Kalistan

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Empress is formally Crowned in Kaliburg
Dignitaries from around Terra visit Kalistan
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 21, 5695


Official Coronation Portrait of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto has been formally crowned in Kaliburg, and has claimed her full power. This is the first time the Coronation has taken place at the Imperial Seat, and is the first time a new formalized Coronation Ceremony was instituted to bring solemnity to the event. It was a surprisingly short event, but one with tremendous gravity.

The Ceremony began as the guests were shown to their assigned seats. In attendance Were Her Imperial Majesty's Government, most Deputies from the National Assembly, all Lords Mayor, all members of the Peerage, and noted invited dignitaries, including civil society members, entertainers and invited guests. The Formal Audience Chamber where the ceremony was to take place, was, itself very crowded. In the VIP section, were foreign Dignitaries that included:

• Xsampan Prime Minister Passang Asselin and the Custodian Dhanacktsang
  
• Her Excellency, Valruzian President Urszula Pawlik, along with Chancellor Krystian Barela and Deputy Chancellor Fryderyk Konik
  
• His Majesty Khan of Bianjie Nurhaci will attend the coronation with his wife, Nulanzhu
  
• From the Kerisian Empire, His Majesty, Emperor Leon Alexander Her Majesty, Empress Isabella, High Councilor Juan Carlos Formoselle y Castilla and Royal Councilor Andrea Mondragon y Astures
  
• The Istalian Empress, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Eleonora, Prince Consort Marco, Duke of Capranica Saliana, and Her Excellency, Mrs Lucrezia Tasconi, Ambassador of Istalia to Kalistan
  
• Representing the House of Orange-Villayn from Luthori, His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Orange, William and Her Imperial Highness, the Princess of Orange, Mary
  
• Representatives of Tel Bira
  
• His Excellency, Mordusian Prime-Minister Henry Humperdinck
  
• * His Majesty, the Minor King William James Steuart-Carmichael of Hutori, who is currently a ward of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto, attended with the Royal Family
  

Once the guests were seated, the Royal Family were escorted in, to their seats near the great gem encrusted Imperial Silver Pagoda, which was commissioned by Empress Mary I Ananto and is the location of the Imperial Throne. For the ceremony, Silver Pagoda had a curtain attached around the outside, forbidding view into the pagoda and of the new Throne. Important members of the Royal Family were Her Highness, the Princess of the Empire, Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis, Her Highness the (new) Princess of the Empire Nicolette Ananto-Collins, who received her new title earlier in the morning, officially relieving her of responsibilities of state, as well as Lady Allison Ananto-Westmoreland, head of House Ananto, and Her Excellency Lady Anantonia Alvarez-Urquizo, Viceroy of Gaduridos.

Her Imperial Majesty accompanied them into the room, barefoot and dressed in a plain untailored white linen dress. Many agreed that they had never seen an Ananto so simply dressed. Her Highness, the Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto could be seen smiling proudly, confirming many of the rumors that this ceremony was her design. As the family sat down, Carolina proceeded to the stand before the Chancellor, who announced "Citizens of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, please recognize Your Empress and Sovereign, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto." All Kalistanis in attendance responded "Long Live our Empress!"

At this point, The Empress' turned toward the Pagoda, and preceded into the curtained throne chamber. She was followed by the Chancellor, and the attendants. According to the program, the Empress was being stripped of her linen garments and being placed into her Coronation gown, which had been made for her specifically to be worn at her Coronation. The process took all of ten minutes, after which time the attendants left the pagoda. A moment later the Chancellor also left the pagoda and then in an instant, the curtains were opened and inside sat the Empress on her throne. The sight caused gasps among the crowd, and once more Her Highness, the Princess of the Empire beamed a wide smile.

The throne itself was solid polished silver. Inset along the entire throne were columns and rows of diamonds, all hand selected and cut for this event by Reed's team. The diamonds surrounded ruby uprights that were made of mosaics of countless rubies, all, according to the program, sold to Kalistan by Xsampa in raw form. The entire throne carried a red and white motif with it that symbolized the Grand Duchy of Kalistan. The posts were topped by large emeralds and the back rests were studded with deep blue sapphires that formed a base for very intricate and interweaving patterns of diamonds set into pliable leather. The arm rests were likewise made of solid silver and in the pommel of each was a massive round rough cut amethyst crystal, the precious stone which is declared exclusive possession of the Royal family and is a symbol of regal authority in Kalistan.

The Coronation dress was no less astonishing. It was made entirely of flat cut diamonds and rubies in alternating rows, again mimicking the flag and colors of the Grand Duchy of Kalistan.. It appears that Del Valle, who constructed the dress, worked with Reed to create several panels which were then sewn together to fit the Empress' Form. It was later learned that thick but breathable cotton stood between the stones and her skin, but the dress was so well made that there did not appear to be any cloth in it at all. Yet it moved with her very easily, like scale mail. She later reported that it was a very heavy dress. She sat down onto the seat of her throne, for the moment uncrowned and waited for the ceremony to continue.

