What's Up Wednesday (Sorgenfrei Castle)

The Crown Prince Imperial announced his formal moving from the United States of Americania today in a special press conference in Muren. His Imperial Highness feels its time to "live amongst Europans and to be in the same atmosphere". The Prince, originally thought dead by the world after the 96 Revolution, grew up in secret in the Switzer Confederation, then moved to live with his mother in Americania after the reality of them surviving the revolution was announced in 2009

After more than two years of marital bliss, the Crown Prince Imperial couple want to start a family and thought the natural surroundings and slower pace of rural Muren would be ideal. Princess Odeliah has extended family who live and work on the Sorgenfrei dairy farm close to the town. The Crown Prince Imperial surprised his wife with the news of having bought a permanent residence in Muren on a private visit to her family last week.

The extremely picturesque Muren Mountains with the former Fort of Muren vaguely visible in the centre on the distant ridge.

The couple have maintained a pseudo-nomadic lifestyle since their move to Americania. They have moved between their apartments in the Big Aplle, the family farm in Muren and residences in Swann and Hanoveria. Most recently, they were officially welcomed back in the former Kingdom, now Republic of Scotney. However they are still officially exiled from Britania. These two countries combined formed what would have been the Crown Prince Imperial's Empire if the 96 Revolution did not topple the monarchy. 

Fort Muren was built during the gradual build up of tensions in Europa before the Great War. It was essentially built using the "framework"of a much older medieval castle that used to dominate the valley. The building served as an army barracks after the war and as peace settled more and more it was abandoned. Prince Chritian-Victor bought the property in 2010 without his wife's knowledge and began restorations and alterations, turning it into a palatial home and regional museum displaying the region's history.

 In this photo the Prince and Princess view the spectacular scenery outside the small town of Muren with their new home being pointed out by the Prince.

The former Fort of Muren will now be called Sorgenfrei Castle. It was abandoned several decades ago but has been bought and restored by special agreement with the Muren Municipality to serve as a Royal residence, historic landmark and museum . Prince Christian-Victor hopes to not just create a home but also to give back to society by managing a museum which will be open to the public whenever the couple are not in residence.

The distinctive lines of the former fort makes for a dream location for the young couple's new home. We can expect a small intimate Roof Wetting Party for family and friends at Sorgenfrei Castle in the next few weeks. We congratulate the Prince and Princess and wish them all the best as the settle in Muren.

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (The Ruskian Collection)

We are posting almost a day earlier than planned because I couldn't wait any more. Prepare to be dazzled.

The former Imperial Court of Ruskiana was probably the most spectacular the world has ever witnessed. The display of wealth through architecture, art and jewellery was on a level beyond imagination. Even to this day, what is left of the former Imperial Jewel Collection still stupefies even though it is a mere drop in the proverbial bucket. Let us take a look at what remains in ownership of the current pretender. Remember, her inheritance is also only that which remains on her side branch of the family tree as the main line were all assassinated and most of the main jewels stolen or destroyed.

There are many categories of head ornaments and in the class of Tiaras specifically there are also sub-categories. Whenever you discuss Ruskian Royal  jewellery you are required to understand the term Kokoshnik. The Kokoshnik class of tiara has its origin in the folk history of the Ruskian peasants. The ladies of old used to wear a headress or hat for obviously practical reasons of covering the head in order to protect from sun and dirt. The shape of this headdress became very distinct and as time went by was ornately embellished especially when the tradition of wearing it extended to weddings. The women would stitch intricate lace work and beads to the stiffened fabric base of the peasant "hat". This traditional headdress was adopted as the official court headdress in the Ruskian Imperial Court and the stitching of certain decorative elements then became huge diamonds and expensive pearls. Eventually the traditional fabric base was completely abandoned and tiaras made in gold and platinum were manufactured as a whole from metal but still mimicked the very specific shape of the traditional Kokoshnik. .

One of the only official pieces that belonged to an actual Empress Consort is the very famous and spectacular Tzar Nikolas I Pink Diamond Kokoshnik. 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.

