Luthori

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Ascending to the Imperial throne in 5627, Emperor Richard II’s life and reign have both been long and filled with events. With the Orange Palace announcing the tragic news that His Majesty had died peacefully by his sleep during the night through a statement issued at 10:22 am (GMT-9), this article focuses on the life of the late sovereign and the events awaiting the Empire following his passing. 

His Imperial Majesty ascended the Throne at the death of his grandmother, Empress Katherine on October 23, 5627 at merely 23 years of age, becoming the youngest sovereign in recent Luthorian history to have taken the throne. Crowned as Emperor of Luthori and King of Mordusia on 3rd July 5628, the young monarch was immediately thrown into a constitutional crisis as in, following the resignation of his first Prime Minister, Matilda Brakenbrooke, the Emperor, at her advice then appointed Minister-President of Orange, Michael Rodgers to the Premiership. The new Prime Minister, whose appointment was a breach of constitutional precedent, then refused to leave his office of Minister-President, prompting calls from the Labour opposition to the Sovereign to either dismiss Rodgers from the Premiership or dissolve Parliament for early elections. 

Following some skilled manoeuvres from the Emperor, Prime Minister Rodgers agreed to request the dissolution of Parliament, ushering in the large victory of the Labour Party and the Emperor’s introduction to his first Labour Prime Minister, Olivia Hall.  

Emperor Richard II married then-Princess Valeria of the House of Mongradon, a member of Egelian nobility, daughter of the former Royal Councillor Mongradon and currently related to current Egelian Royal Councillor Mondragon. Their marriage lasting 64 years would become synonymous with “longevity”, “fidelity” and a “long-lasting loving relationship”. Princess Valeria would, by virtue of her marriage, Empress of Luthori and Queen of Mordusia and act as a “special political advisor” to the Emperor. According to some, even if the Emperor would sometime disregard the advice of her advisors or even those of the Prime Minister on some occasion, he would never disregard the advice of his wife and valued her advice greatly. Empress-Queen Valeria (98), in virtue of the death of her husband, has become known as the Empress-Mother. 

The Emperor would face another crisis during his reign, that being the outbreak of the Second Kundrati War in 5637, in which Luthorian troops played a large part in the collapse of the Legionary government, addressing the nation in April of that year, he stressed the “righteous fight” that the Luthorian Army was waging. The Imperial Household, as per his and his wife’s orders, donated £3m to the war effort. 

Throughout his reign, the Emperor made numerous state visits, it is estimated that the Emperor made at least 12 state visits in 6 different nations. He particularly held in the great regard the relationship that the Luthorian Empire and the Mordusian Commonwealth, two nations in which he was the head of state held between themselves, with both nations intervening in each other's wars to defend the other. His Majesty, in a rare public address (excluding Hallowtide) had in 5689 expressed his hope at “bringing the two nations ever closer together” before his death. Many recognise this moment as an official laying stone in the founding of the Imperial Confederation, in which he was recognised as the Sovereign. 

As Emperor Richard II departs this Earth, he is survived by his three children, Prince William (now Emperor), Prince Andrew and Princess Sarah, the Princess Royal and his wife, the Empress-Mother Valeria. The Orange Palace stated that invitations have been sent to foreign nations for potential presence at the funeral, which will be held on December 4th, 5700 at the St. Richard Cathedral. Before that date, the Emperor’s body will be laid-in-state at Darlington Palace for 12 days before the official funeral ceremony. 

Prince William, Prince of Orange and Duke of Armstead has automatically become Emperor of Luthori and King of Mordusia, Sovereign of the Imperial Confederation upon the announcement of his father’s demise, becoming known as Emperor and King William XI. His previous titles being merged into the Crown until further notice. 

Following the announcement of His Majesty’s demise, the (Luthorian) Prime Minister, Cameron Seddon, held a grim and solemn press conference at Number 10 in which he praised the late monarch’s “helpful wisdom”, his presence as being “calm within a storm”, his longevity (73 years – the Emperor had celebrated his Platinum Jubilee in 5697) and stated his, and the government’s solidarity with the new Emperor and his family. The Prime Minister furthermore announced 2 weeks of national mourning. 

The Palace has announced that Emperor William will address the Nation tonight at 8:25 pm (GMT-9) to address his father’s demise. Already, since 10:30 am and the announcement of Emperor Richard’s death on major media outlets, a large crowd assembled before the Orange Palace and other imperial residences in Fort William in mourning. Minute of silences in tribute of the late Sovereign were held everywhere, notably in schools, in the City of Fort William, in Darlington Palace during a parliamentary session. 

The Second Richardian Era, which defined much of modern Luthori has closed, and a new era, the Eleventh Williamite Era, opening in the new 58th century will determine what Luthori will be or will look like at the beginning of this new century.