At this point, The Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue read a proclamation which included a minute of support from the Kalistani Yearly Meeting of the Brethrenist Society of Kalistan and then continued with her formal Duties.

"Your Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto, Your People call you step into your role as Our Ruler. We begin by reading a Minute from the Kaliburg Yearly Meeting of The Society of Bretheren, which says 'The Kaliburg Yearly Meeting, in discernment and clearness along with Monthly meetings from across Kalistan, Ananto and Gaduridos, including the Eveari Monthly Meeting, have asked all Kalistanis to hold Carolina Ananto in the light of the Truth, to provide her with only careful and disinterested counsel, and to join with her as she attempts to provide our nation with wise and moderate leadership. We pray that she remains just and compassionate and that she remember to always deliberate her decisions with consideration to the highest and widest good for her people. We say Welcome to our Friend and will take her up as a going concern of our Yearly Meeting. We wish her peace.'

Our purpose today is merely to place the crown formally upon the head of our Monarch, and restore her to her full authority and sovereign reign over the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan and her dominion over the Anantonese Empire. Before we attend to this, I would like to take a moment to say that Her Imperial Majesty's Peers and the Deputies here gathered have joined me in requesting that Your Imperial Majesty shall, at long last, take up your proper and correct place as our Ruler and our Sovereign, for as long as you can hold this office or until such time as you can pass it to some one trained and prepared for it. So I shall ask you, My Sovereign, Your Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto: Do you affirm that you will govern us honestly, administer justice evenly and fairly, according to the law, and rule with the end of the good and common welfare of your subjects and your citizens as your first, last, and only consideration, in all matters, from now forward?"

At this point, the Empress said "I affirm that I will try, though it may kill me."

The Chancellor smiled, turned and signaled for the attendants once more. She took the crown and with a bowed head, she said "Then we, the People of Kalistan offer you our loyalty and pledge our honor to you, our eternal sovereign, and signify so by offering you your Crown." The Empress took the crown, and placed it on her own head. The attendants then approached, and standing on either side of the empress, draped her robe of state over her. The Robe was bright orange and satin, and trimmed with burgundy velvet which was embroidered, using 24 Karat Gold thread, with images of the Kalistani Poppy, which is the National Flower and a symbol of the Empire. The collar, and the inside of the cap on the Crown were lined with spotted ermine fur. While her Dress and her Throne are Red and White, signifying Kalistan Proper (as well as Andalay and Athosia) her Robe of State, made of colors Orange, Purple and White, which she will wear for each Formal Audience during her career, are the colors of Ananto, and therefore of the Empire. When the attendants had finished dressing her, they lowered their heads and left the Silver Pagoda for the side chamber.

The Chancellor raised her head and pronounced,

"All Kalistanis, behold, your Empress. Her True and Complete Name is:

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."

Upon completion of the Formal Style, the Chancellor, head still bowed, also backed away, and the Empress herself stood. The Kalistani members of the crowd, most of whom had never seen such a formal coronation, applauded and shouted once in Egelian: "Viva la Emperatriz!" though it was not expected of the foreign VIPs. As the Empress, now fully clothed in her Robe of State and her Imperial Crown took her place back on her jewel encrusted throne, The Chancellor again spoke a short benediction, using the National Motto: "In Wine, there is Truth. That said, please help your self to some in the Informal Audience Chamber just next door."

Following the Coronation, foreigners and all Kalistani commoners were escorted from the Formal Audience Chamber, and were asked to begin enjoying refreshments that had been set up there while the last couple orders of business were completed for the ceremony. After the last guest had left the Audience Chamber, the large gilded redwood doors were closed, and loudly locked. Inside the Audience Chamber, the entire Peerage that was assembled was commanded by the Chancellor to kneel and swear a personal oath of loyalty and defense, upon pain of death, to the Empress' person. Brethrenists were allowed to affirm rather than swear, but it was expected of every single Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron, Baronet and Knight in the room, and all complied. Additionally, all members of the Government were compelled to swear similar oaths. The details of the fealty oaths remain secret, and haven't divulged to the public because of press embargo. We know about it, because it was in the program. But we do know that every new Emperor and Empress receives these oaths, and swearing or affirming them is a condition for any Kalistani Life or Land Peer.

After the oaths and affirmations were received, the doors were thrown open and the Chancellor led the procession out of the Formal Audience Chamber. The Royal Family followed closely behind, and then the Peers. Meanwhile, the Empress sat for her new Official Portrait, a copy of which will be posted in each Government building along side that of the Chancellor's, as well as in all schools, and likely in millions of homes across the Empire. She then was helped to a side chamber where she was assisted by her attendants in putting on normal clothing for the celebration to follow. More than a half hour passed before she emerged from the Formal Audience Chamber. A reception line was organized, and Her Imperial Majesty, standing with the Chancellor greeted each guest individually, as others mingled and ate hors d'oeuvres.