This very basic kokoshnik style tiara with matching choker would have formed the staple of any low ranking Ruskian Grand Duchess' jewellery collection. The tiara and necklace has no documented origin as these were lost to its turbulent history. However Grand Duchess Xenia's grandmother told the story of how it was a betrothal gift from Grand Duke Sergei, the youngest brother of Tzar Alexander II to his fiance the Countess Iliana Kirilovich Rostoff. The marriage was morganatic and after their deaths their entire estate reverted to the Tzar. This lesser tiara was forgotten  and was probably passed unnoticed down the family tree. It eventually surfaced in Xenia's grandmother's Americanian safety deposit box which was opened for the first time years after the 96 revolution and it is now often worn by the current pretender to the throne. The exceptionally large diamonds in the earrings are of truly Imperial scale and were a documented coming of age gift to Grand Duchess Xenia's great grandmother Princess Theodora of Syldavia from her grandfather.  She became a Ruskian Grand Duchess upon her marriage to the Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich who became known asTzar Alexander III. 

In a rare appearance of the iconic Emerald Cross of Ruskiana, was worn by Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna to the Swann 15th Anniversary Celebration in March this year along with its matching earrings. She also wears an antique Kokoshnik Tiara.

Originally the Cross formed part of the Ruskian Crown Jewel Collection having been given to the Tzar in 1794 by the then Metropolitan of Moskovi as a blessing over Easter. Later the pectoral cross was put on a strand of pearls with the intent that it would be worn more regularly by the wives of the Tzars. After the Great War the cross left Ruskiana along with the fleeing Imperial Family but was lost in the chaos. It reappeared in 1961 at auction and at that stage the Ruskian Socialist Government was repentant for the gross murder of members of the Imperial family. As a token of their remorse they bought the cross, ordered the addition of the earrings and gifted it to the Hanoverian Royal Family in trust of their Ruskian Imperial cousins. Today the set is in the private collection of Grand Duchess Xenia and Grand Duchess Alexandra who rarely wear it due to its cumbersome large size.  

The famous Tsar Alexander Sapphire Parure previously featured in detail in its own post. Tzar Alexander III of Ruskiana is the long deceased  great-great grandfather of Grand Duchess Xenia the current pretender to the Ruskian throne. His was a title and court also in pretense as his older brother was the last real Tzar of Ruskiana. Tzar Ivan X and his family were killed by rebels during the aftermath of the Great War. Alexander III succeeded him but was never crowned. He in turn was killed while fleeing the country a few months later with his young family. His son and heir and the rest were saved by Tzar Alexander giving his life in order to create a diversion for the pursuing rebels. Many pieces of family jewels also survived this escape one of which was the Parure of Sapphires that Alexander ordered for his wife in the heyday of the Ruskian Imperial Court. The full parure employed the then very modern stone cut called "baguette cut" for the sapphires. These rectangular sapphires were accented by very large round cut diamonds. 

 The tiara passed to Nicholas II who had become Tzar d'jour in exile. He left it to his son, who was murdered in the Bloody Revolution of 1996 while living in exile in the Empire of Scot Britania. As the father of Xenia he left the tiara and the remaining jewels to her and her sister who escaped with their lives to South Americania. The necklace passed to Tzar Nicholas II's younger sister Grand Duchess Anna, who left it to her daughter who married the last King of Serbieski. they left it to their son who let his wife wear it on her wedding day as "something blue". We know the couple today as the mediatized Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Serbieski in the restored Kingdom of Syldavia. The earrings passed to the youngest daughter of Alexander III, Grand Duchess Tatiana. From here it ended up in the Crown Jewel Collection of Britannia in a rather scandalous turn of events. Those jewels are in trust for the Crown Prince Imperial and his descendants and as such may never be sold.

This is not where the story ends however. In the early days of 2012, the Prince Karageorgevich received the confirmation of the restoration of the Kingdom of Syldavia and his assumption of the title of Grand Duke of Serbieski. To raise much needed cash he sold the necklace. The private sale took place in April and the buyer was none other than Grand Duchess Xenia of Ruskiana. The necklace has returned to its tiara albeit not to its homeland as yet. There is little to no hope that the earrings will ever return unfortunately.

