Kalistan

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His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick III Ananto has died
Plane Crash over Odufaray also claims Chancellor of the Empire
Santa Elga, Duchy of Odufaray
November 17, 5630


Her Highness, Empress Consort Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis and Lady Allison Stuart announce deaf of Emperor in Kaliburg

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick III Ananto has been determined to have died in a plane crash west of Santa Elga, Duchy of Odufaray.  Also lost in the accident was Chancellor of the Emperor, Sir David Levine, who was travelling with the Emperor, and four members of Sir Levine's staff.  The pilot of the small single engine jet was also killed.  His Imperial Majesty was travelling to Lhasa to review the units of the Northern Regular Army who were beginning a winter training evolution at the Lhasa Mountain Warfare Training Center.

The plane was reported missing three days ago, after passing Santa Elga Tower in Odufaray.  It was flying a normal route and was expected at Lhasa Air Strip on Tuesday Evening.  The review was supposed to have taken place Wednesday through this Friday after which time, the Emperor was to return to the Capital.  But the plane never made it to Lhasa and a search was begun early Wednesday Morning.  Due to an early season winter storm in the mountains, search was slowed for two days until the still smoldering wreckage was discovered yesterday afternoon high in Odufaray Range.  The wreckage was confirmed to the the Emperor's plane, and all aboard were confirmed dead in the crash.

Preliminary cause of the crash was believed to be the weather.  The flight recorder shows that the pilot got turned around and ended up in crashing into a mountainside deep in the wilderness.  The pilot was calling for guidance over the mountains and Santa Elga Airstrip had the plane on its radar.  The tower was trying to talk the pilot out of the mountains, but it lost contact at about the time that the plane is believed to have crashed.  Further investigation is warranted to determine whether the crash was due to instrument failure or pilot error.

Site of the tragic plane crash in the Odufaray Range, just inside of Nevaras

Lady Allison Stuart, Official Interpreter and Spokeswoman for the Emperor made the announcement along with the Empress Consort Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis.  Stuart was not on the flight because she had the flu on Monday and Tuesday and the Office of the Chancellor had volunteered another sign language interpreter for the trip.  "The Royal Family asks for your condolences and to pray for them in this time of grief and loss for His Imperial Majesty, the Chancellor, his Staff, and the pilot's families, and hopes that the people of this nation will respect the privacy of those who have suffered this overwhelming loss."  At one point during the announcement, Lady Stuart broke into tears, and was consoled by the Empress Consort.

The Emperor's remains will be returned to Eveari for the funeral, which will take place next Thursday.  Due to the condition of the Emperor's Body, there will not be a public viewing, but there will be a public memorial service possibly next month.  Sir Levine's wishes are to be cremated, and his wife Sandra Levine will ensure that his wishes are carried out.

Her Highness The Crown Princess Mary Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis, who is still doing National Service, has formally requested that the Government name Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval as Princess Regent until the Crown Princess can complete her National Service.  The National Assembly has agreed to the request and has formally named Princess Michelle Her Highness, Princess Regent Michelle Ananto.  The Crown Princess will attend the funeral, where she will receive the titles to Davon and the Grand Duchy of Ananto, but Acting Chancellor Chris Carlton has agreed with the Crown Princess that she has none of the formal training necessary to take up the Throne, and allowing her to complete her National Service reflects the will of the Crown Princess.  Once her term is completed, she will potentially serve in an apprentice role with the Princess Regent before being formally crowned Empress of Ananto and Kalistan.

Her Highness, the Princess Regent is expected to meet with the Empress Consort and the acting Chancellor of the Empire to make arrangements for transfer of power early next week.  The Princess of the Empire, Carolina Ananto, 84, did not respond to requests for comment, but is said to be in deep grief over the loss of her son.  

@TheRepublic