Wonderful Weekends (Portrait of The Grand Duke Karageorgevich)

It has been a great weekend so far. We have taken time to rest and replenish our energies for the week and months to come.

 I would like, in typical Sunday fashion to post an Official Portrait. This one cannot be classified as a "State Portrait" due to the fact that the persons depicted are not part of the official governing state but due to the restoration of the monarchy in Syldavia they have officially regained "titles and styles". Another reason is that this portrait was released privately but officially by the persons in question. I give you the portrait of Their Grand Ducal Highnesses, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Karageorgevich of Serbieski. Grand Duke Paul and his wife are the highest ranking members of the Nobility in the new Kingdom of Syldavia. As such they will attend Tuesday's Investiture Ceremony at St. Ottokar's Catherdral.

 

Grand Duchess Davina wears the Karaqeorgevich Diamond Parure and the Pink Bow of the Family Order of the Empire. Grand Duke Paul received the Order of the Syldav Cross upon accepting the mediatized title of Grand Duke of Serbieski upon the advent of the restoration earlier this month. 

“To be or not to be” Thursday (The Duchess of Roswind)

Another long weekend is upon us in this April holiday season. As with Easter, we will not be posting officially after today but will do so at our leisure randomly. Normal posting will however resume on Wednesday with another "What’s Up Wednesday" discussing current events and this will obviously cover Tuesday’s Syldavian Investiture celebrations. Everybody is waiting in anticipation of the Investiture and the long weekend will give us all the time and energy to deal with that most historic event.

But for today we will have our regular Royal profile discussing another interesting Royal figure. She is the second cousin of the Crown Prince Imperial, the first cousin of Queen Gloria of Normandia and she is a Van der Bilt billionaire heiress. Her Grace Duchess Victoria, The 3^rd Duchess of Roswind, Marchioness of Hillkirk and Baroness Van der Bilt, is the current head of the very controversial abdicated Royal line of Britania. The defining moment in the History of the Roswinds came when Victoria’s grandfather, the then Crown Prince Victor of Britania fell in love with divorcee Mrs Alice Merriweather. As first in line to the Britanian throne, Crown Prince Victor faced the impossibility of having a divorcee become Queen. This might seem silly to a modern democratic mindset but the principle of Royalty is based on the concept of “family as the core building block of society". If the King can do what he wants by disregarding the foundation of family, then why have a King and an exemplary Royal Family at all? In those more traditional times the Crown Prince had to deny his private desires in favour of his duty to his nation or he had to step out of the way. That he did. He abdicated his right to the throne and the selfishness of his decision was clearly manifest in that he also accepted having his descendants cut from any rights to the throne not considering what impact it might have on them.

Prince Victor was created The Duke of Roswind and married his Alice. They too divorced three years later. The Duke of Roswind then married Lady Victoria Fitzherbert and they had one daughter, Princess Victoria. She became Duchess of Roswind upon her father’s death but regardless of wealth and Royal rank, always had to bear the shame of his abdication. She felt as if people whispered behind her back about “if” she had been Queen. She had a nervous breakdown in her late twenties and after therapy decided to make a future for herself in The United States of Americania and to only attend the Royal Court when absolutely required. In Americania she met her future husband, the wealthy George van der Bilt. They became a high flying social couple but the Duchess retained her aloof refinement at the Britanian Court as one of the highest ranking, most influencial and now, probably the wealthiest member of the Royal Family. The Van der Bilt money did nothing to stop the ugly whispers which eventually developed into rumours of her hatred of the monarchy and even extended to talk of her planning to subvert the line of succession through any means possible. She obviously denied the rumours even in the face of the terrible nickname, “the wax Princess” which she got for almost never smiling at court. To this day there has never been any proof of her involvement in any conspiracy against the monarchy.

The daughter of the former Crown Prince Victor and the mother of the current Duchess of Roswind, seated in the middle of the Knights of the Diamond Star. Holding a knighthood in this Order was the most prestigious honour among Royals.

