Fascinating Fridays (Royal and Imperial Robes)

To rekindle our interests in all things Royal after such a long absence we thought it prudent to include one of our traditional lectures on Royal facts on a Friday. Today we will discuss one of those very historic, almost archaic, sometimes impractical yet always impressive Royal symbols. There are many symbolic aspects of Royal dress linking the person of the monarch to his country, his history and even his faith. Many of these symbols, like the crown, seem far more obvious than others. Our choice for today's lecture is the Royal Robe and its meaning. Royal Robes have there origin in the obvious albeit it almost primitive origins of plain and simple clothing. In ages past, a cloak was worn like any other part of clothing, for protection against the elements. Over time the more distinguished members of society embellished their appearance to signify status and for standing out in a crowd. This required what eventually developed into jewellery and fancy decorated clothing. These decorations on clothing and even the very clothing piece itself over time acquired symbolic value as it became associated with the ruling classes and leaders. What began as a mere covering against the cold, inclusive of fur and excessive length to cover the body down to the ankles, thus ended up in the very ornate robes, cloaks and mantels worn on official State occasions by our historic Royals.

The Empire of Ruskiana was at its apex the most illustrious and most gloriously embellished to date. The Ruskian Tzar appeared in awesome regalia at State functions and for those purposes a rich purple a gold robe of great length was worn. Today only black and white photos remain of that spendour.

For the wedding of a Queen Regnant and a Crown Prince of another country full State Robes were required. At the 1986 wedding of Queen Crystobel of Scotney to Crown Prince Christian of Britania special robes were made to commemorate the unprecedented event. These robes were destroyed during the 1996 Revolution. 

The Kings of Syldavia always wear gold and green to display the national colours of Syldavia. The Syldavian Royal Mantel has survived since medieval times in the National Museum and as such also survived the 1996 Revolution and was used in the restoration of the monarchy in 2012. The train of Queen Maxima's dress was specially designed to allude to a Royal Robe but in essence does not qualify. 

The almost 200 year old Royal  robe of the Grand Princes of Wallachia is very young when compared to the age of the monarchy. However robes were not part of what may be considered regalia in Wallachia and the Principality merely joined in with what to them became fashionable in the mid 1800's. Today however the rulers of Wallachia will appear in the robe for State Portraits and Investitures.

The Principality of Swann commissions a new Royal robe for its Duke to be worn at his Investiture/Coronation and their after to Opening of Parliament ceremonies.

The oldest robe still in use by a Royal Court is the "King's Robe" belonging to the Grand Dukes of Reichethal. The clearly medieval robe dating from the seventh century is made from sackcloth embroidered with gold thread and serves the symbolic value of a ruler as servant carrying the humble weight of responsibility. The Grand Duke is revered as a proper King from the perspective of the local people although from an international perspective the province of Reichenthal is viewed as a mediatized Grand Duchy. The train of the Grand Duchess is not classified as a robe but may be seen as such as it was made in the absence of a consort's robe especially for the coronation of the current Grand Duke's great grandmother.

This archive photo (seen in this post for the frst time in almost 20 years), came to light in one of the Imperial Palaces since the advent of Royal popularity in Britania. It shows a rare record of the Imperial Coronation of 1993. All records were thought lost which makes this photo a very valuable insight into a lost time. Here we see Empress Crystobel and Emperor Christian wearing the blue velvet and platinum embroidered Robes of State made especially for the coronation. Interestingly the robes survived the revolution along with many imperial treasures due to Empress Crystobel's foresight.

Where some may say it is a frivolous waste of money, one thing can always be said for Royal symbols; they are beautifully crafted records of history and craftsmanship. We must remember somebody earned a living off making them whilst at the same time indelibly capturing a snapshot of eternal history, in my opinion art especially on this highest of echelons, is never a waste.

What's Up Wednesday (The Grand Duke of Reichenthal's Birthday and Commemorative Portraits)

As providence would have it, the Grand Duke of Reichenthal celebrated his birthday this year whilst surfing the wave of publicity afforded Reichenthal with the discovery of the now famous secret vault. The attention of the historic find  boosted Reichenthal popularity and political clout that only further increased the fame of the already popular Grand Duke Lothair and his family. 

For his birthday a small but formal late tea for  family, friends and the Syldavian King Nikolas was arranged in the ball room of the same palace where the secret vault was discovered. 

