Prologue
CLASSIFIED — OFFICIAL SENSITIVE
REPORT
Subject:Reception and Initial Assessment of HIS SERENE HIGHNESS PRINCE VIDAL MONTCADA Y SACKVILLE OF CARDONA (hereinafter “the Principal”)
Reporting Officer:Major H. R. Beauchamp, Household Division, acting as military liaison attached to His Serene Highness, Prince Vidal of Cardona
Location:RAF Northolt, No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron, VIP Arrivals Suite
Date:[REDACTED]
Classification:OFFICIAL — SENSITIVE
Distribution:Private Secretary to His Majesty The King (EYES ONLY), OC Royal Household Equerry Service, Security Liaison Officer.
? ? ?
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 At 0236hrs on [REDACTED], this officer received orders via secure communication from the Private Secretary’s office to proceed to RAF Northolt for the reception of a foreign national arriving via military transport from [REDACTED]. The Principal had been extracted from the Principality of Cardona following the events of [REDACTED] (see Op SANDCASTLE briefing, ref. MOD/[REDACTED]).
1.2 This officer was informed that the Principal was to be afforded the courtesies appropriate to his rank but that no formal diplomatic status existed. The Principal holds a British passport through his maternal family (the Sackvilles of Wiltshire). His Majesty has directed that the Principal be accommodated in London under discreet security arrangements. This officer has been assigned as military attaché and primary point of contact for the duration.
1.3 This officer arrived at Northolt at 0340hrs. The transport aircraft was scheduled for 0400hrs. A Bentley Mulsanne had been arranged for onward travel to the London residence. This officer confirmed arrangements with the ground crew, inspected the vehicle, and positioned himself at the foot of the aircraft steps to receive the Principal.
2. ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCIPAL
2.1 The aircraft landed at 0407hrs. Engines were cut at 0411hrs. The rear door was opened at 0414hrs.
2.2 There was a pause of approximately ninety seconds during which no one emerged. This officer heard what he initially assessed as a disturbance on board. Upon later reflection, it was the Principal.
2.3 At 0416hrs, the Principal appeared in the doorway of the aircraft. He was wearing a linen suit of cream or ivory colouring, partially unbuttoned, with no tie. A gold crucifix was visible at his throat. His dark hair was disordered. He was carrying a single leather suitcase in his left hand and a small dog in his right.
2.4 The dog was a Chinese Crested, approximately 3–4kg in weight, with patchy tufts of white hair on its head, feet, and tail, and exposed grey-pink skin across the body. This officer had not been briefed on the presence of an animal. No quarantine documentation was provided at time of arrival. (See Section 5: Outstanding Administrative Issues.)
2.5 The Principal descended the aircraft steps. Upon reaching the tarmac, he stopped, looked at this officer, and then at the sky above RAF Northolt, and crossed himself.
2.6 He then said, in English: “It is over.”
2.7 This officer introduced himself. “Your Serene Highness. Major Beauchamp. I’ll be—”
2.8 The Principal thrust the dog into this officer’s hands.
2.9 The dog urinated on this officer’s sleeve.
2.10 The Principal did not appear to notice. He strode past this officer towards the Bentley, opened the rear door himself before the driver could reach it, and flung himself across the back seat in what this officer can only describe as a controlled collapse.
3. CONDUCT DURING TRANSIT — NORTHOLT TO LONDON RESIDENCE
3.1 This officer entered the vehicle with the dog (still damp) and took a seat opposite the Principal. The journey to the London residence was approximately 40 minutes in duration.
3.2 At no point during the 40-minute transit did the Principal stop talking.
3.3 This officer will attempt to reconstruct the substance of the Principal’s remarks in the order in which they were delivered, noting that the Principal switched between English, Catalan, and what appeared to be liturgical Latin with no discernible pattern or warning. Translations have been provided where possible.
3.4 — 0419hrs (Departing Northolt)
