A Royal Winter Page #5

Miss Marks.

I'm delighted

that you could join us.

Since my forgetful son

has kept everything about you

a mystery up till now,

I'm eager

to make your acquaintance.

He does love his mystery,

doesn't he?

Indeed.

Well, I'm famished.

Shall we?

New York's lovely at this time,

but not like here.

To us tourists,

you live in a fairy tale.

CAMILLA:
So how exactly

do you know the prince?

The street.

I mean, we met on the street.

I ran over her hat.

Oh, how adorably

uncivilized of you.

Perhaps it's time

to give our American guest

a chance to eat.

Your Highness, I hear

the final arrangements

for the coronation

are moving along smoothly.

Yes, my mother and staff

have me on quite a tight leash.

Speaking of which,

I'd love your opinion.

As an expert

in government affairs,

- Adrian.

- do you see any reason

why we shouldn't open

the coronation to the public?

Ah, the age-old question

of modern populism

versus aristocratic tradition.

I believe your father,

may he rest in peace,

said that there is

an inverse correlation

between how long

a monarch has ruled

and their desire to be seen

as one with the people.

It takes awhile

for young rulers to realize

that their job is

not to be popular,

but to govern.

It's not about being popular.

It's about allowing our citizens

to be part of a ceremony

that will very much

affect their lives.

Well, personally, I

appreciate that the coronation

is one of the few

traditions we have kept

according to its original

centuries-old design.

People love the aristocracy

because our traditions

give everyone a window

into a more civilized past,

as far back as the Renaissance,

even the Middle Ages.

I hardly think the Middle Ages

were civilized.

And the Renaissance

wasn't great either.

I mean, didn't the Inquisition

happen during the Renaissance?

Well, certainly not here.

No, I wasn't implying that.

And what would be the American

perspective on the issue?

Oh, I wouldn't want to meddle--

I mean intrude.

No, not at all.

We'd be very grateful

for your opinions

as an outsider.

Well, of course, I don't know

as much as all of you

about the issue,

but I agree with Adrian.

I don't see anything wrong

in inviting the people

to the coronation.

Wouldn't it give the press

something positive

to write about?

That's exactly

what I was saying.

I read a survey recently that

said the whole idea of royalty

is becoming quite obsolete

and not just in

third-world countries.

So maybe connecting

with the everyday people

would make the monarchy

more relevant?

Well, I for one,

do not feel obsolete.

No, I didn't mean that.

And Calpurnia is far from

a third-world country.

Dory, I think

time for more wine.

Yes, please.

I'm so sorry.

Oh, no, if anyone should

apologize, it's me.

I just threw you

into the lion's den.

I had no idea

it would get that tense.

Adrian.

I need to speak to you.

Felix will see Miss Marks

back to her hotel.

- I'd rather take her.

- No, no.

No problem at all.

Felix can drive me.

Please. And again,

thank you so much

for your wonderful hospitality.

Dinner was delicious,

and you have a beautiful home.

I'll give your compliments

to the chef.

- Good night.

- Good night.

I'll call you

in a bit, okay?

Sure.

Adrian, you hardly know

that girl.

Why did you bring her here?

Because I really like her,

and I'm getting to know her.

You are the future king.

Do you not understand

the implications?

You can't just

date anyone you wish.

No.

That's the thing,

you see.

I can.

I will.

The rest of you

just have to deal with it.

[splat]

[splat]

[splat]

Want to go for a walk?

Are you sure?

Of course I'm sure.

I'm sort of a lot of trouble

for you.

Maybe I like trouble.

Give me a minute.

[distant chatter]

Sorry for all the sneaking

around on the back streets.

- It's just--

- I get it.

You're not just some guy.

As much as I want to be.

Maybe you shouldn't try so hard

to be someone else.

Find your own way of being king.

Easier said than done.

I don't know.

Maybe I'm just not ready.

I wish you could see yourself

the way I see you.

The way you are

with those kids at the church.

You're kind, you're caring,

you're funny.

Funny looking.

[chuckles]

You'll make a wonderful king.

Well, you are very kind.

But that's not

what makes a good ruler.

Who defines that,

your mother?

My dad was so good at it.

Like at dinner. He would have

run circles around those nobles

and their pretentious nonsense.

He would have had them

and my mother agreeing

to whatever he wanted

before the second course

and then thinking it was

their idea in the first place.

So he's a master manipulator.

Pretty much.

I don't know how to do that.

Who says you have to?

You're more of a doer

than a talker anyway.

Oh, well,

don't sell my dad short.

He was a great guy.

No, I didn't mean that.

You miss him.

When I was little,

he used to make up

stories for me

with whatever was around.

Like if he was here,

he'd say these lights

are mystical flowers

that bloom only at night,

and they grant wishes

to whoever knows

how to unlock their secrets.

Who says they aren't?

See, the lights are magic.

They turn your hair to gold.

You've a beautiful way

of seeing things.

And you're just beautiful.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I've never kissed

a prince before.

How was it?

Awesome.

[camera clicks]

[click]

[click]

Thank you.

MAGGIE:
Oh, I slept in,

and I still can't believe

how tired I am.

That's what happens when you

stay out most of the night.

You're just jealous.

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Hey, there she is!

What's happening?

Out, out!

Please go back to your room.

Quickly!

You must leave immediately! Out!

This is private property!

Have you seen the papers?

Do you ever think about the

consequences of your actions?

I messed up again,

and I apologize.

Where are you going?

To see if Maggie's okay.

To see if Maggie's okay?

What about us?

It's your coronation

in a few days.

We have to mitigate the damage.

You have an entire staff

to mitigate the damage.

- You don't need me here.

- It's not me you're avoiding.

It's yourself.

Your responsibility.

Sometimes I'm glad your father's

not here to see this.

Do you know what, Mother?

The truth is you don't want me

to take the crown.

You want Dad back,

and that's not happening.

- How dare you!

- No, I'm not a puppet,

and I never will be.

And I don't think my father

would want me to be one either.

"Although there has been

no official statement

from the crown,

the young lady in question

appears to be

Maggie Marks of Manhattan."

Nice alliteration.

Not funny.

It just goes on to say

that you are

a recent law school graduate

on vacation, bla bla bla.

Uh, there is no mention

of me anywhere.

This is bad. Right before

the coronation, too.

They must be going crazy

at the palace.

Did you talk to him yet?

- It keeps going to voicemail.

- [phone chiming]

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