Fascinating Friday (Orders of Knighthood Part 3)

We continue our Fascinating Friday series with Part 3 of the different Orders of Knighthood. If you have always wondered why Royalty often appear at very formal functions wearing coloured sashes you will now find out. We have discussed the origin and rank of the title, Knight, in a former Fascinating Friday post. There are currently six active Orders of Knighthood and two Family Orders of Honour. They all rank in an order of precedence which ranks one above the other in prestige. Normally the date of the specific Order's founding gives it precedence over younger ones but also its exclusivity gives it higher prestige Last week we dealt with the Kingdom of Normandia's Order of the Lake.

Today we will discuss the third lowest ranking Order of Knighthood from the Kingdom of Syldavia as we work our way up towards the highest.

Syldavia's history has seen the creation and disbandment of several Orders of Knighthood. In 2010 the then pretender to the throne as first in line to the Headship of the Royal Order of the Syldav Cross, decided to re-institute it at his own expense, which was his right. Of all the historic and at that stage totally disbanded orders of Knighthood, the Syldav Cross was seen as the least tarnished by war and controversy and the most indigenous to the culture of Syldavia. The original order was established in 1667 as an honourary knighthood for anybody who excelled in the arts, science or within the field of socio-economic development of the country. Nikolas Von Bismarck discovered that he was the claimant to the defunct throne of Syldavia at a young age and decided to take full responsibility of his status in preparation for a possible restoration. As such he revived the Order in his personal capacity. It is intended to serve in that same vein today, being awarded to citizens and foreigners both Royal and common. When King Nikolas III was placed on the restored throne in 2012, the Order of the Syldav Cross passed seamlessly into Syldavia's official honours system.

A dark green sash hung over the left shoulder and pinned with an ornate eights sided cross badge set with a green stone is the insignia of The Order of the Syldav Cross.

Current members of the Order of the Syldav Cross include the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Serbieski, The Grand Duke of Reichenthal and the Princess of Wallachia and several other Royals. 

Breaking News (Serbieski Bombing Latest)

Yesterday, Europa was shocked at the news of the Serbieski Power Plant Bombing. Three explosions went off during the highly publicized tour of the plant by the Grand Duke of Hanoveria, accompanied by Royal delegates from Wallachia and Serbieski. Official reports confirm that nobody was injured and that nominal damage was done to storage areas only at the brand new Natural Gas Refinery. Investigations are underway as to who might be responsible but due to Serbieski's volatile political history and current Syldavian anti-monarchist protests the bombing could be assumed to be political.

The Proclaimer wasted no time in leading the world media in reporting on the event.

The Hanoverian Grand Duke's tour was poised to attract much needed media attention to the sensitive political atmosphere surrounding the Power Plant and the indeed the entire region of Serbieski on the border of Wallachia. The natural environment has been claimed to be adversely affected by the plant but its economic impact has made it impossible to cancel or even stall its construction and operation. These factors combine with Serbieski's turbulent history which may have given political factions or environmental activists the motivation for the bombing. 

The Wallachian Minister of Defence was first to release a press statement on behalf of the Princess and the government of Wallachia. The Princess's husband, the Baron Bagrazia was with the Royal tour when the explosions went off. The Minister stated, that he is deeply concerned for the tensions on the border between Wallachia and the Syldavian Province of Serbieski. He also denounced the effects the Power Plant has had on the Wallachian Coastline. Wallachian support was offered in the investigations that would hopefully lead to those responsible. The Princess of Wallachia was quoted as being greatly relieved that nobody was hurt. 

The Governor of Serbieski and Chairman of the Natural Gas Directorate, Grand Duke Paul of Serbieski spoke to the media minutes after the bombings from the Governor's Offices. He pledged the support of his office to the investigations and denounced what he called an obvious terrorist attack aimed at destabilizing Serbieski peace and the Kingdom of Syldavia. He also said that repairs to the Power Plant will be followed with greater responsibility for its effect on the surrounding coast line. 

Arc International, who owns the Power Plant and leases out its operation to the Province of Serbieski granted a press conference this morning. Its official spokesperson, Viscount Hayz also assured the public that the investigation will have Arc International's full support. He also vowed that far more effort is to be done concerning the environment. An apology, for what seemed to be lack of security, was officially  extended to the Grand Duke of Hanoveria.

