What's Up Wednesday (Duke of Swann State Visit to Ophiri)

Today is the much awaited referendum on the issue of monarchy in Scotney and Britania. Will there be a restoration in one or both of these countries or not at all? We will hear the results tomorrow. But as these exciting developments surge in Europa some other important Royal news is happening in exotic Africania.

We have moved into the second quarter of the year and the end of the State Visit season but the Duke of Swann managed to squeeze in his last minute trip to Ophiri just before the Easter Weekend last week. This 3 day trip was the first for a Europan monarch since before the 1996 Revolution.

The old Kingdom of Ophiri traditionally shared close ties with the Principality of Swann all through the 20th Century. Recently the Democratic Republic of Greater Ophiri declared the old Royal Family of Ophiri the official representatives of the new democracy and in effect created a pseudo constitutional monarchy. Since then no State Visit has yet occurred to Ophiri until now. The Duke of Swann made an official trip to visit his close friend and now official diplomatic ally, Queen Ukulunghile. The trip received extensive media coverage on both the continents of Africania and Europa essentially boosting Ophiri's image worldwide. 

The Queen receives her official guests in full state dress code in the throne room of the Golden Lion Palace. She took the opportunity, yet again, to show off her immaculate sense of style. It must be said, that few can pull off an animal print like Queen Ukulunghile, and that in the context of an official event. 

The Queen chose to wear Yellow Diamonds, all indigenous mined, as a showcase of her country's natural wealth and jewellery craftsmanship skills. Not that the indigenous wood throne with sold gold lion statuettes did not already accomplish that. Ophiri is one of the world's largest exporters of Yellow Diamonds and Africanian top quality wood.

This spectacular photo shows the Queen's dress with train.

Her Majesty was joined by her brother Prince Shaka and his wife. The Prince is the Queen heir as she remains unmarried.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Swann arrived in state and bowed in respect towards his Royal hostess upon arrival in the throne room. This is a courtesy from one monarch to another as bowing between equals is not a protocol prerequisite.

A press photo-opp with all the assembled dignitaries.

The Queen then focused the Duke and the press' attention on a newly carved traditional bust of the Queen's Father, King Kozi. The artwork has been rendered from dolomite, another export of Ophiri.

Then Her Majesty showed the Duke a terracotta tile mural depicting most of the Ophiri wildlife. The mural is made from tiles cut out like puzzle pieces using the latest laser cutting technology. Ophiri aims to be the most technologically advanced nation on the Africanian continent by the year 2020.

The Duke of Swann's visit intended to negotiate better trade deals with some of Ophiri's major export companies and to also help focus international attention on its fast developing economy.

After the official welcome ceremony held in the throne room a State Banquet was arranged for the evening. Queen Ukulunghile wore a parure of rubies given to her as a gift from the Principality of Swann.

Her Majesty complimented the Duke's gift of rubies with a stunning red dress that was obviously held in store for an event of this importance.

Years ago a gift of large high quality diamonds was gifted to the Royal Family of Swann from Ophiri. Now, a generation later the kindness is reciprocated in this beautiful parure of rubies.

The Duke of Swann wore a uniform and chivalric orders.

We will have to wait till the end of this year to see another State Visit.

Wonderful Weekends (State Portraits of the Queen of Ophiri)

The Queen of Ophiri has posed for a set of new State Portraits to celebrate the year-end holiday season. For this she has also wowed her fans by sporting a short hair cut again after wearing it long for over two years. Queen Ukulungile looked truly majestic in her bronze dress and fake leopard fur.

Her Majesty pairs rough gold nuggets with uncut black diamonds and traditional white diamonds to make quite the fashion statement yet in accordance with her country's Royal jewellery traditions. 

A very striking image of a very influential persona on the world stage. Queen Ukulungile has always been a force to be reckoned with and these State Portraits do her and her country proud. 

