Breaking News (Arcwhite Breaking Point)

Relevant government heads met yesterday in the Switzer Federation for an emergency meeting surrounding the Arcwhite crisis. The purpose of the meeting was to hear and assess all the evidence gathered from Lady Arcwhite, combined with that received from the executed assassin of Empress Crystobel and the apprehended bombers of the Serbieski power plant. It has been rumoured for years that an underground terrorist group has been working in Europa since the days of the 96 Revolution. Evidence of their existence had been obvious from their very overt actions but who they were and their specific agenda has been unclear. In recent months evidence that links the power plant bombing and the theft of the Duke of Swann's emeralds were proven but since the confession of Empress Crystobel's assassin far more has come to light linking even the 96 Revolution to all these tragedies. Investigations continued as more proof was needed before decisive action could be taken. The council now brings Lady Arcwhite's surprising confession into the mix with the intent on rendering final judgment and to set in motion a plan to eradicate the terrorism that has plagued Europa.

Lady Arcwhite's written statement begins with her motivation for fleeing Arcwhite as being an attempt at averting another war. She made the radical decision to desert her government and disclose all her knowledge of the Order of the Veil's secret and classified activities that she was privy to. These allegations many, verifiable and some still not entirely proven, reach as far back as the Franconian Revolution  centuries ago and have answered many of the mysteries surrounding what sparked the 96 Revolution in the former Empire of Scot-Britania. As far as facts go, the Order of the Veil may as well be one and the same as the underground terrorist group.

The Europan Emergency Council gathers in the Switzer Federation as a department of the Europan Government Union. Not all members were physically present but were in communication by phone and ready to vote on the matters in hand. Member nations physically present were from clockwise top left; Syldavia, Wallachia, Swann, Hispania, the Foreign Coalition, Ruskiana, Britania, Scotney and Romagna. All members were represented by their actual heads of government or heads of state or both, lending a sense of seriousness to the meeting. The foreign coalition is an observing body representing nations from outside Europa but is afforded a voice in Europan concerns. It was represented by Queen Ukulunghile from Ophiri.

His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince Imperial was elected acting Chairman of this Emergency Council due to his intimate involvement in the matters but political neutrality.

The council convenes, opened by its Chairman.

The Duke of Swann presents the case and testimonial evidence of Lady Arcwhite to the council and media. The list of alleged atrocities committed by the Order of the Veil as an organization and its members is as follows:
1. Financing the Franconian Revolutionary Interim Government before their legitimacy was established.
2. Using extortionary tactics to manipulate the D'Rothchild Baronial Family and its Banking network for the purposes of destabilizing economies and governments which in particular had huge impact on the events leading to the Great War.
3. Having agents in Ruskiana that were directly involved in the death of the Imperial Family of Ruskiana in the onset of the Great War.
4. The theft and secret concealing of the Serbieski Crown Jewels with political intent.
5. The assassination of  King Rishard Joshia of Reichenthal.
6. Having agents within the Scot-Britanian Government with the intent on causing distension, affecting the economy and spreading tactical misinformation.
7. Having agents in the Scot-Britanian Airforce that fired the missiles into Roswind Castle sparking the 1996 Revolution.
8. Financing and strategically directing the Europan Mafia with the intent on extorting major Europan Government officials.
9. Establishing a Serbieski underground under false "patriotic" sentiments to destabilize the Syldavian Governement and smear the reputation of the Serbieski people to further these separatist intents.
10. Using the fabricated persona of "Sable Blackwood" as an agent to establish money laundering businesses in the Principality of Swann and to gain intimate relational access to the Duke of Swann.
11. Stealing and destroying the historic emerald collection of the Duke of Swann to divert attention from themselves and to focus it on a possible Serbieski underground terrorist group.
12. Bombing their own power plant in Serbieski to further develop the case for a supposed Serbieski underground with separatist patriotism as aim.
13. Hiring a Serbieski hit man to successfully assassinate the Empress Crystobel to halt Royal popularity and to further establish Serbieski as a problem region.
14. Conspiring with current the Baron D'Rothchild in finally using his influence to break the Serbieski regional economy, followed by a staged Sykdavian assassination of the Grand Duke with the result of  casting the entire Europa into another war.

