Wonderful Weekends (2015 State Portraits of the Princess of Wallachia and Abdication Commemoration Portraits of the Duke of Swann)

Two Royal cousins have released State Portraits at the same time. We will feature these two sets of portraits here today. First up, the Princess of Wallachia has released her official 2015 State Portraits and have timed the publication as part of the popular build up toward the Imperial Coronation. 

Her Serene Highness, the Princess of Wallachia and Baroness Bagrazia is seen here in red, wearing the Swann Dowry Tiara, the Order of the Ublient and the Wallachian Chain of Princely Office.

The Princess' spectacular dress was made by a Wallachian Couturier especially for this shoot. The photos were taken in the Royal Chapel of the Hunedoara Castle.

Next up we have our own Duke of Swann, cousin of the Princess of Wallachia. His Royal Highness wanted to commemorate his decision to abdicate with a set of symbolic State Portraits. Here follows the result.

The 1909 Rolls Royce that was made for the Duke's great grandfather has long been a favourite of the Duke and has never featured in a State Portrait. It may be seen as a powerful symbol of continuity carrying through for over 100 years down the line of ruling Dukes. It also may be seen that as a vehicle of being symbolic of taking a journey and as is the case with the Duke of Swann being appointed the successor of the Mithrandir, a new and unexpected future lays ahead of our famous Royal somewhere outside the Palace gates.

These portraits do have a very nostalgic feel almost like a farewell and that seems to have been the intent.

2015, "The year of change and new beginnings."

Wonderful Weekends (State Portrait of the Dowager Princess of Wallachia)

The Principality of Wallachia has announced that the Dowager Princess will retire from her official duties at the end of 2014. Princess Suzanna, the mother of the current Princess Regent and aunt of the Duke of Swann has served her adopted country of Wallachia and her daughter with fervor and distinction for decades and it has been decided that she may now take a well deserved rest. For this reason a set of portraits have been released to celebrate this elegant and gracious member of two of the most distinguished Royal Houses in Europa. 

Her Royal Highness Princess Suzanna, the Dowager Princess of Wallachia, Princess of Swann. 

For her commemorative portrait the Princess chose to wear the Wallachian Sapphire Parure. We can also see her personal Royal Crest in the top right of the portrait.

Memory Monday (Investiture of the Grand Princess of Wallachia)

Lately we have be posting a lot on some of the less publicized events from between the 1996 Revolution and the 2009 rebirth of Royal popularity caused by the Crown Prince Imperial Ball. The 2005 Invesiture of the Princess of Wallachia was one such event. The Wallachian monarchy is popular within its borders and never dissolved their system of government like so many others after the revolution. However they did feel to keep their affairs off the world stage for security. Upon the death of her father from a heart attack, some say was caused by the stress and strain following the revolution, Xenia became the new ruler of the Grand Principality of Wallachia in 2005. The Investiture of their new Princess was such a small event that no other foreign Royals were even invited.

The extremely old and very imposing Throne of the Voivode housed in the great hall of the official residence of the Grand Princes of Wallachia was used as per tradition. From here the Princess committed herself to a life of service and received the fealty and blessing of her government and Nobles under the scrutiny of local press only.

The Princess of Wallachia in full State finery and jewels was enthroned and had to proclaim the Oath of Rulership. The event was televised but did not even last an hour. Only the relevant ministers, aristocracy and clergy were present and the Princess did not even parade through the streets. The main contact point with her people were these State Portrait photos commemorating the big day. 

The Princess wore the Grand Prince's Crown, Robe of State and Chain of Office but was not actually crowned as such an action has never formed part of a Wallachian Investiture. 

Her Serene Highness the Princess Draculesti XII Xenia of Wallachia, Hunedoar and Carpathia, Illustrious Countess of Batoria, and Defender of the East. She holds in addition the title of Baroness Bagrazia through marriage. The young and beautiful Princess ushered in a new era after her father's strict and almost militant rule. Her close ties with her cousin's Principality of Swann initiated a unified support for the eventual rise of popularity we have seen Royals thrive in over the last decade. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Jewellery worn by Princess Suzanna of Wallachia)

Princess Suzanna, the Dowager Princess of Wallachia has had opportunity due to her rank to wear very impressive jewellery from both her family of birth and the dynasty she married into. Born a Princess of Swann allowed her a fabulous dowry of new jewellery and the Wallachian Royal Family has jewellery with great historical value. Let us look at the jewellery this famous figure has worn over the last few decades as wife of a head of state and daughter of one of the wealthiest families on earth. 

