Kalistan

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Kalistan bids farewell to Princess of the Empire Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis
Empress' Mother and wife of Emperor Fredrick III Ananto was 88
Xanadu, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 7, 5671


Princess Monica, with husband Fredrick Ananto in 5606, and in Luxon in 5668

Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis has died at her home in Luxon. The official cause of death was listed as chronic pneumonia, which doctors say she was struggling with over the last few years. She was issued compassionate end of life care in the evening of January 6th. The former Empress was 88.

Princess Monica first came to the nation's attention in 5605, when the pretty Kaliburg socialite became engaged to the future Emperor Fredrick Ananto-Sandoval. Ms. DeLaurentis served as a party hostess for several years while dating the Crown Prince. The two were married in 5606, and DeLaurentis became Princess Consort (carrying the Courtesy title of Empress) in 5611. She gave birth to Her Imperial Majesty, Mary I Ananto in 5610, and Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis in 5614, and was present for the chemical weapons strikes against the Capital, Eshar and Port Swedes on the night of August 11, 5612 by the fascist Kundrati Mainland, from Likatonia.

She and Emperor Fredrick raised their two daughters in Cliff House, a house the royal family purchased as the primary imperial residence after Wilson House was rendered completely uninhabitable in the attacks, and leveled. She also served as an unofficial representative of the State, greeting foreign dignitaries like Queen Jaanika from Dolgava. She was largely responsible for bringing surfing to the Anantos: An avid surfer, she passed that hobby onto her daughter Princess Margaret, who then mentored both His Highness Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins and Her Highness Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins. Additionally, she attended Queen Nicole Ananto's wedding in Egelion to King Romulo for Kalistan.

In 5630, a grief stricken Monica announced, with Lady Allison Stewart, the death of the Emperor Fredrick III Ananto and Chancellor of the Empire David Levine, both of whom died when their plane got lost in fog over the Odufaray Range while flying to Lhasa, Nevaras. The Princess worked closely with Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval during her two year regency, and celebrated her daughter's coronation, before retiring from public life and finding a new career as patron of the arts, both in Kaliburg and Sulari. She met Baron Calvin Morrison and following their 5635 marriage, she relocated to his home in Xanadu, in Luxon County Ananto, but still remained active in the Kaliburg National Theater and the Imperial Opera House in Sulari with her National Foundation for the Arts (Originally the National Orchestra foundation), which funded both theaters in full through endowment by House Ananto.

Through her three decades of patronage to both the Kaliburg National Theater and the Imperial Opera House, as well their satellite programs, Kalistani fine arts has become an institution in the Empire. Classical theater, art and music is taught as a regular part of Anantonese Curriculum, and though the largest corpus of that curriculum originally focused on the contributions of Artania, Princess Monica was also insistent on inclusion of Seleyan high Art, and given its proximity, Seleyan high art ultimately took pride of place over Artanian music, theater, and literature. "We have our own tradition on this continent which is as unique, complex, and valuable to teach children in Kalistan," said Princess Monica in 5652. "And given our location, it is all far more relevant to our lives. This is not to say that Artanian historical music isn't important. But it is to say, for Kalistan, we should focus on what Seleyans have contributed to the arts, and celebrate that. Trust me, nobody is going to stop listening to Dundorfian classical music if Kalistan doesn't have every single one of their programs in Sulari feature a dundorfian composer."

Princess Monica stepped down from her role as executive director of the National Foundation for the Arts in 5656, and then served in a ceremonial role of Dame of the Opera and the Baroness of Xanadu. Her husband, Baron Calvin Morrison died the previous spring, and Princess Monica relocated to Kaliburg to spend more time with her grandchildren. She reportedly got to meet her first great grandchild last summer in Kaliburg, and was, as reported, "thrilled to see the new addition to the family."

As per tradition, Lady Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis has been interred at the Ananto Estate's Mossoleum in Eveari. A memorial ceremony is scheduled for January 9th at the National Theater in Kaliburg, and Her Imperial Majesty Mary I Ananto has returned from Athosia early to be with her family as they mourn and celebrate the late Princess of the Empire.

@TheRepublic