"To be or not to be" Thursday (Queen Ukulungile of Ophiri)

For today's post we move to Africana.

The Princess Ukulungile of Ophiri was born 23^rd of February 1972 in the remote Royal city of Intaba in the the small traditional Kingdom of Ophiri. Ophiri is a former independant Kingdom ruled by an exclussively female tribal chief claiming descent from the legendary Queen of Sheba. It is now, after the Bloody Revolution of 1996, a province of the Republic of Greater Ophiri. It still retains its traditional Royal family who wield no official power but tremendous symbolic status amongst the people. The Royal family manages a vast property and natural recources portfolio in trust of the tribal peoples of Ophiri. There private wealth is said to rank amongst the highest in all Africana.

The continent of Africana was only affected politically by the Bloody Revolution of 1996 and as such the Princess and her family remained safe and respected by their people even if stripped of political influence. However the Family’s symolic power is hugely prominent and as such they’re commited to improve economic and social development in Ophiri.

The revolution led to a temporary interim government which passed a law that upon the old Queen’s death, Ukulungile’s father would be the first male chief of Ophiri as the traditional laws were not in accordance with a modern democratic republic. As such her accession, skipping her father, could lead to political strife. Later in 2008 the small province mourned the passing of King Kozi I who then passed the reigns to his daughter. Upon her father’s death the original line of accession resumed. Queen Ukulungile the 38^th of Ophiri saw this chain of events as a blessing in disguise as she did not approve of the old sexist tradition excluding men from rule.

For this official photo taken at a themed ball in 2011, Queen Ukulungile wears a Madame Frumsetta original inspired by traditional Africanian music and costume. She also wears genuine 18ct Yellow Gold Earings and Bracelet set with Diamonds.

The Queen is a supporter of non-sexist equality and also a huge patron of Africanian art, music and fashion. As head of the Royal House she has taken a hands-on interest in the Royal Trust managing the traditional territories of Ophiri, its vast nature reserves and natural wealth including gold and diamond mines. She vehemently and publically opposes illegal mining operations and even survived an assassination attempt by illegal diamond cartels in 2009 when she spoke out against illegal diamond trade at a special U.N. summit held in Ophiri. She has poured her time passion and family fortune into growing her people’s prosperity by mainly focusing on education and international trade. In this vein she hosts an annual jewellery design competition to grow the industry in Africa.

The prospect of marriage was never an issue as she has been officially "married" since birth. This Royal marriage arrangement is one of many topics that the Queen has been lobbying to change as old traditions are updated to more modern standards. Her Majesty at least has been fortunate to have had a great relationship with her husband and produced a son, Prince Shaka who according to the new laws will succeed her. Long Live Her Majesty Queen Ukulungile XXXVIII of the Kingdom of Ophiri.