Wonderful Weekends (Portrait of the Arch Duchess of Fulco D'Este)

The Royal Family of Fulco DÉste was one of the fortunate beneficiaries of the recent discovery of forgotten historic jewellery in Reichenthal. The Consort Arch Duchess' Diadem was found among the vast amounts of other historic treasures and returned to the Arch Duke Otto Von Fulco D'Este on behalf of his nation. To commemorate the return of the diadem and to celebrate the amicable relationship that has developed between the people of Fulco D'Este and its previously exiled claimant to the defunct throne, the Arch Duke has has a portrait taken of his wife wearing the diadem as is her right as Consort Arch Duchess.

Her Royal Highness the Arch Duchess of Fulco D'Este nee Princess Marie-Elizabeth of Swann wears the unique diadem in this State Portrait. 

This close up of the official diadem gives us a detailed look at the historically valuable piece.

Wonderful Weekends (Official Portrait of the Earl and Countess Cartwright)

Yet another official portrait released by a prominent Noble Family from the former Empire of Scot-Britania is posted on our Wonderful Weekends slot. This one is a far more "casual" set of portraits omitting coronets and crests. There is no set rule for these portraits as they are strictly speaking not state portraits but an attempt by the relevant Noble Family to portray themselves officially. thus they also portray personal preference and the unique identity of those particular individuals. Today we share the portraits of His Lordship the Earl Cartwright and the Countess Cartwright. 

Here we see the Noble couple with the Earl wearing his chain of office and the Countess wearing jewellery from her own collection. 

The Countess also opted for a portrait with only herself in it. She is appropriately portrayed in the Mayorial Hall of the City of Cartwright in Britania. 

What's Up Wednesday (Normandian Parliament Opening of 2014)

The Normandian State opening of Parliament is an official government event and as such a grand affair held once a year during the first week of September. This seeming contradiction of opening something when a year begins to draw to a close has been tradition in this cold northern part of Europa for centuries. September weather is considered the best time of the year and allows for the festive spectacle that involves a public holiday and a carriage procession through the capital. It is the one event where Normandia completely throws itself into a Royal spectacular.  

A brand new Crown has been made for Queen Gloria at her own expense especially for this year's event and to be used in future by her and her descendants. The small crown follows the protocol of using the national colours and mimics the design of the Royal Crown of Normandia. Queen Gloria paired her new Crown with some other pieces from the Crown Jewel Collection and some of her private jewels. 

This detailed comparison allows for close appreciation of the new addition to the Crown Regalia of Normandia

Her Majesty Queen Gloria of Normandia and His Royal Highness the Prince of Northwold, husband and wife pose in the Parliament Hall for their State Portrait. 

The event requires the leading Nobility of Normandia to be in attendance and as such is considered the main gathering, dressed in their finest, of the country's Nobility.

Queen Gloria's cousin, The Duchess of Roswind and her husband Prince Valmont D'Pont Du Lac attend in their capacity as the Duke and Duchess of Vaganava, a title held within the borders of Normandia. 

The Margravine of Montrose attended this, her first Opening of Parliament Ceremony. She chose to wear the official Montrose Diadem. 

The Count Szanguzcko is the highest ranking traditional Noble in Normandia. His elder brother passed the title to him upon his own marriage to queen Gloria. The Count attended the event with his fiance, Princess Antoinette D'Pont Du Lac. 

Baroness Klariowna  looked fresh and radiant representing her Baronial family, also for the first time since the restoration of the Normandian monarchy. This years event set new standards for the popularity of the monarchy as more and mor of the upper echelons show their undivided support. 

Wonderful Weekend (State Portrait of Serbieski)

Riding the popular wave of  the return of the Crown Jewels of Serbieski to their homeland the Grand Duke of Serbieski and his wife released a set of official State Portraits. 

Here we see their Grand Ducal Highnesses posed before the Serbieski mascot of the Lion and the Lamb inside the Grand Ducal Palace in Karadjorge. The portrait also features the Crest of the Grand Duchy of Serbieski in the top left. The Grand Duke is wearing the sash and badge of the Order of the Syldav Cross and his Chain of Office while Grand Duchess Davina is wearing her family heirloom tiara. 