As per Hanoverian tradition, a daughter of the House of Hanoveria is honoured upon her 18th birthday with the addition of a set of jewellery to the Hanoverian collection. This is not made in particular for her but rather leaves room for her choice to be made to take a dowry of jewellery upon her marriage. This bandeau style tiara with earrings and two modest necklaces combined to form the set of jewellery that Princess Maria of Hanoveria chose when she married Grand Duchess Xenia's father. Today it is referred to as the Hanoverian Nuptial Diamond Parure.

The Hanoverian Nuptial Diamond Parure in its original configuration seen above, is strictly speaking not designed as a set but was individual pieces selected in a group in order to fulfill the Hanoverian dowry tradition. It is known that some minor alterations have been made to it since this archive photo was taken.

The Grand Duchess Tatiana Yellow Diamond Parure is another "small" set of Imperial jewelry that was almost lost to history if not for Grand Duchess Xenia's contemporary wearing of it. It originally belonged to Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevich who died as a young spinster after failing to cope with life following her survival of the Great War and subsequent Ruskian Revolution. The set was sold after her death and disappeared until it surface in a 2006 auction and was purchased by Grand Duchess Xenia for a complete bargain. She added vintage 1980's earrings to complete the set as a makeshift parure. This set is very small, even on the scale of any exiled Royal standards. It is however not cheap as all the stones are top quality yellow diamonds albeit it that they are of an older cut and as such have reduced contemporary value.

 This set of aquamarine jewellery consisting of a necklace and earrings. Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna inherited them from her mother who brought them form Hanoveria with her into her marriage as private property. They originally were a 21st birthday present from all her Royal relatives. 

That concludes our feature of what remains of the Ruskian Imperial Jewels. 

What's Up Wednesday (Stolen Emeralds Press Release)

Its been three weeks since the armed robbery in the Swann capital that took the lives of three security guards and led to the disappearance of the historic Scot-Syldavian Emeralds. However an anonymous tip-off led to a police raid on a warehouse in the docks district of Swann's largest port city, Cygnus Landing. The Police Swat Team managed to capture 8 criminals involved on two sides of an illegal drug transaction and the sale of what was revealed to be the remainder of the historic jewels. The national treasure has been all but destroyed but at the very least some pieces were recovered and the perpetrators captured.

The Duke of Swann gave an official press conference in the gardens of Duke's Court Palace yesterday immediately after the news was made public. He stated that he was pleased that the offenders were in custody and will now be held accountable in a court of law for their misdeeds and of course the murder of innocents. The Duke also led on that the investigation as to the purpose of the money raised by these crimes will be on going. He stated that after last years terrorist attack in the capital, anti Royalist factions must be identified and rooted out. It seems that this particular theft was meant to be a symbolic act showing disdain for Swann but also its amicable diplomatic entente with the new Kingdom of Syldavia.

Three of the eight criminals arrested yesterday are Syldavian citizens which is leading the police to suspect that the crime involved money being raised for a separatist Syldavian plot. The Emerald parure is made from Syldavian emeralds which can also be seen as a symbolic message of disdain, being subtly stated. The photo above shows the original parure before it was stolen.

All that is left of the former splendid set of emerald jewellery is the earrings, undamaged and two diamonds and a single emerald. The jewels have seemingly been entirely dismantled and might remain missing forever after being sold on the black market.  The original thieves have not yet been apprehended but those in the illegal sale have been arrested. The testimony of the black market traders have revealed insidious criminal organisations involving drugs and arms deals crossing borders into Syldavia and Serbieski reaching as far a field as Arcwhite and Americania.

The missing jewels presumed sold on the black market could have fetched up to 2.5million United Dollars. The money will inevitably be used to forward the political agenda of the suspected Syldavian separatist terrorists. The recovered jewels have been returned to their owner the Duke of Swann who will undoubtedly  restore them to a wearable state.

On a more positive note, the wedding invitations for the Countess Dysart and the Duke of Argyle's big day have finally gone out.

We look forward to the happy event.

