Wonderful Weekends (2015 State Portraits of Lady Arcwhite)

It's almost weekend and as such time for my favourite State Portrait slot. The Islands of Arcwhite have released a set of State Portraits of their sovereign, Lady Arcwhite. The photos are intended to show that stability has fully returned to the Islands after last year's political crisis that threatened a Order of the Veil fueled civil war. The crisis was averted and it has taken several months for the islands to return to normality. The State Portraits are only the second of their kind in history as the tradition was always to not photograph the Lady Arcwhite. The current sovereign has for years now set new precedence and these photos seem to be setting a new mood after the ignominious fall of the notorious Order of the Veil.

Lady Arcwhite looked radiant photographed in the Arcwhite Throne Room. In another break with precedent she opted to wear silver instead of the traditional white. 

Lady Arcwhite paired her silver dress with faux fur and the unbelievable Arcwhite sapphires. 

It seems that Arcwhite's smile and positive demeanour hints at a future, safe in the hands of this resilient .

What's Up Wednesday (Coronation 2015 Preparations)

With expectation running high for the upcoming coronation of a new king and now Emperor to boot, preparations for the "event of the century" are fervently underway in the Scot-Britanian Isles. The governments of Scotney have both allocated budgets for the event that will co-labour with Emperor Chritian-Victor's own expenditure to make this truly a day to remember. The Europan Council is also committed to do their share even though the appointment of Emperor, is seen merely a bureaucratic announcement to them and a coronation ceremony was not expected but will now be included. The date has thus been set for Saturday the 4th of July 2015 making Friday 3rd a bank holiday. 

The last event of such scale as this coronation promises to be, was the 1993 Coronation of Empress Crystobel and Emperor Christian of the United Empire of Scot-Britania. Most records and photos of that event was destroyed in the 1996 Revolution but some have survived. Above we see one of those very few photos of the Empress and Emperor on that day. It attests to its grandiosity and we can only wonder and be inspired as to how our new millennium coronation might look.

A photo of Princess Augusta also survived seen here as she appeared at the 1993 Coronation. She chose, as per her preferences at the time extreme minimalism, wearing only the coronet and order of chivalry required by protocol.

Now let us take a look at some of the preparations for the upcoming event.

This is the Invitation template prepared to go out to all the dignitaries asked to the June 2015 Coronation.

Preparations are obviously in full swing with organizing venues, parades, jewellery etc. Local town councils are also setting up public viewing screens as many might opt for a open festivity rather than staying at home and watching it on television. Diplomatic arrangements and security management of visiting V.I.P.'s pose the biggest issues. Hotels are reporting highest recorded booking rates as people from all over the world plan to flock the streets on coronation day.

No detail is overlooked. Earlier this year many restoration projects were undertaken refurbishing much of Scotney and Britania's Royal historic artifacts and other treasure. Now they will be given full context in relation to the coronation. A small statue of King Edward VII in the Cathedral of the Lion Heart had taken some wear over the decades but has been totally restored and with the rest of the cathedral will be the central venue for the event. 

The Cathedral of the Lion Heart is almost completely restored setting the stage for the coronation.

The cathedral has been closed to the public during restoration and now for preparation for the July event.

The public can follow the preparations here on our blogt. 

The Throne of Scot-Britania has been moved to its coronation location in the north anex of the cathedral.

The Coronation Coach, kept at the Imperial Mews has also been restored and will definitely be  used to carry the new Emperor to and from the cathedral during the processional parade through the streets of Londinium.

Madame Frumsetta, world famous couturier, has been asked to restore the blue Imperial Robes of State to their former glory. The red Royal Robes on the other hand have been sent to a Scotney Couturier for the same treatment.

The Imperial Robes of State can be seen in this photo being inspected and fitted onto the Imperial couple.

Emperor Christian-Victor can be seen admiring the detail on his wife's robe. 

This photo alludes to the upcoming grandeur of the coronation ceremony as Empress Odeliah strikes a regal pose next to the Emperor. So our imagination starts to wonder in expectation.

The flags of both countries, Scotney and Britania have been altered to commemorate the change from democracy to democratic constitutional monarchy.

Britania's flag as a monarchy.

Britania's flag as it has been from 1996 till 2015.

Scotney's monarchic flag.

Scotney's flag as a democratic republic.

In preparation for the coronation the Mausoleum of the former Emperor and Empress of Scot-Britania have also received attention.