Lady Arcwhite released a statement saying: "We regret the shocking events of yesterday and hope that those responsible will be brought to justice. We wish the Serbieski people and its shared coastline with Wallachia only the best and will do all within our reasonable power to see it safe and in order."

A Political summit has been set where the Princess of Wallachia will be meeting with King Nikolas III of Syldavia to discuss the matter along with their Foreign Affairs Ministers. The Serbieski Coastline has been put under high alert for the time being. 

Breaking News (Sebieski Power Plant Bombing)

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Hanoveria were taken on an official and highly publicized tour of the new Natural Gas Power Plant on the Wallachian border to the Syldavian Province of Serbieski. The purpose was to raise objective public awareness of the pros and cons of the new plant. This happens in the wake of negative media report on the topic of natural gas extraction. Security was tight and assured by the Kingdom of Syldavia as aside from the natural gas controversy, Serbieski's penchant for political protest and violence is infamous.

From left we see the Royal Contingent, the Baron Bagrazia represented Wallachian interests, then the touring  couple in the center and on the right we see the Grand Duchess of Serbieski representing her husband the Governor of Serbieski and the Chairman of the Natural Gas Directorate.

This photo shows the newly erected Power Plant in the distance. Some environmental activists have pointed out how the environment has already been adversely affected as the photo shows no plant or trees remaining after it construction.

The Grand Duchess of Serbieski lead the tour as the Royal representative of the Kingdom of Syldavia, within who's borders the plant is built. It is however physically owned and managed by Arc International which is controlled by Lady Arcwhite as an investment in the Province of Serbieski. 

Cutting edge technology extracts the volatile gas and converts its power into electricity. Experiments in the fields of medicine, industry and weaponry are also conducted at the plant. The people of Serbieski are positioned as the main beneficiaries as the plant, creates jobs, attracts industry and provides power for the entire province and also the entire region including Syldavia and Wallachia. The adverse affects on the delicate coastline bordering Wallachia remain an unresolved controversy. 

Disaster struck as a bomb unexpectedly went off in one of the warehouses as the Royal tour passed on foot near by. This was followed by two other blasts set in different parts of the plant. 

A chance photo of the initial blast unexpectedly taken by the photographer accompanying the Royal Tour. Details are sketchy as yet but we are assured that nobody was injured. It seems that the damage done by the blasts was cosmetic with only surface damage done to buildings. This was obviously a planned protest action of sorts. We will expect to hear officially from the relevant parties. 

What's Up Wednesday (Hanoverian State Tour)

Last weekend saw the arrival of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Hanoveria in the Kingdom of Hispania on Friday. This was the first stop of the Hanoverian official State Tour for 2013. The tour includes an official dinner with the Queen of Hispania, talks with relevant Hispanian Government Officials regarding trade and tourism, then continues on to the Principality of Wallachia for the same and finally the climactic and controversial visit to the Natural Gas Power Plant on the border of Wallachia and Serbieski in the Kingdom of Syldavia. 

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were received at the airport by the Queen's sister, Princess Isabella of  Hispania. They were welcomed by a military brass band and displays of the flags of both countries.

The Castle and Palace of Trono de Seguro outside the capital served as the setting for the State Banquet. These festivities lighten the mood of hard work that is associated with a State Tour. The dress code is normally "ties and tiaras". 

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Hanoveria as they arrived at the Hispanian State Banquet. 

The official photo of the two Heads of State, Queen Maria of Hispania and Grand Duke George of Hanoveria.

Another function of a State banquet is to serve as the official "photo opportunity" commemorating a State Visit.  Here we see at left, included in the photo the heir to the Hispanian throne, the Princess of Cataljone. 

Next up the Hanoverian ruling couple flew to the Wallachia on Monday. They were met and formally welcomed at the Princess of Wallachia's city residence by her husband the Baron Bagrazia. The Grand Duchess wore an eye catching ensemble with bold fascinator for the arrival. The Hanoverian flag was flown in honour of the visiting Head of State.