The Chancellor of Britania, one of the vetoing members of the council and representative of the most powerful military nation in the Europan Governement Union, rendered the final judgement directly to the world media. He stated that the Mother of the White Veil and the entire Order of the Veil was not recognized as the legal government of Arcwhite. The Mother of the Veil, for her usurpation and the allegations made by Lady Arcwhite, was an international criminal and just so, all those that sided with her. He issued the immediate arrest of the Baron D'Rothchild for conspiracy, treachery and money laundering. The Baron's confession would also lead to finalizing any as yet unproven facts in the allegations of Lady Arcwhite. However, Lady Arcwhite's case provided enough proof for the council in representation of the entire Europa to declare war on the Order of the Veil. This left the nation of Arcwhite with 2 options; to side with their current criminal government, preparing to defend their country or to deliver up this false government alive or dead to stand account for their actions.

The Duke of Swann was commissioned to gather a team and join with the Mithrandir in order to respond to the Arcwhite's final decision.

The Baroness D'Rothchild, wife of the now fugative Baron, is reported to have fled to her brother the Grand Duke of Serbieski. She is being interrogated in the investigation of her husband's whereabouts.

We await the official response from Arcwhite and for news on the Baron D'Rothchild.

Breaking News (Serbieski Power Plant Bombers Apprehended)

Shocking revelations have come to the fore and are going viral as we speak around the globe. The confessions of Frantisek Voorheest to the Mithrandir just before his execution a week ago has led to the arrest of the bombers of the Arc International Power Station in Serbieski. The bombing that took place in March 2013 caused severe tensions in the politically precarious region on the Wallachian border of Syldavia. Political dissidents have plagues that region and indeed the Syldavian stability since the 1997 Syldavian civil war that resulted from the Bloody Revolution in Scot-Britania. Intense investigations into the bombing brought forth very little evidence but suspicions have now been confirmed by Mr. Voorheest's confession.  

The Arc International Power Plant is a constant controversy in its own right as it has brought much needed power and infrastructure to an impoverished region of Serbieski. However its impact on the surrounding natural environment and its groundbreaking technology still raises many serious concerns. 

The bombing was at first believed to have been motivated by fanatic environmentalist but was soon proven to rather be motivated by political dissidents with strong anti-monarchist agendas. Serbieski has a very deeply ingrained nationalist history and its mediatized inclusion in the greater Syldavia remains difficult to this day. The return in Septemeber this year of the Serbieski Crown Jewels however has placated the region's proud people.

Frantisek Voorheest, the executed assassin that killed Empress Crystobel in 2013 on her official visit to Britania admitted to the Mithrandir minutes before his beheading that he was part of an underground political move bent on eradicating all form of monarchy in Europa. He shared information about the bombing in Serbieski that only an insider could know adding lost puzzle pieces to the investigation.

This information has lead to the arrest of a several people linked to the bombing and proves that it was financed by the theft of the Duke of Swann's emeralds as was also suspected. There statements also now add even more evidence to the mix. A golden thread can now be drawn from the theft of the emeralds to the bombing and assassination of the Empress. This has obviously also led to a few new questions and implicates a few new suspects. However much of this is still classified as it seems more has been uncovered than the authorities could have imagined and if links to the 1996 Revolution are implied then this has international repercussions on the level of war.

What's Up Wednesday (Empress Crystobel's Assassin Full Confession and Execution)

(Parental Guidance Advised PG13)

Due to the controversial and explicit nature of this post parental guidance is advised. Not for sensitive viewers. 

Today the execution of Frantisek Voorheest was administered via guillotine at dawn (6;45am). The beheading of the convicted assassin of Empress Crystobel was an unavoidable process due to Britanian law enacted in 1679 requiring a regicide to be decapitated. That same law is now, due to the unexpected events, in the process of being submitted to parliament for augmentation. The Crown Prince Imperial himself was petitioning its change in hope of seeing his mother's murderer receiving a more humane execution. Our press photographer was allowed to record the events of the execution for documentation on this blog.

The Crown Prince Imperial insisted on attending as a means of attaining final closure. Shortly after his mother's death he had a face to face meeting with the arrested assassin and forgave him for the murder. The Prince also asked to be forgiven for his own family's part in being a symbol that inspired a man to such action. Today it all was to come to its inevitable end. Prince Christian-Victor was greeted at Tartarus Prison Complex by Warden Grant Michaelis. 

Mr. Voorheest, a Serbieski ex-patriot was led calmly to the execution chamber that was especially prepared for this very unique and somber event. 

The guillotine was especially brought from the Britania Museum of History, refurbished and installed in a hall set aside for the unique execution. Death by guillotine was the prescribed method by the court as it is the most humane form of decapitation known and also available. 

