Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Lady Ferrox Illegally Sells Family Tiara)

A disaster has struck the family treasure of the Countess Dysart. Her Grace, the Duchess of Argyle, as she is now known since her marriage to the Duke of Argyle, made the shocking announcement yesterday. Her Grace's sister, Lady Ferrox, who has suffered from mental disorders in the past apparently sold the Dysart Diamond Tiara to an unknown "jeweller" on the internet a few weeks ago. She sent off the package before the Duchess caught wind of it. Lady Ferrox, who has been deemed healthy and normal of late, actually had the tiara in her posssesion, on loan from her sister. However it was not within her right to sell it. All effort to trace the sale have failed and the tiara is now considered lost. It seems that the buyer was a conman as only the fraction of the value was paid as a deposit into Lady Ferrox's account. Lady Ferrox has denied all of the events and has regressed into a mental stupor after interviews with her proved her increasing state of irrationality. She is currently under observation in Arkham Sanatorium in Scotney and the prognosis is not positive. 

This photo taken in 2011, shows Lady Ferrox (in purple) following her sister who is wearing the Dysart Diamond Parure. The parure was originally made for the wedding engagement of their grandmother in 1922. Fortunately only the tiara was lost and the earrings and necklace remains in the family's possession. 

This jewellers archive photo shows the whole Dysart Parure with the added spectacular Swann Gift Choker necklace in the center bottom. The tiara at the top is the one now lost.

This photo was taken at last year's Christmas Ball where Lady Ferrox last wore the family heirloom tiara.

Lady Ferrox and the tiara will be sorely missed and we wish her good health and our thoughts are with her family in this trying time. 

Wonderful Weekends (Official Portrait of the Duchess of Lancaster)

The Duchess of Lancaster is in many respects an enigmatic figure that chooses to remain in the background. Due to the 1996 Bloody Revolution she was not only orphaned but in the chaos her identity was lost. As a distant relative of the then Duke of Lancaster she had become the heir to the title but was raised in a Scotney State orphanage devoid of identity and knowledge of her heritage. With the advent of Royal popularity in 2009 a Royalist archivist, who was processing old documents at the orphanage discovered that one of their previous orphans may have claims to the Lancaster name. He approached the now adult woman via email who at first blew him off as a con-man. After a lengthy and tenacious struggle the paperwork and its authenticity was brought to the young waitress' attention. In 2011 her court cases were finalized and her name legally restored by international law as Her illustrious Highness the Duchess of Lancaster.

Based on these facts some International Bank accounts and also a safety deposit box in the Switzer Confederacy restored some of her family's wealth to her. She has applied the money in establishing higher education trust funds to assist orphaned girls to gain an education. The Duchess has decided on the advice of her press team to release her first official portrait .

Her Illustrious Highness the Duchess of Lancaster wearing the Pink Diamond and Ruby Parure that forms part of her historic inheritance. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (The Jewellery Collection of Empress Crystobel)

The ousted Imperial Family of the United Empire of Scot-Britania are still the owners of what is considered the largest jewellery collection on earth. As a family, their collection can be loosely categorized into three classes, the Crown Jewels, the Imperial Foundation and the pieces in private ownership. Today we will catalogue those pieces considered to be the private property of the late Empress Crystobel that has now been inherited by her son. 

 The Queen Crystobel I Wedding Gift Diamond Parure or more accurately, the Ladies of Scotney Diamond Parure.

The confusion with the name of this set stems from the fact that this parure was indeed the young Queen Crystobel I's Wedding Gift but it is more appropriate to honour the giver than the receiver or the event. Thus seeing as all the aristocratic ladies of the Kingdom of Scotney arranged for the gift to be created and presented to the Queen, it is officially named the Ladies of Scotney Parure. 

The gift of this grand set of jewellery, made from indigenous Scotney Pearls and rare Indiana Diamonds was a grand gesture from the Scotney Nobility. The Duchess of Argyle, Countess Dysart and Baroness Ferguson headed up the committee of prominent Ladies who raised the capital for purchasing the Parure as a gift to be presented as a symbolic blessing from the women of "entire country" as it were.

Unfortunately we have no photographic documentation of Queen Crystobel I wearing the parure except for this single photo from 1983. She is seen wearing only the tiara from the set. The parure was inherited by her daughter Quenn Crystobel II of Scotney, who became Empress Crystobel of the United Empire of Scot-Britania. 

