Kalistani Major History

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His Highness the Prince Consort has Died
"He fought for four months" says royal spokesperson
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 4, 5498


His Highness, Prince Consort Victor I Martin-Ananto, last year in Kaliburg

His Highness, the Prince Consort Victor I Martn-Ananto has died at the age of 68. He died of complications relating to a massive stroke he suffered while sailing in Davon Bay in an annual sail boat race last September. "Following the stroke," said a spokesperson for Her Imperial Majesty, "His Highness was placed on artificial respiration and a feeding tube. There were times when it looked like he may have turned a corner, and his vital signs were improving, but then there would be a set back and doctors would need to intervene. The Prince Consort never recovered from his coma, but fought for four long months, as the Empress remained at his side during the entire time, and most official state functions fell to Her Highness, the Crown Princess, who was on leave from the National Service Program and worked with the Prime Minister." The Prince Consort took a dramatic turn for the worse two days ago and the Empress decided at that point that no additional medical intervention should be performed for the Prince Consort, who was allowed to expire at 2:18 am Kaliburg time.

Martin was known as a thrill seeker, and was fond of boat racing and piloting stunt planes. Before marrying Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Nicolette and producing two children together, Victor Martin was the Director of ODEN-K and a television and movie stunt man. Martin found little official work to do in the towering shadow of the Empress, and has passed his time not only raising their two children together and travelling the world with them while the Empress was engaged in Kalistani State affairs, but also pursuing his various hobbies, including attending music concerts, representing the Empress at national functions, and racing various kinds of water craft.

"I've never been a man who craves the spotlight," said the notoriously taciturn and camera-shy Martin, who also declined to assume the title or role of Emperor and co-ruler. "To some degree it is unfortunate that my wife was such a public person--we really are polar opposites in this regard and sometimes her public duties have taken her away from home. But the heart wants what the heart wants and she was comfortable letting me stay where I preferred to be while she went out front and served the role she was born to serve. And I loved her that much more for it."

Martin had a health scare four years ago when doctors had the Prince Consort hospitalized due to a detected arrythmia. Following discharge, the Prince Consort did slow down a bit, both figuratively and literally, as he abandoned speed boats for catamarans, and stopped flying stunt planes for fun. "I've had to take up reading," said the Prince Consort in 5496. "It has been something of a challenge for me: I have never read fiction for fun, but Nicole is such an avid reader that I would read her books when she was done with them and then we would sit and discuss what we thought of them. She was very patient with me: She is far my intellectual superior. But I think she's training me well for the years when I can no longer sail and all I will do is sit around the house and read everything she finishes."

The Prince Consort was well thought of in business circles, and was known as a fair and honest man. Private interests would always prefer to work with the Prince Consort because of his reputation as a firm but kind individual. "The Prince Consort could be reasoned with," said Michael North of Sulari Sun Systems. "He was a far better person to deal with than the zealots in the Government or, and I mean this in the most respectful way, the Empress, who is often far more informed than anyone else in the room and is quite often made more distant by protocol. The Prince Consort was approachable and down to earth, and didn't require much adherence to the protocols. I think the Empress would send him when negotiations required a personal touch that her office did not permit, so I think they were a very good team in this regard."

The Prince Consort is survived by Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress, and their two children, the Crown Princess Nicolette and Prince Victor Ananto-Martin. The Prince Consort is also survived by his brother, Carlos Martin and sister Donita (Wegner) and their families. The Prime Minister has declared tomorrow a day of mourning for the Prince Consort, and asked that the nation honor the Empress' request for privacy for the family. The Prince Consort will be interned in the Ananto Family's Mausoleum in Eveari following funeral services in three days.

May His Highness, Prince Consort Victor Miguel Martin-Ananto rest in peace.