A special chocolate cake (the Grand Duke's favourite) was baked and set out with tea. Reichenthal baking and locally made fine chinaware combined for this traditional birthday experience. 

Grand Duchess Azantha looked radiant in turquoise whilst wearing her Perlistani Dowry Emeralds. His Grand Ducal Highness chose a traditional Reichenthalian uniform for the celebration. 

First to arrive was Grand Duchess Azantha's sister, the Shahbahnou of Perlistan. 

The Grand Duke seemed very happy to greet his good friend the Duke of Swann who was next to arrive. 

Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Syldavia was the last to arrive as protocol demands. Grand Duchess Azantha is seen curtsying to her Royal guests.  

Queen Maxima looked festive yet regal in a bright cocktail dress and tiara. 

Princess Delarese was awaiting the guests inside the ball room and is seen here posing for the birthday portrait with her parents. 

The full compliment of party guests are captured together in this commemorative photo. 

This official yet intrinsically family affair displays the homey style of the Reichenthal Royal Family. The Grand Duchess seen here with her sister share a close bond as many sisters do but also bear the burden of Royal responsibility in the sometimes precarious world of politics that they traverse. That being said, at tiara events these ladies rock. 

The day after the birthday celebration a special commemorative set of State Portraits were scheduled to be photographed also in lieu of the discovery of some lost Reichethal jewels in the secret vault. Queen Maxima of Syldavia stayed on till the next day in order to partake in the official photographs as representative of the greater Syldavia in the local festivities. 

Grand Duke Lothair is seen here posing in the Royal Crown and Ceremonial Sackcloth Robe of the Kings of Medieval Reichenthal. 

Here the Grand Duke and Grand Duches are pictured together with Grand Duchess Azantha wearing for the first time, the Consort Crown of Reichethal, previously thought lost to history. 

The Royal family of Reichethal pose together with Azantha wearing the Consort's Crown and delarese wearing the First Princess Tiara also discovered in the Reichenthalian Secret Vault.

Princess Sonja, the Grand Duke's aunt, who couldn't attend the birthday party was present officially for the commemorative photos. She is seen at far right. The Princess has strict commitments since her induction into Arcwhite's prestigious and secretive Order of the White Veil but felt it important to show face. To our extreme left we see Queen Maxima who also joined in for this official photo. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Unprecedented Photos of the Imperial Jewellery Collection)

We have done many features before but nothing like this. In line with the return of the Crown Prince Imperial to live in his homeland we decided to do a special feature on the Imperial Jewellery Collection that will also now find its home in the Isles of Scotney and Britania. We may be fairly familiar with seeing indicidual parts of the Imperial jewels but to see parts brought together as a whole often gives a perspective on any topic that is otherwise diminished by viewing them separately. For this purpose we decided to gain permission to photograph and publish a collective feature. Here follows what may be the most impressive single display of jewellery in the world but certainly ever featured on this blog. 

We begin with a previously published photo of the Imperial Crowns, Orb and Scepter. This was taken before the return of the Crown Prince Imperial to Scot-Britania when the jewels were still displayed at Sorgenfrei Castle.The Imperial Crown is considered the single most expensive crown in the world and stands as symbol of the collective history of the separate nations of Scotney and Britania. 

Another part of the Imperial jewels is this sword. Originally it belonged to the legendary King Victor of Britania and was declared the official ceremonial sword of the Empire. The starkly elegant Sword of St. Victor is an impressive sight but is also imbued with history and symbolises the unity between Scotney and Britania as it was a gift from the King of Scotney to that of Britania. It was then subsequently used in wars against Scotney but reverted back to Scotney after defeat and then eventually bestowed again as a sign of peace. Eventually its destiny was to become the Imperial Coronation Sword.

The Coronet of the Crown Prince Imperial, heir to the throne of the United Empire of Scot-Britania was a new invention designed for the advent of the Empire. The standard "heir to the throne" Coronet received the addition of the single arch in order to designate it an Imperial Coronet. 

Our first featured new photo especially taken for this post reunites the two Imperial scepters for the first time after 18 years. The scepter with the cross on the left is that of the emperor. It contains the 525cts Morning Star Diamond, the largest and also top quality white diamond in the world. 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 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 and is now the central feature of the Imperial Scepter.