The Imperial Mausoleum was visited by Emperor Christian-Victor and Empress Odeliah this week to remember the Emperor's parents and to celebrate their legacy and the restoration of monarchy.

It was as much a moment of symbolic statesmanship as a very private and what must have been an emotional one for the Imperial couple.

Their Majesties even in personal reflection did look sufficiently regal, again alluding to a colourful, inspiring and hopeful future as Emperor and Empress. It seems that forgiveness and time does heal all wounds and where great tragedy and loss has sought to destroy now a new day is about to dawn.

What's Up Wednesday (Reichenthal Official Visit to Perlistan)

The D'Jour Shahbahnou of Perlistan welcomed her first official visiting foreign Royals to her native country since her own return from exile to Perlistan. The landmark event took place this past weekend in the Perlistani capital but was also a bit of a private family affair. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Reichenthal were ent on a diplomatic fact finding mission to Perlistan to explore the possibility of trade. They were warmly welcomed by the government and treated to an official welcome by the Shahbahnou who acts as the "face" of Perlistan in a diplomatic manner. The Shahbahnou also happens to be the elder sister of the Grand Duchess affording this particular trip a very intimate atmosphere.

The Shahbahnou welcomed the Grand Ducal couple in the Peacock Throne Room affording the press photos of the historic room for the first time in almost twenty years. Her Imperial Highness Shanaz Farah, The Shahbahnou looked spectacular in a desert shade dress with historic rubies.

Grand Duchess Azantha is seen here curtsying next to her husband upon them entering the throne room. It was an emotional moment for the Grand Duchess who has not visited her home country in many years.

An official photo opp was allowed the press directly in front of the historic Peacock Throne. Grand Duke Lothair was happy to step back slightly out of the limelight on this trip allowing his wife to catch most of the shine along with her illustrious sister.

The Shahbahnou, who does not have any political power but was welcomed back from exile in the capacity of holding a historical and ceremonial significance was very happy to host her first official event on Perlistani soil and to have that include her sister. The entire visit, albeit strictly not a State Visit was extremely successful in its purpose of strengthening trade and renewing awareness of the largely unknown Perlistan who traditionally keeps out of the Western media.

This extremely regal photo was taken to commemorate the trip and also shows the amazing Peacock Throne in all its glory. 

Memory Monday (The Throne of the United Empire of Scot-Britania)

The discovery in 2014 of the walled up secret vault in Reichenthal was a pleasant surprise of international value. Amongst the many historic and intrinsic treasures was the Imperial Throne of the United Empire of Scot-Britania that was thought destroyed during the 1996 Revolution. However a twist of fate lead to it being saved and secretly stored in Reichenthal. Today we will feature the history of this cultural artifact which has already been featured in several official portraits and events since its return to the Cathedral of the Lionheart.

Here we see the throne as it was found inside the hidden vault. Historians suppose that the throne was in Riechenthal at the time of the revolution for general maintenance. As the revolution gained momentum it must have been hidden to try and save it from destruction due to its political symbolism. Thus it and many other historic treasures were spared the ravages of the revolution and ensuing civil war in Syldavia.

Ironically the very region that saved the throne, Reichenthal, was also responsible for its creation. It was commissioned in 1992 in advance of the establishment of what was to be the United Empire of Scot-Britania. Reichenthal artisans and craftsman are world renowned and for centuries have supplied the courts of Europa with carriages, furniture, art and wine. For the Imperial coronation that officially established the new Empire a new throne was needed. It was to symbolize the unification of the two separate Kingdoms of Scotney and Britania into one Empire. 

The original design sketch for the throne survived in the Reichenthal archives to this day. Here we clearly see the cathedral like concept design that is to imbue a spiritual air to what was to be a symbol of unity and aspiration. The style was deliberately chosen to look medieval whilst being a modern throne to also link the past to the present.

The Three Headed Eagle of the Imperial House of Aldarian shown here on the Imperial flag was included on the back rest of the throne as symbol of the supreme authority of the Aldarian Imperial Family. 

The individual ancient thrones of the Kingdom of Britania (left) and Scotney (right) were symbolically dismantled to show the dissolution of the two separate Kindoms. The wood was then combined with new Oak in the manufacture of the new throne in order to join the two thrones and nations symbolically into one. 

The restored throne as it is today after its rediscovery in Reichenthal finds itself in its old home, the Chapel of the King in the Cathedral of the Lion Heart. It was intended originally that the throne would be permanently housed and displayed there for the public only to be taken out  for coronations of which the combined coronation of Emperor Christian and Empress Crystobel was the first and only. The cathedral is open to the public at set times and as such the throne can again be seen there on display.