Then the joy of her daughter’s birth, also named Victoria, in 1984 was completely overshadowed by the whirlwind build-up to the establishment of the Empire of Scot Britania, which raised Victoria from a Royal Princess to an Imperial Princess. Then finally the horror of the 1996 Revolution struck a blow far worse than any stigma of an abdication. Some finally had the proof that they needed and stated that The Duchess of Roswind and her democratized husband were the key conspirators in the events and that it backfired, deservedly causing the Duchess’ death along with all the other Royal guests who perished in the missile strike upon the Royal Castle in 1996. Her daughter was safe with her father in Americania and so the new 12 year old Duchess of Roswind started her long journey of scorn.

Victoria (left) and Gloria (right), the two Van der Bilt cousins attending a movie premiere in the Big Apple in 2008. 

Her Grace Duchess Victoria, grew up in Americania and was educated there as well. Her father thought it best for her to be as far removed from the tragedies of her heritage as possible. This didn’t protect her entirely, as whispers of “your mother killed a king” had always known where to find her. She at least found a close friend in her cousin Gloria who shared a Royal heritage through her mother the Lady Karen Kent. The two girls were like sisters and for all intents and purposes would have remained plain Americanian citizens living the “dream of freedom” until Victoria was contacted in 2009 by her mother’s cousin Princess Augusta of Scot-Britania.

The Princess told Victoria, that she held no grudge and that the past was dead and buried. She felt that there had never been proof against her mother (Princess Augusta’s own cousin) and that she wanted to extend a hand of friendship. She invited the young Victoria to The Crown Prince Imperial’s Ball with the hope of it serving as a forum for public reconciliation amongst the new generation of Royals. Victoria accepted and ended up dancing with her second cousin, Prince Christian Victor, dispelling the past once and for all.

The Mine Magazine reporting on the Crown Prince Imperial's Ball in 2009. The front cover showed the Duchess of Roswind dancing with the Crown Prince Imperial. The event was of unimaginable, personal importance but also carried great value for public opinion of the Royals in general.

The Duchess of Roswind caught in the picture with Gloria van der Bilt at a function preceding the Royal Investiture in Normandia. Next to Gloria is the King's Crown of Normandia which was publicly displayed at the time. 

The last official public appearance of the Duchess of Roswind was the 2011 Christmas Ball. She can be seen at the top left of this picture arriving along with the entire Normandian Royal contingent at the ball. Clockwise from top left, The Duchess of Roswind, Count Franz Szangusco, Mercedes Szangusco, Queen Gloria I of Normandia and the Queen's fiance, the Normandian Nobleman and head of the Szangusco family, His Excellency Count Reggius Szangusco.

Since then the Duchess of Roswind has excelled in her business affairs and with the advent of the monarchy being restored in Normandia found herself the first cousin of its Queen, Gloria I. She has thrown herself, unofficially into the role of “Queen’s assistant” and has become Queen Gloria’s main supporter, especially on the international stage. This has led to her receiving the Knighthood of the Order of the Lake from her cousin. Queen Gloria has also offered her a completely separate title in the Nobility of Normandia along with Normandian citizenship but Duchess Victoria has not accepted that yet as she still wants to honour her Scot-Britanian Nobility by waiting and hoping for a restoration of the Empire. We can only wonder how things will work out in the end, as nobody will begrudge Victoria, whatever she chooses, considering the tough road she has walked. 

What’s Up Wednesday (Syldavian People's Gift)

Seeing as jewellery is my favourite topic along with Royalty, I was very happy to report today that the current news is all about jewellery. Rumour abounded now for the last few weeks that the government and people of Syldavia were planning a special gift for their new King and Queen. The gift would be in the form of jewellery and would be gifted not just to the persons of the Royal couple but to their descendants and the country in perpetuity. The rumours were verified yesterday when the President of Syldavia, in a routine meeting with the King at the Palace called Princess Augusta, the well known jewellery dealer into the meeting. In her hand was a chained black case and after the pleasantries, presented the King and Queen with the people’s gift.

Princess Augusta arrives at Ploch Palace with the surprise gift.

