On 4 June 2025, The Empire of Austenasia was formally reorganised into the Commonwealth of Austenasia, in a move announced by Lord Andrew Musgrave, Prime Minister, Lord Protector, and Regent to the Crown. Lord Musgrave said the transition sent a “clear message to the former Emperor”, who was deposed after what officials have described as an unlawful attempt to call a general election—an act said to be in direct breach of the Elections Act of 2020.
The Lord Protector has also confirmed that the Commonwealth is currently under martial law, with the Constitution suspended until the crisis is resolved. A new flag (pictured above) was also unveiled.
Asked by The Times what the reorganisation meant for the future of the monarchy, the Lord Protector was unequivocal: “We are not abolishing the monarchy,” he said. “We are placing it on a brief sabbatical until it learns how to behave.” He also declared that “the Emperor is not Austenasia. He cannot act as he pleases without facing consequences from the elected and mandated Government of the people, who are the true leaders of our great nation”.
Currently, the throne remains vacant as Crown Prince Shiro has yet to accept the Government’s invitation to assume it. Until then, Lord Musgrave has been declared Regent to the Crown and will exercise the Emperor’s powers.
Ties Formed with the Confederation of Mahuset
Lord Musgrave also confirmed that, as of 6 June 2025, the Commonwealth has signed a treaty of mutual recognition and friendship with the Confederation of Mahuset—marking the first formal diplomatic agreement under the new system. The treaty includes the following provisions:
- Non-Interference pledges, rejecting unlawful or extraconstitutional foreign meddling in domestic affairs.
- Mutual Recognition of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and legitimate government;
- Formal Diplomatic Relations, including the potential exchange of envoys;
- Commitment to Peace, with disputes to be resolved exclusively by peaceful means;
- Bilateral Cooperation, especially in the domains of culture, technology, and governance;
Lord Musgrave also confirmed that the Commonwealth is currently in negotiations with other nations, with further details expected to be announced soon.