The world is truly glad that this icon of Europan history survived the 1996 Revolution and can again be appreciated by the public and serve as a testament of our collective past and the lessons learnt. 

Fascinating Fridays (Thrones Rooms of the World)

If there is one venue that plays the central role in the world of Royalty then it is the Throne Room. The room itself may in may ways seem to exceed in importance than the actual chair and in some cases the two are mutually inseparable in their function and mystical value.

Throne rooms are where the monarch manifests his authority, displays his glory on a very intimate level and in most cases is the place where he receives his crown for the first time. Throne rooms may be permanent fixtures in palaces or great halls of state or may even be mobile to some degree. In some traditions all a monarch has to do is sit down and the very chair mystically becomes the throne and the room an official audience chamber in which to receive officials of state. In one instance, a bed ridden Queen turned her bedchamber into the official throne room of her reign until her death.

The function of the throne room is in essence very practical. It is a place for officials to congregate, meet with the monarch and other officials and also to receive instructions and official commissions. These very practical function then also get embellished with tradition and ceremony to express and underscore values, prestige and privileged responsibility to monarch and the people.

Throne rooms are official state chambers where a monarch is seated in the context of a gathering of his administrators for the purpose of manifesting a principle of government. This could be an investiture, an official speech or even judgement. In the photo above we see the throne room of the Principality of Swann as it was ready to receive the current Duke of Swann on his coronation day.

Throne rooms are more often used than one would expect in this modern era. They also take wear and even damage over the years and for that purpose may need maintenance, repairs or even extensive restoration work. In rare cases entirely an entirely new room may be required to be built from scratch. In the photo above we the the newly restored throne room of Syldavia which acts as an annual council of government chamber among other things.

Sometimes, in days gone by, a monarch might have had several throne rooms in varying degrees of size and grandeur serving different purposes. This was almost like one might get varying sizes of board rooms in a corporate setting. Above we can see the small throne room in the Reichenthal Castle which served as a secondary throne room where visiting guests could meet their monarch in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Throne rooms are often depicted in State Portraits as the formal setting and obvious official symbolism of the room allows for the perfect setting for them.

The traditions surrounding the throne rooms may vary from culture to culture. The Islands of Arcwhite kept their throne room completely unpublished in main stream media. It was only a few years ago that the current Lady Arcwhite broke the tradition of keeping it secret and unphotographed by posing for her first State Portraits on the Throne of Arcwhite.

Thrones may be moved according to the different requirements which may include varying ceremonial purposes and even the mundane aspect of storage. The Throne of Scot-Britania is permanently kept/stored in its own chapel, apart from the main hall of the cathedral where it is moved to for ceremonial use. Above we can see it in the aforementioned chapel.

In this photo we see the Throne of Scot-Britania when staged on the raised dias in the Cathedral of the Lionheart for significant events like Coronations, Imperial Declarations or Thanksgiving Services. When the throne is in place it in effect renders the cathedral a holy throne room for lack of a better expression. This throne room is the place from where the Emperor rules as representative of Divine Authority on Earth. It hasn't been set up like this since the last Coronation.

Ancient throne rooms where assembly places for ancient tribes and often took place as pseudo spiritual gatherings in nature. One such ancient throne/throne room remains and is often seen as the oldest Europan throne on earth. It is the stone seat of the Mithrandir in the forest bordering Andorra and Swann. It is under a gigantic Cypress tree and is said to be the most holy spot in Europa.

The throne is symbolic of the seat of the mind where plans and decisions are made and executed from. So each one of us knows full well how important these symbols of authority and power are from our own experience. We hope that the historic place of thrones and their mystique in our fairy tale concep of Royalty remain as cosntant symbol of our personal responsibility in ruling our own lives with dignity. 

Wonderful Weekends (Official Portraits of Queen Gloria and the Glass Throne)

Wonderful Weekends is an oasis of posting in our currently dry land of blogging. The Principality of Swann has been experiencing terrible signal strength and by extension internet connectivity problems from its national service provider since the Arcwhite Crisis which has affected Europa in many ways. Arcwhite, a major technological force in Europa with services extending from satelight, cellphones and other media, is currently stabilising and areas affected may take a while to return to normal.