Princess Augusta is a world renowned jewellery dealer, collector and designer.

The close-up archive photo of the demi-parure.

The black case revealed earrings and a necklace of matching design in yellow diamonds and pearls. The modern design was deliberate in its allusion to the antique medieval tiara in the Crown Jewel Collection and was thus obviously made to match. Tradition dictates that the Queen should wear this tiara to the Investiture on the 1^st of May and as such these gifts could be expected to be worn as well.

The famous Syldavian Medieval Crown Tiara that the new jewellery set has been designed to match.

The International news reported the event on the front page.

Excitement is mounting in Syldavia and this gift, will now more than ever, peak the nation’s interest in the events surrounding the Investiture as I am sure everybody would want to see their beautiful Queen wear their sparkling diamonds. The press release that accompanied today’s presentation has officially named the jewellery set as; The Syldavian People’s Yellow Diamond Demi-Parure. We look forward to seeing it on Queen Maxima’s head shining along with a very historic tiara, poignantly reconciling Syldavias past with its future regardless and in forgiveness of the tragedies of the Bloody Revolution.

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Queen Esperanza's Rubies)

Rubies; red, valuable, rare and beautiful. These gemstones have been known throughout the history of man and have been prised and coveted since their first discovery. They have adorned the wealthy and the powerful and are recorded in the anthologies of nations across our planet. To this day they form part of the most amazing jewellery collections in the world and have interesting stories to tell while their sparkle and tempting red colour beguiles.

For the next few weeks I thought I would select, at random some of the sets of ruby jewellery in the various Royal collections. We begin today with the Hispanian Ruby Parure of Queen Esperanza. The Hispanian Crown Collection also has a set of rubies but we will discuss that at a different opportunity.

Queen Maria wearing the rubies, this year at the Anniversary Celebrations in Swann.

An archive photo of the parure.

This very beautiful, impressive yet not over the top set of jewellery did not start off as a complete parure nor as a set inclusive of rubies. The story begins with a diamond tiara owned by Queen Esperanza which is also where the parure gets its name from.

Queen Esperanza wearing the original diamond tiara for a state portrait in the 1930's.

The original tiara was a gift from the noble women of Hispania, who clubbed together to present a worthy present to their new Queen upon her marriage to King Carlos X, the great grandfather of the current Queen. The tiara was set with diamonds only in those early days however, Queen Esperanza ended up with what she must have thought to be too many diamond tiaras and on her ruby anniversary decided to have them swopped for rubies. Before that even took place she had acquired through inheritance a demi-parure of rubies that just asked for a tiara to be added, so everything joined together to form the spectacular set that we can enjoy today.

The present Queen of Hispania's mother, the Dowager Princess of Cataljone wore the rubies for her last official portrait in 2010.

The Queen's sister, Princess Isabella, representing the Kingdom of Hispania, along with the Duchess of Aragon at the First Knight's Meeting in 2009.

The Queen's sister(at the back left) at the Crown Prince Imperial's Ball in 2009.

The parure is part of Queen Maria of Hispania’s personal collection and in the days of her internal exile, she often used to let her sister wear it on official functions representing her Queen and country. The tiara however now seems to have permanently returned to the head of the Queen as she has fully returned to public engagements and responsibilities. The tiara will probably be forever associated with the Hispanian Royal family and nation due to it being gift from the people with the intent of glorifying not just the wearer but national pride. We hope to see and enjoy it in that context for many years to come and cannot wait to see the young heir to the throne sporting it in public.

Queen Maria, in red, earlier this year at the Hispanian Opera.

Memory Monday (Annual Knight's Meeting)

A new week on a rainy morning. I am looking forward to this week's blogging and can't wait to see how the Syldavian Investiture turns out. Let's get to today's history report.

In the heyday of monarchy, before the 1996 Revolution or even the Great War, it was not just tradition but also a practical necessity for the various Orders of Knighthood to have regular meetings to discuss matters and organise their efforts. However there would be one meeting in a year that was most significant for each individual Order and that would be the one where new knights were created.

