Kalistan

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Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto is Crowned in Kaliburg
Empress promises to govern according to principles of "Justice and Truth"
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 16, 5632


Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto sits upon the Jeweled Throne

The Empire of Ananto and Kalistan has a new Empress.  As of 12pm Kaliburg Standard, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto now serves her people as the embodiment of the Nation and the State.  In a fairly major break with Imperial Tradition, Her Imperial Majesty was crowned at the Imperial Seat in Kaliburg, rather than the Eveari Monthly Meeting House.  Several practical and philosophical reasons went into this decision:  Explicitly the Empress asked that the crowning not take place at the Meeting House because she did not want to give the appearance of the endorsement of one religion over another, or the appearance of seeking the approval of any religious tradition.

More than 350 people were in attendance at the Imperial Seat.  Besides the Her Highness Princess Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, the Empress' Mother, and Her Highness, Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval, the acting Regent, the Ceremony was attended by Acting Chancellor Carlos Alvarez, the Dukes of Kalistan, and several foreign dignitaries, including:

From Hutori:
His Majesty King Charles III
Princess Charlotte the Grand Duchess of Lagard
Hutorian Prime Minister Michael Kensington
and Prince James, the Grand Duke of Kenai and the Hutorian Ambassador to Kalistan 

From Dolgava:
Queen Jannika of Dolgava, along with her entourage

From Egelion:
Nicole Reina de Egelion, and Entourage
Yolanda Montalivet-Tarazón, the Royal Ambassadorto Kalistan
High Councilor Formoselle

From Baeguk:
Crown Princess Baek Chaewon, and Entourage

From Istalia:
Emperor Alessandro V, and Entourage
Empress Claudia

Other nations sent their regards via letters.  Before the ceremony, the Princess Regent went to each foreign delegation and ensured that they were comfortably seated and had all translation services available that they required, and personally thanked them on behalf of the Grand Duchess for their attendance, adding that Kalistan remembers its friends and those who grace and honor the Nation by visiting.

Once all the guests were seated, the ceremony began.  The Acting Chancellor was joined before the throne by the Grand Duchess of Kalistan, Lady Emily Suldanor.  Lady Suldanor read a proclamation of Gratitude to Her Highness, the Princess Michelle Ananto-Suldanor, thanking her for her service to the Empire in her willingness to stand as Regent.  The Crowd applauded Lady Michelle as she stood to receive the Accolades.  The ceremony paused for the Striking of the Noon bell, The Chancellor of the Empire asked all Kalistani Nationals to rise to their feet, and then he spoke:

"If it please your Highness, The People of Ananto and Kalistan call Her Highness the Grand Duchess of Ananto to come forth and present yourself to our view."  Her Highness, Grand Duchess Mary-Elizabeth Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis stepped forward and stood before the Chancellor and the Grand Duchess of Kalistan.

"Madame," he continued.  "It is my duty to ask, on behalf of the People of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, if you will accept the duty of serving as our Empress and Sovereign, to govern us wisely and firmly, and to also make decisions in the best interest of Your People and your Nation from now until forever.  In exchange for your Service to your People, we shall repay your fidelity with our fealty, our trust, and our good will for as long as you shall serve your People, even until the end of time.  Do you accept this responsibility that we seek to lay upon your shoulders this day?"

The Grand Duchess responded, "I do accept this responsibility on behalf of my People and my Nation."

The Chancellor then asked Her Highness to please be seated on the newly commissioned throne which was made of solid gold that was encrusted with rubies, emeralds, amethysts and diamonds.  Though there was a red cushion on the seat, the back of the throne that stood more than four feet tall, was composed almost entirely of intricately woven and worked white diamonds embedded into polished leather.  Similarly, the arm rests were composed almost entirely of diamonds that glimmered and gleamed in the lights of the Imperial Seat.  This throne will be placed in the Empress' Audience Chamber and shall serve as the Imperial Seat going forward.

The Grand Duchess' robes were taken from her before she sat upon the throne and her shawl was replaced by a richly orange silken Robe of State with Burgundy trim and gold thread embroidery.  For the first time, her Coronation Dress was visible:  It was made of columns of diamonds, separated by gold embroidered flowers, and rows of burgundy cloth, which is likely the Vicuna Wool that news reports had spoken about.  The floor length Coronation Dress kept the same vertical striped design on all sides.  The diamonds that made up the dress flooded the room with sparkles and light as the Grand Duchess glided silently to the Throne.

Most notably, around her neck was prominently displayed the Kundrati Diamond, an heirloom of the Hulanevek line extending from Pavlina I Ananto, given to the Anantos in the reign of Mary's Great Grandmother.  And more importantly, the Grand Duchess wore Carolina's Setting and cross design, which many speculated was worn in honor of her Grandmother to to establish continuity with the previous reigns.  The large 150+ carat diamond is set in a gold cross buttony, which is itself studded with four large diamonds and ringed with more than a dozen smaller diamonds.  The necklace is thought to be priceless.