The Princess of Wallachia then entertained the Grand Duke and his wife at her husband's Family Residence, Bagrazia Manor with a State Banquet. Aside from strengthening the friendly diplomatic bonds between Wallachia and Hanoveria, one of the main topics of discussion at the banquet was the controversial Natural Gas Power Plant on the Wallachian border to the Syldavian province of Serbieski. Wallachia has opposed the extraction of the natural gas at the cost of the environment. The power plant promises cheap electricity and vast profits for the people Serbieski and Arc Investments who built and manages its operation. Wallachia also stands to gain but damage to the natural environment has not been fully quantified. 

The Princess Xenia of Wallachia poses with the Grand Duke of Hanoveria for this official photo at the State Banquet.

The full contigent of Royalty at the Wallachian State Banquet. 

A full tour of the Natural Gas Power Plant is planned for today as the final league of the State Tour. The Grand Ducal couple will be hosted on the tour by the Baron Bagrazia and the Grand Duchess of Serbieski representing the Governor of Serbieski and the Syldavian Kingdom. Due to its media importance we will report on the Power Plant visit as it happens today over the course of the afternoon. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (The World's Biggest Diamonds)

Royalty is always connected with spectacular jewellery steeped in history. In ages past, Royalty attracted amazing jewels like a magnet. They either gained it through, conquest, tribute, gifts, inheritance or just plain purchase. The link between the ruling class and jewellery will never be erased. Today it has become time to discuss this fantastic topic in the vein of a list of the world's largest diamonds. We will begin with the smallest and work our way up to the largest.

First up we have a brooch owned by the Imperial Family Trust which is the foundation that manages what used to be the Crown Jewels of the United Empire of Scot-Britania. Many pieces in this collection were destroyed by the 96 Revolution but Empress Crystobel also managed to save some of the most important and valuable pieces. 

The Star Diamond, set in the star shaped brooch worn by the Crown Princess Imperial as a Stomacher is a 45ct top quality specimen. Its origins are obscured by history as it has been in the possession of the monarchs of Scotney for near on a thousand years. It was first recorded in a "Lyst off the Crowne Jewels" in 1099. Legends claim that the stone was a gift to the nation of Scotney from the nuns of Arcwhite but no proof of this exists. Chemical analysis of the stone has revealed it to be of Normandian origin. 

Next we visit the private collection of the Baron D'Rothchild. 

This diamond is brand new as it was only mined in 2010. It has been dubbed the D'Rothchild Diamond and it is a above average quality 48cts stone. It was bought purely as a gift from the current Baron D'Rothchild to his wife. Gossip abounds of how it might have been a placation due to all the jewellery the Baron's mother sold off at auction, depleting the future jewellery stores of the family. 

The Kingdom of Hispania boasts some impressive diamonds in their Crown Jewel Collection. These are not the private property of the monarch or the Royal family but are kept in trust by the government for future generations of Royals and the nation as a whole. 

The King Carlos X Crown Diamonds Diadem is set with 9 large diamonds in the base, averaging 58cts each. The size of these diamonds may rate this tiara as one of the most valuable in the world. The tiara may be seen as the signature tiara for Hispania and its queens, be they regents or consorts. It is also often used as a sort of Consort Crown when the King's wife requires one. The diamonds were a gift from the former Hispanian colony of  Peru on the celebration of their independence in 1919. The amicable relations between the nations made for this gift to be a poignant one and has afforded this tiara its historic status. 

Ruskiana as a country that boasts vast natural wealth of which their diamond deposits are considered to be the second most abundant in the world. It stands to reason that we will see several diamonds in this post with a Ruskian connection.

Some of the Youssopoff family jewels haven't been seen since before the Great War much less the 96 Revolution and some might even have been sold. This demi-parure, consisting of earrings and necklace was allowed to be documented specifically for this blog post. The Youssopoff  Marquis Cut Diamond demi-parure consists of three large oblong shaped diamonds with an average size of  59cts each. The current Princess has only worn the earrings once, baffling the public as rumours of these stones were all that existed. Chemical analysis of the stones reveal their Ruskian origin and the manufacture of the jewellery and the stone cutting techniques place the set's manufacture around the early 1800's. Now we just have to wait until they are worn by our style diva, Princess Kirsten.

The former Empire of Perlistan displayed vast wealth and grandeur at its court in the ages preceding the 96 Revolution. Suffice it to say that to this day, hints of that glory remain, partly in museums and dispersed over the world and partly still in the inheritance of the current pretender to the Imperial Peacock Throne. 