Wonderful Weekends (State Portrait of Queen Ukulungile of Ophiri)

Queen Ukulungile of Ophiri is the ceremonial head of the indigenous people of what is the province of Ophiri. After a recent national referendum however, the traditional monarchy has been declared a symbol, not just for the province of Ophiri but for the entire country known as Greater Ophiri. Due to the ancient traditions of the original Ophiri Kindom, the sacredness of her office is such that she can't cross the borders of Ophiri and also doesn't allow many photo opportunities. As such most of her public appearances are left to her brother, Prince Shaka. However after the recent elections, the Queen who has grown her hair since her last photo sitting in 2011, has allowed this one State Portrait style photo to be released to the public. 

Her Majesty Queen Ukulungile XXXVIII of the Kingdom of Ophiri.

Queen Ukulungile is quite the progressive monarch for this very traditional monarchy. She has already, successfully abolished the sexist female-only line of succession to the throne and is said to be challenging the outdated customs of keeping her stranded within the borders of Ophiri. The new constitution is requiring her to move outside the borders of the original kingdom and as such may set precedent for her leaving the country as well. We will be very excited to have her mount the world stage with full exposure. It will truly shine forth the glory of the Africanian continent.

What's Up Wednesday (The Kingdom of Ophiri Update and State Visit)

Out of the blue, the mediatized traditional monarchy within the Africanian Democratic Union of Ophiri comes and make headlines. Three major media worthy events has taken place in this North Africanian Country. The first is that a general referendum has voted in favour of having the "Kingdom" of Ophiri as a united historic symbol and traditional monarchy, representing the whole of the greater Ophiri. The monarchy will wield no political power but will represent symbolically the people of Ophiri. Queen Ukhulunghile has happily received the news and has pledged herself wholeheartedly to the work that lays ahead of her. This brings us to the second happening. The Queen has announced officially that she will never marry and as such has appointed her younger brother, Prince Shaka, as her successor. He will henceforth be styled, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Shaka of Ophiri. To celebrate the appointment and to establish stronger trade relations with Arcwhite, the Queen has sent her brother and his wife Princess Mbingu, on a State Visit to the Island Nation of Arcwhite. The trip, a first for Ophiri, also lends and air of officiality to the Prince's new position. He will be representing his sister the Queen on all her foreign affairs as she is unable, due to strict tradition, from ever leaving Ophiri soil while reigning. 

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Shaka of Ophiri and Her Royal Highness Princess Mbingu arrive for the State Banquet hosted in honour of their State Trade Tour in Arcwhite. The Princess wears a Brown Diamond Tiara rumoured to have been bought especially for her by her husband upon the prospect of her becoming a Queen one day. 

Lady Arcwhite received her guests in Glaciale Lake Hall for the banquet. Lady Arcwhite, wearing electric purple and rubies, looked her super stylish self and commented on having "high hopes" for the future of Ophiri and their relationship with Arcwhite. 

The Africanian guests of honour pose with their hostess for this historic photo. 

Fascinating Fridays (Laws and Traditions of Succession)

To end off 2012 we decided to do a very long post with a lot of information.

Time for a long overdue lecture on Royal Technicalities. These subtleties are what makes the various traditions of Royalty; poignantly interesting, frustrating complicated yet lends the air of historic legitimacy to the principle of Royalty, that bestows the privilege on those who end up in these sometimes very powerful positions of responsibility.

The Heads of State of all the current reigning Monarchies of Europa with their spouses. From left; Her Majesty Queen Maria of Hispania, the Lady Arcwhite, Her Serene Highness the Princess of Wallachia, His Royal Highness the Duke of Swann, His Excellency the Baron Bagrazia, Her Majesty Queen Gloria of Normandia, His Royal Highness the Prince of Northwold, His Majesty King Nikolas III of Syldavia, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of Syldavia, His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Hanoveria and Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Hanoveria.

Lets lay a foundation for those who might not understand the fundamentals of Royalty as yet. One of the major differences between a democratic government system and a monarchic system is based on the principle of  succession laws. Succession law counts in all forms of government regardless of  it being a democracy or a monarchy of any kind. These laws govern what happens when the preceding head of state or head of government, is replaced with the following successor. In a democracy, the main principle is so-called free election. The standard for a monarchy boils down to a hereditary system where Royal birthright overrides election either in part or completely. This plainly means that one ruler dies in order for the next in line, normally the eldest son by birth, to succeed to the office. That being said, now all the complicated rules come into play as per the varying traditions of each individual monarchy. Let us first discuss the general systems and then the particular monarchies as they exist today. 