The unknown executioner posed with the instrument of death to commemorate its last use in history. It does seem otherworldly that in 2014 a man will be beheaded and more so officially. 

Only law enforcement, the warden and Crown Prince Imperial was allowed to attend the execution along with our photographer. The condemned asked for a cleric with whom he may unburden his heart and got far more than he could ever have expected. 

The Mithrandir, head of the church temporal and prophet of God, felt it necessary to be that cleric and met Mr. Voorheest minutes before the final moment. His Holiness received the condemned's confession and prayed with him. Mr. Voorheest's expression changed visibly from worried to a peaceful demeanor. 

With a deep sigh, Mr. Voorheest was assisted as he took his place on the guillotine bench. 

With his hand cuffs moved to behind his back, silence engulfed the room as the condemned was placed in his final position under the blade. Extreme care was taken to allow Mr. Voorheest maximum dignity in this moment. 

The head clamp was then moved down to secure the position of the neck. This element of the guillotine makes it impossible for anything to go wrong with the final death strike as the condemned is rendered completely immobile. Even violent struggling makes it impossible to escape. However Mr. Voorheest was at this stage truly like a lamb to the slaughter. 

The executioner does his final check to ensure everything is in place. 

The Mithrandir is allowed to speak a final word of prayer and blessing in accord with the condemned's final request. 

The sound of the straining blade as it was prepared for release seemed unnaturally loud in the last few seconds. 

 

In a flash and with a nauseating thud it came to an end. 

The witnesses then silently and respectfully retired to the warden's office where The Crown Prince Imperial collapsed in tears before the Mithrandir. 

This blog will cease posting till the end of the week in respect for the solemnity of the event. 

Breaking News (Empress Crystobel's Assassin to be Excecuted)

Breaking news reports that the assassin of Empress Crystobel is to be executed on the 1st of October. Frantisek Voorheests was arrested shortly after his murder of the former Empress of Scot-Britania in August last year.  He reportedly wanted to be captured as he originally said that his actions were his indelible contribution to society. 

Members of the public have expressed surprise and even shock at the prospects of the supposedly inhumane method of execution. An ancient law states that a King's assassin has to be beheaded with a golden blade as a irony to the murderer's presumption as now his life is forfeit to the King of metals. The law is still active as it was never amended due to the 1996 Revolution which expelled all Royalty from Britania. Nobody expected regicide to ever take place on Britanian soil ever again and this twist of fate made that very unlikely event possible. The Crown Prince Imperial himself  petitioned the judge for the possibility of lethal injection but was rejected based on the law being in place and to set government procedures in place to change it may take more than a year which then overturns the ruling of the convicted's date of execution causing another legal impossibility. 

Now the international public will undoubtedly be on edge until the eventual beheading on Wednesday raising all kinds of controversy surrounding the death penalty and human rights. Protesters have already begun to gather outside the prison and the court house during the course of today. the Crown Prince Imperial is expected to make a press statement before or on the day of the execution. 

Memory Monday (Funeral of Empress Crystobel)

After a respectable time of mourning it has become necessary to do our inevitable post, as a full report on the funeral of Empress Crystobel that took place on  2nd of August 2013 at midday.

The funeral was not a State Funeral per sé but was entirely sponsored and officially sanctioned by the Britanian Democratic Government in lieu of The Empress' death taking place whilst under their patronage on Britanian soil and as a confirmed assassination. Thus the only appropriate venue was agreed to be the official Royal Cathedral in the Britanian capital, Cathédrale du Cœur de Lion. This would have been the venue officiating at the Empress' funeral if she and her husband were not deposed in 1996. Understandably, security was extra tight.

The Cathedral has only served as a memorial museum and "local" parish church since the 96 Revolution but was prepared in full splendour as of old for this very unique and poignant funeral. The coffin was brought and placed in the Cathedral the day before the funeral and left to lay "en repose" until the traditional Vigil of the Princes.

His Eminence the Blue Cardinal, Pastor of the Flock Royal also had his exile lifted in order to return to what would have been his seat if there had been no revolution. The Cathedral of the Heart of the Lion served as the center of Christendom and was officiated over by the Blue Cardinal in the Pre-Revolution days. Here he spoke and ministered on behalf of the traveling Mithrandir, the head of the Church Temporal. As per tradition the Blue Cardinal presides over all Royal Funerals and has thus also been restored to the Cathedral and his function as of this event.

