The Senate has voted to completely overhaul the Line of Succession to the Throne, replacing the previous list of the Emperor’s relatives with a list of five trusted statesmen.
This dramatic change was made at the behest of Emperor Jonathan I himself.
The beginning of the year saw several members of the Line of Succession removed on the basis that they would be unlikely to accept the Throne and hard to contact at short notice. Today’s more radical change has been implemented on the grounds of the same principle, on the understanding that none of those previously in line to the Throne were interested in actually ascending it in anything more than name should they be called upon to do so.
Five individuals were put forward by the Emperor and, after discussion in the Senate, confirmed as a new Line of Succession, namely:
- HM Emperor Aggelos I: The current monarch of Imvrassia, Aggelos I has been an Austenasian national since August 2017, initially representing the Town of Ionisia for a year in Parliament, and later standing in as Acting Representative of the Europe and Asia Division.
- Lord Michael Simpson, Count of Occibrazos: Since 2020, Lord Simpson has contributed more to the Empire in terms of territorial claims than any other person with the acquisition of Procyon, Florencium Carolina, Elliesium Colorandum, Golcondiarum, Rubrum Beryllium, and Navurania, all of which are his own privately-owned properties. Lord Simpson has also overseen the Precious Metals Account, which has already yielded substantial dividends for the Treasury.
- Lord Sander Koff, Duke of Aesti: Representative of Oppidum Tubae since June 2021 and Minister for Culture since January 2022, Lord Koff oversaw the creation of the Imperial University, and also serves as the constitutional monarch of Revalia.
- Lord William Wilson, Duke of Taysha: The previous Prime Minister (2021-24), and Representative of Nahona since January 2020, Lord Wilson also serves as King in Gradonia.
- HIM Emperor Adam I: Constitutional monarch of Adammia since 2013, a close friend (and distant relative) of Jonathan I, and long-time diplomatic partner of Austenasia.
The Constitution requires a reigning Monarch of Austenasia to be a Christian, a requirement fulfilled by all the members of the new Line of Succession except for Adam I.
The previous heir, the Emperor’s sister, will now be known once more as Princess Caroline rather than as Crown Princess. Were he not already titled as an emperor, Aggelos would have assumed the title Crown Prince as the new Heir to the Throne.
Those in the Line of Succession are not only to be called upon should the Throne become empty, but are also able to take on responsibilities such as being appointed a Counsellor of State to assist the Monarch.
This change marks a move towards a more realistic approach to the Empire’s long-term future, with an active and committed future Monarch more likely to be found among those already dedicated to Austenasia than among relatives of Jonathan I, most of whom are aunts and cousins who are not even Austenasian.