See an invited guest couple receive their invitation by following this link.
http://all4barbie.blogspot.com/2013/03/barbie-en-el-gotha-europeo.html

Memory Monday (Fairy Princess Charity Ball 2010)

In the spring of 2010 Princess Augusta hosted a charity fundraiser in the form of a themed Ball. The event, that took place in the Big Apple, was called "The Fairy Princess Ball" and raised money for orphans in a famine stricken region in rural Africania.

The Princess gathered some of her friends and relatives from her generation in Royal circles, dressed according to the theme and hosted the party for some of the world's wealthiest. The Blanche Noir Hotel donated their facilities for free and the Mayor, a friend of the Princess, attended to boost media publicity. The best dressed "Royal " for the evening got to go with the charity directors directly to Africania to assist in the charity work for a week. 

The Dowager Princess of Cataljone, mother of the Queen of Hispania won the prize for best dressed. 

The Ball was a raging success and the Dowager Princess Cataljone was the eventual recipient of the prize. After years of self imposed exile she was quoted to be "..very happy to get dirty for a good cause.." In response to winning she bequeathed the tiara she wore, made for her at her own request from diamonds given her by the Kingdom of Ophiri, to the charity to be sold upon her death and the funds to help the plight of orphans in Africania. 

From left, the Royal guests, all from the Princess Augusta's generation, included; the Dowager Countess Cartwright, Empress Crystobel of the United Empire, Princess Augusta, the Dowager Princess of Cataljone and the Dowager Baroness D'Rothchild. What is interesting to note is that all five these ladies were Princesses in their own right by birth.

Who do you think should have won?

Wonderful Weekends (Countess Dysart's Birthday/Engagement Present)

The Countess Dysart celebrated her birthday this week. She was surprised by her fiance who flew her to the Principality of Swann last night in order to present her with her birthday present early this morning. The Duke of Argyle purchased a young Hanoverian stallion for his fiance's stud from the Duke of Swann. His Royal Highness gave the horse at half its value to the couple as an engagement present. 

The Countess, a passionate equestrian and stud owner beamed at receiving the young stallion who is named Launcher's Dart. The Duke of Swann's stud is rated as one of the top in the world and the Duke of Argyle has taken his impending marriage to the equestrian Countess as a prompting to show support of his future wife. 

The friendly gesture from the side of the Duke of Swann came after a year of  friendly and business relations between himself and the Countess who hosted the grand Birthday Ball for the Duke of Swann and his cousin the Crown Prince Imperial at her family's Glen Coe Castle. We wish Her Ladyship a happy birthday and all the best in her plans for the young stallion. We also look forward to her marriage to the Duke of Argyle set for later in 2013. 

"To be or not to be" Thursday (Esther Mormaer the Lady Arcwhite)

The mysterious Ladies Archwhite have ruled their icy islands for hundreds of years. Their history is steeped in legend, rumour and superstitions. To add to the mystery, the personal identities and histories of the women seated on the throne have been disregarded in comparison to the almost avatar-likeness of the office they occupy. In their enthronement oath the Lady Arcwhite has to deny herself with the following words: "...as I take this seat, who I was has never been and who I am now is all that will be..."

We live in an era of technology and information and even ancient traditions bow if not just bend before it. The mysteries of the Ladies Arcwhite are therefore far more accessible than ever before. In today's post we will discuss the private person of Esther Mormaer, the current holder of the title Lady Archwhite but we will also flesh out a bit of the history around the impersonal office which almost has an identity of its own stretching through time. 

In the year 666 after suffering tireless raids from pirates and defending against invasion from the Kingdom of Britania without any assistance from their liege lord, the King of Scotney, the nuns from the Convent of the White Veil felt neglected and abused. They began working towards taking their governance into their own hands. Amidst politics ruled over by men the women from the isolated  convent decided to declare their "realm" independent from Scotney. The Mother Superior, born a peasant orphan named Barbara Haelström broke her 33 year vow of silence in order to dictate the Decree of the Veil declaring their sovereignty that was delivered to King Bruce of Scotney. The King replied by sending his response written in the blood of the young nun who brought the message to him. The bloody Royal Decree accusing Barbara of witchcraft and the King's immediate declaration of war, was shot into The Convent of the Veil by one of the governor of Scotney's catapults whilst attached to the rotting corpse of the nun. The bereaved and now bitter Mother Superior cursed him stating that the governor and "his" King of Scotney will not only lose their power over Arcwhite but that the King will lose everything he holds dear.