The Vigil of the Princes is the religious duty of the closest male relations of the Royal being buried. The Princes stand is silent and prayerful vigil for an hour before the actual service while the body of the deceased lays in state. A traditional Laying in State could take several days in the former Empire as its function was for the common man to queue and view the deceased monarch. As a technically deposed head of state, the Empress' funeral was decidedly more private and less "official". 

After the Vigil of the Princes, the Family Wreath and Imperial Crown was placed on the coffin. It is then also finally sealed and the commemoration service then officially began with the invited family and guests arriving.

Leading the mourners, the Crown Prince Imperial and his wife greeted the family and friends as they arrived. The not well known tradition of the "Privilege du Blanc" was evident in Princess Odeliah's very formal ankle length white dress and veil. Imperial Princesses are obliged to wear white when inside the Cathedral of the Lion Heart for funerals while others must wear black. 

The Family of the Duke of Swann were out in force in support of their Imperial cousin. 

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Hanoveria represented their side of the family along with his mother and two sisters. 

In the second row we see starting from the right Princess Kirsten Youssopoff, the King of Syldavia, the Queen of Syldavia and the Prime Minister of Britania.

Princess Augusta, being unmarried remains a Princess of the Empire and can be seen in the back also wearing the "Privilege du Blanc". She is standing next to the Queen of Hispania and directly in front is Empress Crystobel's sister, the Dowager Grand Duchess of Hanoveria, Princess Beatrice. 

The service as it began...

A bird's eye view of the coffin was accomplished by a camera set up in the rafters. The press was afforded discreet but full access to this internationally important event. 

Bringing a message condemning unnecessary violence but praising the virtues of hope conquering adversity, the Blue Cardinal spoke powerfully from the Lion's Voice Pulpit. He also encouraged those facing adversity and tragedy by looking to God for His strength and guidance. The Imperial Family was upheld always being an example to all and even in this strives to set a standard to others. 

Princess Beatrice, wrote a poem in honour of her sister and was given a moment to share it. The poem is written in the first person. 

What is a life?

But a string of days

A web of choices

In the midst of a maze

My country I served

And humbly I declare

No sacrifice was too big

For me as Empress to bear

My husband my councilor

Equal partner, my friend

How cruel was your departure

My heart broken

My son such a blessing

To his country and his name

May you forgive my absence?

My Untimely  departure is my only regret

To my faceless, nameless foe

How cruel your lashes have been

If only you could find a voice

One less violent and less mean

But as I look on old days past

With tears but also pride

I look ahead at days to come

My final tear I've cried.

The Crown Prince Imperial also spoke in honour of his mother, regretting only the short time they had together. "Forgiveness is the true hallmark of Royalty" he said and he vowed to make his mother proud by serving his peoples regardless of how they accept or reject him. 

Lit candles signifying the light and transiency of this life but also the hope of its emanation into the next, brought the service to its end with the benediction.  

Preparation to carry the coffin was made as the famous hymn "How Great Tho Art" was sung by the congregation. The pall bearers then took their positions.

The pall bearers included the four closest related men to the Empress and two soldiers, one from the armed forces of Britania, the other from the Scot navy. The Crown Prince Imperial and the Duke of Swann at the Head, the somber exit out of the cathedral began.

Exiting the front of the cathedral the coffin proceeded down the stairs before it was lifted upon the waiting gun carriage. 

It is a tradition, honouring all former or current Heads of States by transporting their coffins to their final resting place on a gun carriage, signifying their authority and power.

A truly emotional moment came as Pre 96 Revolution Veterans saluted the late Empress's coffin. 

The Police escort signify the commencement of the processional drive to the Imperial Mausoleum. 

The Imperial Family was to follow by car until the gates of the Imperial Mausoleum Park from where only the closest family proceeded on foot. 

The arrival at the doors of the Mausoleum proper brought the gun carriage to its final stop. 

The Pall Bearers with the onlooking Crown Princess Imperial prepare for the final internment as the doors of the Mausoleum are unlocked. 

An Imperial Honour Guard played the old Imperial Anthem as the doors were to be opened. 

And so the journey of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Crystobel came to its final resting place. 

The Crown Prince Imperial, strictly speaking, Emperor d'jour of the United Empire and his Empress shared a quiet and private moment as they laid the wreath at the now resealed doors of the Mausoleum. 

May God bless and keep them. 

The media was given full access but remained discreet. Without being invasive at all many newspapers and live feeds on the Internet shared this historic event with the world. Now months later we are all beginning to move ahead. We will honour the Empress by making the most of the baton she has passed to us and our generation.