The Chancellor then invited all to the parade in Downtown Kaliburg, which was about to begin, with the reviewing stands just outside the Imperial Seat. She welcomed all who wished to skip the event to begin making their way to the train station about a mile from the Imperial Seat, and begin heading to Eveari, where the Empress would join them in a couple hours, following the parade. Foreign dignitaries, Members of Her Imperial Majesty's Government and the Royal Family's invited guests, who included Mr. Robert Kaplan of AYIC and Ms. Alice Bjorksdattir, the super model who Her Highness the Princess of the Empire has taken under her wing and is trying to teach how to surf, went to the Reviewing stand.

The marching band from Kaliburg's College of Performance join huge parade to celebrate Coronation

There they joined a crowd of more than 130,000 Kaliburg citizens who turned out for the coronation parade. After a while, the parade finally arrived at the reviewing stand and guests were treated to musicians riding floats, civil society organization who were marching in the procession and handing out candy to children, numerous regular military units who marched in formation or hauled artillery behind 5 ton utility trucks, and countless marching bands from area schools, towns, and organizations. It was the best parade most Kaliburg Citizens could remember seeing, and was just the start of the revelry. Similar parades were held in most major cities and towns across the Empire, and like Kaliburg, most gave way to public concerts and were accompanied by fireworks displays to top the night off.

When the Parade was finished, the Royal Family and their guests relocated to Eveari by train, where the very informal Coronation party was held. The people of Eveari were welcomed to the Ananto Estate, and the party was an incredibly large gathering. A formal dinner was held which consisted of fresh caught grilled tuna steaks garnished with lemon for an entre, along with seasoned whole grain wild rice and a light garden salad with fresh baked ciabatta bread to be dipped into olive oil flavored with red pepper flakes and roasted caramelized garlic. There was sorbet for desert, and then ODEN opened up the wine and beer bars around seven.

Her Imperial Majesty takes a moment for a photo with President Urszula Pawlik and Princess Nicolette in Eveari

During the evening, the Empress mostly spent her time with Ms. Bjorksdattir and other young women her age. She had suspended the protocol for the event, and so people, often timidly, came up to wish the Empress well and say they thought she was very beautiful. "It was very strange" said Bjorksdattir after. "She explicitly said she was suspending the protocol, but people came up to her and they started talking to me to like get me to tell her things. 'Please tell her Imperial Majesty that the Jefferson Family loves the Anantos and will always stand by them forever,' you know, things like that. I tried to tell them 'look sir, tell her yourself, she is sitting right next to me,' but of course, these people would refuse. I get it. But she said she had suspended the Protocol, and nobody was listening to her."

For her part, according to Bjorksdattir, the Empress smiled and said things like "'We thank you for your support and it was a pleasure to say hello to you again Mr. Jefferson.' Because of course she knew them, she had met them dozens of times before: they were basically her neighbors. She eventually had to tell me to not worry about it or try to explain things to people. They knew already, and all I had to do was smile and nod politely at them and she would handle it. I sort of became her secretary a little bit."

When the Empress wasn't hanging out with the young luminaries in attendance, she was glad handing her foreign guests. She was of course thrilled to see Ms. Pawlik from Valruzia again. The two had formed a rather close bond when Her Imperial Majesty studied in the Western Seleyan state as a teenager, and this was the first meeting between them since that time, due to Her Imperial Majesty's enlistment in National Service. She was also excited to meet with the Prime Minister of Xsampa who she hoped would stay in Kalistan for a few days after the coronation celebration so they could discuss important affairs of state.

She graciously thanked everyone for their gifts on the occasion, and shortly after 9pm, the Royal Family, along with His Highness, the Minor King William of Hutori, retired to the Residence, and let the party continue without them. Upon their departure, the ODEN recreational bar opened, and eager guests decided to continue celebrating. Meanwhile across the entire Empire, firework displays treated millions to shows of pyrotechnic amazement, and the public concerts across Kalistan and Ananto lasted into the early hours of the next day.

Fireworks seen over Wilson Bridge in Kaliburg celebrate the Coronation of the Empress

Now that visiting dignitaries are headed home, Her Imperial Majesty will finally begin her reign as Kalistan's sovereign. Her Highness, Princess Nicolette, the now former regent, has been gratefully relieved and promoted to Princess of the Empire, a title she holds by virtue of her service to Ananto; she holds it along with her normal title to the county of Luxon.

The Egelian royal visitors will be stationed at their estate Casa Verastella in rural Eveari County, just up the harbor from Eveari, and Her Imperial Majesty is expecting to meet with them over the next couple weeks. In addition, she wishes to continue conversations with President Pawlik around trade and Continental Security. The Minor King is expected to be an observer at many of these meetings. She also has to do a lot of work in Kaliburg, but will put off her relocation back to Cliff House until at least the Egelians depart.

Long Live the Empress, Long Live Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto!

@TheRepublic