As wife of the former ruler of Wallachia and now mother of the current ruler, Princess Suzanna primarily wears official jewellery pieces attached to her title. In this State Portrait from the era preceding the 96 Revolution we see the Consort Crown of Wallachia resting on the pedestal behind Princess Suzanna. This was probably the last time this crown was officially used. It was made at the same time as its larger counterpart, the Crown of the Sovereign Prince. It is set with seven pear cut amethysts and seven square aquamarines set alternatively in solid gold. It is decorated with seven white pearls instead of black like in the other crown. In this photo the Dowager Princess wears the Crown Necklace and Earrings as well. This set was made especially for Princess Suzanna by the people of Wallachia upon her marriage to their Prince. The set was permanently added to the Crown Collection in thanks to the people in order that it remained a part of the national heritage in perpetuity.

The ancient medieval tiara that forms the final part of the Crown Jewel Collection. Called the Princess Bathoria Tiara can also be seen in this State Portrait. The tiara was permanently entered into the collection when Prince Vlad III's daughter was stripped of wealth and titles in circa 1550 after she was declared mad by the Seer Mithrandir. The Princess purportedly murdered several servants and children after her husband the Count Bathoria cheated on her with a servant girl. She was left isolated in her remote castle while her husband conducted his "affairs" elsewhere and eventually her husband's neglect drove her insane. Today many superstitions surround the story of the Princess Bathoria and her tiara. One in particular states that if the tiara was ever lost that the curse of madness would befall another Princess of the Draculesti line.

As a Princess in her own right Princess Suzanna has many private jewels at her disposal. The most famous and most often worn is her Dowry Parure. The tiara from this set of jewellery is featured in the photo above coupled with sapphires also in the Princess' private collection.

Princess Xenia's mother is the younger sister of the Duke of Swann's father. As a Princess by birth she left her country of origin with a dowry of Swanobian ancestral jewels. The Swann Dowry Diamond Parure as it has now become known is one of the most dazzling in the Wallachian collection. High quality pearls combine with exceptional diamonds in this traditional fringe design tiara and necklace. The set also includes earrings in the shape of a cross and a bracelet added at a later stage by Princess Xenia as a birthday gift to her mother.. 

In this photo we see Princess Suzanna wearing the tiara and earrings from the Dowry Parure and has allowed her daughter to wear her sapphires. Princess Suzanna often allows her daughter to wear any of the jewellery from her private collection. 

Princess Suzanna also received a diamond Demi Parure consisting of a collar necklace and matching earrings from the people of Swann to celebrate her marriage. This set has technically already been gifted to her daughter, Princess Xenia as a 21st birthday gift but both Royal ladies still wear it alternatively. 

This set of sapphires was acquired by Princess Suzanna in her own capacity in the early 80's. That era was one of the greatest in the history of Royalty. Ostentatious design was at the order of the day and jewellery firms boomed with extravagant orders of which this was one. The Princess spent some of her inheritance money and ordered the set brand new with the intent to display her prestige and that her daughter should inherit something directly from her. 

Many Royal jewellery collections include necklaces that can convert into a tiara. What makes this particular set unique is that both necklaces can me worn as tiaras making it possible for two ladies to wear virtually complete sapphire sets at once. Ironically however, no photo exists to date of of either Princess Suzanna or Princess Xenia wearing one of the necklaces as a tiara.

Princess Suzanna is seen here in 2013 wearing parts of her sapphire set. 

Another official and historic tiara from the Wallachian Crown Collection is the Angel Wing Aigrette. We see Princess Suzanna at right in the photo above wearig it. It has been in the family for close to 100 years and was obviously purchased in the days of the fashionable Aigrette. This 20's style tiara just remained in the Royal collection by chance, unaltered until today, where now it stands as a testament of a bygone era and its fashions. It is a difficult piece to wear, both practically due to its height and also proves awkward in appearance when not coupled with the right clothes or event. As such the piece is very rarely worn.  

A new tiara made to match the historic amethyst necklace and earrings in the Wallachian Royal Collection. This tiara was a 20th wedding anniversary gift from the Prince of Wallachia to his wife. Above we see the Princess wearing the new tiara coupled with the historic jewels. 

This close up archive photo allows us a detailed look at the discreet amethyst tiara. 

The Wallachian jewels have been featured before in the different contexts before on this blog. We hope this perspective featuring the unique aspects of the Dowager Princess'jewels have added to your appreciation of the collection as a whole. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Crown Jewels of the World)

A list of all the existing Major Crown Jewels in the world will give all our fans a sense of the grandeur of the historic collections being preserved in the greater Europa. Our list will only focus on the main Crown Regalia and not the entire collections of each country.

