Kalistani Major History

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Kalistan mourns the passing of Princess Nicolette Ananto
Former Empress has been in decline for several years, say sources
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 14, 5518


Nicolette Ananto, Princess of Ananto and Kalistan, Lays in State at National Cathedral in Kaliburg

Nicolette Ananto, Princess of Ananto and Kalistan, has died in her sleep, representatives for Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Nicolette II Ananto have announced. The former Empress was 87 years old and had spent much of the last two decades in retirement. Though behind the scenes, she was one of the primary councilors to her Daughter, The Empress Nicolette II, and was largely an advocate for philanthropic and cultural programs here in Kalistan. The Princess was also an outspoken voice of encouragement for interaction and detente with Luthori and supported her daughter's efforts to build new relations with Luthori and Dundorf.

"In my life, I have known the highest elations," said the Princess after retirement, "and I have known deep deep sorrow. But I have always most appreciated the time I spent with the people of this Great Empire, and I found that when I was at my lowest, it was they, those around me, those in the Meeting in Eveari, those who would stop and greet me as I visited Sulari or Eshar, the kids I would meet at some concert or art festival or some thing like this, that would always lift my spirits and allow me to soar. I have always loved the people of Kalistan, and would be nothing without them or this wonderful nation."

When discussing retirement, the Princess said, "My daughter, the Empress was not fortunate to be born as I was. She has always been surrounded by the trappings of the office she now finds herself in. In this way, she has never lived as a free person, they way I did before all this, and can again now that I am retired. She is not even legally allowed to refer to herself as 'I" the way I now can. It decimates the ego. My hope for her is that she governs wisely, and then when she is able to pass on her office, she is able to find peace and find herself once more, a new woman, but a free one, because there is massive responsibility to carrying our last name. She and I am the only ones in the whole nation that know what that burden feels like. I sometimes regret that I had to give it to her. But I trust that she can carry it, because she is intelligent and she is dedicated, and while she may be dethatched in a lot of ways, there is a deep empathy and love there for her Nation and her people that protects her from the temptations toward cruelty and tyranny. I pray that she never loses that."

Following her passing, the Princess laid in State for two days as mourners filed past her coffin. More than 65,000 people travelled to the former National Cathedral, an ancient temple from Kalistan's pre-Brethrenist days which is still used primarily for romantic weddings and impressive ceremonies of state. After the viewing, the Clerk of the Kalistani Yearly Meeting was asked to hold a Meeting for Worship in the Cathedral. The Meeting was largely silent as 17,000 attendees contemplated and reflected on the life and accomplishments of the woman who earned the title "The Great" in her own lifetime. Many wept quietly, though on occasion children could be heard at different places playing or quietly talking.

Her Imperial Majesty before returning to Eveari with her mother's remains

After the Meeting, the Empress joined the pall bearers to return the Princess to Eveari where she was buried in the family mausoleum on the Ananto Estate. Her Imperial Majesty did not address the crowd of people who gathered to mourn the passing of the Princess, but accepted some courtesies from the various members of the Peerage who were at the home. She did, however, accept a bouquet of flowers that were offered to her by one of the old citizens of Eveari who was at the estate, who told her that she would very much appreciate it if the Empress would place the flowers at the Mosoleum as a token from her family. The Empress offered a deep and respectful bow to the townsperson and handed the bouquet to Chancellor Wilkes to place it before the door of the tomb. The woman, as it turned out, had been a classmate of the Empress in Elementary school.

The Chancellor of the Empire has declared a Week Long period of Mourning. During this time, there are to be no music festivals or social events, but people are invited to reflect not only on the passing of the late Princess Nicolette, but also to reach out to their family and friends to be with them if needed. The Empress has cancelled all her official meetings during this period, and is reportedly spending time with His Highnesses the Prince Consort Bjorn and the Crown Prince Fredrick, as well as her brother, Duke Victor Ananto-Martin and his wife Princess Carlota, Marquise of Nouvelle-Formoselle of Lourenne.