What's Up Year-End (Christmas Ball 2013)

The much anticipated Royal Christmas Ball hosted by the government and people of Scotney finally took place on Christmas Eve yesterday evening.  Since the imperial visit of Empress Crystobel in 2012 to the nation of Scotney the friendship between this former monarchy and their exiled Empress grew steadily.

After the shock of her death it was an almost natural response for Scotney to host this year's Christmas Ball as a sign of their commitment to the friendship. The democratic Republic of Britania was included officially in this gesture as they share the Imperial History of Scotney in what was known as the United Empire of Scot-Britania.

The event was fully televised for the enjoyment of the international press and Royal fans worldwide.  Our blog documents this glittering event in pictures and commentary only.

Stirling Castle was lit up in festive lights and it seemed as if the walls came alive within this context of Royalty for which the Castle was originally purposed.  As the limousines drew up to drop off the guests, audible gasps were heard coming from the paparazzi waiting like hungry wolves ready to pounce.

Inside the ballroom the famous reporter miss Kitty Spice was especially invited for the sake of the international press to do the announcements of the guests as they arrived.

First to arrive were the dual hosts of the nations of Scotney and Britania, Chancellor Rex Johnston of Britania and President Margaret Fontelroy of Scotney.

In the foyer adjacent to the ballroom the guests first gathered before being announced to the world press as they entered.  Above at right we see the newly engaged couple Viscount Hayz and Donna Hernanda of Aragon.  Behind them from right to left we can see the Duchess of Lancaster, the Duke and Duchess of Argyle and the Earl and Countess Cartwright. In light of welcoming the historic Noble families of Scotney and Britania, several of the prominent Nobles accepted an invitation to the Ball

Miss Kitty Spice announces the arrival of the d' Rothchild Baronial Family.

The Marchioness of Londonderry regaled us with her awe-inspiring Amethysts tiara.

The newly wed Duke and Duchess of Marlboro attended their first official event since their honeymoon.

The Duke and Duchess of Argyle are seemingly testing out the dance floor.

Prince Valmont d'Pont Du Lac arrives at the ball with his wife, the Duchess of Roswind. She is considered one of the highest ranking Nobles from the former Empire. 

The dazzling Youssopoffs did not fail to focus everybody's attention on their super-stylish arrival.  Sporting the famous Youssopoff comet-tiara, Princess Kirsten might as well in equal fashion have exploded into the ballroom.  

The theme of welcoming Royalty and Nobility back onto Scotney soil was accentuated by inviting relevant representatives from foreign countries. The first to arrive representing the Newly Established Syldavian Royal Electorate was the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Serbieski. 

Wearing one of her own designs and following on the heels of the Serbieskis we have Madamme Frumsetta, Countess of Bohemia.  

Grand Duke Lothair and his lovely wife, Grand Duchess Azantha did their region of Reichental proud dressed in Azure and Aquamarine to match the historic family jewels.   

Representing the fifth Syldavian Electorate, Princess Victoria Von Thurn und Taxis opted for a "White Christmas" paired with rubies.

The sumptuous confectionery and expensive champagne seemed endless all the night through.

The Marquis D'Bacquemme made an unprecedented first public appearance with his fiance, Princess Oktavia Von Silberstein. They gathered in the foyer before announcement along with the Shahbanou of Perlistan and the Wallachian Royal Family.

Her Serene Highness Princess Xenia of Wallachia was the first actual head of state to arrive.  She attended the ball with her husband, the Baron Bagrazia and her mother Princess Suzanna.

Three pretenders arrived at once. In the front Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Ruskiana followed by Prince Louis du Pont du Luc of Franconia and Princess Donatella of Romagna.

Another unprecedented first was a shock to reporters. An invitation to the ball was sent to the Kingdom of Ophiri but nobody was informed of the fact that the Ophiri Government had officially disbanded the tradition that their Queen may not leave her native soil. Queen Ukulungile arrived to an explosion of camera flashes and royal gasps in the ballroom. In this, her first official appearance on foreign soil, was accompanied to the ball by her brother, Prince Shaka and his wife.  