An ancient legend tells of how the great warrior Emperor Shah Ahurah killed a dragon in the year 989 and discovered a huge diamond in its belly. As the red hot stone cooled it was said to break into 4 parts that ended up being known to history as the Perlistan Diamonds. Today, three of those stones the Perlistan II, III and IV, weighing 65cts, 34cts and 31cts are set in the Pahlavi Tiara owned by the Shahbanou Farah of Perlistan. 

The Hispanian Ducal Family of Aragon owns a large diamond not of Europan origin. 

The 72cts Star of South Africania Diamond was mined in the 1920's and used to belong to the wealthy Van Der Bilt Family. Before the Van Der Bilt heiress, Gloria, even knew that she would end up becoming Queen of Normandia she was still the head of the vast family fortune. Sometimes even the very wealthy are in need of ready cash and in 2009 this calamity hit Gloria Van Der Bilt. She needed liquid cash for an immediate business venture and as such decided to sell some jewellery to raise the funds. She opted for the so called Van Der Bilt Diamond Collar containing the famous The Star of South Africania Diamond. The extremely valuable set was sold with its matching earrings in a private sale raising the much needed cash flow. As the sale of the necklace was private, it wasn't even known by the public that it was sold. It was later however revealed along with its new owner when the Hispanian, Duchess of Aragon wore her new set to a movie premiere in 2009.

The Islands of Arcwhite have at times attracted many tributes of jewellery. The Islands location made it a stop on many shipping routes and as such many gems ended up in their coffers or in turn were taken away by raiding forces. In modern times, the vast corporate wealth of the Order of the Veil have allowed the office of the Lady Arcwhite to own and display some truly valuable pieces of jewellery. 

The Perlistan Diamond or Perlistan I, is the 74cts, and largest piece of the before mentioned Perlistani Crown Diamonds. The Pahlavi necklace containing the Perlistan I is rumoured to be one of the most expensive necklaces ever made and is sure to get most of the attention whenever it is worn. This very famous necklace acquired by the current Lady Arcwhite from the Shahbanou of Perlistan, exiled after the Bloody Revolution toppled that monarchy.

Lady Arcwhite also owns a large Brown Diamond known as the Pirate's Eye. 

The Arcwhite Brown Diamond Tiara is set with the tenth largest Diamond in the world. Nr 10 - is the 75ct  Pirate's Eye. The diamonds is reputed to be cut from a single stone along with the other brown diamonds that form part of the Hanoverian Brown Diamond Parure to be discussed next. This has never been verified through chemical analysis. The Pirate's Eye came to Arcwhite when a raiding fleet of pirates attempted to ransack the Monasery of the Veil on Arcwhite in 1690. They failed miserably and ended up losing their treasure to the nuns rather than adding the nuns treasure to their spoils. The stone was said to have been won in a gamble that a Hispanian Prince lost to the Pirate Captain. 

Hanoveria's Grand Ducal Crown Jewels include the 9th largest Diamond in the world and a smaller sister stone. 

Nr 9 - is the 78cts Hanoverian Brown Diamond set in the parure with the same name and coupled with its 69cts sister stone set in the necklace. HRH Princess Beatrice of Scotney received the Brown Diamond Tiara with a brooch bearing the twin brown stone on her 18^th birthday as her first Tiara, from her father Prince Christopher, Duke of Norrington. He received the brown diamonds as part of his inheritance as a Prince of the Blood of Hispania upon his marriage to Queen Crystobel I of Scotney. Princess Beatrice married the Grand Duke of Hanoveria and the Brown Diamonds followed her to become part of the extensive Hanoverian jewellery collection.

The Kingdom of Normandia had the benefit of the Van Der Bilt jewellery being amalgamated to the country's Crown Jewel Collection when Gloria Van Der Bilt became their Queen. 

Mined in the 1920's is Nr 8 - the 86cts Van Der Bilt Cognac Diamond. The Van Der Bilt Diamond Necklace, was made especially to contain the famous diamond. This stone has been in the Van Der Bilt Family for almost a hundred years since Queen Gloria's grand father bought it in the late 1920's and gave it as a gift to his wife, many say for penitence for his many marital indiscretions. Gloria inherited the stone upon her father's death and now wears it as Queen of Normandia.

