Kalistan

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Coronation date is set for one year
Empress visits Reed in Kaliburg, and is sized for Coronation
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 12, 5694


Her Imperial Majesty visits Jeff Reed, owner of Reed Jewelers in Kaliburg

House Ananto has announced that Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto will be crowned on September 20, 5695, just a little over a year from now. She has decided that, since she will be able to complete her degree in May, before she completes her National Service, she will muster out in early August and take a month off to prepare for coronation and then step directly into her birthright and assume her full authority.

"Her Imperial Majesty feels that it is very important to relieve the Regent of her responsibilities as soon as possible," said Director of House Ananto, Lady Allison Ananto-Westmoreland. "The Empress feels that the Regent has done far more in service to her nation than anyone could ever expect, and would like to let her aunt return to her private life in Luxon." According to Lady Ananto-Westmoreland, starting the clock ticking now allows Her Highness, the Princess Regent to begin winding down her own administration, to begin transferring her various authorities, and getting ready to assume a lower profile once more. "The Princess Regent for her part is very eager to return to her life in Luxon. She hopes to return to teaching, mentoring and surfing, and looks forward to resuming her life without the pressures of the Crown."

Her Imperial Majesty was in Kaliburg, on leave from the NSP, when the announcement was made. Her short break from her service was more of a working holiday. Though she has formally held the title of Empress and Grand Duchess, her other titles were formally released from trust this week, and were conferred upon the Empress. After attending a formal investment ceremony in Eveari to formally promote the Empress to Sovereign of the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke, the Chancellor of the Empire met with her back in Kaliburg at the Imperial Seat, to formally return her titles to her. Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto is now known, by Act of the National Assembly, by her Formal Style:

By the Consent of the People, Her Imperial Majesty, of the Ancient House of Ananto, Empress and Sovereign of The Anantonese Empire, Empress of Ananto, Kalistan and Gaduridos, Queen of Vintalli, Queen of Andalay, Queen of Karzon, Queen of Sekowo, Grand Duchess of Ananto, Grand Duchess of Isle of Sutton, Duchess of Icehaven, Duchess of Athosia, Duchess of Outannais, Countess of Davon, Countess of Dah, Baroness of Zappa, Commander in Chief of the Regular Forces of Kalistan, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Excellent Order of the Anantonese Empire, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Vintalli, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Andalay, Defender of the Realm, Formal Head of the Anantonese Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Evenstar, Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait, Carolina II Ananto.

Following the formality of the investments in both Eveari and Kaliburg, the Empress visited Reed Jewelers in downtown Kaliburg, where she met with Jeff Reed, who now owns and operated the business which has served House Ananto as Imperial Jeweler for more than sixty years to commission new regalia for her coronation. "House Ananto has contracted Reed to work with Del Valle to create a new coronation gown, Robe of State, and crown for Her Imperial Majesty," said Lady Ananto-Westmoreland. "Ever since the coronation of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette I Ananto, each new Monarch has had these three items created for them specifically. And each new Monarch has tried to outdo the previous. The late Emperor and Empress had coronation garments that were encrusted with gems from the Imperial Gem Vault--The Empress' bodice was almost entirely made of amethyst shards, while the Emperor's tunic was primarily satin, but the breast plate and accents was made of dozens of rubies, emeralds and diamonds. But I suspect the vision here is even greater, because Mr. Reed has already scheduled a visit to the Gem vault, and has hired 20 gem cutters to his staff specifically for the next year." Reed will be working with Del Valle to create a garment that will will be a statement to the world announcing the long awaited arrival of this Empress.

Also in the works, said Lady Ananto-Westmoreland, is a newly commissioned throne for Her Imperial Majesty, to be placed in the Imperial Seat, where Her Imperial Majesty will perform state functions and listen to Formal Audiences. "Unlike the crown and the Coronation Garments, which are custom made, the thrones are recycled and created new each reign," said Lady Ananto-Westmoreland. "The previous throne was a dual throne which itself was worth hundreds of millions of Imperial Rubles as it was. But following the loss of the Emperor and Empress, the House ordered the throne Dismantled. As it was made of gold, the gems which were set in the throne were removed, returned to the Vault and the the gold was melted and returned to ingots. However, now that we have a new Coronation set, the Empress has ordered a new Throne to be built that will invoke the grandeur of her mother's and father's dual throne. We can guarantee it will more than surpass it." House Ananto is working with Reed in this project as well, along with the National Mint to create the structure of the Throne and to cover it, again, in precious stones. "We can preview that this one will be made of solid silver, as Her Imperial Majesty prefers the look of polished silver to either gold or white gold. We'll see what Mr. Reed comes up with."

It should be noted that Her Highness, the Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins opted to use a home arm chair that was her personal property to hear Audiences. "It was what she asked for," said Lady Ananto-Westmoreland. "She said if she was meant to sit for hours at a time listening to petitions from people who wanted things from the Empire, at least she should try to be comfortable. Beyond that, the Princess Regent preferred to meet with people at Cliff Offices and the Formal Audience Chamber at the Imperial Seat was rarely used during her Administration."

While many might view this extravagant display of House Ananto Wealth as, in the words of the Late Empress Jennifer Ananto, "obscene," most Kalistanis greeted the news of the coronation. Recent polls said that the anticipation for Empress Carolina II Ananto's coronation is growing in Kalistan, both from nationalists, who are proud of their National Avatar and look forward to hearing once more from their proper sovereign, and also from moderates and reformers, who are encouraged by her willingness to work for Kalistani interests while remaining open to building new ties overseas and her youth. "The see Her Imperial Majesty as an opportunity for a new start. We are still living in Empress Mary's shadow, and while this is perfectly acceptable for wide majorities, many are also clamoring for a new direction forward. For better or worse, Emperor Fredrick and Empress Jennifer, especially at the end, were largely considered to be continuation's of Mary's reign, but Empress Carolina II Ananto represents a new day and new possibilities for this Empire, in everything from toleration of a plurality of political viewpoints, to new alliances and closer ties with all of Kalistan's friends abroad."

Lady Ananto-Westmoreland added, "This next year will a year of building excitement, and a lot of work for House Ananto as we work to get everything ready. But we are very excited ourselves and it is certain that the Coronation Ceremony next year will be one for the books."

@TheNational