Once Upon A Holiday

Look at it, Mom.

It's beautiful.

Do you think there's

a place like that somewhere,

for real?

I don't know.

Maybe.

I'd like to go there...

just you, me, and Daddy...

but we wouldn't tell anyone

where we were.

No? Why not?

Then no one would find us,

and you wouldn't have to be

so busy all the time.

That would be nice,

wouldn't it?

But you know, Katie,

Daddy and I have

a very important job.

I know.

But we love you

more than a million Christmases

all wrapped up into one,

and no matter what,

you will always be

our little princess.

I'm glad we get to come here

for Christmas.

Me too.

Oh, speaking of which...

an early Christmas gift.

Something to help you

stay awake

during all those boring

speeches today.

It's a camera!

It's an antique!

Thank you!

It's perfect!

Well, it's not

an antique,

but it was

my first camera,

and it still takes

great pictures.

It's so perfect!

Okay...

It's time to go

now, honey.

Okay.

Princess Katherine,

we must review your itinerary.

It's just as I remember it.

Although I feel like

there was snow falling...

The Christmas tree lighting

ceremony at the Consulate

begins promptly

at 8:
00 tomorrow morning.

The staff's children

will sing one or two carols,

you'll hand out gifts,

and time permitting,

the Ambassador

will introduce you to his staff.

Here's the list.

It's names and positions.

Have fun,

let them take their selfies,

but you mustn't dawdle.

We have a full day.

Mustn't dawdle.

Katherine...

this is important.

Yes...

I am to meet privately

with the Ambassador.

He will ask how things

are back home.

I will ask about his wife.

Her name is Clara.

You have brunch at 10:00.

They'll ask you

to say a few words,

I've had the media office

prepare a brief speech.

So when are we going

to the gallery?

I tried.

Aunt Margaret...

I'm sorry, Katherine,

but look at your schedule.

Besides commitments of state

and the Christmas concert,

now you have George Hoult

on his way for a visit...

but we only have

three days.

We need to be home

for the Christmas Festival.

There's just no time

to waste on galleries.

It's not a waste of time.

Of course it's not.

All I'm trying to say is...

well, it was fine

while you were at school.

Your father and I

were raised

to believe the study of art

is perfectly

respectable.

It's also happens to be

something that I love.

And in your position,

you can be a patron

to museums

and galleries

to your heart's

content...

but you also have

more important responsibilities.

It's past time

for you to accept that.

I just want one hour...

There he is!

George!

Margaret!

Good to see you again.

You too.

I trust you're well?

Oh, yes, I'm well,

thank you.

How was your flight?

Mwah! Plane travel

is so aggravating.

All that recycled air,

you never know what

you're inhaling.

Yeah, well, still,

the city's beautiful

during the holidays.

I'm sure

you'll enjoy your stay.

I sincerely hope so.

You remember my niece?

Oh, of course.

So nice to see you again,

Your Royal Highness.

It's good to see you too.

Uh, it's been a long time.

Yes...

your aunt tells me

that you have an

incredibly busy schedule

during your stay.

I sure do...

but I have been looking

forward to seeing you.

Well, then, are you going

to give me a hug, or not?

I thought you forgot about me.

Not a chance, kiddo.

You look fantastic.

Thank you.

I hope this is good news.

Oh, Freddy, you're killing me.

I've got to have those skylights

tomorrow.

No. Uh-huh.

No...

I'm pretty sure

I said tomorrow...

because if I don't have them

by tomorrow,

I'm going to tell Santa

you've been a bad boy this year.

Well, listen,

I'd hate for you

to get a lump of coal

in your stocking, too,

but what choice do I have?

Freddy!

I've got to get

these skylights in

before my crew disappears

for the holidays.

All right.

Thanks, Freddy.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, yeah,

absolutely, no...

Santa will hear

all about it.

All right, you too.

Merry Christmas.

Jack?

Ed! Hey.

Shouldn't you be

at the airport?

I'm on the way.

I just wanted to drop these off.

I'm thinking they'd

look good in the kitchen,

uh, for the counter top.

Beautiful.

This is looking

so good already.

Yeah, it's coming.

Okay...

any questions,

just give me a shout

on the Maui number.

Absolutely. 'Scuse me...

See you

after the holidays.

This is Jack.

Harry?

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on.

What... what plug?

No, no, no,

smoke is definitely bad.

Harry!

Harry...

All right, Harry...

Harry, I'm on my way.

I remember you stood

and gazed out the window

of my office,

just like that

when you were

a little girl.

I remember it so well.

A visit to your mother's

attorney's office

at Christmas...

how festive.

No, really, though.

My mom and I, we had...

we had this game that we'd play,

and I would pick out

the lights,

or a tree,

or some sort of display,

and that'd be the start

of it all,

and then we would go

exploring the city,

looking at all the decorations

to find the most perfect fit.

I looked forward

to those visits, too.

I knew your mother

since she was a little girl,

and we were at school

together...

but once

she married the prince,

those visits...

it's the only time

I got to see you both.

Well, it's been

far too long, George.

No need to make any excuses.

I'm sure

the Princess of Montsaurai

has plenty more

important things

to keep her busy.

Yeah, so busy,

they can't even get by

for an hour without me.

What's the deal?

If Montsaurai

is such a small country anyway,

why do they even need

a princess, huh?

You know, I remember

your mother asking

the same question

when she married

your father.

Well, that was

a different story.

She fell in love

with a prince.

All I ever do

is stand here and wave,

and flash a smile,

and give speeches

to a bunch of people

that don't listen

anyway.

Hey, what you do

is very important.

People depend on you.

Maybe...

I'd like to be undependable.

What is going on

with you, Katie?

This.

I didn't ask

to be a princess.

You know, it never

stops, by the way.

There's always someone there,

trying to tell me how to talk,

how to... how to look,

how to smile...

just how to be.

It comes with the territory.

I can take care of myself.

Thank you.

I'm sorry, George.

You know...

being in this city...

it reminds me

of how much I miss her.

Yeah, well...

especially at Christmas.

It was her favorite time

of the year.

She gave me this.

This, uh...

was the last Christmas present

she gave me.

Let me see.

Wow.

Look at that.

It's beautiful.

It was the same year

she gave me my favorite camera.

I take it with me

everywhere I go.

Your mother

loved the idea

of you growing up

to be a photographer.

And look at me now.

Mm?

I have studied

with the finest teachers

at the best universities,

and I can't get

one hour to myself.

What do you think

your mother would say,

if she were here right now?

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