This rare medieval engraving depicts Barbara Haelström, the first Lady Archwhite recognized officially by historic record. It shows her signing the Declaration of the Veil. Very few artistic representations of the historic people occupying the office exist as tradition was to keep the identity and even the person completely secret from the public. 

The full scale invasion of the King of Scotney was stalled by the winter season which made travelling by boat in the arctic waters around Arcwhite impossible, so the islanders had more than nine months to prepare for the invasion. By the time the Scotney fleet arrived under the command of the Duke of Stirling, the entire island chain and its original Scotney armaments were under control of the Order of the Veil and the peasant farmers who owed no loyalty except to the kind ladies of God who served them for years. The invasion was a total failure and the Kingdom of Scotney had to reluctantly concede to Arcwhite's independence now also forced by the capture of the Duke of Stirling who was the heir to the throne of Scotney. The hostage Prince who commanded the invasion was released but committed suicide a few months later after accidentally killing his younger brother in a hunting accident. Foul play was suspected but remains unproven to this day. The bereft King died without an heir and the crown passed to a distant cousin. Many legends surround the story of how the sin of the King in conjunction with dark spells cast by the Mother Superior led to the young Prince's demon possession and murder of his brother. Some say it was God's judgement in defense of the betrayed nuns, others say the nuns themselves made a pact with the Devil. 

The photo above shows the original and now ruined Convent of the White Veil. It is considered the holiest shrine in Arcwhite and also of their separate branch of religion. It is still used for very specific and secret religious rituals on rare feast days. 

For their violent act the Mithrandir, Head of the Church of Europa, excommunicated the Order of the Veil saying: "...what they gained in governance they lost in conscience..." The Order of the Veil has never renounced their act and has never been accepted back into communion with the church. They instead formed their own off-shoot of religion and declared their autonomy from any church upon the recognition of their independent sovereignty. This was immediately celebrated with the investiture of the Mother Superior as the first Lady Arcwhite. She was now, Head of State and Church within the sovereign territory of Arcwhite and over all its legal citizens wherever they were in the world.

This now sets the foundation for the modern Nation of Arcwhite still ruled over by a current Lady Arcwhite. A figure, traditionally shrouded in secrecy, citizens of Arcwhite at times couldn't even vouch for certain that the person of the Lady really existed. The Order of the Veil, which is the de facto governing body, however was visible and occupied almost all administrative offices. Even the army of Arcwhite is presided over by a Lady of the Veil. Historically it was common for people to never see the Lady but she would interact with the outside world through official envoys sent out from the Order of the White Veil and blood relatives of the lady would even marry Royalty and Nobility from other nations.

Where in other monarchies the ruler is often referred to as Your majesty, Arcwhite employs no styles of address for their ruler or Nobility. Lady Arcwhite is just commonly referred to as My Lady and the same goes for all Nobility. The office of the Lady Arcwhite was given the style Your Illustrious Highness by common consensus of all the other monarchies in 1786 but it was refused and was never used by a Lady Arcwhite. The current Lady Arcwhite is reputed to hate it and apparently finds it demeaning as it implies a generic collective Royal authority that she believes does not exist. 

In 2010 all precedence was broken when the current Lady Arcwhite decided to leave her realm and to attend, diplomatically, the Annual Royal Christmas Ball. Even though her official status was an invited one, she was not expected to attend and shocked the guests with her arrival. To compound matters, her time of arrival was in breach of protocol. Diplomatic immunity denied any and all correcting measures and the faux pas was turned into a media spectacular by the Duke of Swann who welcomed her and placated the atmosphere of shock by opening the dance floor with her. The current Lady Arcwhite has seemingly made it her aim to set new precedents for public appearances and acting directly in representing her office and nation abroad. Be that as it may, in accordance with the secret workings of her office, very little is known of the current holder of the title. It is however on a lighter side considered that her fashion sense, ruling of her country and the managing of her private business enterprises have been of such a high standard as is rarely seen in the world today or its entire history. She has definitely even set herself far above any other Lady Arcwhite that preceded her. 