Back in Hispania we find the 7th largest diamond and largest brown coloured diamond as part of the Hispanian Crown jewels.

Nr 7 - is the 90cts Shard of Dusk Diamond. In the days of the Hispanian conquest of the South Americanians many legends emerged of fabulous cities of gold, gargantuan gem stones and mythical creatures. Very few were founded in fact but some did have measures of truth. diamonds are not readily found in the South Americanias but they do exist. This specimen is of a rare smokey colour and quite large. It was reputed to be a ceremonial offering brought annually to the Sun Temple in order for it to refract the light of the holy sun. When the Conquistadors arrived in their armour, blazingly reflecting the light, the indigenous people offered up the stone to them and it found its way to the Hispanian Court. It is today rarely worn as some controversy surrounds the call for its return to its native land. In the photo above, Princess Isabella wore it in 2009 to a movie premiere and made news headlines for it. 

The very wealthy Duke of Swann was sure to be found on this list as much for his appreciation of jewellery as for his inheritance of the spectacular Swann Crown Jewel Collection.

The Swann I is Nr 5 - at 162cts and the Swann II is Nr 11 - at 69cts on our list of large diamonds. The famous "Swann Diamond" is set in the centre of the Swann Tiara and its smaller "sister" stone in the necklace. This set hasn't been worn since the last Duchess of Swann wore it before the Bloody Revolution but remains as part of the Swanobian Crown Jewels. The diamond's chemical analysis shows that it was mined in Normandia and it first appeared in history in the 1700's as part of the Scotney Crown Jewels. It was then given to the Prince who became the first semi-independent Duke of Swann upon his accession to the newly created throne. 

The United Empire of Scot-Britania's Crown jewel Collection is currently managed by the Imperial Family Trust headed up by Empress Crystobel. It acts as curator of the jewels in the hope of a future restoration of the monarchy. 

 Nr 4 - the 201cts Imperial Diamond and Nr 6 - the 158cts Star of Africania are massive stones indeed and form part of the Imperial Diamond Parure. The original earrings that matched the set were lost in the revolution but at least major diamonds survived along with the Tiara and necklace. 

The Imperial Diamond Tiara set with the 6th largest diamond in the world was thought destroyed in the revolution but after not being seen for over 12years, was worn by the current Crown Princess Imperial at her wedding in 2010. The Imperial Diamond entered the Imperial collection set in the tiara of the same name as a tribute from the Trans Europan Council to the new Empire as a belated thank you for the sacrifices made by the nations of Scotney and Britania during the Great War. The tiara was originally made for the Germanic Kaizer's wife who never wore it as that monarchy was toppled for starting the Great War. The necklace was made to compliment the tiara using the world famous Star of Africania Diamond that was purchased by the King of Britania for his son as a wedding present in 1986. The two stones have not been worn together in public since the revolution but was worn for the portrait above only. 

The Diamond with the most obscure origin is in the Crown Jewels of Swann Collection.

The Nr 3 - 223cts Tear of the Swan Diamond is named for the discovery of the diamond. A maid in Dukes Court Palace broke a medieval porcelain statuette of a dying swan in 2005 by accident. The priceless artifact however revealed the diamond which immediately compensated for the historic loss of the statuette. The Duke of Swann's Office of Historical Research has to as yet discover the story behind the statuette and the diamond but for now it is set in a necklace and kept in the vaults of the Crown Jewels. It has never been worn. 

This stone has one of the most contravertial histories of all valuable and historic gems in the world.

The Ruskian Imperial Collection, currently the private property of the pretender to the Ruskian Imperial Throne, boasts the second largest diamond in the world. It also ranks as the largest pink diamond in the world.

