Raymond: Their Imperial Highness’ The Princess of Avalon, The Duke of Devonshire and The Duke of Newburg, Your Imperial Majesty.
John: Thank you for coming everyone.
Catherine: Of course Papa, your message sounded urgent. Is everything okay?
John: No, unfortunately it is not Dove. I have been having some worrying symptoms for several months now and your mama finally made me see a doctor and after several months of testing it has revealed that I am in the early stages of multiple sclerosis.
Catherine, Henry and Nick sit in stunned silence for several minutes while the unexpected news sinks in.
Nick: Whatever you need you John, Abi and I are here for you.
Catherine: Of course Papa anything you need.
John: Thank you, the news is still settling in but I do know that I want to keep this between us and Nick of course Abi. I don’t want anyone else, especially Ellie to know. It can wait till after the wedding. I will be starting treatment soon and I have been advised that the bad days will outnumber the good for quite sometime. Henry, Nick, I will need help with my patronages and their events.
Henry: Absolutely John, I am more than happy to step in where needed.
Nick: I am more than willing to help John and maybe if we can come up with a reason why, I know Louis would be willing to help also.
John: Alex and I have been talking about a reason to release to the public about why I will be temporarily stepping down. Which brings me to Catherine. Dove, I will need you to step in as Regent for the foreseeable future.
Catherine: I’ll do anything you need but are you sure Papa?
John: I am. Your mother and I have spoken at length and you are the obvious choice as my heir and I will be here to guide you as I can and I know that James and Frederick will also be more than willing to help you where they can.
John: We will be releasing a statement that I will be receiving medical treatment for a new health condition and will likely be stepping away for a time. We’ll announce that Catherine will be acting as regent and that Henry, Nick and possibly Louis will be taking on my patronage engagement schedule. Nick, if you could ask Louis and let me know what he says I would appreciate it.