The nationally symbolic Crown Jewels of Syldavia consist of a King's Crown and Queen's Crown.

The Kingdom or Normandia only has a Crown for the monarch be it a King or a Queen. In the case of a King, his wife would wear the Queen Consort's Tiara.

Hispania also only employs a single Crown as the preeminent part of its historic Crown Jewels.

The Principality of Swann has a Crown, Orb and Scepter as its Royal symbols.

The Principality of Wallachia has a Crown for the reigning Prince that is rarely worn. There is a smaller Crown for a Consort which is a veritable copy of the main Crown.

The Grand Duchy of Hanoveria does not place a lot of symbolic value on the concept of Crowns. A Crown does exist and is depicted on Crests and official symbols of state.

The Islands of Arcwhite do not employ symbolic Crown Jewels per sé but they do have this Medieval Headpiece that is one of the oldest diadems in all of Europa and is worn during event of high formality in Arcwhite. 

The major element of the Monagask Crown Jewels would be this almost 2000 year old golden wreath.

Fulco D'Este, although a modern democracy that has ousted its monarchy, has retained its national symbols of which this Crown is the main feature. The Crown is made of iron and is symbolic more of the people of Fulco D'Este's independence than the former monarchs.

This Crown, along with it's female counterpart is all that remains of the spectacular Ruskian Crown Jewel Collection. It is being displayed in the Ruskian capital after its rediscovery almost 70 years after it was thought lost.

The old Empire of Perlistan used this Crown as the greatest symbol of its monarchy. An Empress' Crown, Emerald Parure and a Scepter completed the official Crown Jewels Collection. 

The Electorate Grand Duchy of Reichenthal was once a Kingdom with a complete Crown Jewel Collection. The Crown of Reichenthal is all that seemingly remains of that former collection. 

There is no greater or more spectacular Crown jewel Collection than that of the United Empire of Scot-Britania. The main elements of the collection can be seen above and was saved the destruction of the 1996 Revolution through the foresight of Empress Crystobel.

Many collections like those of  Franconia and Britania faced documented destruction and some disappeared into the recesses of history. Who knows, this list may be added to in future. 

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

Todays post is a day late but better slightly late than never. Here follows our report on the 3 day State Visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Swann to the Grand Principality of Wallachia. Although the visit was politically motivated with topics like military alliances and the still controversial Arcwhite Power Plant looming on the Wallachian border. The visit was also poignantly between two cousins. The two took one afternoon out from their busy schedule to go on a private horse riding excursion in the mountains outside the capital. However the main purpose of the visit was a reassessment of the two countries military alliance, an inspection of the Swanobial naval base which is situated a stones throw from the Syldavian border and the Arcwhite PowerPlant, and an evaluation of the same Power Plant's impact on the surrounding coast line. 

The Duke of Swann was visibly happy to see and spend some time with his ageing aunt Princess Suzanna, the mother of the reigning Princess of Wallachia. One of the hot topics undoubtedly discussed amongst them as family must have been the and the upcoming wedding of the Duke of Swann's sister and the Arch Duke of Fulco D'Este. 

As usual to a State Visit the intinerary finally culminated in a State Banquet held at Hunedoar Castle. Princess Xenia hosted the banquet wearing a red velvet dress and Empress Crystobel's Cameos, bought at auction last year.

A close up of the two Heads of State and cousins. 

The full attendance of Royals included from left; the Princess of Wallachia's husband Baron Bagrazia, The Princess of Wallachia, the Duke of Swann and Princess Suzanna. 

The Duke of Swann took the opportunity to pose for a special photo with his aunt. The strong family ties between the two Royal families were very evident on this otherwise very diplomatic and politically motivated State Visit. 

Wonderful Weekends (State Portrait of The Princess of Wallachia)

As per tradition, in conjunction with a State Visit, Princess Xenia released these State Portraits in anticipation of her cousin, the Duke of Swann's visit next week. The ruler of Wallachia is said to look forward to the diplomatic as well as family visit. The event will strengthen the more than friendly links between the two cousins and respective nations. 

Her Serene Highness posed for the State Portraits in the Castle of Hunedoar, the Family Seat of the Draculesti Family who have ruled over the region for centuries. 

Here we see Princess Xenia include her Consort, Baron Bagrazia in this close up portrait. The Princess wears historic sapphires and the Order of the Ublient's badge and sash. 

The world famous painter, Ricardo Schpieler from Reichenthal, was asked to do a painting inspired by the photo shoot. He had less than a month to complete it and came up with this masterpiece.