Democracy

Just as in the monarchic system, there are varying degrees of "free" democratic election systems. As a basic foundation the democratic system excludes nobody from becoming a head of state/government, provided that they are elected to the office by a majority vote from the entire free public electorate. Unfortunately these candidates need vast capital to promote themselves that it immediately excludes more than 98% of any free population from candidacy. By varying degrees of "free" election we also imply that regardless of money some democratic systems are not as free as we might assume. The most free democratic system allows for anybody to be made eligible for election. A midway system allows for a certain class only, like senators or governors, to be eligible  for election. In some rare cases, sometimes not considered truly democratic, regardless of the standing of the candidacy, only a certain class of the populous may vote. In the most extreme case it becomes borderline monarchic when the eligible candidates are drawn from a exclusive or even a Royal Family but this is not considered democratic and will be discussed under elected monarchy. 

Absolute Monarchy

In this case the head of state and government is vested in one person from an established monarchic system subject to dynastic family rules and traditions. This single ruler is referred to as a monarch in principle but may have any title as his particular cultural demographics have manifested. The foundational principle is that the ruler has absolute power and that succession is most commonly a direct bloodline descent from parent to child. This is commonly referred to as the "Divine Right". The absolute monarch in principle is an absolute theory. There has never really been a true absolute monarchy as often the monarch's power is limited in some way or another by laws or a council or at least some traditions. 

Elected Monarchy

Election is not so uncommon in monarchic systems of government as one might suspect. This system also holds a head of state/government as the supreme office and a Royal dynasty also provides the person to hold office. The only difference is that there are more than one dynasty or Royal Family involved and that from the various candidate dynasties the monarch is elected by a representative council made up from the same dynasties and perhaps leading clergy. Often in this case there are several small semi-independent monarchies that are grouped in a confederacy or Empire. From these separate monarchies the single elected king or Emperor is then elected. In our modern world where most countries have some form of democracy it is often widely held that the free population may elect to abolish an existing monarchy. This renders almost all existing monarchies as constitutional elected monarchies, which brings us to the next system. 

Constitutional Monarchy

In order to discuss this particular system it becomes very necessary to first clarify the difference between the previously mentioned terms of, head of state and head of government. In democratic systems these two concepts are more often combined in one. A head of government is the person who holds the actual office of power. This office is often very limited by laws and councils. A head of state is the person who is the symbol or face of the government. In the case where the two offices are separate like in a constitutional monarchy, the office of the head of state could end up with no real power at all but is always steeped in history and symbolic tradition. This office is also often strongly linked to the religion of the geographic area. It is from this difference that the terms, reign and rule are derived by extension. The term "rule" is assigned to the office that holds the power if its a monarch and "reign" if the monarch is bereft of real power. In the case of a democracy the phrase "term of office" is considered more politically correct than "rule". A constitutional monarchy is therefore a political system where a previously more powerful monarch is now retained in a more symbolic position with an actual democratically elected government holding the real power. The scale of balance between monarch and government can and does however change and in each country can fall more to the one side or the other. In a constitutional monarchy the laws of the nation coupled with tradition, rules over laws of succession. All monarchies today are of this constitutional system to some degree.  

Succession laws of current existing monarchies of the world

The Kingdom of Hispania

This constitutional monarchy adheres to a direct bloodline succession where the crown passes directly from the previous monarch to the eldest child whether male or female. This system has been in place for almost a hundred years, where previously it passed from male to male only and a female could only take office if there where no direct males in line.

Queen Maria of Hispania at left is to be succeeded by her daughter, the Princess of Cataljone.

The Kingdom of Normandia

The newly restored constitutional monarchy of the formerly dissolved Kingdom of Normandia also applies a direct bloodline succession. It was just announced today that Her majesty is 3 weeks pregnant.

