Kalistan

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Her Imperial Majesty, Carolina I Ananto is Crowned
Hasty Coronation called following Alzheimer's' related Complications in Her Highness Pavlina Ananto
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 25, 5578


Long Live Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Carolina I Ananto

The reign of the so-called Black Empress, Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Pavlina I Ananto-Hulanevek was cut short this week following a dramatic, but not entirely unanticipated medical emergency that rendered her unconscious for three days.  The now former Empress suffered a fairly significant stroke, which her doctors have informed the Press, is a symptom of her progressive Alzheimer's' disease.  When she awoke from the medical coma that doctors induced to save her life, the former Empress called for her daughter and her Foreign Minister, Dame Jacqueline DuMont and informed said simply, "It is time, friends."  That statement set wheels in motion that have been in preparation for more than three years.  An emergency bill, drafted and on hold in the National Assembly by the Princess of the Empire herself, was laid on the floor and received a quick unanimous vote from the Institutional Party.  The Bill recognized Pavlina's abdication and acknowledged Carolina's Accession to the throne.

"The Bill was prepared because it is well known in the Kalistani Government that the Black Empress has been suffering from this condition for years," said Crown Watcher Diane Melton,  "and so all has been prepared in advance to ensure continuity of sovereignty from Mother to Daughter.  The situation is fairly standard, and follows Kalistani tradition for a sitting monarch to retire:  We have many historical examples of this, and while Pavlina's Abdication may be medically related, rather than just a desire to live out her golden years having done her duty for the Empire, the process itself is no different."

All of Her Highness' titles have been passed to the new Empress, and the former Empress has been given the emeritus title of Princess of the Empire.  Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina I Ananto has formally reconfirmed His Highness Prince Consort William Ananto-Sandoval in that role, and has also reconfirmed his Administration over Dah.  Her Highness Princess Pavlina Ananto-Hulanevek has opted to restore her last name Hulanevek as a hyphenated name, while Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Carolina I Ananto loses hers.  "She was born as a Hulanevek, and clearly seeks to die as one," said Melton, a gesture which is seen by some as a nod toward Kundrati.

The Coronation ceremony was a small affair at Eveari Monthly Meetinghouse.  Only high ranking Government officials, a few close friends, the Prince Consort and members of the Eveari Meeting were present.  Following a regular Brethrenist Meeting for Worship, the Clerk invited Carolina to rise, and then asked Sir Bradley Downs, who is Institutional Party Speaker, and acting Chancellor of the Empire, to present the Empress' Crown to Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress, who took it from him and placed it on her own head.  She spoke the following words, "By the Consent of the People, We accept their admonishment to rule them with Justice, Integrity, and Grace, to protect their Civil and Human Rights, and to Defend the Empire and the Anantonese People to our last breath."  The solemn ceremony thus being over, Her Imperial Majesty returned with the Prince Consort to the Eveari General Hospital to help prepare Her Highness Princess Pavlina for transport to Kaliburg, where she will continue her treatment.  

Following their return to Kaliburg, Her Imperial Majesty took some time to pose for portraits with the Crown Jewels, which are locked safely in the vault under the Imperial Seat.  The Crown, which is a custom made Gold Crown crusted with Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds and Amethysts, was stunning on the head of Her Imperial Majesty, but what was more intriguing was the single white gem she wore upon her breast in a cross shaped medallion. The source of such a gemstone is unknown, but jewelry have argued that it is between 105 and 110 Carats, and brilliantly multifaceted.  "That single diamond cut is atypical in Kalistan," said Melton.  "It is an oval shape, which itself is unusual, as most gemstones in Kalistan, like those affixed to Her Imperial Majesty's gown or crown, are oval in shape.  It is truly one of a kind, and certainly has never been on display in Kalistan before."  

The Crown is rarely worn in Kalistan, as Brethrenists rarely wear jewelry in public, and certainly never gaudy or excessive jewelry, as Brethrenists oppose "ostentatious displays of wealth or status."  The Official Portrait is one exception to that rule, given that the Crown Jewels represent the Empire.  "In wearing them for the official portrait," said Melton, "Her Imperial Majesty is showing off Kalistan to the world, rather than showing off herself or her wealth to anyone.  She is saying 'Kalistan is a land of bounty and plenty.  Admire as you please.'  Her Imperial Majesty is a Convinced Friend, and will likely never wear more than earrings, her wedding band and a simple gold chain if she wears jewelry at all, but in this regard, the Official Portrait is not about her.  It is about her role as the physical embodiment of the Anantonese State and the Anantonese People."  House Ananto is the single wealthiest entity in all of Kalistan, and all of that wealth belongs, as such to Her Imperial Majesty.  "She doesn't need to brag," said Melton.  "As a Brethrenist, she prefers simplicity and stewardship."

Now that Her Imperial Majesty is crowned, some changes in foreign policy are expected.  Kalistan is likely to try to re-build its relationships with Artanian nations.  "The overture by the Luthorian Government, small though it is, was meaningful," said Melton.  "Kalistan will likely issue the equivalent of a reset in relations with Artanian Nations, provided those nations mind Kalistan's interests in Northern Seleya."  Kalistan will also continue to deepen the Anantonese Security regime with Gaduridos, Lodamun and Lourenne.  "She may be interested in returning Kalistani troops currently stationed in Majatra back to Kalistan," said Melton.  "But her position on Majatra is unclear at this moment."  

Domestically, Her Imperial Majesty will have to hand over Operations Control for the growing KaliMetro to other CEOs, and will need to name another Chancellor soon.  "She may want to do more things," said Melton.  "Her Imperial Majesty is known for her penchants for civil engineering.  She may decide that a new Palace needs to be build at Wilson Hill, keeping the aging Wilson House, which is her current residence, as a cottage of sorts.  Her Imperial Majesty also has important meetings with ODEN coming up, and a summit of NAM is beginning to form in the Foreign Ministry.  It will be a busy start to her reign, but she hits the ground running, due to the diligence and preparedness of her Mother."

Pavlina meanwhile, is lucid and was said to have listened to FOMAT on the Internet, but her Alzheimer's Disease continues to progress.  "She is forgetting more and more things these days, and is beginning to forget peoples' names," said Melton.  "She also occasionally relives scenarios from her youth, and while she is fully there in her mind, she is not present in the real world.  She asks a lot for the Emperor.  It's quite sad, but now was probably the best time for her to hand over power to her daughter, while she is still lucid for at least half a day."  Her friends and family remain at her bedside during visiting hours, and she knows she is loved and cared for.  The Princess of the Empire is a mere 62 years old, but her prognosis is not good.  "It is expected that the Princess will die within 5 years," said Melton.  "This is public information, but those around her seek to make the time they have left with her quality time."  When she begins forgetting her own daughter's name, said Melton, she has expressed her desire to be sedated and allowed to expire.  Her Imperial Majesty has already promised her mother that she would carry out her mother's wishes.

For now, the Anantonese Empire has a new Empress.  Long Live Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina I Ananto!