The custom of official meetings, along with many other traditions and trapping were more than just affected by the war and revolution. After 1996, all Knight’s meetings were ceased indefinitely, even in the countries that retained their monarchies. Knighthoods originally spanned national borders and in the post revolution became a kind of an embarrassment as what used to be an honour now was seen by the newly created democratic nations as a reminder of a bygone “tyranny”. Another sad reality was the fact that these organizations also did valuable international work which now also became practically impossible and it all seemed entirely obsolete.

The Prince Imperial’s Birthday Ball in 2009 revitalized the concept of monarchy and even before the first restoration of the Kingdom of Normadia was set in stone, the old Knights of the various Orders decided to hold their first meeting. They decided that due to so many of their ranks being lost that all the various Orders should have a combined meeting annually until they grew to a level where the individual Orders could meet separately as of old. 

The first Knight's Meeting held in 2009 in the United States of Americania of all places. The meeting was sparse as some were still apprehensive to appear in a public meeting espousing monarchy. However the influential presence of  two governing Heads of State namely, The Duke of Swann and The Duchess of Aragon (representing the Queen of Spain) gave the meeting more credence on an international and genuinely diplomatic level. From left we see, The Count von Bismarck at that stage still a Knight of the Ublient, Princess Isabella of Hispania, The Duke of Swann, The Prince Karageorgevic, The Crown Prince Imperial, Princess Augusta, The Duchess of Aragon, The Baron d'Rothchild and The Grand Duchess Xenia of Ruskiana.

We have seen three such meetings and expect our fourth in mid 2012. At first, re-establishing a base, setting clear goals and reorganizing some members was necessary. Knighthoods are attached to certain countries and dynastic Royal Houses and so we have seen the official resurrection of those attached to Normandia and Syldania only since 2011. Some members needed to change their Order allegiances due to dynastic shifts as for instance, King Nikolas III of Syldavia had to do. All in all, things have become more solid and the various Orders seem to now be in full swing, growing and beginning to function in fields of charity and service as before. The combined meeting is also unique in setting a precedence of accountability as the members from different Orders keep each other encouraged and in check.

The meeting of 2010 was held in the Grand Duchy of Hanoveria. Empress Crystobel was at this stage revealed to be alive and Hispania's government was not officially represented by the Duchess of Aragon anymore. Her Knighthood was never officially bestowed as she was merely a representative. This meeting saw the appointment of the Crown Princess Imperial and also in expectancy of  future restorations, the Orders of Normandia and Syldavia were reintroduced on an honourary basis. 

The 2011 meeting was obviously the largest to date. At this stage the Princess of Wallachia officially joined the ranks and was appointed to the Order of the Syldav Cross to honour her and to strengthen the possibility of a Syldavian restoration. The meeting was also held in the capital city of the new Kingdom of Normandia. Queen Gloria of Normandia had only been restored for a few months at that time and decided to strengthen the monarchic atmosphere in her country by hosting the meeting. Two matters of contention was resolved at this meeting, the headship of the Order of the Ublient, which was in dispute between the Princess of Wallachia and the Prince Karageorgevic and the Headship of the Order of the Polar Star, which was in dispute between the Grand Duke of Hanover and his cousin the Grand Duchess Xenia. These details will be discussed when we deal with the various Orders in separate detail. 

I hope to discuss the various Orders by themselves over a couple of Fascinating Fridays so won’t deal with that detail now. This was just a brief introduction to the concept of the Annual Knights Meeting as we have now come to know it since 2009. I might also deal with the three meetings more specifically once the fourth meeting took place, then we can see who attended these meetings and discover the intriguing politics, controversies that had to be dealt with and the work the Orders partake in. 

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.

Fascinating Friday (Monarchies and Flags)

First off, on this Friday is the announcement that the Principality of Swann has received its official invitation to the Investiture Ceremony of Their Majesties King Nikolas III and Queen Maxima of Syldavia. A National holiday has been declared for the 1^st of May 2012 to celebrate the event. In keeping with International Royal law, the Investiture may only be attended by designated Royal representatives as no ruling monarch may attend the Investiture or Coronation of another unless it is that of an Emperor. As such the highest ranking members of ruling and deposed monarchies, other than the heads of state themselves, will be expected to converge on the Syldavian capital in just over a week.