Queen Gloria of Normandia

The Kingdom of Syldavia

Syldavia restored their monarchy in 2012 and set down a direct bloodline succesion in law. However it has been discussed to change the constitution to allow for an Elecotorate including the mediatized Royal families of Von Bismarck, Serbieski, Bo'hemia, Reichenthal and Thurn und Taxis.

The King of Syldavia and his wife have yet to produce a child and as such the King's sister, Princess Miranda is next in line to the throne unless an electorate is declared in which case the Family of Von Bismarck's House Laws dictate that the King's brother becomes Head of the House and would be eligable for being voted in as King.

The Grand Principality of Wallachia

This very ancient monarchy has since its inception held to a direct bloodline succession that has never excluded women from inheriting the throne.

The Princess of Wallachia has a young son who is kept out of the media glare until he comes of age.

The Grand Duchy of Hanoveria

The Grand Duchy of Hanoveria has the most liberal constitution and its monarch holds the least political power. However due to the constitution, the monarchy's popularity is extremely high and by extention the Grand Duke wields a kind of emotional sway in his country. The laws of succesion however are seen as slightly archaic as it holds a direct male bloodline succession passing from father to eldest male relative only. By popular demand a referendum to amend the law is set for 2013.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess have a young daughter who is also kept out of the media glare.

The Principality of Swann

Swann holds the most obscure law of succession of all the existing monarchies. The crown passes from First born son to first born son within the dynasty only. Thus a second born son could never inherit the throne. If a reigning Duke has a first born daughter, then the following sons are all excluded and the crown passes to the next first born son even if he is a very distant relative. This law is so unique and steeped in ancient tradition that prospects for change might never materialize as it is directly linked to national identity and history.

The Duke of Swann is unmarried and his heir at present is the first born son of his father's younger brother. Prince Dillon will become the next Duke unless the current Duke marries and is blessed with a first born son of his own.

The Island Realms of Arcwhite

Arcwhite also hold a unique system of succession which some have argued could possibly be seen as a democracy as the head of government is elected. However because only a select few vote and that the candidates are from a closed select dynastic circle it must more appropriately be deemed a Royal electorate. There is a very exclusive sorority bordering on a convent order known as the Order of the White Veil. The Lady Arcwhite is elected from within this Order by the other members of Order. Ladies from this Order practice celibacy but may marry once elected as ruler. Many Ladies Archite have seen a daughter succeed them but only once they have entered the Order of the White Veil.

The Lady Arcwhite

The Kingdom of Ophiri

Ophiri, a former independent Kingdom, is today a mere province of  the Democratic Republic of Greater Ophiri. This province or rather mediatized Kingdom, retains the original traditional monarchy that formerly held a female line of succession only. Today the law is one of  direct bloodline descent including male and female equally. It is also on the cards for the monarchy to be elevated to a national symbol rather than just provincial but other traditional regions are not yet in agreement.

Queen Ukulungile of Ophiri

The Grand Duchy of Serbieski

The Grand Duchy of Serbieski is a mediatized former Kingdom. As a mere province of Syldavia, Serbieski has no succession laws written in the national laws but follows House Laws which dictates a direct male bloodline succession passing from father to eldest male relative only.

The Grand Duke is one of a few Royals who wields actual political power. He is also the elected governor of the province of Serbieski of which he is the traditional Grand Duke.

The Grand Duchy of Reichenthal

This former very small Kingdom is also currently a mediatized Grand Duchy within the greater Syldavian Kingdom. Like Serbieski it has no succession laws written in the national laws but the House Laws follow traditional direct male line of descent. The irony is that the current Grand Duke only has a daughter and she has been afforded the tile of Crown Princess. It seems ancient tradition will be changing.

The mysterious province of Reichenthal has rarely been featured in the news as its people prefer to keep to themselves. However the restoration in Syldavia is currently slowly putting it on the map, at least to a degree.

The Margravate of Montrose

Montrose used to be an independant state. Today it is a mediatized province of the Kingdom of Normandia and follows the Montrose House Laws that advocate direct bloodline descent.