So we return only now a week later after our previous post. The Normandian University for Art and Design has afforded their first year students the very unique opportunity of designing a "throne" with their Queen Gloria in mind. The project was to focus public attention on the burgeoning design talent in Normandia and to help publicize the University. Queen Gloria herself got involved by deciding to pose with the finished throne in her official portrait shoot for 2014 thus boosting media coverage to the max. The "throne", of very abstractly creative design, will never serve as an actual symbol of state but does serve the design community by creating awareness of Normandian talent. The University has auctioned the throne off to raise funds for bursaries.

Her Majesty Queen Gloria of Normandia has graciously supported the University for Art and Design by immortalising their project in this State Portrait. 

Queen Gloria chose the national colours of light blue for obvious reasons but also to compliment the throne that also included various shades of blue. 

Memory Monday (The Crown Prince Imperial Officially Returns From Exile)

Finally we can get to posting this pivotal story. The main news event that took place over the last two months was undoubtedly the official return of the Crown Prince Imperial to reside as dual citizen within the borders of Scotney and Britania. The event sets new standards in international protocol and has been reported to be the most popular political event of the century.

The international news worthy event was covered in depth by the media as can be seen in this Proclaimer front page article. It is boldly stated to be everything but a "restoration of monarchy" in what has become the staunchest republic countries in Europa, yet at the same time garners fanfares and glitz on par with pre-revolution Royal pomp. 

The Crown Prince Imperial and his much celebrated wife Odeliah arrived by Britania Government Jet on June 11. They were welcomed by an honour guard and the minister of the interior. The Crown Princess Imperial looked chic yet regal wearing fashionable faux fur and parts of the Imperial and Royal Crown Jewel Collections. The couple have over the last 18 months only visited the Crown Prince Imperial's homeland and former Empire as their exile was lifted in the wake of Empress Crystobel's initial overtures of friendship and then tragic assassination. The public sentiment toward their former Imperial Family then speedily changed from initial skepticism to virtual popular frenzy as this year saw not just the visit of the Crown Prince Imperial but his actual official return to reside in his homeland. 

After Their Imperial Highnesses' triumphal arrival at the airport they were scheduled for an evening banquet hosted in their honour at the Palace of Parliament in the Britanian Capital. The banquet was attended by leading government officials and the Duke of Swann. 

The couple arrived in state and was welcomed by a large crowd of onlookers cheering wildly. 

In this photo we see from left: The Duke of Swann, The Chancellor of Britania and the Crown Prince Imperial couple. 

An official handshake of friendship and final welcome to the Isles of Scot-Britania cemented the evening's photo opportunities. 

Princess Odeliah or rather The Crown Princess Imperial looked truly regal in a plain cut mini dress off-set by the Imperial Pearls from the Crown Jewel Collection. 

Literary days before the Crown Prince Imperial took up residence in Britania, the news hit of the discovery made in Reichenthal of historic jewels and the controvertial Imperial Throne of Scot-Britania. After negotiations it was agreed by the Syldavian Ministry of Foreign affairs and the governments of Scotney and Britania that it should be returned to its original place in the Cathedral of the Lion Heart on the border of the two nations. It was received there by the Crown Prince Imperial as the now official custodian of the history and historic artifacts of the his former Empire. 

The throne has since been returned to the Cathedral of the Lion Heart where it permanently resides in its traditional place in the King's Prayer Chapel.

Another piece of lost history rediscovered in the secret vault in Reichenthal was the Nuptial Coronet of Scotney. It was last worn at the wedding of Empress Crystobel, the Crown Prince Imperial's mother. It was thought lost during the 1996 as so many other pieces of historic jewellery. However a twist of fate led to its secret preservation and it was returned along with the throne. it will be displayed alongside all the other famous Crown Jewels associated with the Isles of Scot-Britania in a new Crown Jewel display to be prepared for public viewing. 

The government of Scotney commissioned State Portraits of Princess Odeliah to be photographed in celebration of the return of the Crown Prince Imperial. These photos were shot at the official residence of the Imperial couple in Scotney, Stirling Castle. 

The official portrait of the Crown Princess Imperial sees her wearing Imperial Sapphires along with the Order of the Diamond Star, the highest order of chivalry in Europa. 

This detailed photo shows the jewellery complimenting the Princess' beauty and grace. 

The Princess also wears the diamond star brooch that forms part of the Imperial Crown jewel Collection on her waist. 

The breathtaking series of photos took on a white theme to emphasis the peaceful overtones of a new beginning that the couple's faith filled decision to live within the borders of the former Empire symbolizes.

We truly hope and pray that the joy of the last few months will only increase as time moves forward into a bold future not in denial of the lessons learnt from the past.