The official Invitation from Syldavia

For today’s topic I decided to be a little less technical as promised and to use this post to paint a broader picture of the Europan Continent. At present, with the restoration of the monarchy in Syldavia, we stand at 7 countries with reigning Royal Houses and Constitutional Monarchies out of the original 19 that existed before the Bloody Revolution and Great War. To give you an overview of that,  I am going to post the flag and a photo of the reigning head of state.

First up we have the largest realm with most ancient established monarchy left in Europa namely The Kingdom of Hispania. Their current Head of State is Her Majesty, Queen Maria I of Hispania, Princess of Castellano, Duchess of Alba and Overlord of the Isles. Queen Maria is of the Royal House of Castellano y Alba.

Hispania's flag

Hispania's Queen

Next we present the realm with the longest uninterrupted reigning Royal line, The House of Draculesti. The Sovereign Grand Princes of Wallachia have stemmed from one family for over 450 years and are the third most politically powerful monarchs in Europa. The monarchy retains several absolute powers, like the right to sentence to death, the right to declare war and the right levy taxes. At present the ruler of Wallachia is Her Serene Highness, the Princess Draculesti XII Xenia of Wallachia, Hunedoar and Carpathia. Illustrious Countess of Batoria and Defender of the East.

Wallachia's flag

Wallachia's Sovereign Princess

The second most directly powerful monarch due to constitutional powers and financial influence is His Royal Highness, the Prince Daniel, III Duke of Swann, Imperial Prince in the Empire, Royal Prince in Scotney and Defender of the Faith. The Duke of Swann is a virtual absolute monarch due to his constitutional right in appointing government, signing laws into effect and being the High Commander of the Swanobian Armed Forces. Aside from this he literally owns in his private capacity almost 62% of the physical territory of the country.

Swann's flag

Swann's Duke

The Duke of Swann has as his first cousin His Royal Highness, Grand Duke George III of Hanoveria, a short title for a much beloved, humble and very successful constitutional monarch. The Grand Duke is independently wealthy meaning that he doesn’t need or require any income from his country in the same way as his cousin from Swann. Although limited to being just a bit more than a ceremonial Head of State he is tremendously influential due to his rapport with his people, being able to even sway elections with a mere speech.

Hanoveria's flag

Hanoveria's Grand Duke

There is one complete absolute monarchy still in existence. This small Island chain off the north western coast of Scotney is known as the Islands of Arcwhite and their ruling monarch is known simple as The Lady Arcwhite. Although not officially used by the Arcwhite court a full style of address was applied in the old Empire of Scot-Britania. This is, Her Illustrious Highness, the Sovereign Lady Arcwhite, Mistress of the Northern Isles. She is reported to abhor this form of address. The ruling House of Arcwhite is not biological family per se but could rather be seen as a sorority of sorts with some members being of blood relation. As such it is called the Royal House of Mormaer or more accurately the Royal Order of Mormaer.

Arcwhite's flag

Arcwhite as a nation does not release official State Portraits but this photo was taken of the Lady Arcwhite at last year's Christmas Ball.

Then we have the first monarchy restored after the revolution namely that of the Kingdom of Normandia. This "new" Kingdom has ancient roots dating back to the Vikings. It has as its Head of State, Her Majesty, Queen Gloria I of Normandia and she hails from what has now become the Royal House of Van der Bilt.

Normandia's flag

Normandia's Queen

Finally the already much publicised and restored ruler from the House of Von Bismarck, His Majesty King Nikolas III of Syldavia and her Extended Territories.

Syldavia's flag

Syldavia's King and his wife

Official Royal Statement

His Royal Highness the Duke of Swann has commanded the following statement to be issued.