In this photo from 2011 we see Empress Crystobel wearing the full parure with the tiara. This set of historic jewellery may soon to be seen on the head of Princess Odeliah, daughter in law of the late Empress.

The Black Pearl and Ruby Parure.

 Another gift received as a wedding present is this unique and very valuable set made from black pearls, rubies and diamonds. It is widely believed to be a gift from the wealthiest industrialists at the time of the Imperial wedding but no official release has ever been made about its origin. It is a fact however that the brooch and the ruby in the center front of the tiara was a bequest from the Empress's father. In the photo above we we see the young Queen Crystobel and her Prince Charming wearing the parure on one of only three documented occasions. 

In this 2012 State Portrait we see the jewels in detail. 

The Birthday Parure.

The very lavish Birthday Diamond Tiara and Bracelet that was made in 1993 to match a 19th century De Resile Necklace and Earrings was presented to the Empress on her birthday from her direct family. The 1993 Birthday was also considered and celebrated as the foundation of the new United Empire of Scot-Britania. The Empress wore it for her first official Birthday Party as Empress that year. In 2011, the Empress' family also added a brooch to the parure which she has worn a couple of times since. 

The Queen Mary of Scotney Sapphires

This sapphire set belonged to Empress Crystobel's great grandmother who was the sister of the Ruskian Tzar. The set or rather parure was brought from Ruskiana as a dowry and has remained with the Scotney ruling line until it joined with Britania as an Empire. The sapphires of a massive size and quality and the design of the parure is distinctly Ruskian in its halo-like effect. As such it is, like most authentic surviving Ruskian Imperial jewellery, a testament of the grandeur of the old Ruskian Court.  

The official portrait painted as a memorial after the death of  Empress Crystobel sees her wearing the sapphire parure. 

The Nizam Ruby Demi-Parure.

 The rubies in this set are absolutely massive and are said to have their origin in the ancient Kingdom of Hindia in the far east. They ended up in the collection of the Kings of Britannia through colonial tribute and were saved from the 1996 revolution when the Empress happened to send a big portion of the jewels off to Americania for repairs and valuations mere weeks before the tragedy struck.

Here the Empress is seen wearing the full demi-parure in 2010. 

The Dowry Ruby Collection (of which not all parts are displayed in the above photo). 

 This particular ruby collection is a conglomerate of many pieces from the Kingdom of Scotney. Empress Crystobel was given the bulk of the historic jewellery on her 21st birthday in advance of a future marriage. Later additions of modern jewellery pieces were added by her father and even a brooch was added by her husband on their fifth wedding anniversary. The jewellery is the private property of the Empress but the expectancy is that most if not all will end up in the Imperial Family Foundation upon her death. For the record, The Dowry set used to contain, 1 Tiara, 1 Bracelet, 1 Brooch, 2 sets of Earrings and 3 Necklaces. Sadly the Tiara, choker and a pair of earrings were sold of after her death. 

Here Empress Crystobel is seen wearing the tiara, one of the necklaces and the bracelet.

The latest edition is this necklace set with laser cut rubies. It is displayed with the bracelet of a far older design.

In this photo the Empress wears the Crown Ruby Tiara, not ever owned by her in her own right but famous for mixing her vast jewellery collection around she pairs it with the laser cut ruby necklace, the dross earrings and her brooch.

For an official Portrait in 2011 Empress Crystobel chose to wear her Edwardian Amethyst and Black Pearl Parure. The amethysts are of extremely high quality as can be seen in their rich purple colour. The parure dates from the 19th century and was reportedly the property of the same Queen Mary who owned the famous Ruskian sapphires. 

Here we see the above mentioned portrait and the amethysts worn. 

South Africanian Pink Diamond Set. 

This very recent piece was commissioned by the Empress from the Global Jewellery Academy two years ago in order for them to apply huge the vast profit from the order to help establish the jewellery school. The Duke of Swann has recently become the new patron for the charitable jewellery school for the deaf. The set incorporates, indigenous Africanian pink diamonds and pure gold drops. 

The auction following the passing of Empress Crystobel in 2013 saw four sets of jewels leave the collection to raise liquid cash against the estate taxes of the Empress. 

At left we see the parts of the Dowry Rubies. In the center the famous Lesser D'Pont Du Lac Emeralds were sold back to their original owner. At the far right some of the Empress's diamonds. 

A set of antique quality cameos, completely unknown to the public, also belonged to the voracious collector Empress. This was also sold at the auction.

