He gave a nod as he could see questions forming on the lips of the listeners. ‘Our cot has been installed in such a way that a woman can leave her baby someplace warm and safe, and leave without any interference.’
He waited a second. ‘We want you to help us get the word out about the new safe haven cot in Corinez. We want everyone to know they can leave their baby in a safe place if they need to do so.’
People started murmuring to each other. One of them shouted out, ‘What part did Dr Cotter play in this?’
He could deflect the question. But that wasn’t what he wanted to do. ‘Dr Cotter has given us the benefit of her own experience of installing a safe haven cot, and has briefed our staff on their roles.’
Other questions started being shouted from all directions but Philippe raised his hand. ‘Actually, I’m not finished. I have a further statement you might be interested in.’
His glance went automatically to Arissa, who was watching him from the station kitchen door.
He cleared his throat. ‘You all know the challenge that lies ahead. Corinez’s healthcare is not currently fit for purpose—it doesn’t serve the needs of our population. This safe haven work today is merely the tip of the iceberg.’
He paused to let the listeners consider this. ‘My love for my country has always been strong. You all know my intention has been to return to Corinez and take up post as part of our health committee. I have spent the last few years preparing for this role. But recent events have caused me to rethink.’
He kept his gaze steady, fixing on a few in the room who started to shift in their seats uncomfortably.
‘Press intrusion is something that my family, and many other royal families across Europe, experience on a daily basis. I have always prided myself on the good relationship that I thought our family had with the press. But the last few days have made me re-evaluate what that means.
‘This week I took pride in bringing the woman that I love—a dedicated and competent doctor—to our country and showing her its beauty and introducing her to the people. Dr Cotter is a private person, she wasn’t brought up in the media’s glare and has no interest in being there. I assured her when she came here, her privacy would be protected.’
He took a long slow breath. ‘It seems I was wrong.’ Even though he was emotional he kept his voice as steady as possible. Arissa had moved. She had taken a few steps from the edge of the door towards him. He’d just told the world out loud that he loved her, and her eyes were huge.
‘I love my country, I always have and I always will, but I’m a person like everyone else in this room—I’m not just a prince, and I believe that one of the greatest gifts you can find as a human being is love. And after thirty-one years, I’ve found it.’
This time he turned to face her. He couldn’t say any of these words without looking her in the eye, because they were all for her.
‘I’ve found a woman who makes my heart sing. I’ve found someone that got to know me as Philippe—not as a prince. I’ve found the face I want to see every morning when I wake up, and every night before I close my eyes. I’ve found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I’m willing to make sacrifices in order to be with her.’
Arissa’s mouth opened. She took a few steps forward.
‘The tasks I have ahead are huge—a lifetime’s work. My plan was to start—with the agreement of the health committee—on introducing free maternity services within Corinez. And what’s abundantly clear is that if I’m to do those tasks, I need the love and support of someone by my side who understands exactly the breadth of my role. I want to work in partnership with the person I love, because I want this to last a lifetime.’
He swallowed, his throat becoming tight, and turned back to face the press. ‘Yesterday, we learned that some of Arissa’s previous patients had been approached by the media. These issues have been raised with the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Patient-doctor privilege and confidentiality is sacred. No doctor would ever want to expose their patients to invasion of their privacy. Arissa came here because of me. The press is interested in her because of me. She now feels, because of this intrusion, she won’t be able to function as a doctor. And if she wants to leave, then I’ll be leaving with her.’