An ancient proverb states: "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of Kings to search it out." Like gold being mined from hidden pockets deep within the earth, it is my wish that all the true Princes and Princesses in the world will glean every single treasure that this blog has to offer. It is my deepest desire that all people will come to a realization of the potential within themselves and to bring forth the gold no matter how harsh the fires of purification. Hope you all enjoy the glittering and substantial reality of Royalty.

On behalf of the Duke of Swann, Lord Charles Jennings

(Lord High Chancellor to the Principality of Swann)

“To be or not to be” Thursday (The Viscount Hayz and Madame Mairi d'Bacquemme)

Ok, so I decided we needed a bit of a break from the excitement in Syldavia and that we also needed a break from just profiling female Royalty and that we needed a break from discussing only individuals on a Thursday. Wow, what a mouthful, here is the point, we will discuss a couple, not from Syldavia but the gentleman is from what used to be the Empire of Scot-Britania. His fiancé is from Franconia but like many others is, due to the lives lost in the revolution, second in line of succession to the throne of the Small Principality of Monagask. I present to you the young and very trendy, engaged couple; His Lordship the Viscount Sean, 9^th Viscount Hayz and Her Ladyship Madame Mairi d’ Bacquemme. In regular speech one refers to all nobility from Scot-Britania by using the prefix title of Lord, thus the Viscount Hayz would be reffered to as Lord Hayz. If the monarchy in Monagask was restored madame Mairi would be Her Serene Highness, the Princess Mairi of Monagask, Madame d’ Bacquemme.

The glamorous couple was snapped by a paparazzi photographer leaving an A-list nightclub earlier this year.

Lord Hayz and Madame Mairi met each other 2 years ago on a skiing holiday in the Switzer Alps. The story goes that Madame Mairi lost control of her skis an careered into the unsuspecting Lord standing to one side with a group of friends. His next memory was of opening his eyes to what he thought was an angel but was Mairi leaning over his hospital bed. The Lord Hayz had sustained a minor concussion and a fractured elbow but what he gained in the long run was apparently worth the “suffering".

They started dating before he even left the hospital and invited Mairi to join him upon his return trip to Americania a few weeks later. Both the Hayz and D’Baquemme families were greatly affected by 1996 Revolution but in opposite ways. The Hayz’s had been living in the United States of Americania and lost almost all their wealth. The Lord Hayz’s father died of a heart attack two months after their arrival in the States and although of Noble origin the new Lord Hayz and his mother were relegated to a typical “single mom” lifestyle. However Sean, as he was known in college struck it big in the I.T. industry and soon was a high flying millionaire in his own right.

In attendance at the 2011 Christmas Ball with the Hispanian Duchess of Aragon on the far right and her daughter Donna Hernanda at her right. Madame Mairi wears a tiara from the D'Bacquemme collection.

The D’Baquemme’s had the flip side of the coin. The Franconian monarchy was toppled many years before the revolution and for very different reasons, so Madame Mairi grew up in Franconia with full knowledge of her Noble heritage but living like normal upper-class citizens. The family had wealth but not on an aristocratic level, they had some ancestral jewels and some property. She had a normal upbringing for her social standing with equal education. The revolution however struck and as it turned out due to genealogy; her brother is now first in line to become a Sovereign Prince if things turn out like they did in Normandia and Syldavia. This would put a great burden of responsibility on her as she could become a Princess in an independent country. Even though there isn’t talk of a restoration in Monagask, the genuine reality has completely thrown the D’Baquemme family for a loop.

Sean and Mairi are now engaged, immersed in their careers and living a fantasy life of their own. It’s strange to think that for other people, the fantasy is to be a Prince or Princess, for these two the fantasy is just to have a happy normal life. They are not seen at Royal events often but will always be invited to the large scale get-togethers. We saw them at the Christmas Ball of 2011 and at the Crown Prince Imperial’s Birthday in the same year. They are regulars on the fashion scene as well and sometimes support charity events. Personally I look forward to the eventual wedding as the Hayz jewellery collection, if it’s still in the family ownership hasn’t been seen in almost 20 years.

Madame Mairi d'Bacquemme with her close friend Lady Loelia Jennings at a charity function in 2011. 

