. The Archbishop of Canterbury is already waiting up there too. We did all the legal parts of this separately this morning, with our fathers signing the register, and we will do that after the ceremony, before we walk back down the aisle.

The baby keeps moving around, and I assume it can feed off my nerves as my dad arrives beside me, taking my hand. The media was handed the information about the dress – including who designed it, the flower detail and everything by email as I got into the car by the palace, so no doubt their commentary as the cameras flash is about it right now.

"Let's go, sweetheart," Dad whispers as he leads us up the red carpet. The Dean of Westminster is awaiting us at the front of the church.

After a few moments of welcome from him and some warm words of good luck, Gemma adjusts my dress perfectly. Annie and Patrick arrive beside me. They'll be walking up behind me with Gemma, holding the train and accompanying the flower girls.

And then it's time.

The choir and orchestra start, the Dean turns around to lead us and my dad inhales.

"I love you, Mila," he whispers.

"I love you too, Dad."

And then they lead us forward, up the red carpet and the aisle and to my future as Princess and wife to Kai.

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The horse-drawn carriage takes off, and though my hands ache from all the waving and hand-holding already, somehow, the adrenaline kicks in and I begin to wave. The smile hasn't left my mouth, and Kai moves closer to me in the carriage.

"You look incredible, Peach," he whispers. "My wife."

I turn to face him and laugh. "You have no idea how much self-control I'm having to hold to not kiss you right now."

"You've got to hold it for another half an hour until we're on the balcony of Buckingham Palace." He waves to people for a moment. "Public kisses and all that."

"I hate it."

"Right now, so do I. Princess of Wales, Duchess of Hampshire."

I laugh. "This is insane."

We both fall quiet as the carriage turns and we face the people; the people who I'm now serving because I'm a married royal now.

"What are your something blue and everything?" he whispers. We're not meant to be talking, but neither of us care.

"Something new is the dress and veil, all handmade. Old is my mum's wedding ring my dad gifted me last night. Borrowed is your mum's tiara and bracelet. Blue is... I had my dress from the night we met cut a little. There's a thread of it sewn into the bodice of the dress, and well, some of it was made to make a garter, which you can see later."

His eyes meet mine. "Peach, you shouldn't have said that. This is a royal wedding, and we won't get a moment alone until tonight."

"Good things come to those who wait," I tease. "I can't believe how many people camped out for this!"

"We're loved, Peach."

I turn and carry on waving as we finally reach the Mall and drive towards Buckingham Palace.

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We stand in front of the doors to the balcony of the Palace, waiting for the moment. The police and guards have guided the people up The Mall after us, where they now wait in throngs, cheering and screaming for us to come out. There'll be a flyover by the RAF planes in celebration, and the long-awaited – by literally everyone – kiss.

"Your first appearance on the balcony," Kai whispers. He's not stopped smiling like a proud lion, and it's so adorable to see.

After the balcony, we'll get a few minutes to ourselves before photos, and then the King and Queen host everyone a reception with a three-course meal including steak because it's my favourite, and the wedding cake. 

There are two cakes; the main cake my dad actually helped the royal baker make, and then they had it officially iced. It's eight tiers, apparently, and traditional fruit cake. The second cake is fully my dad's creation – a carrot cake with his special icing. He's also made cupcakes of every flavour; chocolate, carrot, red velvet, cookies and cream, lemon, blueberry – he's a literal busy genius, and I didn't even know he'd done it.

After the official reception, Patrick and Hugh organised a smaller, more intimate reception of champagne, canapes, and a small concert and dance in the house Kai stayed in last night. Apparently, they have a few famous singers there for us, but no one will tell us who they are.

"You okay, Peach?" Kai whispers.

I nod. "Tired."

He chuckles. "Oh, today has only just begun."

I look down at my wedding ring – a shaped ring to fit my pear-shaped engagement ring. It's been handmade to fit my finger by the private royal jeweller, from the king and queen's gold and silver collection. They've also put little diamonds from Kai's grandmother's tiara he made my engagement ring from in the band.

"Take it off for a second and look inside the band. There's a surprise for you," Kai says.

I do as he says and peek inside the wedding band. He's had it engraved with today's date and then: 'Peach, I love you, always.'

"I love you," I whisper.

"I love you, too."

The doors to the balcony open, and he leads me out. It's crazy. The gates to Buckingham Palace are open, but the guards and police keep people back. Beyond that is just a sea of colours, flags, people cheering, screaming, and flashes from cameras. Apart from where the trees are, there is not a space.

"Wow," I mutter.

We wave and smile and point at random things we see in the crowd. Kai points out a man with a hand drawing of us on a placard, while I point out the man on literal stilts in the middle of the crowd. The king, queen, bridesmaids and my family all join us on the balcony.

"Ready?" Kai asks.

I look into his eyes. Everything else melts away as I nod. This is the one thing I've wanted ever since they announced us as husband and wife.

He presses his lips to mine. I don't expect the kiss to be hot and heavy because we're prince and princess now and in public. But he lets it linger for a few seconds. His left hand snakes around my waist and grips.

Then it's over.

The cheers and screams from the crowd demand another one.

"One more?" Kai asks with a cheeky glint in his eyes.

"Absolutely."

We kiss again, and this time I'm prepared. It feels like the true love's kiss at the end of the Disney film that will mean a happily ever after. While it might not be conventional, and real, and it's definitely not how I planned my life, this is everything I could've asked for, and more.

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