“What Does a Queen Do?” is a short story about a child’s imagination of royal life.
The story starts with a little girl from the Netherlands who is sick and staying home from school. She watches on TV, with her father, as King Willem-Alexander give his Speech from the Throne at the State Opening of Parliament. The little girl becomes interested in Queen Maxima and wonders what life would be like as Queen. She soon finds herself given the job of Queen. Chaos ensues when the new little Queen tries to hold a party at the palace.
Gertrude sent King Willem-Alexander & Queen Maxima a copy of her short story. You can find their reply here.
“What Does a Queen Do?” was published in an anthology, The Spaces in Between, co-authored by members of The Writing Journey (2023).
The Spaces in Between is a collection of poems and short stories that explores the question “What if”. These diverse tales and delicate poems are separated into four sub-themes: One More Day, Suddenly Sentient, Forever Changed, and Never Returning. The book includes a number of genres.
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Excerpt
Mum says I have a cold.
“Stay in bed,” I am told.I cough up some yellow goo.
Fever is one hundred and two.Mum brings me some chicken soup,
“This will help you to recoup.”Daddy stays home and watches TV.
I crawl out of bed hoping to see.It is boring. “Can we watch a cartoon?”
“No, I need the TV all afternoon.”Daddy’s job is to write and report,
Everything on the royal court.Today, the King gave a big speech.
Every year, to Parliament to preach.The King talks about unemployment, health care,
Immigration, foreign policy, and clean air.All while Queen Maxima just sits there,
And the media writes on what she wears.“She is very pretty!” “And smart and kind.
Queen Maxima was a really great find.”Daddy and I sit on the couch together,
And listen as the King announces whatever.“What does a Queen like Maxima do?
Opening to “What Does a Queen Do?”
Is it something that I can do too?”
Gertrude Daly 
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