Grand Duchess Davina wears the earring and necklace of the Grand Duchess Consort that were part of the collection of historic Crown jewels thought lost and now returned to Serbieski after their discovery in a secret vault in Reichenthal this year. the jewellery is made of fine gold and set with emeralds, amethysts and diamonds.

His Grand Ducal Highness, Grand Duke Paul Karageorgevich of Serbieski poses with the Relic Crown of Serbieski. This historic moment marks a turning point in the history of the region, greater Syldavia and all of Europa.

Wonderful Weekend (Official Portraits of the Baron and Baroness D'Rothchild)

The famous and very wealthy Baron  and Baroness D'Rothchild bear their title of Baron in the Nobility of more than one country. As Barons in the former and now very popular Empire of Scot-Britania they too have decided to also release fashionable official portraits along with all the other Nobility.

Here we see the very stylish Baroness D'Rothchild wearing the Lesser D'Pont Du Lac Emerald Parure that passed hands back into the D'Rothchild coffers after being the property of Empress Crystobel for almost two decades. 

The Baron D'Rothchild definitely looks the part with Coronet of Rank in the background and Chain of Office upon his shoulders. He also proudly wears his Badge and Sash of the Ruskian Order of the Polar Star.

The dignified couple couple strike an impressive pose in the foyer of the D'Rothchild hotel in Pariseum.

A close up of the D'Pont Du Lac Emeralds for the history books.

The Baron and Baroness spared no expense in dressing up and creating this series of photographs.  The photos have been made them available on the internet to the joy of monarchists, jewellery fanatics and history buffs alike.

We hope our fans also appreciate these now very fashionable official photos of Nobility and expect the fashion to spread beyond the Nobility of the former Empire of Scot-Britania. 

"To be or not to be" Thursday (Three Sisters)

It has been just over a year since my aunt, Empress Crystobel's assassination. I find myself recently missing the "good old days", missing her. By extension I miss my own mother, her sister. Family really is such a foundational part of life.

Our story of Royalty essentially revolves around 3 foundational characters. These three cousins; the Crown Prince Imperial, The Duke of Swann and the Grand Duke of Hanoveria, are the first born sons of three Princesses. These three sisters, who all ended up seated on thrones were very close and due to their efforts and sacrifices, Royalty survived past the 96 Revolution and into the new millennium. Today's post aims to remember these three sisters and their place in our history.

Here we see from left; Princess Beatrice, Dowager Grand Duchess of Hanoveria, the late Empress Crystobel and the late Duchess of Swann. They are portrayed here in a photo taken in the very year the 96 Revolution took place. Serene smiles seek to banish the growing tensions of the period and glamorous historic jewellery combine with glorious gowns in an attempt to persevere through hardship. Empress Crystobel was much liked even up until the outbreak of the Revolution. many mysteries still surround the actual causes of it. Princess Beatrice was happily married in her very peaceful new country of Hanoveria but was to lose her husband to the assassin's bullet of a blackmailing crime cartel. The Duchess of Swann was the only one of the three sisters to have actually passed away in the missile strike on Roswind Castle that sparked the 96 Revolution. The appalling death of many visiting foreign dignitaries that night almost cast the whole of Europa into war. 

The only surviving sister seen above is Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, the Dowager Grand Duchess of Hanoveria, Princess of Scot-Britania and Princess of Scotney. She, the youngest of the three siblings, battled cancer successfully a few years ago and now lives in secluded retirement after her years of devoted service to her family and adopted country of Hanoveria. 

The three sisters were born Princesses of the Kingdom of Scotney and with their eldest sister Crystobel becoming Queen of Scotney and eventually Empress of a United Empire of Scot-Briitania were all elevated to the rank of Imperial Princess. Princess Elizabeth of Scotney was the middle daughter who went on to marry the Duke of Swann amidst a media extravaganza. The popular couple were lauded in the Principality of Swann that boosted the small country into the media bull's eye where it has stayed since then. The new Duchess of Swann was the most popular Royal in the most popular monarchy in Europa and she excelled in her position doing more for charity, art and fashion than any other Princess before her. Unfortunately she was killed in her prime and the empty space left by her on the consort's throne of Swann has never again been filled. 

