Running Around Royal (Prince Harry #4)

Chapter Thirty-Four

As the Duke and Duchess of Windsor walked down a street of Athens, it was clear that the officials did their best to keep the royal couple away from the refugee crisis, which continued to flood southern Europe. While people hoped the migrant crisis was going to end, the real problem came from the problems within the country, whether it was war, government, famine, economic, gender stereotypes and even more. Without those problems resolved, refugees and migrants still came into Europe. The photographers were positioned in the best light for Greece and for the couple, but that didn't stop from Meredith glancing over to see homeless huddled together.

It was back to unseasonably warm weather coming off the Mediterranean Sea. Meredith was forced into a jacket anyway, but that was the same way she was forced to wear a dress even though they went to tourist destinations. The optics of this was to make Greece popular again to tourist with tourism having been on the decline for the past few years. It added to the economic problems of Greece.

Meredith said nothing, like usual, especially as they traveled up the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon, both historic places about the democracy of Athens. Each time they walked up the steps, just at the bottom sat refugees. It made it hard to understand how someone easily cropped them out. Rumors spread that the officials had tried to clear them out, much like officials had tried to clear the homeless out around Harry and Meredith's wedding route in London. Meredith smiled kindly at the cameras.

The couple went to the Temple of Athena Nike next. For something that meant victory, the refugees and homeless-- with no distinction between them-- sat outside the gates, saying nothing but holding Styrofoam cups up to tourists and Athenians that walked by. The migrants and homeless did not even make a commotion as the couple passed by, which was probably worse for Meredith.

Jessica, sensing Meredith's feelings, whispered, "Your highness, we must follow protocol."

Meredith bit back a snap, and Harry gave her a nod and a hand squeezed. He played this game too long, and maybe Meredith had become royal but that meant shit now.

On their exit, the end of their official visit to Athens, Greece, and the afternoon was meant for them as a couple, Meredith paused outside the gates. Harry had walked out with the mayor and tour guide, letting go of Meredith's hand, which was his mistake. She veered off in a completely different direction. Even Jessica, who had been waiting with a careful eye, didn't see it coming with how quickly Meredith moved-- and Meredith didn't move quickly usually.

Cameras watched everyone. Everyone needed to be on their best behavior.

Having now walked over, Meredith bent down beside the first person she saw and struck up a conversation. It was difficult with her lack of Greek and Arabic, but soon enough, another member walked over who spoke English.

Harry hovered above his wife, after being sent over by an annoyed Jessica and angry members of the Athens city council. His wife refused to look at him. "Mere," he tested, keeping a polite smile on his face. "Now is not the time."

She stood up quickly, coming eye to eye with him. "I can't believe I have to say this," her voice was at a hush, "what would your mother do? Would've she just ignored this? We both know she would be right here. Are you going to be like them?" Meredith's eyes looked at the people who had chosen to ignore. "Or, are you going to stand next to me right now and show some Goddamn dignity to these people?" She was well aware she wasn't able to physically give anything to them, but perhaps some light in the cameras was going to make people remember that refugee, migrants and homeless still existed.

Knowing where he was going to stand the whole time, Harry chose to be next to his wife, and they went back to speaking with the people in need. Meredith was able to feel the scowls on the back of her head from across the way, but she didn't give them the time of day. She focused on the people in front of her, because those were the people that needed to focus. Maybe they were homeless, refugees or migrants, but they needed the attention now to succeed later.