Shortly after the Mithrandir excommunicated the Order in the year 668 it was agreed by the nuns that the Mother Superior may and should take a husband to perpetuate the newly established "Royal House". It was from this moment that the title of Lady Arcwhite was officially established as the Head of State of the small island nation. The remaining members of the Order of the Veil remained celibate and devoted to God and to the responsibilities of government and ministry. The husband of the Lady Arcwhite, who is given the title Lord Skeksis, may be anybody she chooses as long as the Order of the Veil sanctions the union. Girls born from the marriage are immediately taken into the Order from where new Ladies Arcwhite are elected. Other members of the Veil are sourced through voluntary new recruits and the daughters of the sons of Ladies Arcwhite who are encouraged to "marry well". 

The only photo that exists of the former Lady Arcwhite, taken in 1952 after a press conference that did not allow photography. A reporter "stole" this opportunity and only released the photo after her death. 

The current Lady Esther Mormaer was born the daughter of the former Lady Arcwhite. Although extremely gifted she struggled her way through the training and the ranks of the Order like any other member as none are given favour above the others. The strict education and physical and martial training within the Order of the Veil is kept partially secret but is known to be of an unequaled standard. The highest rank in the Order below the Mother Superior/ Lady Arcwhite, is that of the Sister of the Silver Cuffs. Currently this rank is held by Esther Mormaer's niece Drealle. This office is seen as the Lady Arcwhites right hand and personal assistant, it does not however secure succession to the throne. Esther Mormaer also remains unmarried and might remain so as enough blood relatives exist within the Order of the Veil from which a successor may be gleaned. 

Drealle Mormaer is the niece and the current protege Sister of the Silver Cuffs to her aunt. She is the most obvious choice at this stage to succeed her aunt. She is the daughter of the former lady Arcwhite's brother James Mormaer and his wife Brenda Van Der Bilt a distant cousin of Queen Gloria of Normandia. 

Esther Mormaer has a flair for business on a scale of the D'Rothchilds and Van der Bilts. Her company Arc Investments, a company solely owned by Lady Arcwhite in her personal capacity, controls several international brands like Mine Magazine. The takeover of the magazine by her corporate gobbling machine made headline news in 2008 and sparked huge controversy. Arc Investments employs an aggressive technological policy where automation and digitisation takes precedence over human employment. As such the takeover of Mine Magazine boosted the magazine as a profitable international company but caused the loss of almost 10000 jobs. It is a two way street which helps in both directions to own a global business and to be a Head of State. Some might question the ethics but it works in favour of her country and her own pocket. 

Esther Mormaer is a successful business mogul and amongst others owns the Mine Magazine in her private capacity.

In 2012 another break with precedent and feather in the cap of the current lady Arcwhite, came when the nations of Arcwhite and Swann settled a centuries old contention. For more than fifty years in the early 1300's, skirmishes raged between the two countries partially sparked by renegade pirates seeking to pick off both sides of a larger vendetta. After this devastating period during the early 14th century AD, known as the Hundred Year Raids, King James of Scotney stepped in forcing a peace between the two nations in 1346. The King saw this as an attempt to make amends for the sins of his distant predecessor but also shared in the financial benefits of not having to play referee any more. The Treaty of Avalon was signed on the small island of Avalon bringing an end to the petty wars once and for all. One of the strange stipulations of the Treaty of Avalon stated that neither of the respective Heads of State of the two countries might set foot on the others sovereign territory. Even though tensions subsided in the centuries since then, it never completely abated and the Treaty of Avalon itself has caused tensions between the countries as it strained trade and immigration procedures between Swann and Arcwhite. 

