Kalistan

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Memorial for Late Emperor held at Kaliburg Yearly Meeting House
International Dignitaries join Royal Family in Saying Goodbye
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 5, 5631


Princess Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, Grand Duchess Mary Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis and Princess Margaret-Carolina Nicolette Ananto-DeLaurentis join the world in grief

A public memorial ceremony was held in Kaliburg at the Yearly Brethrenist Meeting House to memorialize the late Emperor Fredrick III Ananto who was killed in a plane crash in late November.  The late Chancellor of the Empire, Sir David Levine, the four members of his staff and the plane's pilot, all of whom also perished in the crash, were given state memorials last month.  This memorial service, however was delayed to allow foreign dignitaries an opportunity to also attend and say good bye.

The Memorial Ceremony was called to silence by the Clerk of the Kalistani Yearly Meeting, Sister Tamara Carrangus of Kaliburg, who spent a moment going over what visitors not familiar with silent worship of the Brethrenists can expect.  The Meeting then descended into a deep and reverent silence, and guests were invited to speak out of the silence as they were so moved.  The silence lasted for more than 40 minutes, and at several points, the Emperor's widow, Her Highness, the Princess Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, broke into tears and was comforted by her daughter, Her Highness the Grand Duchess of Ananto and Crown Princess Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis.  

After about 40 minutes, the former Emperor's primary sign language interpreter and spokeswoman Lady Allison Stuart stood up to speak out of the silence.  Speaking in both sign and voice, she said,  "I have had the opportunity over the years to be welcomed and loved by this family on a very personal level.  The Emperor was one of the kindest, gentlest, and warm human beings I have ever known.  He told jokes all the time, he was never cross or depressed.  He was full of light and joy, and he shared that with everyone he ever knew, even when the rest of the world was at its darkest.  It's kind of strange to call this a memorial, because those who knew him will never forget him.  I have been treated by the Empress as a sister and a friend, and it is my hope that our friendship will continue as we remember our mutual friendship for the rest of my life, and I am ever at your service, Lady, as I was at your Husband's, both you and your daughters'."  With tears rolling down her face, the former Empress Consort nodded and said "of course...", and Lady Stuart began weeping as she sat back down.

The Crown Princess stood a few minutes later and with a shaky voice, she said  "I know I should say something dignified about my father as a leader and a person, but I don't know that I have the strength to do that right now.  I want to say thank you to my father, and to my mother, and to everyone here, and thank you all for coming to remember my father.  He was always there for my sister and I, whenever we needed him.  He made sure our childhood was free of care, even as he took on the burdens of his job.  Someday that will be my job.  I only hope I can do it as well as he did, and be as good a person as him.  I miss you, Dad.  Its not fair..."  She then returned to her seat and gave her mother a hug.  Princess Margaret remained silent and wiped her eyes throughout the service:  the grief for the entire family was palpable.

After an hour, the Clerk broke the silence and thanked everyone for attending the memorial, and then invited everyone to a reception to be held two blocks away at the Imperial Seat.  Most of the guests immediately relocated to the Imperial Seat and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and conversation with old friends.   There, the Royal Family, along with the Emperor's mother, the elderly Princess of the Empire, Lady Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek, and Her Highness, the Princess Regent Michelle Ananto-Sandoval greeted well-wishers from across the Empire and the world. 

Besides the Royals in attendance were Emperor Richard II of Luthori, who also represented Mordusia, who expressed warm greetings to the Grand Duchess and noted that he hoped that the two will speak again when she takes the Throne; Namgyal Wangmo, the Custodian of the Xsampan Democratic Republic, who thanked the Family for their assistance during the reconstruction of the Xsampan capital during the war; King Charless III and Prime Minister Michael Kensington, of the Kingdom of Hutori who expressed their deep condolences to the Royal Family, and spoke with the Crown Princess to assure her of Hutori's continued friendship and affinity; Crown princess Baek Chaewon, the future Sovereign of Baeguk, who expressed a desire for a more formal opening of relations between the two Nations in the near future; and King Romulo I, Queen Nicole, Royal Councillor Mondragon of Egelion and Her Excellency Ambassador to Kalistan Yolanda Montalivet-Tarazón, who expressed deep condolences to the Empress Consort and the Crown Princess, and assured them of Egelion's continued friendship.  All took the opportunity to greet the Matron of the entire Dynasty, The Princess Carolina and the Princess-Regent Michelle Ananto-Sandoval along with the family.

Incidental music was provided gratis by the band Wanderlust, who played mostly chamber pieces of a classical nature, including a lot of classical music from Davostag, Artania and Seleya.  The Grand Duchess Mary and the Minor Princess Margaret both took the opportunity during the break to meet the band and thank them personally for agreeing to play at the memorial, and Her Highness the Grand Duchess asked them if they would be willing to play during the reception for her Coronation in about three years, so they can meet again under happier circumstances.  Elga Nilsson reportedly agreed and thanked the Grand Duchess for inviting the band to help her family celebrate the life and memory of the late Emperor.

The reception lasted about 90 minutes and then the royal family left the Meeting House and took the train to Eveari so they could hold their own private remembrance, while in Kaliburg, departure of the royals was the signal to open the bar, and all were invited to drink a toast to the Emperor and to the health and long life of the Crown Princess, while Wanderlust once again took the stage to play their more familiar music.  They also previewed new material at the reception.

May the Emperor Rest in Peace.  Long Live Her Highness, Grand Duchess Mary-Elizabeth Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis, our Future Empress Mary I Ananto.

@TheRepublic