Henry: Good morning to you! I was born in a carpenter’s workshop in the City of Brave Hearts, and I come from a long line of dream guardians. Santa Claus called on me to protect the Kingdom from villains who want to stop Christmas. I feel honored to be here and to ensure the safety and magic of Christmas. I am the chief of the Kingdom’s guards, and I have many responsibilities!
Henry: My role is to protect Christmas and make sure that children and grownups alike can enjoy the magic of Santa Claus’ Kingdom in complete safety. I am always on the lookout for any threat that might disturb the Kingdom’s peace. I take my role and the responsibilities that come with it very seriously… maybe even too seriously for some, but that is my job. Many people struggle to separate that part of me from who I really am.
Henry: Well… as I was saying, not everyone can see the difference, and when I have to restore order in some situation, I sometimes end up looking a bit strict. But I assure you, I am not unfriendly! There is a Henry who has to act strictly to protect the Kingdom, and who constantly needs help and cooperation from everyone. The more people behave well, the less I need to intervene… harmony is an equilibrium that we build together, a dance between the wisdom of those who make the rules and the goodwill of those who follow them. The result — which is the only thing that really matters about any rule — is a wonderful show where everyone can have fun and be happy.
Then there is a Henry who, in his private life, loves beautiful things, fashion, and spending time with all the inseparable friends here in the Kingdom!
Henry: Buddy is an extraordinary character, full of enthusiasm and joy. He helps me see the positive side of things and not take everything too seriously… apart from my work, of course! His cheerfulness is contagious and motivates me to give my best in every situation. Then there is Pretty, an Elf with a sweetness and sensitivity I deeply admire. She is always there to support others and to find creative solutions. When I work with her, I feel inspired by her ability to approach Lucy, the Light of Christmas, and spread the magic of this enchanted place.
Henry: Steve is a true motivator and the life of the party. His energy is contagious and makes every day special — and especially funny! He helps me remember that, despite my responsibilities, it is also important to have fun and enjoy life. But it’s also important that from time to time I remind him there is always a limit to everything… once you cross that line, pranks are no longer funny! Luckily, that has only happened a few times, and Steve never really puts the Kingdom in danger; he does it to make us laugh. In fact, whenever we play pranks, we always check that the goal of the joke is to show affection and that it ends in everyone having fun. When that happens, pranks are a great teacher to help us be lighter and smile a little more.
Henry: In my opinion, the two things are deeply connected. Yes, fashion is a big passion of mine, and I like to be impeccable. I also believe that presenting yourself well is a sign of respect for others, and that it shows how much you care about things. Every situation, every role starts with how you wear your clothes… would you ever want to be protected by a guard who looks careless and sloppy? I always make sure that who I am inside matches how I look outside: attentive, serious, neat, and in shape. All of these are virtuous qualities that require a bit of discipline and consistency.
Henry: Oh, if I may, I can think of a couple! The first is when, after a real mess caused by Lucy, Buddy, and Pretty during their secret game, the WishCatching, I ended up dressed in orange with a Halloween pumpkin as a hat! What a horrorrrrrr! I still laugh about it! Luckily, it all worked out… we got our Christmas back and gave Dr. Krampy a wonderful Santalloween — a story full of lessons and fun! Another special moment was when we had to protect the Kingdom from a truly dangerous attack… I’m talking about a villain like no other, his name was Oleg Stone Heart… one day we will tell you that story. But together with my friends, we managed to push back the threat and guarantee that all the children could keep enjoying Christmas in peace.
Henry: Dr. Krampy and I have a relationship of mutual respect. Even though he is often grumpy and skeptical about Christmas magic, I know deep down he has a good heart. I try to support him and show him that Christmas magic is real and precious. And we both love to dress well!!! He tells me that all the time! I must say, with me, he is much less grumbly than he is with Santa Claus or the other residents of the Kingdom. He likes my seriousness and often asks me for advice on how to get a bit more respect from his Sfatichinis, who make a mess one after another!
Henry: Oh, thank you so much! Yes, I am particularly proud of it… just as I do with myself, I keep my house tidy both inside and out. I find it so important! Sometimes, especially for many children I know, keeping their room tidy feels like a chore… but then they change their mind when I explain the reason behind it. Behind everything that might seem like a boring duty, there is always something magical and important hiding, waiting to be revealed! Tidiness is a very important kind of magic! You can have fun, go wild, and fly as high as you want… but then, before starting a new adventure, you have to clean up the mess you created and get some rest. You cannot really rest well in the confusion of a messy place, whether that’s a room outside of you like a bedroom, or a room inside you like your own little head! To make it even simpler, think of when you eat a delicious lunch: the kitchen and dishes get dirty… before dinner, everything has to be cleaned and put back in order (I don’t think anyone likes eating dinner off the same plate from lunch!). Once you understand that, every duty stops being a bother, because you truly see the magic it can bring.
Henry: Being part of the Kingdom of Santa Claus is an immense honor and joy. It allows me to protect and spread the magic of Christmas, bringing happiness to both young and old. Every smile and every joyful moment I see is the only true reward for my commitment.
Inside the Magic Kingdom and its beauty, I guarantee fun and safety, it’s my duty!!