Chapter 67 – Farewell to a Legend
The day of Harry's retirement ceremony had finally arrived. After more than two decades of dedicated service to the SAS, MI6, and countless operations around the world, Harry was ready to say goodbye to his life in the military. Kensington Palace, in all its majesty, had been chosen as the venue for this special event. The ceremony would be private, restricted to close friends, members of the royal family, and a select few trusted allies who had served alongside Harry.
Kensi, who had flown in from Los Angeles especially for the occasion, had been at Harry's side since his arrival. Dressed in an elegant black dress, she was visibly nervous, not because of the ceremony itself, but because she would soon meet the royal family.
Before the event began, Harry took Kensi to meet William, Kate, Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip. The atmosphere was one of elegance and honor, but also of friendly lightness. Kensi could not believe what was happening. As she entered the private room of the palace where the royals were waiting, her heart beat faster.
"Kensi," Harry began, his voice calm as always, but full of affection as he took her hand. "I would like to introduce you to Prince William and Duchess Kate, and of course, to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince Philip."
William was the first to approach, offering a warm smile.
"Ah, finally the famous Kensi! Harry can't stop talking about you," William said, extending his hand.
Kensi smiled, still trying to maintain her composure as she shook the Prince's hand.
"It's an honor to meet you both," she said, nervous but genuine.
Kate, always kind, also approached, hugging Kensi lightly.
"Harry really has good taste. We are happy for him and for you," she said with a twinkle in her eye.
Soon, it was the Queen and Prince Philip's turn. Queen Elizabeth, with her dignified posture but affectionate gaze, addressed Kensi.
"I've heard so much about you, my dear. And I'm glad to hear that Harry has found someone so special," His Majesty said with a small smile, which made Kensi feel truly accepted.
Prince Philip, with his characteristic humor, looked at Harry and then at Kensi.
"I hope you'll keep this young man out of trouble now that he's retiring," he joked, making everyone laugh, including Kensi, who was already feeling more at ease.
After the greetings, Harry and Kensi headed to the large room where the ceremony would be held. There were longtime friends, former mission partners, and important figures from the SAS and MI6. The room was decorated in an elegant but understated way, reflecting Harry's personality. Photos and videos from his career were projected on the walls, showing his exploits over the years.
As the ceremony began, the reverent silence of the room was soon filled with the words of officers honoring Harry for his exemplary career. Speeches were made, highlighting his bravery, his commitment to the mission, and his key role in numerous high-risk operations. Harry, with his many medals, including the prestigious Victoria Cross, was a true hero to everyone present.
Then, one of the most anticipated moments of the evening arrived. A sequence of photos of Harry was displayed on a giant screen. Images of his missions around the world, interactions with his team, and moments of camaraderie were shown. It was a journey of glory, achievement, and sacrifice. But amidst all the serious photos, there was one moment that drew laughter from the entire room.
One of the photos showed Harry in a stylish black suit, looking like a real-life version of James Bond. He was impeccably dressed, with a serious expression and a piercing gaze. When the photo was developed, there was a collective gasp from the women present at the ceremony, which made Kensi smile as she elbowed Harry lightly.
"You really know how to impress, huh?" she whispered, amused.
Harry smiled, a little embarrassed.
"It was just a suit," he joked.
The room's muffled laughter was soon followed by a silent bow as the audience reflected on Harry's journey. The ceremony was not only a farewell to his military career, but also an acknowledgement of the extraordinary person he was, both on and off the battlefield.
When the speeches were over, William took the microphone and addressed the audience.
"Today, we celebrate not only one of the greatest operators of our generation, but also a loyal friend and a man of unparalleled character. Harry has always been a ghost to our enemies, but to us, he is a brother, a dear friend. His retirement marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new phase, where he can finally focus on his own happiness. We are all proud of the man he has become."
The applause echoed through the room, with Kensi smiling at the respect and affection everyone had for Harry. At the end of the ceremony, Harry approached her, gently taking her hand.
"So... what did you think?" he asked, with a slight smile.
"I think you're even more amazing than I imagined," she replied, laughing. "And this James Bond thing... maybe I'm a little jealous."
Harry laughed, leaning in to kiss her softly.
"Well, you know Bond never had a Kensi."
With that, the two of them mingled with the crowd, receiving congratulations and enjoying the rest of the night. Harry's retirement marked the beginning of a new chapter, and with Kensi by his side, he knew the future would be as exciting as his past.