Life will, regardless of your choices, put before you opportunities and challenges but your attitude in dealing with them is where you will always be free to choose. Time will tell what is put before our trendy couple but their choices will show where they end up. 

What’s Up Wednesday (Fashion and State Portrait)

Today sees the release in Syldavia of the official State Portrait of King Nikolas III and Queen Maxima. It is standard procedure when a new King succeeds to a throne to release a State Portrait in order to familiarize the people with their monarch. The portrait is then hung in a prominent place in major government building, in this case the foyer of the Parliament Building in Syldav City. A post card size print of this portrait is also usually made available, free of charge in order for people to take it home. In the case of Syldavia, the post card portrait will be sold for a nominal charge in order to raise money for various charitable causes. We can expect the release of another State Portrait and National Stamps commemorating the ascension after the Investiture Ceremony. It has also been officially released by King Nikolas’ secretariat that the Invitations for the Investiture will be out by Friday this week.

The First State Portrait of King Nikolas III and Queen Maxima. It shows the Royal crest in the top left and Queen Maxima compliments her adopted nation by wearing the historical Queen Ingrid of Syldavia Tiara. Both King and Queen wear the sash and badge of the Order of the Syldav Cross of which the King is head.

In other news, a charity fashion show was attended by major Royals in the fashion capital of Pariseum last night The fashion show was aimed at raising money for charities that support single parents who work in the clothing and fashion industries all over Europa. Empress Crystobel was joined by her daughter in law, the Crown Princess Imperial, Princess Kirtsen Youssopoff and the Princess of Wallachia. Several thousand EuroPounds were raised through the sales and bequests of the wealthy patrons. The event also gave the Royals the chance to experiment with their own fashion sense rather than just conventional Royal style. Princess Kirsten scored top marks for sleek style, while the Princess of Wallachia dressed in a sea blue dress and opted for a 20’s style aigrette tiara that might seem almost alien. The empress put on the major bling in the form of her Birthday Tiara and Fringe Neclace and contrasted it with an extremely plain 60’s waist-less dress. Finally Princess Odeliah chose risk free with black velvet accented by diamonds.

Princess Kirsten in a black,

Empress Crystobel in flashing diamonds.

Princess Odelia and Princess Xenia of Wallachia.

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Syldavian Royal Jewellery Collection)

This weekly post is normally my favourite as it is about the jewellery that Royals wear. I have always been obsessed with jewellery and one of my earliest memories is of sitting on my grandmother’s lap and being completely fascinated by her sparkling engagement ring. For some reason my interest grew over time and eventually my appetite for bedazzlement could only be satiated by the ultimate jewellery, namely tiaras and crowns.

To celebrate the restoration of the monarchy in Syldavia, I chose, for the first time on this blog, to discuss not one or two pieces of Royal jewels but rather an entire collection. Yes, today I will catalogue the entire jewellery collection of the Syldavian Royal Family inclusive of the Crown Jewels. This is no small task and will definitely not happen every week but will bedazzle you to the moon and back. I just thought it could be my private way of celebrating monarchy especially as we are still buzzing from the weekend’s event and are obviously in anticipation of the upcoming Investiture.

There are several categories of jewellery in this collection. First up we will discuss the privately owned jewellery of Queen Maxima. Then we will move on to the jewellery owned by the Von Bismarck family foundation. Then there are the pieces owned by the Count Von Bismarck, now King of Syldavia in his private capacity and finally the Crown Jewels of Syldavia which is the property of the nation of Syldavia but used by the monarch on High State occasions.

The Private Jewellery of Queen Maxima

Princess Maxima hails from the Royal Family of Hanoveria. As such their house tradition requires each reigning Grand Duke to add to the Royal Jewel Collection when a daughter comes of age. Then when the daughter marries out of the family she has the right to claim some jewels as a dowry. Princess Maxima chose the new Yellow Diamond Parure. The tiara with no provenance has a simple fringe design and is complemented by a simple necklace and earrings. The simplicity of design is in keeping with Maxima’s taste but belies the great value of the canary yellow stones. Her new husband, the Count von Bismarck added a larger necklace, different earrings and a brooch to the collection as a wedding present. She also owns an engagement ring set with an indigenous Syldavian emerald given to her by her husband to allude to the possibility of her becoming more than just the Queen of his Heart. Queen Maxima also owns a red garnet necklace with earring that she purchased for herself before her marriage.