The Imperial Empress' Scepter on the right was made as the scepter to be used by Empress Crytobel at her coronation. It is set with an exceptionally large drop pearl and a high quality sapphire to link with the Imperial Blue national colours. The scepter was thought destroyed as it did not escape with the other Imperial Regalia to Americania with the Empress. We are glad that it survived and now it is reunited with the rest of the Imperial jewels. 

This photo was especially taken as an unequaled record of the vast size of the jewellery available to the Crown Princess Imperial to wear. It is arguable the largest collection of jewellery of its kind in the world and will one day be available to the children of the the Imperial couple to wear also. It is a rare and awesome sight to see such a vast collection of jewellery grouped together in a single photo. Each piece has been blogged in detail before in one of our Tiaras and Trinkets Tuesdays. To see those posts just follow the labels on the right of the blog for more on that. 

The photo shows all the jewellery as worn by the first lady\ladies of the Empire. The pieces in the top row pictured above belong directly to the state of Britania and some to the Imperial Crown Collection. The center row features the jewels belonging to the private collection of the Crown Prince Imperial and the bottom row those inherited from the private collection of Empress Crystobel. As wife of the Crown Prince Imperial some parts of the center row are technically the private property of the Crown Princess Imperial but together any pf the jewels are worn in representation of the glory of the people of the Scot-Britanian Isles and their Royal and Imperial history. 

One last part of the Imperial jewels to be blogged today was still considered lost until recently but then in spectacularly unexpected circumstances was rediscovered in Reichenthal. The Nuptial Coronet of Scotney was last seen as worn in 1987 by Princess Beatrice of Scot-Britania upon her marriage to the Grand Duke of Hanoveria. In the picture above we see it as it was worn by Empress Crystobel upon her marriage. The Nuptial Coronet of Scotney is a very sentimental and historic piece of jewellery as it has been used for over 100 years in the marriage ceremonies of all Scotney Princesses. 

This old archive photo shows the Nuptial Coronet in detail. A new photo was reserved for release in the previously posted special feature concerning the Reichenthal Vault contents. See it there posted there a week ago. It is reasoned that the coronet was in Reichenthal for routine maintenance at the time of the 96 revolution and found its way into the vault. It seems the foresight of the then King of Reichenthal and his jewellers are to be commended.

We hope today's post genuinely impressed and served to inform our fans as to the glittering historic jewels associated with the Imperial Family. 

Memory Monday (The Crown Prince Imperial Officially Returns From Exile)

Finally we can get to posting this pivotal story. The main news event that took place over the last two months was undoubtedly the official return of the Crown Prince Imperial to reside as dual citizen within the borders of Scotney and Britania. The event sets new standards in international protocol and has been reported to be the most popular political event of the century.

The international news worthy event was covered in depth by the media as can be seen in this Proclaimer front page article. It is boldly stated to be everything but a "restoration of monarchy" in what has become the staunchest republic countries in Europa, yet at the same time garners fanfares and glitz on par with pre-revolution Royal pomp. 

The Crown Prince Imperial and his much celebrated wife Odeliah arrived by Britania Government Jet on June 11. They were welcomed by an honour guard and the minister of the interior. The Crown Princess Imperial looked chic yet regal wearing fashionable faux fur and parts of the Imperial and Royal Crown Jewel Collections. The couple have over the last 18 months only visited the Crown Prince Imperial's homeland and former Empire as their exile was lifted in the wake of Empress Crystobel's initial overtures of friendship and then tragic assassination. The public sentiment toward their former Imperial Family then speedily changed from initial skepticism to virtual popular frenzy as this year saw not just the visit of the Crown Prince Imperial but his actual official return to reside in his homeland. 

After Their Imperial Highnesses' triumphal arrival at the airport they were scheduled for an evening banquet hosted in their honour at the Palace of Parliament in the Britanian Capital. The banquet was attended by leading government officials and the Duke of Swann. 

The couple arrived in state and was welcomed by a large crowd of onlookers cheering wildly. 

In this photo we see from left: The Duke of Swann, The Chancellor of Britania and the Crown Prince Imperial couple. 

An official handshake of friendship and final welcome to the Isles of Scot-Britania cemented the evening's photo opportunities. 

Princess Odeliah or rather The Crown Princess Imperial looked truly regal in a plain cut mini dress off-set by the Imperial Pearls from the Crown Jewel Collection. 