We look forward to the impending State Visit from the Duke of Swann. 

What's Up Wednesday (Princess Xenia of Wallachia Knights Future Fulco D'Este Couple)

It was decided by the Princess of Wallachia to honour two of her closest friends with the Wallachian Chivalric Order of the Ublient. The Order has been very diminished over the years it has been in contention with Serbieski on the validity of headship but since it has been settled it has seemingly become time for its growth. The recipients of the Knighthood were the Arch Duke Otto Von Fulco D' Este and his fiance Princess Marie-Elizabeth of Swann.

The venue was Castle Hunedoar in the Wallachian countryside and official residence of Princess Xenia Draculesti, the ruling Princess of Wallachia and cousin to Princess Marie-Elizabeth.

The Princess of Wallachia and her husband Baron Bagrazia looked the spectacular host couple as they prepared to receive their honoured guests. 

With the sashes and badges of the Order of the Ublient waiting the Princess prepares to knight the recipients and then for them to be invested with the regalia. Princes Marie-Elizabeth looked chic in a sleek gunmetal grey velvet dress and gold jewellery.  

The throne room of Castle Hunedoar was the perfect venue for a knighting ceremony with its medieval interior. 

The new Knights of the Ublient, Princess Marie-Elizabeth and her fiance Arch Duke Otto Von Fulco D'Este pose with their hosts for this group photo. It is interesting to note that the couple also share a knighthood from the Princess' native country of Swann, so depending on the event, they may wear whatever Order of Knighthood is appropriate. 

Memory Monday (Style Icons Part 3 Princess Xenia of Wallachia)

For the time being this will be our last of three installments on Icons of Style.

Her Serene Highness Princess Xenia Draculesti, Grand Princess of Wallachia and Baroness Bagrazia, is the ruler of the ancient Principality of Wallachia. She is a first cousin of the Duke of Swann and a distant cousin to the Duchess of Lancaster. Strictly speaking, Wallachia could and should be termed a kingdom by virtue of its size but ancient traditions are  hardly ever changed in this old worldly nation. The title of Prince has thus carried over from its initial inception as a mere tribal chief for over a thousand years. The current reigning monarch has a lot of respect for her country's people and a great appreciation for their, and her, ingrained traditions. This aspect also gains a lot of expression even in the style choices this very elegant and prudent monarch applies in her outfits. Unassuming yet completely confident, the sober and sensitive approach to elegance employed by Princess Xenia, never fails to attract the attention to her office and role as Head of State to a great and ancient culture.

For her first State Portrait taken when the Princess "re-entered" the public sphere in 2011, she chose a little know local designer to create this gypsy inspired black gown with traditional embroidered detail. The embroidery served to lend colour to a somber dress and link this contemporary monarch to the history and culture of her country. The amazing jewellery collection with strong historic links only serves to enhance the well though through style of the Princess. 

From the top left we see the Princess wearing a dark blue creation by her in-house designer at a gala in Pariseum in 2011, then a glitzy Barbie International to the 2011 Christmas Ball, another unknown designer was used for the State Visit to Normandia and finally a purple "punk" inspired Madame Frumsetta to the Principality of Swann.

Although the Princess is most often seen in dark shades and in purple, she is not averse to bright colours or even white. Also often buying from a designer label will mean that different Royals end up with the same dress. Here at left the Princess wears a dress that was also worn before by Queen Maria, and at right a Barbie International number that has also been worn by other famous VIP's.  Even though the odd "same dress" situation does occur, individual Royals will add accessories or touches to put their stamp on an otherwise designer label dress. 

More dark shades and purple was seen in 2012. Madame Frumsetta has a very distinctive flair that often suits the look of a "mysterious" Princess. Starting from the top left we see the Madame Frumsetta original worn to last year's Christmas Ball, then a Barbie International metallic purple mini, a black traditional Wallachian inspired ball gown to the 2012 Birthday Ball, then a rare appearance in turquoise for a fashion show. Finally we see a dark grey velvet mini worn to the Annual Knight's Meeting. 

Wearing clothes more than once is not a problem for real Royalty who believe in not wasting money. The dress made for the Princess' 2012 State Portrait has already been used twice and will perhaps see even more outings. 

The thrifty Princess often wears clothes more than once and mixes and maches elements to create more variety. 

We have already seen two major public appearances of Princess Xenia in 2013. At left as she appeared in blue for the Summit Meeting in Serbieski and at right in a gold Barbie International for the Hanoverian State Visit. 

We hope to see much more of this elegant monarch in future and know that she will not disappoint.