For the full scoop on the auction follow the link below.
http://daniel-s-world.blogspot.com/2013/08/tiaras-and-trinkets-on-tuesday-empress.html

An unbelievable collection truly worthy of an Empress has now been passed to the next generation.

Wonderful Weekends (Official Portrait of Princess Donatella, the Duchess DiGiorgio)

Princess Donatella of Romagna has followed like many other pretenders this year in releasing an official portrait. These portraits all follow the current wave of Royal popularity, linking the historic past with the contemporary Renaissance.

Here we see Her Royal Highness sporting historic jewels, Royal Crest and is photographed with the Throne of Romagna. The portrait was taken in the DiGiorgio Palace Museum in Romagna by special permission. 

The Princess wears the Corvi Cameo Tiara inherited from her Corvi Committal ancestors along with Romagnian Royal Diamonds. 

Fashionable Fridays (Dress Code)

Protocol demands certain dress codes when interacting with Royalty, especially at functions that are officially representative of the nations the Royals serve. Remember that the Royals themselves are bound by these rules even if the public are not, so when the interaction is by invitation, then the guest is obliged to adhere to the dress code themselves. For this purpose we will now list the levels of dress code from casual to formal and the differences in day wear and evening wear. 

Casual

Royalty, like all people have private lives and in most of these settings will merely wear casual clothes or clothes appropriate to the situation like bathing suits to the beach for example.

Business

In a standard corporate environment or diplomatic setting in the day, the appropriate dress would be what is required in most office settings, a neat and stylish suit and tie for the men or coordinated pencil skirt suit or pants for ladies. 

Cocktail Semi-Formal

For a slightly dressed up feel during an outside day party, the cocktail dress code applies. This would be a morning suit or sport jacket and trousers for men and a short skirt and hat for the ladies. This dress code normally applies at horse races and afternoon tea or cocktail parties. 

Day Formal with Hat

For officially formal events of state that happen during the day and for funerals a smart short length dress or skirt and hat along with morning suits or uniforms for men are required. In some cases even Knighthood Insignia may be required. This is sometimes the dress code for guests at a Noble wedding but for Royal weddings tiaras may be worn. 

Evening Cocktail Formal

Formal evening wear without tiaras normally pairs with short dresses and tuxedos for men. This is normally the dress code for an early evening party that is not considered a State event. 

Short Formal with Tiara

As mentioned earlier, for Royal weddings, the formal dress code with hats usually worn during the day time, may be upgraded to tiaras.

Evening Gown Formal with Tiara

A longer evening dress with tiara and tuxedos or uniforms for men is the standard for any titled person to wear to what one might refer a formal evening gala. These events, though formal, might not be a State affair but the particular event may require formal dress. Tiaras in this case are not always obligatory and sometimes entirely omitted like when the event is held at a hotel. 

Ball Gown non-State Formal

There is such an event among Royalty as the Royal Ball. These events though very similar to the above mentioned event are considered Royal but not necessarily a State function. To a Royal Ball, tuxedos or uniforms are worn by men and the ladies are required to wear long evening gowns or full ball gowns, with tiaras. Knighthood Insignia are optional. 

State Formal

A State Evening Function is the second most formal event possible. The dress code is similar to the two above mentioned but members of Orders of Knighthood are required to wear their insignia if they are members of an order. Sometimes Chains of Office may also be worn. 

Court Dress

An even more formal dress code is expected at certain State Evening Functions. Known as Court Dress, this is what is worn at State Banquets and for State Portraits. Uniforms, or traditional regional clothing is worn by men and ladies wear full length evening dresses. Normally symbolic tiaras and/or crowns may be worn along with Knighthood Insignia and Chains of Office. 

Full Regalia

There are only two events that require this dress code, they are a Coronation or Opening of Parliament. Here Court Dress applies with the addition of Robes of State. This dress code is also but rarely applied to State Portraits as well. 

Memory Monday (Crown Prince Imperial Officially Returns as a Citizen of Britania)

2013 has been a year of vast contrasts. In many ways it was the toughest year, financially and personally but in many other ways it was a year of growth, blessing and friendship beyond any year before it. This year began like any other with great prospects and specifically with hopes of new prosperity to rise up against the current economic crunch. Several weddings were being looked forward to and the expected babies of Queen Gloria of Normandia followed by the Von Bismarck heir born to Queen Maxima. However, nobody could have expected the horror of the assassination of Empress Crystobel. The death of this loving mother and international icon sent shock waves through the fiber of international society but the dignified and sincere response of her family during the time of the funeral and to this day is what has set this year apart as an example of the deep potential for nobility within the human heart. 