Once she sat down, the Chancellor was brought the Empress' Crown.  The Gold Crown, ornately and delicately crafted, was ringed with a row of large diamonds, and topped with Rubies, Sapphires and centered with a single large Amethyst, which is the official Gemstone of the Empire.  With his head bowed, he handed the Crown to the Grand Duchess of Kalistan, and then backed away from the throne.  The Grand Duchess of Kalistan then placed the Crown upon the head of the Sovereign.  She then took a knee, and according to expectation, all Kalistani nationals took a knee.  The Grand Duchess said, with her head bowed, "In the Name and Stead of The Peerage of the Empire Ananto and Kalistan, we hereby acknowledge that Mary-Elizabeth Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis shall be our Sovereign, our Dread Lady, and our Empress forever, and we will repay her Fidelity with our fealty, our trust and our good will.  And we shall acknowledge her name and titles going forth as hers irrevocably.  She shall be, to all of us:

"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, Gaduridos and Lodamun, Queen of Vintalli, Queen of Andalay, Queen of Karzon, Queen of Sekowo, Grand Duchess of Ananto, Duchess of Icehaven, Duchess of Athosia, Duchess of Outannais, Countess of Davon, Countess of Eveari, Countess of Dah, Commander in Chief of the Regular Forces of Kalistan, Sovereign and Great Mistress of the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, Sovereign and Grand Mistress of the Excellent Order of the Anantonese Empire, Sovereign and Grand Mistress of the Order of Vintalli, Sovereign and Grand Mistress of the Order of Andalay, Defender of the Realm, Formal Head of the Anantonese Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait, Mary I Ananto."

And we shall all acknowledge all rights and privileges pertaining to her office and her person forever."

Then standing, the Grand Duchess of Kalistan declared, "Long Live Our Empress!"  to which all Kalistani Nationals present responded "Long Live Our Empress"

The Empress nodded and said simply

"We accept this honor and this duty.  We are keenly aware of the weight of the responsibility that is associated with this office.  We do not take this task lightly.  The world is full of challenges and opportunities, and navigating that will take a steady hand.  We shall ever endeavor to make decisions with regard to the best interest of our nation and our State.  We shall ever endeavor to contemplate justice and truth, so that we may allow those principles to guide our decisions.  We will show no favoritism that is not based on those principles.  We will request help, guidance and counsel as we go forward, to ensure that we have other perspectives in our decisions, and to prevent the tendency to become siloed or close minded.  And we will ever stand for light and integrity in all we do, stand for the rights of humanity, and stand for a clean and safe environment for us to live in and raise our children in.  To our friends, we will be unceasingly kind and jovial.  To our enemies, we will be tireless foes.  To those we vanquish, we will show mercy.  To those who seek refuge, we will open our doors.  To those who request our aid, we will be judicious.  We shall ever endeavor to make our Reign enlightened, as well as we are able."

The recently named Princess of the Empire Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis and The (now) Countess of Dulnerstaad and former Regent, Lady Michelle Ananto-Sandoval listening to the Empress speak

The Empress now crowned, the Acting Chancellor of the Empire invited all guests to attend the reception in the Lobby at the Imperial Seat.  The official Coronation Photo was taken, and then the Chancellor accompanied Her Imperial Majesty to the reception.  Light snacks and drinks were served, as Her Imperial Majesty, her normal nonchalant demeanor now completely replaced by the regal air of her Office and the Protocol of the Empire, greeted the foreign Monarchs and representatives first, to ensure that they were aware that she knew they had made the trip.  She then spoke with Kalistanis, many of whom commented on her dress, and commented that it was quite remarkable.  The Dress' designer, Ms. Maria Olivia was in attendance, and Her Imperial Majesty greeted her especially to thank her for the amazing garment, and said it was a shame that she could only wear it one time.

The reception lasted more than an hour and a half, and then the Foreign Guests were invited to travel with the Royal Family back to Eveari to the Ananto Estate, which has been re-opened and made ready for the notable foreign Dignitaries.  While most visitors were in utter awe of the opulence of the new Throne and the Coronation Dress, more than a few individuals commented that perhaps it was not the best use of House Ananto's wealth, to put it on such an ostentatious display.

"As Brethrenists, we do not make conspicuous display of material wealth," an anonymous attender was overheard to say.  "I just happen to think it is excessive.  She could use those resources to feed backwards nations like Kundrati or Baltusia."  Another nearby attender responded "Those jewels are hers though.  And she already said she's not a Brethrenist.  But it's not her fault that those countries have starving people...  Why should she give food to fascists?"  Overall, though the event was free of any controversy and the Empire went to sleep with a new Sovereign as its head.

@TheRepublic