Jemma and Annabel were woke earlier than usual to get ready for the big day, they were both bathed and Jemma`s dressings were changed, both children wrapped in bathrobes were then fed before Hairdressers and makeup artists arrived, Brian and Rodger had gone out for a walk so they could meet the contact and get the new documents for Jemma,they met the contact in a coffee bar were they all chatted for while, the contact left and the two men continued their walk to give the women time to get ready but also because Brian knew what a madhouse the suite would be until Milly and Elizabeth were satisfied with their appearance and the appearance of the children.

"Rodger, Just a piece of friendly advice never interfere with women when they`re getting ready for a big event it`s best to get out of the way and leave it to them, safer as well, but they`ll be all over the pair of us when we get back making sure we meet their standards but just go with the flow it`s this is their big event probably the biggest they`ll ever have. Not many get to meet the Royals or spend a whole day with them" said Brian

"Oh, Okay, I`ve never been married so I gladly bow to your experience and wisdom oh Great Wise One" said Rodger bowing

"I`m being serious, you know this could open doors for you and your new family that would otherwise remain shut, no matter how rich or powerful you are, and you my boy are marrying into on the 10 riches familes in Europe. Stated Brian

" I hadn`t thought about that, Elizabeth didn`t have a lot when I first met her but I fell for her as soon as I met her, money and power doesn`t interest me and I don`t want or need her money" said Rodger

"I know that son, but you just look after them and be good to them especially little one" said Brian

Before long the returned to the Hotel, on arriving the manager told them that preparations were still going on in the penthouse and took the men into his office were they had coffee and waited for the beauty teams and dressers to leave. It was about an hour before they could return to the suite and on arrival were recieving orders from Elizabeth on how they were to dress.Eventually everyone was ready to Elizabeth`s satisfaction, the two girls were brought out and both men were surprised at how beautiful they both looked, they could see that Jemma and Elizabeth had both been correct.

The suites phone rang and Rodger answered it. " The Cars have arrived " He said , and with that they left the room and proceeded downstairs using the private elevator to the lobby.On arrival in the lobby they were met by a member of the Palace security team, who checked that they were the right people he was to collect, once the check was over he quickly ushered them into the waiting cars.

The cars were Black Rolls Royces, a very prestigious car and once hand crafted, but unfortunately over the years and many take overs the craftmanship had gone, the new owners BMW now put their german built engines into the cars and the bodies were produced on aproduction line. The two Rollers that collected the party were much older models were the engines as well most parts of the cars were handcrafted by master coach builders.

The little party with the exception of the two men were surprised at the luxurious interiors of the cars having only seen pictures of such cars, and the ride was extremely comfortable.

On arrival at the Palace they were met by an Army General in full dress uniform who led them into the palace, showed them were they should wait and then left to inform her Her Majesty that her guests had arrived, while they were alone they looked round room at the paintings on the walls, all done by great masters such as Constable, Gainsborough, Turner and a few others, every painting very valuable and old. the mouldings in the room had the interest if Brian, he marvelled at the craftmanship considering that when this place built everything was made by hand,

They waited for around 45 minutes and hadn`t notice the time go by being so interested in the rooms contents,eventually the door opened and a footman took them to another room were they found the Queen waiting.

Everyone either bowed or curtsied as custom required except Jemma who just bowed her head, being in a wheelchair made it awkward, once the customary protocol was out of the way, the Queen rose from the throne and advanced towards Jemma.

So this is the heroic little boy or should I say girl I`ve heard so much about, there was only the small party, the Princess Royal and a couple of the Royal Household present in the room and the Queen dismissed the usual paraphernalia and told everyone to makr themselves comfortable.

Refreshments were brought in and everyone partook of some, the Queen started to talk to Jemma and Elizabeth as if she was a neighbour instead of the the pinnacle of the nation.

"Well Jemma, I have been informed on why you are dressing and behaving like a young girl and given the circumstances I believe you have made the correct choice, anyone seeing you will only see a young girl in a wheelchair.The Princess had explained to me that you looked a trifle odd dressing half boy and half girl due to your injuries and now I hear you made the decision yourself with no help from the adults." said the Queen

"Yes, Your Majesty although it took me a while to come to this decision and my friend Annabel help as well, People used to make fun of me so in the end I took the easy option" said Jemma

"It might not be the easy option you know, Oh don`t get me wrong, but have you considered that you may like being a girl and wish to remain so ?" asked the Queen

"I never thought of that " said Jemma looking at Elizabeth

"Don`t let it worry dear, whatever you decide, girl or boy you`ll always be loved by your family and friends" said Elizabeth smiling

"Now let us turn our attention to Mr Brian Montgomery" said the Queen

"Yor Majesty " said Brian ,bowing

"You have lost much in the service of your country and have recieved no recognition, I however believe that Jemma and Elizabeth are your sole remaining relatives." said the Queen

" Yes your Majesty, I had a hard time finding them at first but find them I did and never imagined I`d find such a family a this and they honoured me by accepting me as I am, a lonely old man" stated Brian

"As for Jemma, I`m proud to agrandchild such as her, one who gives a lot and takes and asks for nothing in return and brave to boot." continued Brian proudly

"Yes I also have heard of Jemma`s Bravery, which is uncommon even amongst Adults in these sad times. It`s a shame that children can`t enjoy their childhood safely as they should" said the Queen sadly

The Queen talked to everyone in the party and made them all feel at ease, it was if she had known each and everyone of them all their lives, the adults knew that a lot of research would have done before hand, but still it did make the visit more personal for them.

They all talked for quite a while and eventually the Queen summoned one of her ladies and whispered something in her ear, the woman disappeared from the room and returned a few minutes later with two men carrying sating pillows with what looked like medals on them.

The men took station at the side of the Queen and she asked Brian to step in front and kneel before her, Once Brian was knelt he was knighted she also pinned to jacket a medal for services rendered.

Jemma was then wheeled in front of the Queen who looked at her

"You my young friend caused us a bit of problem, however my advisors came up idea and after much thought we thought it a good idea. There are a lot of brave children out there who never receive any recognition I know but none that I know have risked death as you did. A new Award has been Inaugurated specially for children called The Queens Cross and you are the first recipient of the Award, there is a stipend that goes with it of  £5000 a year which I hope you will put towards your education" said the Queen as she pinned the medal to Jemma`s dress

Jemma and Brian both thanked the Queen and a photographer from one of the more reputable newspapers was allowed in to photograph the pair, the news story had already been written by the Palace media officer and handed to the editor with instructions not to delve any further to which they agreed.

The Press association had been called to meeting along with the owners and editors of the countries newspapers and given the same instruction, and told it was a Royal Request, which was virtually the same as an order from the Queen in person. The newspaper complied.

The party had spent most of the day with the Royal family and had enjoyed themselves, oh at first they were polite almost to annoyance but eventually relaxed.

When they returned to the hotel they found a guard outside their suite and on asking were told it was only for the night just in case some unscrupulous reporter tried to get an unsanctioned story.