We now look forward to this years Christmas Ball to be held in the Democratic Republic of Scotney who has chosen to welcome Royalty from the world over along with their own former ruling Dynasty to celebrate the role of Royalty in a modern context as "custodians of history, charity and human dignity" This is by no means a political restoration of the former Kingdom of Scotney but rather a reconciliation between the people of Scotney and their own  past and dignified future. 

A cropped section of the " State" portrait of Prince Christian-Victor, Crown Prince Imperial of Scot-Britania and Crown Prince of Britania commissioned by the Britanian Government to commemorate his ascension to the headship of the Imperial Dynasty of Aldarian after his mother's death. 

In this vein, we want to report on the Crown Prince Imperial who was in the Democratic Rebublic of Britania, neigbour to Scotney, in October on his first official visit as a reinstated, citizen. All exile statusses were lifted folowing the death of his mother, Empress Crystobel.

Prince Christian-Victor was there to accept the government's offer of an official but not political position as ceremonial heirs to the Royal and Imperial lineages and custodians of the related historic treasures. This practically means that; the Prince and his direct family's courtesy titles are accepted but with no political significance within the borders of Britania and Scotney, they will serve nationally as custodians of government appointed museums and art treasures related to Royal history, they will serve officially in an ambassadorial capacity in related matters on the International stage, they will patronize charities of their choice, they will take part in historic celebrations related to national history and regional traditions and that they will have the run of former palaces not destroyed in the revolution being allowed to also live there. The Imperial couple will also have access to the former Imperial jewellery that was saved during the revolution and revealed a few weeks ago. these will be within their custodianship and may be worn to official function within the borders of Britania. 

Two surviving palaces within Britania have been released to the Imperial couple. These will be run as working museums containing art, historic artifacts, and jewellery, to be on display for the public. These Palaces have as yet never been open to the public. Each palace will also have a section cordoned off as a Royal residence.

The Aldarian Palace is a relatively new building built for the King George V of Britania as a weekend retreat a few kilometers outside the capital. The palace sits on a vast estate with formal gardens, wooded forests, a massive lake and also a working dairy farm. All these features will be geared toward public use as soon as the Crown Prince Imperial takes residence within the course of 2014.

The former hunting lodge in the mountainous north of Britania is known as King's Loft  Castle. This Royal palace will also be reconstituted as a venue to be visited by the public. It is situated in a vast nature reserve of which a section will be turned into a chalet style resort hotel in order for patrons to visit the nature reserve, palace and formal gardens.

A truly bitter-sweet moment as the Crown Prince Imperial is welcomed at King's Loft palace by the Chancellor of Britania. The Crown Prince in his acceptance speech mentioned his joy at finding a sanctioned niche in his homeland but still was visibly moved at the mention of his mother's death.

A formal lunch was held in King's Loft to commemorate the historic event. It was hosted by the Chancellor in honour of the Crown Prince Imperial and security was visibly tight.

The Crown Princess Imperial looks on for this photo-op handshake of friendship.

The Crown Princess Imperial chose to wear the Aquamarine earrings from the Britanian Imperial Cache of jewels spared by the Britanian Revolutionary Government. These jewels amongst many others are now available to the Imperial couple for use in Britania.

For a full list and description of the Britanian Imperial Cache follow this link.

http://daniel-s-world.blogspot.com/2013/10/tiaras-and-trinkets-on-tuesday-britania.html

However the most poignant and most profound moment of the whole trip to Britania in October was the Crown Prince Imperial's visit to the man who shot his mother. By special request of the Prince and with permission from the government, the assassin consented to the Royal visit. The meeting itself was under the strictest security and for all intents a private one. No media was allowed to even photograph the Prince's arrival; at the high security prison. The Prince in an understandably emotional state also did not grant a press conference.

Frantisek Voorheest, a Syldavian imigrant and former violent offender was found guilty in October for the assasination of the former Empress. He has refused all interviews but did agree to see the Prince. A hero to dissident right wingers but a murderous villain in the eyes of many others one can but guess what the 20 minute meeting between him and the Prince was like.

The Crown Prince Imperial did release a short statement to the press and opted for our blog to be the first to publish it. His Imperial Highness stated: "Mr. Voorheest and I have made our resolute peace. I asked for forgiveness for where my heritage may have added to his cause but I forgive him unconditionally and thank God for our free will." 

The assassin is due to be executed in 2014.