Nr 2 - the 341cts Tzar Nicholas I Pink Diamond is complimented in this photo by the 38cts and 36cts diamond drop earrings, also in the Imperial Collection. One of the only official pieces that belonged to an actual Empress Consort to survive the Great War and fall of the Ruskian Empire is the very famous and spectacular Tzar Nikolas I Pink Diamond Kokoshnik tiara. It could be seen as the premier and symbolically the most Ruskian of all the jewellery that survived the Ruskian Revolution. The Diamond was the central feature of the Imperial Crown Jewels. Legend has it that the Perlistani Sultan had a genie create the unnaturally large coloured diamond in order to flatter and tempt the Tzar into an armistice. The Tzar however gained it through drawing the Sultan into a sword match that cost him the stone and a finger. The diamond was set in the Tzar's Crown but following a decade of bad luck had it removed claiming that the Sultan had cursed it with its pink colour in order that a man could never wear it and be blessed as a man. Since then it was set in its current place in this tiara which was then seen as one of the many tiaras only worn by Empress Consorts. The Tiara was thought lost after the Ruskian Revolution but in reality was sent by Tzar Ivan X, the last reigning Emperor of Ruskia for repairs to the Court Jeweller weeks before the Revolution exploded in full force. The jeweller escaped with it to Franconia and kept it there in secret. He left it in his will to the nearest legal claimant to the throne of Ruskia and after his death in 1998 it was delivered to the Grand Duke of Hanoveria by his lawyers who in turn passed it on to his niece Xenia Alexandrovna.

The largest diamond in the world is part of the Crown Jewel Collection of the former United Empire of Scot Britania. 

Nr 1 - the 525cts Morning Star Diamond is the largest and also top quality white diamond in the world. It resides as the central feature in the Imperial Scepter of the United Empire of Scot-Britania. The Diamonds origins do not reside in the far recesses of history but are rather very recent. The stone was discovered mere months before the establishment of the new Empire and as such was purchased for the new co-Emperor and co-Empress as an Coronation Gift by the government of Scot-Britania with financial assistance from several friendly monarchies within Europa. It was handed over to the Imperial couple on the day the new constitutional Empire was established

This detail photo of the head of the Imperial Scepter shows the scale of the amazing stone that was discovered in the bush near a South Africanian mine. 

Wonderful Weekends (Portrait of Shahbanou Sheherezad of Perlistan)

We haven't had a "Portrait Sunday" in a while so here we go with another rarity. This photo albeit not a State Portrait in the strict sense, was taken in the late 1930's and is of the current Shahbanou's grandmother. What makes the photo interesting to our historic jewellery viewers is that she is wearing the full Pahlavi Parure inclusive of the magnificent necklace which is currently owned by Lady Arcwhite. As the set has been separated and for the fact that the current Shahbanou in pretence is rarely seen at public galas, we will probably never see the whole set together again.

Her Imperial Majesty the Shahbanou Sheherezad of Perlistan.

Fascinating Fridays (Orders of Knigththood Part 2)

Can't wait another day again. So here goes Friday's page early. We continue our Fascinating Friday series with Part 2 of the different Orders of Knighthood. If you have always wondered why Royalty often appear at very formal functions wearing coloured sashes you will now find out. We have discussed the origin and rank of the title, Knight, in a former Fascinating Friday post. There are currently six active Orders of Knighthood and two Family Orders of Honour. They all rank in an order of precedence which ranks one above the other in prestige. Normally the date of the specific Order's founding gives it precedence over younger ones but also its exclusivity gives it higher prestige Last week we dealt with the Order of the Ublient.

Today we will discuss the second lowest ranking Order of Knighthood as we work our way up towards the highest.

Part 2 The Order of the Lake

In Normandia, Revolution also led to the Order of the Lake to suffer a period of discontinued headship which leads to it being restablished as a Royal Order of Knighthood in 2011. This makes it the second youngest order and next on our list. Historically there is no documented proof of exactly when it was established but supertitious myths abound. Legend has it that somwhere in the 11th century King Olaf the Bald saved a very old willow tree from being chopped down when builders sought to clear space for a new pier on Lake Flumdal. A strange woman appeared at the dedication of the new Royal pier and gave the King a bright blue stone and charged the King to endow his knights with the same concern for nature as he apparently had. The King immediatly established the Order of the lake and set the blue stone in his badge insignia. The Order was to keep watch over proper management of Normandia's natural recources. In more modern times the Order became a standard order of merit but has always kept its distinctive nature conservationist theme especially when awarded to foreigners. The 96 Revolution saw the Order become the pawn of the new democratic Republic of Normandia and the old system was seen as officially disbanded. However with the restoration of the monarchy in Normandia the new Queen Gloria was invested with the headship of the Order of the Lake before she was even made Queen. The Order was then re-established as a Royal Order of Knighthood rather than a democratic Order of Merit. 