Probably no other Royal has received more coverage on this blog than Empress Crystobel. Her life and character has become a veritable archetype and icon of womanhood. The combination of strength and sensitivity, invincible endurance and her indelible grace even in the face of tragic loss and death will live on forever in and thoughts and hearts. She was born a Princess, inherited the title of Queen and became a wife and Empress. Her role as mother and business woman to boot is the icing on the cake. Unwavering style and humility is testified of by all who met her and the dedication shown through her life and work and perhaps even just her portrait has inspired in many. 

A previously unpublished photo sees the three sisters in 1995 celebrating the birthday of Princess Beatrice. The two younger siblings wear matching necklaces given them by Empress Crystobel of which Beatrice received hers that very day.

It truly is amazing the consequences and extenuating results a mere sibling relationship can have on the very world. For good or for bad, how we treat those around us does ripple on into eternity. let us follow good examples and learn to love our neighbour that we may affect the world like true Royalty. 

What's Up Wednesday (Reichenthal returns Historic Treasures to their rightful owners.)

The content of jewellery found in the secret Reichenhal vault was listed and described in a previous post on one of our Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday. For those details follow this link:

http://daniel-s-world.blogspot.com/2014/08/tiaras-and-trinkets-on-tuesday.html

Since the full disclosure and probe into the case and history of the discovery, the Grand Duke of Reichenthal has begun officially returning the historic pieces to their "rightful"owners. Where appropriate, some pieces have been afforded ceremony in keeping with their symbolic value. In other case they were merely delivered to those who rightfully claim them Some pieces however ended up having no contemporary link and as such have been placed in regional museums as close to their historic ties as possible. Today's post will document the most important of these returns.

The first and one of the most historically significant pieces to be sent home was the Imperial Throne of Scot-Britania. It coincided beautifully and seamlessly with the Crown Prince Imperial's official taking up residency in the Scot-Britanian Isles. The Syldavian Ministry of Foreign affairs was happy that the events surrounding the throne's return only strengthened the bonds between the three countries of Syldavia, Scotney and Britania. The throne was returned to its own official home, the Cathedral of the Lion Heart.

The Nuptial Coronet of Scotney went with the Imperial throne and was received by the Crown Prince Imperial to again become a part of the vast Imperial Crown Jewel Collection.

Next on the list of historically important pieces to be returned was the Sword of the Lion Heart and the Crown of Cataljone, belonging to the Crown Jewels of Hispania.

The Princess of Cataljone , heir to the Kingdom of Hispania(pictured above) flew to Reichenthal to receive the sword officially on behalf of the nation of Hispania. A small hand-over ceremony was held in Reichenthal Castle.

Grand Duke Lothair personally handed the medieval sword over to the Princess.

The Crown of Catajone was still undergoing some repairs at the time of the hand-over ceremony but did fly back with the Princess of Cataljone to Hispania the next day to find its place once more alongside the other Crown Jewels of Hispania.

The Crown of Romagna, considered to be the single most intrinsically valuable piece to have been found in the Reichenthal vault was secretly sent by to the Princess Donatella, Duchess Di Giorgio by armoured car.

The Crown of the former Kingdom of Romagna is back home photographed next to the pretender to the same Kingdom. The Duchess Di Giorgio, like so many other pretenders have found themselves welcomed back to their native countries of late in order to become ceremonial custodians of those countries' Royal history.

The very beautiful Crown of Romagna will be exhibited in a new display especially being designed for it in the former Royal palace of Romagna.

The Arch Duke of Fulco D'Este is set to release a State Portrait of his wife wearing the restored Consort Diadem. It was also sent by armoured car to the Democratic Republic of Fulco DÉste where it was received by the Minister of the Interior. The Diadem will be kept in the same vault as the Steel Crown of Fulco D'Este but will be used for the first time in the official portrait and may be used in future for State Events.

The very unusual Dodecahedron Statue found in the Reichenthal Vault has received no media coverage as yet but is to feature in State Portrait of the Duke of Swann to be released somewhere in the near future.