Fascinating Fridays (Royal Family Crests)

We are all very familiar with the concept of a family crest and it more often than not immediately evokes a feeling of history, castles and royalty. However even though we might recognize a crest for what it is, our modern mindset does not always wrap around the deep significance and function of these archaic symbols. Contemporary company logos serve to identify a company clearly and simply within the mind of the consumer. These logos are often of basic eye catching design with clear and bold colours and meant to be easily recognizable images. Family and Royal Crests are similar to a "logo" but almost tells the story of the entire family history and its story cannot be absorbed whilst speeding past on a freeway.

In the Middle Ages, Crests were developed to serve as a form of long distance identification system. When a particular person was traveling, his banners could be recognized miles away and thus the onlooker could prepare a welcome or for war. During a battle these crests, clearly visible on banners and shields also served to identify the various commanders and their regiments, assisting in their maneuvers. This initial function also obviously denoted the commanders/royalty from the common man and for several centuries a crest was reserved for the aristocracy and claiming one meant that you were by default a highborn.

Today the original purpose of identification remains but serves to identify a particular person, family and even a sovereign state. In the case of a monarchy, the Royal Crest of the Monarch is at the same time the Crest of the Realm. There are sometimes many legal variants of a particular crest, especially in the case of Royal Families. Function and tradition dictates these variants. Let's look at some examples. 

The picture above is of the full crest of Her Majesty Queen Maria of Hispania and also serves as the symbol of the Kingdom of Hispania. Only the Queen herself and the National Government may use this version of the Crest but only the Queen applies it whereas the government will use the National Flag that is derived in its design from the Crest. 

This is the simplified version of the Royal Crest of Hispania and is legally used by the Queen and all members of the Blood Royal in Hispania. 

The Princess of Cataljone as heir to the Hispanian throne uses the simplified version on her official portraits. 

The full Imperial Crest of the United Empire of Scot-Britania serves as the Imperial standard of the Crown Prince Imperial in his pretense to the Imperial Throne.

The lesser Imperial Crest is a simplified version and is used by the other members of the Imperial family. 

In this portrait, Princess Augusta legally uses the lesser Imperial Crest. The red band at the bottom with the cross, signifies, the Order of the Diamond Star and may only be added by those who are members of the Order. 

Her Imperial Highness The Crown Princess Imperial, uses a variant of the Crest which is also used on the Imperial Flag. This variant may only be used by Emperor/ Empress and the Heir Apparent and his wife. 

This is the Imperial Flag that takes its design from the original Crest. 

The Imperial Crown and other parts of the Crest like the Three-headed Imperial Eagle may also be used by the Emperor and his heir and their spouses on official correspondence as can be seen in this invitation. This serves to officially designate the document as Imperial. 

When a monarchy is abolished and the Royal Dynasty is left in pretense to the throne, the new government might adopt new flags and national symbols. The former Crests that served as these symbols are then by default retained by the Royal Family as a Family Crest. As such it offers a unique record of history. 

The personal Crest of the Crown Princess Imperial is a unique version of the simplified Imperial Crest in Order to signify her position as the Crown Prince Imperial/ d'jour Emperor's wife and Consort. Technically, this Crest came into effect upon the death of the Empress Crystobel. Princess Odeliah as the Consort of Prince Christian-Victor is not a co-regent like her mother in law but a Consort, as such she may not use the Full Imperial Crest as that is reserved for the Emperor. 

It is common for the wife of a titled Royal to receive her own Crest upon marriage, especially if she already has one of her own by virtue of her titles. These Consort Crests are designed to show the union of marriage and will include elements of both families. Sometimes the design is a simple "half-half" splicing of the two Crests. 

The new Crest designed for Princess Marie-Elizabeth of Swann, who is due to marry the Arch Duke of Fulco DÉste in 2014 is an example of the traditional, wife's Crest. It combines the two Dynastic Houses' Crests into one and submits it to the Iron Crown of Fulco DÉste. 

During certain times in history certain fashions took hold of even the art of heraldry and applied certain popular artistic interpretations to Crests. The most famous was the "Silouetted Crest". Here follows an example; 

Above we see the basic Imperial Crest of Ruskiana, in colour and with no additions. 

The fashion before the Great War was to use a silhouette of the most basic part of the Crest. In the picture above, the Imperial Double Headed Eagle is clearly visible but just in silouette. 

Hopefully today's post will give you a sharper eye for the detail of Royal Crests and how to use them to identify some of our more prestigious personalities.