A light blue sash hung over the right shoulder and pinned by a four sided spiral badge with a light blue stone in the centre is the insignia of this order. Queen Gloria as the Head of State in Normandia is also the Head of the Order of the Lake.

Current members of the Order of the Lake include the Queen of Normandia's husband Prince Reggius of Northwold, her cousin the Duchess of Roswind and the Crown Prince Imperial. There are rumours of the induction of Count Szanguscko and the Duke of Swann in 2013. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesdays (The Crown Jewels of Hispania)

The Crown Jewels of Hispania

As all the monarchies and Royal Families of Europa were ravaged by the 96 Revolution so too the symbols of those nations were affected. Chief amongst the symbols of Royalty is of course the crown. The Kingdom of Hispania was amongst those who saw the missile strike, on the Castle of Roswind on the fateful night the revolution began, destroy several of their historic jewels. All the Kingdoms of the world sent their monarchs to the Empire of Scot-Britania for what was to be the greatest and most regal celebration ever. These monarchs posed beside regalia brought with them and these were destroyed beside them in the ensuing missile blast and fire. Hispania's monarchy survived however and still has Crown jewels to symbolise their proud nation steeped in history.

The Crown of Hispania

The Royal Crown of the Kingdom of Hispania is a new crown made to replace the medieval one destroyed during the revolution. It does however contain gems and gold components from a far older crown. That deteriorating crown used to create the new one, was formerly used to crown a relic in the Royal Cathedral of St Bartholomeas.

The current Queen of Hispania's grandmother seated in state for a portrait taken at the wedding of Queen Crystobel II of Scotney to Crown Prince Christian Victor of Britania. On the pedestal to our right is the medieval crown used until the revolution as the Royal Crown of Hispania. It was destroyed in the 96 revolution along with the Duke of Alba's Coronet at left, the sword and the sceptre. The tiara the Queen is wearing however was not involved in the missile strike and survives to this day and is discussed directly below. 

The King Carlos X Crown Diamonds Diadem.

This tiara could be seen as the signature tiara for Hispania and its queens, be they regents or consorts. It is also often used as a sort of Consort Crown when the King's wife requires one. The diamonds in the lower band are of exceptional size and as such may rate this tiara as one of the most valuable in the world. it is also often worn due to its classic simple design. The diamonds were a gift from the former Hispanian colony of  Peru on the celebration of their independence in 1919. The amicable relations between the nations made for this gift to be a poignant one and has afforded this tiara its historic status. 

Another South Americanian colonial set in the Crown Jewel Collection is the Rubies of the Sun Parure. This set was designed and manufactured in Mexicoes as a tribute to the Hispanian Monarchy when they were still in power over their colony. It is made of gold and rubies and alludes to the Sun Disc seen in Mexcusian ancient art. The parure is a rarity as it consists of not just the standard tiara, necklace and earrings but includes a Mantilla. The distinctive, Hispanian hair comb, called a Mantilla is worn at the back of the head and can be seen in the picture below. 

The 2012 State Portrait of Queen Maria of Hispania. In this photo we can see the Crown, The Carlos X Diadem and the Rubies of the Sun Mantilla. The queen also wears the Crown Earrings and the Cataljone Necklace. 

The Crown Necklace and Earrings is a set of jewellery made at King Carlos X's own expense to compliment the Carlos X Diadem. They are not seen as a parure inclussive of the Tiara but are sometimes mistaken as such. The necklace contains a large diamond reputed to have descended down from King Alfonso the Great. 

The Cataljone Necklace was entered into the Crown Collection by the current Queen Hispania's mother. She received the necklace as a betrothal gift from her husband who later died in the 96 Revolution and as such never became King. To immortalise his memory and their love she bequeathed the jewel to the Crown to be worn in perpetuity by the Queens of Hispania. 

The Shard of Dusk Diamond 

In the days of the Hispanian conquest of the South Americanians many legends emerged of fabulous cities of gold, gargantuan gem stones and mythical creatures. Very few were founded in fact but some did have measures of truth. diamonds are not readily found in the South Americanias but they do exist. This specimen is of a rare smokey colour and quite large. It was reputed to be a ceremonial offering brought anually to the Sun Temple in order for it to refract the light of the holy sun. When the Conquistadors arrived in their armour, blazingly reflecting the light, the indigenous people offered up the stone to them and it found its way to the Hispanian Court. It is today rarely worn as some controversy surrounds the call for its return to its native land. In the photo above, Princess Isabella wore it in 2009 to a movie premierre and made news headlines for it. 

