Wonderful Weekends (2015 State Portraits of Queen Maria of Hispania)

It has become tradition for the Hispania monarchy to release state portraits of their Queen in January of every year. Today we share the most current state portraits of Her Majesty Queen Maria.

The very regal portraits of the beautiful Queen sees her wearing official jewellery and posing with the famous portrait of her parents. 

Queen Maria often selects the Royal Mantilla (traditional hair comb) made from gold and rubies for her most formal appearances. She also decided to make rare use of the Hispanian Monarch's Chain of Office.

This set of portraits truly captures the Queen's resolute bearing yet fairy tale soft beauty. We are sure these photos do her and her country proud.

"To be or not to be" Thursday (The Grand Duchess of Reichenthal)

On our Thursday slots we always profile the life of one of our illustrious Royal characters. Today we will take a look at the beautiful and very popular Grand Duchess of Reichenthal. Born Her Imperial Highness, Princess Azantha of Perlistan, younger sister of the pretender to the Perlistani Imperial Throne, she grew up in humble exile. Later she studied in Europa and met the heir to the throne of Reichenthal while reading History of Art at the University of Wallachia. Her she fell in love and so a lifelong relationship began. She eventually gained no more than two separate degrees, one in Anthropology and the other in Economics. Her Royal status was to the liking of her future husband's family, adding prestige to the Royal match, but her native faith was an almost insurmountable obstacle. She loved Crown Prince Lothair of Reichenthal so much that she decided to convert in order to marry also forgoing her right to the style "Imperial Highness". This set the tone for Azantha's life of duty and commitment, and made her extremely popular in her newly adopted country right from the start.

Seen in the photo above, taken in 2013 at the Year End Ball, Azantha wears a turquoise blue dress, her favourite colour as it reminds her of the colour of the ocean that she loves and misses since her days as a Perlistani Princess. Reichenthal, being entirely landlocked does not afford her much of this very personal affection.

The Grand Duchess enjoys dressing up in accordance with her Royal duties and posed for these photos especially for our blog feature. 

Grand Duchess Azantha wears her brand new tiara in this portrait. It was a gift especially made for her at her husband's order to honour her lifelong support of him which lead to his investiture into the Order of the Diamond Star. Azantha has been an unfailing support and encouragement to her husband throughout his life. Even in their youth she saw him through many tumultuous times which included mild alcoholism ending in his involvement in a severe car accident. She shared these times by his side in the face of extreme media coverage but also made a point of attending church and public prayer for the well being of Reichenthal. One of the toughest times she stood by her then fiancé was during the aftermath of Lothair's father's assassination in 1997. If nothing else, her popularity has always been very high in her adopted country and since the mediatized restoration of Reichenthal as an electorate state in Syldavia has now given her a worldwide fan base. 

The former Princess of Perlistan has a very close relationship with her sister even though they literally live worlds apart. Azantha converted from her native faith, alienating her family religiously but it seems that a modern outlook on the matter has left their personal relationships strong. Azantha is often placed in the role of acting as a bridge in matters of faith and has spoken at many political conventions on this topic.

In 1998 the loving Grand Ducal couple was married after a very long engagement. In 1999 the birth of a daughter secured the succession. The Grand Duchess' role in support of her husband is quoted as being her greatest passion and the role of mother takes first place within this spousal relationship.

Outside of being a wife and mother Azantha is very committed to her Royal duties of state followed by her charity work which includes the arts, orphans and animal welfare. She is patron of no less than 60 charities of which 15 are from her native country Perlistan. 

The Grand Duchess is no stranger to finding herself alone (and entirely safe) amongst her people in the streets of Reichenthal. She is quoted as "loving mingling like a normal person". Grand Duchess Azantha is known to break with protocol. She insists on doing her own shopping – often to the frustration of security personnel who need to have their wits about them if she suddenly decides to jump on her Vespa and pop out to the local Supermarket around the corner from the palace. “She is a regular sight over here …” says Supermarket Manager Carl Vuccini. “And she doesn’t like us bowing or curtsying – she goes her own way and talks up a storm with the patrons and store personnel”. The Papparazzi who respect their Grand Duchess' privacy in public do catch a few shots of her on the odd occasion during her shopping sprees. 

Here we see the Grand Duchess happily smiling to the papparazzi while out on her scooter for a coffee date with a friend. 

It seems that Reichentalians enjoy their Royal family’s informal way of interaction. It is clear that the Royal couple loves fun. Palace personnel state that the Grand Duke and Duchess sometimes race one another down the palace driveway – on motorbikes! The Grand Ducal couple own a small collection of two wheelers and the pink vespa is recognised throughout Reichenthal.