 The Enlightened Manuscript featuring a Scripture from the Book of Romans has also been returned to Duke's Court Palace  in the Principality of Swann. the Duke of Swann is seen above standing next to the Medieval manuscript said to have been created at the request of the first Duke of Swann upon his investiture. The current Duke said that this piece is very dear to his heart for its symbolic meaning.


The greatest and also most politically volatile set of jewellery is also the oldest and posed the most problems in their return to their homeland. Made in 1250 the Crown Jewels of Serbieski is an awesome find for its historic value but politically pose a conundrum. Their return to Serbieski has the potential to incite civil unrest due to their almost relic-like status. The Grand Duke of Serbieski is the legal owner of the jewels which by tradition is the personal property of the ruler of Serbieski. Diplomatic negotiations and high security surrounded their return and to afford them the proper respect a full State Ceremony of their hand over was held in Reichethal castle attended by the King of Syldavia.  

The Grand Duke of Reichenthal (at left) gathers with his Serbieski counterpart (at right)for the hand over ceremony. The official event is legally witnessed by Princess Augusta as history expert and overseen by the King of Syldavia.

The beautiful and very old Crown Jewels of Serbieski, include the Crown, Scepter and the Demi Parure of the "Queens" of Serbieski.

The Grand Duke of Reichenthal made a poignant speech explaining the value and controversy surrounding the jewels:

"When the historic find of Royal Jewellery was discovered here in Reichenthal my family and I were as surprised and indeed amazed as the rest of the world. To have grown up, unaware of the treasure literally hidden on the other side of a mere brick wall seems very surreal. Yet now, the Imperial throne, historic jewellery and art and the controversial Crown Jewels of Serbieski have been found. The symbolic nature of these far outweighs their monetary value and the return of these relics to their proper context in this new millennium is our greatest concern.

Today we as apparently secret Reichenthalian custodians of these treasures until now are humbled to present to the great people of Serbieski with their Crown Jewels. We are keenly aware and sensitive to the controversy posed by these “national symbols” and their potential affect on the people they represent. We all as Syldavian citizens have to foster a broader perspective however. Where these symbols represent the past and the very proud accomplishment of a regional people these symbols may also hold the keys to a bigger and more prosperous future. It is that key with the potential to unlock a future which concerns us here and now. Serbieski, our proud and strong neighbours and Syldavian compatriots, today you stand at the brink of a decision. Though lost, the crown jewels, glorious symbols of unity, strength, solidarity and your place in Europa has tied you together as a people for centuries. Throughout a very difficult history that lead us to today you continued to exist, indeed continued to make your mark as a proud nation albeit like Reichenthal your neighbours, making sacrifices to continue to do so.

We share your sentiment; Reichenthal like Serbieski is a proud, fruitful, strong people. The sacrifices made were not easy. By laying down our independence, we thought all was lost. But in actual fact: more was gained. Today we are more than the small, unknown “Kingdom” we used to be. Our unique identity, Regional solidarity and our dignity have been preserved within our new Syldavian electorate. We continue in our traditions as we have done for centuries. You as honoured member of this new electorate have come to see the same benefits over the last two years. People of Serbieski, the choice is yours. We're all aware that the return of the Serbieski Crown Jewels stirs deep emotions that may tilt the scales towards an even more prosperous and stable future or one where clandestine opportunists incite revolt against it.

Therefore place this crown and sceptre on your secured freedom established on righteousness. Place it on the altar of sacrifice and continue to sacrifice for the greater good of yourselves, Syldavia and indeed all Europa. May your children and grandchildren look back to this historic day, and say: The day our crown jewels returned, was the day when Serbieski chose peace and freedom, but above all, LIFE."

The official transfer of the jewels was sealed with a handshake as the footage of the event was published live on television and the internet.

The Grand Duke of Serbieski posed for an official photo opp with the jewels in a kind of State Portrait pose.

The Serbieski Crown Jewels handover made international news and the world sighed a breath of relief as another potential local unrest was avoided in the south of Syldavia. We wish the people of Serbieski all the best.