The Crown Emerald Parure

Our final piece of the Crown Jewel puzzle is The Crown Emerald Parure consisting of a tiara, necklace, earrings and a bracelet.The Hispanian Emeralds belong to the Crown of Hispania and as such like all the other gems in the Crown Collection cannot be sold. They are all kept as a national treasure and only used by the Royal family. Old Crown emeralds were recut into a more modern square cut in the early 1900's and then set into this parure as part of the Hispanian Crown Jewels. The rules for this tiara is that only the wife or daughters of a Hispanian Monarch may wear them. As such it is often worn by Infanta Isabella or her mother the Dowager Princess Cataljone. We have yet to see Queen Maria or her daughter wear them.

Fascinating Fridays (Orders of Knighthood Part 1)

For this week's Fascinating Friday lecture on Royal technicalities we will start Part 1 of our discussion on the different Orders of Knighthood. If you have always wondered why Royalty often appear at very formal functions wearing coloured sashes you will now find out. We have discussed the origin and rank of the title, Knight, in a former Fascinating Friday post and have glanced over some of the Orders of Knighthood but now we will list them all and give some insight to the origin and functions of these Orders.

There are currently six active Orders of Knighthood and two Family Orders of Honour. They all rank in an order of precedence which ranks one above the other in prestige. Normally the date of the specific Order's founding gives it precedence over younger ones but also its exclusivity gives it higher prestige. Let us first start with the lowest and work our way up towards the highest.

Part 1 The Order of the Ublient

At the bottom we find the second oldest Order which seems to be a contradiction to the aforementioned principle of prestige based on age. It is afforded its low status due to its haphazard continuity and is strictly seen as the youngest order of Knighthood as it was finally established in its current uncontested form in 2012. The Wallachian Order of the Ublient has been one of the most controversial knighthoods in recent Europan history. It was originally established by the Grand Duke of Serbieski in 1340. It was meant to unify the feuding barons and knights within his realm by giving them the common purpose of fighting off foreign enemies rather than each other. It also served to honour them for services rendered to the common good of the medieval Grand Duchy. Ironically Serbieski later came under the rule of a foreign power as the invading Prince of Wallachia defeated his neighbour and placed his brother on the throne as Grand Duke. The Order of the Ublient eventually developed into a Wallachian honour and was seen by strict Serbieski nationalists as a symbol of Wallachian usurpation. Centuries later after the Great War, Serbieski found itself declared an independent Kingdom and resurrected the then defunct Serbieski branch of the Knighthood as a national honour. The Principality of Wallachia challenged their rights to it and for a while the two rival orders ran concurrently. The 96 revolution saw the end of Serbieski as a Kingdom and their branch of the Order of the Ublient. The Prince Karageorgevich did however pretend to the headship of the Order just as he claimed the throne of Serbieski. Wallachia like the other remaining monarchies just allowed the Order to fade into dormancy. In 2012 Serbieski was mediatized within the restored Kingdom of Syldavia and as such had no claim on the Headship of an Order of Knighthood. Wallchia then resumed the functions and display by "re-activating" their branch and it is today their country's highest order of merit.

Princess Xenia, as Head and High Commander of the Order of the Ublient is seen above at the Heads of the Royal Houses meeting in 2012. It was at this meeting where the headship of the Order of the Ublient was addressed and finally resolved. She is seen in this photo wearing the sash and badge and the Grand Duke of Serbieski, who is still seen as a member albeit not the Head of the Order also wears the insignia to the right of the picture.

A burgundy sash hung over the left shoulder pinned with a golden circular badge surmounted by a single clear stone is the official insignia of the Wallachian Order of the Ublient.

The Order currently has very diminshed ranks. Above we see the Baron Bagrazia, husband to the Princess of Wallachia. Other members include, the Duke of Swann, King Nikolas III of Syldavia and the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Serbieski. The Order never accepts more than 40 members in total. We might see the compliment of Knights rise as the functions and popularity of Royalty increase.