A recent survey showed that a staggering 95% of Reichentalians view their monarchy as contemporarily relevant and able to keep up with the times, whilst only 5% (mostly consisting of older more conservative-minded citizens) feel that the Grand Duke and his wife are doing an injustice to the antique Reichentalian Code that has been the Constitution of Reichental throughout its existence as a kingdom. Now as a Grand Duchy under the protectorate and rule of Syldavia the older generation feels some of the prestige has waned but the young up-and-coming youth feels that the past is making way for a new day entirely. Grand Duchess Azantha is right there riding the crest of this new surge and we wish her all the best. 

What's Up Wednesday (New Crown Jewel Display in Britania)

To start 2015, the Britanian and Scotney governments have collaborated in constructing an entirely new Crown Jewel Display. These valuable and very precious objects have moved from Sorgenfrei Castle in Muren to Scot-Britanian soil with their owners and custodians the Crown Prince Imperial Couple since their official welcome back from exile. Now they will be permanently housed in their neighbouring countries of origin in perpetuity.

The Aldarian Palace will now officially play a role in Britanian and indeed Scotney life and culture again for the first time since the 1996 Revolution. The Crown Prince Imperial has moved into the palace in his capacity as custodian of Britanian and Scotney Royal history and Royal historic artifacts and has combined his private collection with that kept in trust for the nation. These will now be exhibited at the Aldarian Palace when not used/worn by members of the Imperial Family.

The Aldarian Palace as it looks since its full restoration and alteration to receive its new occupants.

The brand new Jewel Room in the Aldarian Palace has been granted dual territory status along with the grounds of the entire palace making it official sovereign territory of both Britanian and Scotney. It technically has the same diplomatic status as an embassy but is the only one of its kind in the world. Currently the Palace is in the last league of gaining International Heritage Site recognition as well. 

After the display area was completed the various objects were placed in their various exhibit spaces. 

Security is of the highest standard and the thick glassed exhibit cabinets and domes may be approached up close for an intimate view of the international treasures.

The thick bullet proof glass does not seem as thick as it actually is to the untrained eye.

Some truly remarkable historic and valuable pieces may be viewed by the public. This Nuptial Crown from the Scotney Royal Treasure was presumed destroyed but was rediscovered after decades.

The Imperial Aquamarines also return to the world stage after languishing in a secret vault for almost 20 years.

The Crown Jewels include the world's largest top quality diamonds, a rarity that can now be enjoyed by the public up close.

The Imperial scepters of which the one on the left contains the world's largest diamond.

Many unknown parts of the Crown Jewels like the Imperial Chains of Officie can now also be inspected in detail.

The very rarely seen Crown Prince Imperial Coronet has a pride of place under its own glass dome right next to the central feature of the Jewel Room display. 

The central feature  is obviously the two Imperial Crowns housed directly in the center of the Jewel Room under a spectacular glass dome.

For the first time on this blog we feature a detailed photo of the Imperial Crown of the United Empire of Scot-Britania.

The Empress'Crown also receives it first ever featured photo in this post. 

A small opening ceremony was held for the Imperial Family and media last night. It is the first major Royal event of 2015 and Princess Augusta was visibly very happy at this milestone in Imperial history.

The histories of the two countries, Scotney and Britania are inextricably and indelibly linked and now peacefully and gloriously celebrated in this exhibit, said the Premiere of Scotney, Margaret Fontelroy. Mrs Fontelroy is seen here in yellow, posing with the Chancellor of Britania and the Crown Prince Imperial Couple.

The Crown Prince Imperial is seen here chatting with the Chancellor.

The Crown Prince Imperial Couple posed for and official portrait with the Imperial Crowns.

The spectacular collection will undoubted be appreciated and enjoyed by many citizens of the two countries they represent and serve to educate future generations. They also promise to attract tourists by the thousands each year garnering an economic boost for Scotney and Britania and providing an income for the upkeep of the palace and its historic content.

What's Up Wednesday (Normandian State Visit to Syldavia)

Queen Gloria of Normandia has just completed a three day state visit to the Kingdom of Syldavia. Her Majesty has not partaken of a State Visit for a while and felt it long overdue to focus some media attention on her country and Syldavia. This event puts 2015 now in full swing as Royal routines and duties start catching momentum.

For the State Banquet on the first evening of the three day tour, Queen Gloria was entertained by the reigning King and Queen of Syldavia. Formal dress and tiaras were worn as per protocol.

Queen Gloria posed for official portraits with her Syldavian counterpart King Nikolas.

Queen Maximal looked very stately in official Royal jewels and Order of the Syldav Cross Insignia.

Queen Gloria opted for very down toned aquamarine jewellery paired with her velvet dress and Order of the Lake Insignia. The main purpose of the State Visist was to strengthen diplomatic ties for the new year and to also give both countries a media boost after last year's focus being mainly on the Arcwhite Crisis. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Royal and Historic Jewellery in Museums Part 1)

Apart from the obvious Crown Jewel Collections that one may view in many exhibits open to the public, we find a category of jewels that is exhibited in museums and unlike Crown Jewels, serve no symbolic purpose. These historic jewels once belonged to famous historical figures but have since ended up in museums as records of history, artistic value and plain curiosities. The main difference between these museum display jewels and Crown Jewel exhibits is that the museum pieces have never been worn since they ended up in the museum nor will ever be worn again in the context they were designed for. They are now the property of the public and displayed for their pleasure and education. They are at least often displayed with photographs or paintings where they were worn. In this new short series of posts we will feature some pieces of Royal Jewels that find themselves trapped in time behind glass display cases around the world. 