Literary days before the Crown Prince Imperial took up residence in Britania, the news hit of the discovery made in Reichenthal of historic jewels and the controvertial Imperial Throne of Scot-Britania. After negotiations it was agreed by the Syldavian Ministry of Foreign affairs and the governments of Scotney and Britania that it should be returned to its original place in the Cathedral of the Lion Heart on the border of the two nations. It was received there by the Crown Prince Imperial as the now official custodian of the history and historic artifacts of the his former Empire. 

The throne has since been returned to the Cathedral of the Lion Heart where it permanently resides in its traditional place in the King's Prayer Chapel.

Another piece of lost history rediscovered in the secret vault in Reichenthal was the Nuptial Coronet of Scotney. It was last worn at the wedding of Empress Crystobel, the Crown Prince Imperial's mother. It was thought lost during the 1996 as so many other pieces of historic jewellery. However a twist of fate led to its secret preservation and it was returned along with the throne. it will be displayed alongside all the other famous Crown Jewels associated with the Isles of Scot-Britania in a new Crown Jewel display to be prepared for public viewing. 

The government of Scotney commissioned State Portraits of Princess Odeliah to be photographed in celebration of the return of the Crown Prince Imperial. These photos were shot at the official residence of the Imperial couple in Scotney, Stirling Castle. 

The official portrait of the Crown Princess Imperial sees her wearing Imperial Sapphires along with the Order of the Diamond Star, the highest order of chivalry in Europa. 

This detailed photo shows the jewellery complimenting the Princess' beauty and grace. 

The Princess also wears the diamond star brooch that forms part of the Imperial Crown jewel Collection on her waist. 

The breathtaking series of photos took on a white theme to emphasis the peaceful overtones of a new beginning that the couple's faith filled decision to live within the borders of the former Empire symbolizes.

We truly hope and pray that the joy of the last few months will only increase as time moves forward into a bold future not in denial of the lessons learnt from the past.  

Wonderful Weekends (Official Portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Argyle)

In celebration of the Crown Prince Imperial's return to Scotney many of the Nobility have had official portraits released. The craze is currently sweeping the Scot-Britanian Isles creating a media buzz as hereditary Castles play host to family jewels and coronets while there owners dressed to the nines pose in old-world dignity.

Castle Glencoe of the Earls Dysart was the venue for our latest portrait of nobility as the Countess Dysart, now Duchess of Argyle pose with her husband the Duke for their truly spectacular version of an official portrait.

The Red Stair of Castle Glencoe sets of the Argyle Amethyst Parure perfectly as the Duke and Duchess of Argyle strike  a regal pose.

His Grace also posed alone next to the Coronet of rank of a Duke of the Realm.

The Duchess of Argyle is thus by marriage but is a Countess in her own right and for that reason also had a portrait taken of herself next to the Coronet of the Earls Dysart.

The Argyle Amethysts, never before worn by the Duchess, stood as testament of lost treasures being brought to light for everybody's enjoyment. It is in this spirit that the resurgence of Royal popularity in Scot-Britania will hopefully go from strength to strength.

What's Up Wednesday (Knighthood of Viscount Faraway)

 Yesterday saw a rare event as Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Ruskiana invested a new member of the Ruskian Order of the Polar Star. This order of chivalry is awarded to exceptional achievers in the field of science in particular serving the Ruskian sub-continent. It has been several years since a new member of the order has been inducted so spirits were high as Admiral Lord Jack Faraway the first Viscount Faraway received his yellow ribband and badge of the Polar Star from Her Imperial Highness. The Viscount was recognized for his work in animal conservation, war against illegal whaling and fishing and research and development in the scientific premise for humans to follow a vegan diet. 

Here we see the Grand Duchess and the Viscount shortly after the induction ceremony held in the Ruskian capital. The Grand Duchess' ceremonial role in service to the Democratic Republic of Ruskiana has been steadily growing in popularity with the people of Ruskiana. 

A detailed photo shows the insignia of the Ruskian Order of the Polar Star.

Grand Duchess Xenia looked regal as she represented the headship of the Order of the Polar Star and the special sanction of the government to honour Viscount Faraway. 

Viscount Faraway is a member of the Britanian and Scot Britanian nobility and also serves as an Admiral of the Fleet in the Principality of Swann's Royal Navy. He is also counted amongst the close friends of the Duke of Swann. His war on illegal whaling and fishing has earned him notoriety and indeed worldwide fame and now official recognition. He is due to engage the Swanobian government for greater financial and military support in his future endeavors.

We wish him all the best.