Amidst all the buzz of first appearances we are reminded of the spectacular debut of lady Arcwhite onto the world stage in 2010. Again at this year's Christmas ball, she did not fail to chill the crowd with her striking fashion sense. She is as usual accompanied by her heir and niece, Lady Drealle Mormaer.

It was expected that Lady Arcwhite would impress with her choice of jewels. She did not fail in this endeavor as she chose the gargantuan Sapphires from her private collection.

Of all the newly engaged couples none drew as much attention from the paparazzi as Princess Marie Elizabeth of Swann and the Archduke of Fulco d' Este. Their wedding in 2014 promises to be the most spectacular wedding since that of the Crown Prince Imperial. The Princess arrived at the Ball wearing a stunning red and black fishtail dress along with Pink Topaz jewellry from the Fulco D'Este collection.

The young Princess of Cataljone chose a traditional Flamenco style dress to accentuate her Hispanian nationality. She paired it with the order of the Triad and historic jewelry.

The Queen of Hispania is said to have had to change her dress at the last minute as upon her arrival the wind blew the Limousine door closed onto the train of her gown, almost tearing it off completely.  Being a veteran to exceptional style, the queen always travels with a spare set of clothing. Her attendants produced this glorious Madame Frumsetta original from the trunk of her car and assisted Her Majesty in a side room not costing her more than 10 minutes on her arrival schedule.

King Nikolas of Syldavia regrettably could not attend the function due to a severe bout with the flu. He was officially represented by his wife, Queen Maxima.

Queen Gloria of Normandia arrived wit her husband the Prince of Northwold (not pictured). Queen Gloria's sleek figure amazed everybody present as she gave birth to her son merely a few months ago.

The Crown Prince Imperial's cousin, the ruling Grand Duke of Hanoveria and his wife arrived next. Grand Duchess Alice looked amazing in green, wearing for the first time her mother-in-law's emerald jewelry. The Dowager Grand Duchess of Hanoveria, the last surviving sibling of the late Empress Crystobel has officially retired from public appearances and symbolically passed the baton of responsibility to her daughter-in-law by allowing her to wear the emeralds.  

His Royal Highness, the Duke of Swann arrived with his close friend, the Seeress of Muren and his heir, Prince Dillon of Swann. The Duke of Swann chose the uniform of an Officer of the Imperial Guard of Scott-Britania, poignantly linking the past with the present.

Princess Augusta of Swann looked very chique in black velvet and Imperial Tiara. Her arrival heralded the coming of the guests of honour.

The guests waiting in anticipation for the arrival of the Crown Prince Imperial Couple.

With traditional fanfare the D' Jour King of Scotney, King of Britania and Emperor of the United Empire of Scott-Britania officially received a welcome of the Governments of Scotney and Britania and all the Royal guests.  This turning point in history hopefully sets the foundation for a happy future for all parties involved.

The traditional group photo shows the full compliment of guests assembled in the Ball Room of Stirling Castle.

Queen Gloria poses for a special photo-opp ...

...as does the Duke of Swann ...

...as does Princess Marie Elizabeth  and several other guests.

A close up of all the guests.

With all the formalities over the Crown Prince Imperial Couple opened the dance floor.

The Guests of Honour were immortalized in this historic photo. Princess Odeliah chose her jewellery very carefully for the event. She wore a never before worn by her Imperial Ruby Tiara for the sake of complimenting the historic and official nature of the Ball. This she paired with some of the personal jewellery of the late Empress Crystobel, obviously worn in remembrance of Her Late Imperial Majesty and since the Ball is to honour her legacy.

Fireworks ended off the evening and symbolically coloured the night sky like the colourful jewelry dazzled inside the former dark halls in Stirling Castle for the first time since before 1996. We hope the colour will remain in Scotney and indeed in the hearts of the peoples of Scotney and Britania.