The United States of Americania Museum of History in the Big Apple displays a famous historic parure that belonged to the Grand Duchess Georgiana, sister of Tzar Ivan X of Ruskiana. She married the Count Tolstoievski and after the Great War escaped to Americania where she had to sell the parure to a wealthy Americanian Industrialist. His wife left the historic set of jewels to the museum in her will. 

This contemporary pre-war photo shows, Grand Duchess Georgiana Alexandrovna, Countess Tolstoievski, wearing the awesome Garnet and Diamond Parure. What makes this set unique is the very rare size of the otherwise quite cheap garnet stones. Garnets are very durable and beautiful stones but quite common and therefor cheaply available. However they are rarely larger than 4cm in the rough making larger cut specimens extremely rare and costly. 

 This very recent museum archive photo shows the set of jewellery in detail. It is made, as per the era standards. from silver and set with diamonds and garnets. The craftsmanship is a testament of a bygone era and the level of "made-by-hand" skill that is scarcely matched today if ever.

We hope to do a couple more of these museum features so look out for them on Tuesdays. 

Memory Monday (Swann Commemorative Statue and Memorial Garden)

In 2012 the current Duke of Swann celebrated 15 years on the throne. A grand banquet was held in honour of the anniversary with many foreign Royals attending as official guests and family. What we did not post here on the blog was two events that coincided with the 15 year anniversary celebrations and we will do so now in our customary historic slot, Memory Monday. At the time the Duke of Swann wished to honour the life and reign of his predecessor and father, the former Duke of Swann, who died as a result of the 1996 Revolution. He also wanted to include his mother, Princess Elizabeth, the last Duchess Consort of Swann in his show of gratitude.

The vast and world famously beautiful gardens of Duke's Court Palace was decided upon as the venue for these commemorations to take place.

His Royal Highness, the Duke of Swann chose the gardens to permanently erect a statue in memory of his late father and to plant a memorial garden in honour of his mother.

Reichenthal craftsman were commissioned two years in advance of the 2012 celebrations to design and create a gilded bronze, life size representation of the former Duke of Swann. The result shows an uncanny resemblance and pleased the Duke of Swann immensely who felt the statue was to; "make up for the many unhappy bygone years he struggled through in relationship with his father". His Royal Highness hoped the gesture would afford his father honour he may have neglected to show him in his life.

The gilded statue was placed with a spectacular panoramic view of the palace gardens and water features also affording it grandiose raised vantage as visitors to the park will find when approaching it from far below.

The Duke of Swann posed for this formal portrait on the day of the unveiling.

His Royal Highness was visibly moved when he recalled the life of his father in his speech. Remembering in truth the struggles but the, now in hindsight, valuable lessons he learned from his father, He especially payed homage to his father's love, which he felt he misunderstood during his lifetime.

Following the speech an announcement was made of the planting of the memorial garden in honour of the Duke's mother. His Royal Highness revealed which part of the palace gardens was dedicated to it and said he would inspect the progress in 3 months from the date of the statue's unveiling.

A few months later His Royal Highness toured the new garden to inspect how the plants had settled and was quoted as "being happy". 

A commemorative carved stone was laid in honour of the Duke's mother at the base of the garden, pointed out here by His Royal Highness. The stone will eventually be engraved with the famous words from the Bible; Exodus 20v12 "Honour thy father and thy mother, that it may go well with thee." The garden is filled with all the favourite plants and shrubs of the late Duchess of Swann.

A replica of the Venus De Milo was also erected in the memorial garden as it was the Duke's mother's favourite sculpture. The garden was then left to reach it's full growth and bloom potential to eventually be enjoyed by the public when visiting the Royal gardens.

The Duke of Swann plans a State Portrait for 2015 to be taken in the memorial garden.

Wonderful Weekends (2015 State Portrait of the Grand Duchess of Hanoveria)

Our first Wonderful Weekends for 2015 is as always a beautiful State Portrait. The Grand Duchy of Hanoveria has just released a series of spectacular portraits of  the wife and consort of their Grand Duke. The Grand Duchess of Hanoveria hasn't had a State Portrait in a while and never by herself. We usher in the new year with these regal and fresh images. 

Her Royal Highness looks amazing in white and wears the Princess Beatrice Emeralds officially passed on to her by her mother in law. 

The Grand Duchess posed on the stairs of the Royal Palace's entrance hall for these dramatically elegant photos. She also wears the golden sash of Hanoveria's highest honour, the Order of the Polar Star.