For more than 600 years the Principality of Swann and the Island Realm of Arcwhite have had a cold relationship at best. This contention came to rest in 2012 with the signing of a new treaty and the Duke of Swann's State Visit over Christmas attending the Ball in his honour. Scotney again played host in assisting the peace, again bearing responsibility for its share in Arcwhite's troubled history. 

The Lady Arcwhite is required to always wear white when operating in an official capacity whilst upon "sacred ground" blessed by the Order of the Veil. It is thus easy to spot when she is within these holy spaces as often she will wear colour when operating outside them or in other countries. In this photo we see the Lady Arcwhite as she appeared wearing an official headpiece at the 2012 Christmas Ball. 

As we said little is known of her personal history and she rarely shares her own opinions. It is clear however that the title bears its own personality and is currently exhibited in such a way that has strengthened the Island Nation of Arcwhite and pushed it to its highest height. Whether it is Esther Mormaer or the Lady Arcwhite seems to have lost all relevance, The Icy Islands and their ruler have become a noteworthy force to be reckoned with.

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Aquamarines)

Aquamarines are the light blue version of the mineral known as Beryl whose famous green variety is called Emerald. Aquamarines derive their name from the term "aqua"which means water as their colour alludes to the colour of the Mediterranean sea. The stone is more common than emerald and as such slightly cheaper but good quality gems of a deep blue-green shade can fetch very high prices. They are also more readily available in larger sizes than emerald and these ones can fetch extremely high prices. Now let as look at some of the most impressive sets in the Royal collections.

The tiara in the Imperial Collection that is least famous and seemingly least worn and with the most unknown history must be the parure of impressive Aquamarines and Diamonds. There is no photographic or written historic account of it predating Princess Odeliah's wearing of it. This does not however directly imply that she has been the only owner as we know that most of the Imperial records predating the 96 Revolution have been destroyed. Empress Crystobel has never directly commented on the parure but if she does in future we will report it on this blog. For now we will simply call it the Imperial Aquamarine Parure.

The Hanoverian Crown Jewel Collection includes an aquamarine parure set with very large and high quality specimens. The photo above shows  the current Grand Duchess wearing the parure which also includes earrings and a matching bracelet with a huge aquamarine, not shown. The Hanoverian Aquamarine Parure shows the strong links between the Hanoverian Royal House and the old Empire of Ruskiana. The set was a gift to Grand Duchess Sophia of Hanoveria from her Ruskian cousins, the Youssopoffs upon her marriage. Many years later her descendant would marry a Ruskian Grand Duchess and his daughter would marry into the Youssopoff family. For historic reasons the parure is part of the Crown Jewels and not private property of the Grand Duke. 

The old Ruskian Empire was and still is the world's leading producer of gem quality aquamarines. It stands to reason then that many of the spectacular sets of jewellery have their origins from Ruskian mines. Therefor it is appropriate also that the current heir to the Ruskian Imperial House would own one of the most impressive and historic aquamarine sets of jewellery. The Ruskian Imperial Aquamarine Kokoshnik consisting of rare grey pearls, diamonds and aquamarines, has its origins in medieval Ruskia. In the mid 1500's Ruskia was not yet an Empire but the most powerful warlord, Grand Duke Kiril Kirilovich ruled his small Grand Duchy from Muskovi, today's capital. He desired the aquamarine mines of his rival Romanov cousins, the Grand Dukes of Petrograd. Instead of war Kiril opted to make a "trade" in the form of a dynastic wedding. He married his daughter off to the Romanov heir who received titles and prestige and Kiril got the mines. In recompense for his daughter's "sacrifice" he gave her the Kokoshnik headpiece as a wedding gift along with lands and serfs to even further placate her new family. What Grand Duke Kiril did not bargain on was that her descendants would eventually become emperors of all Ruskiana, not those of her brother, his son. Through that line, the Kirilovich Aquamarimes found their way down to the current owner, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna. The Kokoshnik is complemented by a more modern choker and earring added to it as a full parure only a few decades ago. 

