She wore midnight-blue silk, but it was her new hairstyle—soft, voluminous curls cascading around her shoulders—that drew the first gasp. A subtle departure from her usual elegance, the curls added a modern twist, a whisper of rebellion.
But it was the Queen Mother’s sapphire earrings that held the room’s attention. Nestled beneath her curls, the sapphires glinted with history and quiet authority. They weren’t just jewels; they were legacy.
“She looks radiant,” murmured a diplomat’s wife. “She looks like a queen,” replied another.
Catherine moved gracefully through the crowd, offering kind smiles and a few words to each guest. She paused beside an elderly woman who had once served the royal household. Holding her hand, Catherine bent close and listened, the sapphires swaying gently. Later that evening, as she stood near the grand fireplace, Prince William caught her eye and smiled. For a moment, the noise faded.