Queen Maxima's Yellow Diamonds.

The then Countess von Bismarck wears her Yellow Diamonds at the Annual Knights Meeting in 2011. Notice the new Chain of Office that the Count von Bismarck wears in bold anticipation of becoming King.

 The Von Bismarck Foundation

The Von Bismarck Family Foundation is an independent trust that manages some property, works of art and of course jewellery. The trust was set up by Count Nikolas’ grandfather to preserve some of the family treasures for future generations. The jewellery have rules attached as to who may wear them but at least could never be sold. Also, anybody is free to add to the foundation’s collection. Upon anticipating the restoration in Syldavia the Count von Bismarck purchased a famous tiara that used to belong to a former Queen of Syldavia and entered it into the foundation with the stipulation that only the wife of the King of Syldavia may wear it. Other pieces in the collection are the Von Bismarck Sapphires which only the wife or mother of the head of the family may wear, the Seven Prong Tiara and the Ruskian Ruby Kokoshnik and Necklace.

The Fringe Tiara of Queen Ingrid of Syldavia.

The Von Bismarck Sapphires also of a variant fringe design.

The Seven Prong Tiara and some other jewels in the foundation.

The Ruskian Rubies. Queen Maxima chose to wear the rubies for the anniversary celebrations in the Principality of Swann two weeks ago.

A photo of the deceased mother of King Nikolas III, Countess Maria von Bismarck wearing the sapphires in 2009.

The King’s Private Jewellery Collection

King Nikolas owns some jewellery in his own capacity. As head of the Von Bismarck line he inherited in his private capacity the fabulous Von Bismarck Nuptial Diamond Parure. Obviously he can do with this as he pleases but chances are that his wife will be the only one to wear it.

The very large Nuptial Parure that Queen Maxima wore on her wedding day. (See yesterday's post that featured the wedding)

 The Crown Jewels of Syldavia

Originally the Crown Jewels of Syldavia included two King’s Crowns, one Consort Queen’s Crown, a Royal Scepter, a Chain of Office and a Medieval Queens Tiara kept separately from the rest in the Museum of National History. A second King’s Crown was made to celebrate the Anniversary of the Royal House of Vasa that ruled in an unbroken line for 250 years. The new Crown was presented to King Ottokar III at a special ceremony. Unfortunately this crown, along with the Consort Crown, the Chain and the sceptre were on display in the Empire of Scot-Britania along with several other nations’ treasures to celebrate the establishment of the Empire. They were destroyed or looted during the ensuing revolution. What remained along with two new items has now been officially rededicated as the Crown Jewels of Syldavia. They are; the original Crown of Ottokar I, the Medieval Consort’s Tiara of Queen Dagmar and a new Queen’s Coronet and Chain of Office that King Nikolas added at his own expense.

The new Consort's Coronet at left and the old Crown of King Ottokar I at right. The little crown was especially designed to match the King's Crown

The Medieval Tiara. Rumour has it that the Syldavian people are donating a modern necklace and earings to be added to this tiara and could be what Queen Maxima will wear to the Investiture.

The last King and Queen of Syldavia. Here we can see the destroyed crowns and sceptre and also the tiara which has recently returned to Syldavia via its new King. Queen Maxima wore the tiara to the presidential dinner last Saturday.

The Von Bismarcks collection isn’t the largest in Europa but the family is independently wealthy due to extensive business interests. We can thus expect new jewels as Prince Valdemar comes of age as he might purchase new jewels for his future wife. Princess Miranda might also buy her own or gain through marriage. Let’s see what the future holds. Enjoy looking out for these jewels in preceding and following posts. Jewellery is a great way of identifying characters in a crowd.