The current Margravine of Montrose

Three other mediatized former independent monarchies include The County Palatinate of Bo'hemia and The Principality of Thurn und Taxis all of whom adhere to House Laws of succession of direct bloodline descent.

House laws of succession

There are several dissolved monarchies who still have former Royal families in exile or otherwise. All these dynasties still strictly adhere to their traditional House Laws of succession in an attempt to preserve a continued head of the dynasty. This is also done in the hope of possible restorations of the former monarchies. Here follows a list of those former monarchies and their various succession laws.

This photo depicts the pretenders to former monarchies and as such the heads of the varying dynasties. From left; His Imperial Highness the Arch Duke Von Fulco D'Este, His Royal Highness Prince Louis D'Pont du Lac, Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Ruskiana, Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess Imperial of the United Empire of Scot-Britania, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Imperial of the United Empire of Scot-Britania, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Crystobel of the United Empire of Scot-Britania and Queen of Scotney, Her Imperial Majesty the Shabahnou of Perlistan and Her Royal Highness Princess Donatella of Romagna the Duchess Di Giorgio.

The United Empire of Scot-Britania

The former Empire's Imperial Dynasty holds to direct bloodline succession not excluding women since its inception.

The Empire of Ruskiana

The Empire of Ruskiana used to apply direct male bloodline descent as a law. The ousted dynasty applied it as a House Law until it became redundant as only a female heir exists today. In the unlikely event of a restoration the former Imperial Law will be forced to change as the House Law has reluctantly accepted.

The Kingdom of Romagna

The Romagnian House Law has for years been one of direct bloodline succession.

The Kingdom of Franconia

Franconia has never held any other tradition but one of direct male bloodline succession.

The Arch Duchy of Fulco D'Este

The Arch Duchy has like most other monarchies that existed before the Great War and subsequently fell because of it, held a direct male bloodline succession.

The Principality of Monagask

Monagask having been a very small country with very liberal minded politics have for centuries held a direct bloodline succession that did not exclude women. 

As far as concerning Noble families, they are either bound by the laws of the nation in which they fall or if part of dissolved monarchies, follow individual House Laws as dictated by historic tradition. 

"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.

Wonderful Weekends (Ophiri delegates in Americania)

It's been a relatively quiet weekend except for the obvious Saturday night, which always begs for some fun.

Last night was a glamorous  party night in the Big Apple. Princess Augusta of the former Empire of Scot-Britania, entertained two foreign guests as a favour to the Mayor of the city. The Mayor officially asked the socialite Princess who lives and runs her business from the Big Apple to take his visitors out on the town at his expense. He thought the Princess would be perfect as the to visiting officials were of Royal stock themselves.

From left, Princess Salome, Princess Augusta and Princess Meshisiswe.

Princess Salome and her daughter Princess Meshisiswe were on an official fact finding visit to the Big Apple on behalf of the business promotion charities headed by Queen Ukulungile of the Africanian state of Ophiri. The purely ceremonial Queen who has now governing power in Ophiri takes great pains in promoting the well being of her people. She is unable by tradition to leave her country until she is married and as such asked her aunt and cousin to make the trip in order to investigate trade options and technological advancement opportunities in the United States of Americania. Princess Augusta who enjoys doing impromptu, semi-official social events for the city took the two Princesses and two of her own Royal friends out to dinner and dance in the popular Western District of the City. Joining them were Grand Duchess Davina of Serbieski and Princess Augusta's niece in law, The Crown Princess Imperial. Many speculate in lieu of the current wave of Royal resurgence, whether The Africanian monarchies who were also affected by the 96 revolution, albeit differently, might also become more prominent. If nothing else, Royals seem to be just people trying to also make a difference in the world. 

Joined by the Crown Princess Imperial at left and the Grand Duchess of Serbieski. Ready to party.

In conclusion, I like to thank everybody for all the hits and members the blog has received. I had another great week of blogging and I am enjoying myself tremendously. Seeing as I posted several State Portraits on Friday, I thought it best to leave my traditional ending of the week with yet another portrait. So I will probably resume that next week. I am also very excited seeing as we have the Syldavian Investiture coming up. Looking forward to another great week of blogging. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.