Queen Gloria was required to wear official jewels from the Normandian Crown Collection for her Investiture Ceremony as Queen. (see below) This ancient set of aquamarines and diamonds did not however have matching earrings. Queen Gloria immediately had aquamarine earnings made up to match the official set but ordered an entire parure along with it. In this photo we can see the complete new set as it was worn to the Duke of Swann's Anniversary Festivities early in 2012. The tiara is very modest in typical Van Der Bilt style and was made for that purpose as the official jewellery is very large and cumbersome.

Part of the actual Crown Jewels of Normandia is the very old and spectacular tiara and choker necklace. It can be considered the regalia of the Queen Consort of Normandia as there is no crown for such a queen. This medieval period set of jewellery dates from  the early 15th century. It incorporates the national light blue colour by being set with aquamarines but it is accented by yellow and white diamonds .

The Franconian Royal Family in pretence own some impressive jewellery left over through inheritance. One set is this aquamarine parure said to have belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette and originally formed part of a larger set that included a small coronet. It is however clear from the design of the tiara that the set has been altered and modernised over the years. 

The Swann Collection had an extensive feature towards the end of 2012.  The aquamarines, depicted above was mentioned but not discussed in detail. The parure includes a matching necklace not worn at the occasion where this photo was taken. The Peruvian Aquamarine Parure is relatively new and was made for the current Duke's mother. She received it as a gift from the Peruvian president in the 1980's on her and her husband's first State visit to the South Americanian country, just a month after their honeymoon. The Peruvian nation is the world's second largest producer of aquamarines and gave the gift in celebration of the newlyweds and the diplomatic bonds between the two countries. It seems appropriate that the current Duke's sister has on occasion worn the set as she has been involved in extensive charity work in Peruvia. The jewellery is seen as private property and as such might end up being the Princess's property in her own right one day. 

The Marlboro Platinum and Aquamarine Parure has also been featured in a previous blog. This rather modern set of jewellery was made for the 10th Duke's wife in the 1980's especially for the wedding of the Queen of Scotney and the Crown Prince of Britania.

It was inherited by the Duke of Marlboro's second son Sir Michael Jennings who married Infanta Isabella of Hispania. She is often seen wearing the aquamarines as in the photo above. It is not known whether the jewels will return to the Marlboro's after her passing or might stay with her descendants. 

The current pretender to the Ruskian Imperial throne also owns a set of aquamarine jewellery consisting of a necklace and earrings. Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna inherited them from her mother who brought them with her into her marriage as a dowry. 

The Princes Youssopoff's great wealth have afforded them spectacular jewels for centuries. The fact that they owned and now still manage several mines obviously also helps a little. Aquamarine mining have formed a large byproduct of some of the more industrial commodities extracted by the Youssopoffs and it stands to reason that the highest quality aquamarines have found themselves into the jewellery worn by the Princesses Youssopoffs over the years. This set predates the 1920's and hearkens to the formal splendour of the Pre Great War Court of Imperial Ruskiana. The aquamarines were mined from one of several mines owned by the Youssopoffs. 

The wearing of this tiara along with matching brand new earrings tipped the world media off to the seriousness of the relationship between Prince Felix and Princess Kirsten. She was seen wearing it on the arm of the Prince to the Pariseum Opera, before their engagement was even announced. It shows how jewellery can convey a very strong message to the trained eye. 

The modest Cartwright Aquamarine Parure is regardless of its size, quite stylish. It also boasts relatively large  Aquamarines of good quality. It has been in the family since the current Dowager Countess received it as an eighteenth birthday present from her extended family who was the Royal Family of Britania before the Empire. 

The D'Rothchilds also own a tiara and necklace set with aquamarines. The set reputedly is made from stones that originally formed part of the set owned by the Franconian Royal Family in pretence. However, no formal statement about it is published and the jewellery has only been worn by the Dowager and current Baroness D'Rothchild. 

The Argyle Demi parure does not include a matching tiara. The Countess Dysart seems to have received it a an engagement present from her fiance, the Duke of Argyle. The demi parure was made for his mother to celebrate her 40th birthday and includes aquamarines the former Duke won in a wager against Prince Nikolai Youssopoff. We will undoubtedly see much more of these aquamarines on the soon-to-be new Duchess. 

What do you think of Aquamarines and which set is your favourite?