The New Virginian Question

Over the past couple of days, it has become increasingly clear to the Government of the Empire of Austenasia that it can no longer work with the Union of New Virginia, under any circumstances. Prime Minister, Lord Andrew Creed and Acting Chief Ambassador, Lord Mick Griffin, were both approached last week by New Virginian Prime Minister, Vera Hewitt, to enter into a negotiation to establish a new treaty between the Union and the Empire. A new treaty would thus replace two old treaties with the now defunct nations of the Commonwealth of New Virginia and the New Richmond Republic. Prime Minister Hewitt set up a Discord chat room to enter into the negotiations, bringing with her, President, Simon White and First Ambassador, Indy Bornstein, as delegates. The Austenasian delegation included Prime Minister Creed, Acting Chief Ambassador Griffin, HIM Aggelos I, and Crown Prince Shiro as Princeps Senatus. The Crown Prince’s involvement as Princeps Senatus was paramount as any treaty without direct involvement from the Senate, would be dead on arrival. Prime Minister Creed made it clear that Austenasia was not at the moment, interested in establishing a treaty, but would be willing to postpone the negotiations to a later date. The Prime Minister cited recent hostilities arising from the recent GUM crisis, as well, all involved members of the Austenasian delegation were very busy in their personal lives. One of which being that Crown Prince Shiro had just survived a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake at his home in Thailand and was far too busy ensuring the structural safety of his home and well-being of his family. Creed also made it clear, that for himself to be involved in any treaty discussion, First Ambassador Bornstein was not to be present. Prime Minister Creed and Bornstein have an unfortunate history together. Bornstein, within the last few years and more-so in recent months, spread heinous, false, rumours regarding the Ill health of Prime Minister Creed via the infamous “crazy-bones” joke. The New Virginian delegation then refused to withdraw Bornstein from the negotiations. The Austenasian wish to not engage in negotiations at the moment were completely ignored and Prime Minister Hewitt attempted to continue. It was reiterated that Austenasia was not interested at that time. Prime Minister Creed then left the negotiations. After speaking with the Times, the Prime Minister admitted he could have been more cordial in the moment. Acting Chief Ambassador Griffin then reiterated again that Austenasia would not be interested at that time. Following the end of the discussion, the New Virginians promptly returned to their respective Discord server, stating “We’re back in our anti-Austenasia era baby” A propaganda piece was then presented depicting the Austenasian flag burning. A public statement was then made by President White regarding the situation, claiming that Austenasia was dying and living under deceit and corruption. He then claimed that New Virginia had surpassed Austenasia in all regards. Various attendees of the Hewitt Lounge then proceeded to mock and ridicule the Empire and slander Prime Minister Creed. The smear campaign and anti-Austenasia propaganda is but only the tip of the iceberg for how low the New Virginians can stoop. Yesterday afternoon, Austenasia’s recently appointed Chief Herald, Chris Ramsay, made an appearance in the Hewitt Lounge and questioned the rhetoric of the President’s announcement. Immediately the New Virginians began attacking him, shouting obscenities and ridiculing him. They made fun and laughed at his expense. Ramsay attempted to apologize, but to no avail. The obscenities didn’t stop, going so far as to bring Ramsay’s state of mental health into question. They also called him down to the dirt for his interest in Heraldry, claiming to be superior as they didn’t value the importance of Heraldry. Ramsay was then banned from the server. One can only assume Ramsay was attacked for his recent association with Austenasia. The Austenasian Government was then informed of the attack, to which they were abhorred and appalled. The issue was also brought to the attention of the administration staff of MicroWiki. They discussed the situation and collectively agreed to ban President Simon White, Henry Clémens of Esse, and James Frisch of the Serene Beaconite Republic, as punishment for their involvement in the attack. The absolutely disgusting display by the New Virginians yesterday is a prime example of why Austenasia can not and will not work with them. The re-occurring theme of toxic hostility and resortment to anger and bullying tactics hold no place in Austenasia’s vision for the future. Long Live the Emperor! Long Live Austenasia!

Election Candidates Announced

Earlier this evening, Chancellor, HSH Lord Jonathan, announced the official candidates for the Diasporic List election. The candidates are as follows: – Lord Andrew Creed, Baron of Corinium Terentium– Lord Karl Friedrich, Duke of Bohemia– Lord Mick Griffin, Baron of Glainamar– H.E. The Right Hon. Sir Hugh McFarlane, KCA– H.E. Prof. Sir Sanjib Bhattacharya, KOB, KCA– Mr. Ortiz Augusto Javier Non-residential subjects will be contacted before the date of the election with further information on the candidates and instructions for how to vote. The election has been scheduled for 9 December 2024. The Times followed up with the Chancellor to inquire on candidates for the local Town elections. While no official list has been released yet, the Chancellor provided us with the following information:

IGS revisits Sheepleas despite heavy rain

The Imperial Geographical Society (IGS) today conducted an expedition to Sheepleas, attempting to retrace a route last taken in 2010. In a sign of his continued involvement in some non-governmental institutions following the recent implementation of a regency, the expedition was led by Emperor Jonathan I, the Society’s Director-General. The 2010 IGS expedition had first explored Sheepleas, a nature reserve in Surrey, before walking through woods and farmland in West Horsely, forming a figure-of-eight route centred on the 11th century St Mary’s Church. However, today’s expedition was unable to follow the whole of 2010’s route due to torrential rain significantly impeding their progress. The expedition reached the church in double the time it had expected to take, and so had lunch there in the shelter of its porch before deciding to cancel the northern circuit of the route and head back via another path through the nature reserve. Sheepleas is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, notable for the diversity of its plants and wildlife as well as being of geological interest. Ten people were on today’s expedition. The IGS has conducted an expedition to areas of countryside in Surrey on the first Monday of May every year since 2009, with the exceptions of 2018, 2020 and 2021. The Emperor and his parents were joined by Emperor Mother Margaret’s brother Lord Michael and his wife Lady Rosalind, as well as five members of Carshalton Methodist Church. The heavy rain made it difficult for recording equipment to be used, but a short video of the expedition composed of what was able to be filmed will be uploaded in the coming days.

Prince Peter passes away aged 82

The death of His Highness Prince Peter, brother-in-law to the former Emperor Terry I, was announced yesterday evening. Prince Peter was married to Princess Julie, paternal aunt of Emperor Jonathan I and fourth in line to the Throne. Although Prince Peter was a much loved member of the extended Imperial Family, he had no real involvement with Austenasia, and the Emperor has asked for the privacy of the family to be respected at this time. Five days of national mourning have been declared, to last from Monday 15th until Friday 19th January.

Imperial visit to Palasia

Emperor Jonathan I today visited the Austenasian Town of Palasia in belated celebration of its tenth anniversary. The Emperor was met by Lord John Gordon, Representative of Palasia, at Thetford railway station, the closest to Palasia. After lunch, the two then travelled the short distance to the Austenasian Town. Palasia consists of Lord Gordon’s family home, and so Jonathan I also met Lord Gordon’s parents and pet dogs. In a tour of Palasia, His Imperial Majesty viewed the Town’s sites of interest, including Joyce Memorial Garden and Palasia Pet Cemetery. In a special honour for the visiting Emperor, he was presented with the household’s most prized drinking glass to use for refreshments. This was the first time that Jonathan I has visited an Austenasian claim outside of Greater Wrythe, and coincided with his Decennalia Year, with Palasia the only inhabited claim of the Empire annexed during the Emperor’s first year on the Throne to remain in Austenasia to this day. Palasia was founded on 12 July 2013, but the imperial visit to mark the anniversary was postponed to today, partially due to train strikes in the United Kingdom in addition to various other time constraints. Lord Gordon is Austenasia’s longest continually-serving Representative, and held office as Prime Minister between June 2020 and September 2021. Jonathan I and Lord Gordon took the opportunity of the visit to discuss matters relating to Austenasian politics and foreign affairs, both past and present. Lord Gordon has also announced that he plans to stand in the general election to be held in February 2024.

Emperor and Empress return from honeymoon

Emperor Jonathan I and Empress Hannah yesterday returned from a belated honeymoon on the Isle of Wight. The imperial couple, who were wed in November last year, travelled to the Isle of Wight on the evening of Tuesday 22nd and arrived back in the afternoon of Saturday 26th. The Emperor and Empress visited several sites of historical and cultural importance to the island, including Osborne House and Farringford House – the former residences respectively of Queen Victoria and her poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson – as well as the Needles, a famous landmark comprised of three stacks of chalk. Many of the couple’s excursions were done on behalf of the Imperial Geographical Society at the request of Empress Hannah, making a three-day-long IGS expedition (only the second to have lasted more than a day) part of their time away.

Jonathan I and Princess Hannah marry

Emperor Jonathan I and the now Empress Hannah have been married in two ceremonies over the last few days. The couple were legally wed in a Church of England ceremony on Saturday 5th November, and their marriage was then celebrated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church on Monday 7th. The decision to hold two ceremonies was taken by the couple in order to emphasis equal respect for both of their respective religious traditions. The Anglican service, held on Saturday 5th, took place in the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Beddington, the parish attended by the Empress and her family during her childhood. This was followed by a reception at a golf course conference centre by Oaks Park. The Orthodox service, held on Monday 7th, took place in the Church of Ss. Constantine and Helen, attended by the Emperor since he joined the Orthodox Church in July 2011. It was livestreamed by Emperor Father Terry in the official Austenasia Facebook group, and followed by a celebratory buffet. Both services were attended by many of the friends and family of the imperial couple, as well as various state dignitaries. Emperor Adam I of Adammia and King Calum I of the Grove – the former of whom served as one of Jonathan I’s groomsmen – attended both services, and the former Emperor Esmond III attended the Orthodox service. Lord Timothy, the Emperor’s cousin, was his best man, and his sister Crown Princess Caroline was another of his groomspeople. Lord John Gordon, former Prime Minister, had planned to attend as another of the Emperor’s groomsmen, but was unfortunately unable to make it due to illness. Congratulations have been pouring in from numerous well-wishers from across the globe. The Prime Minister, Lord William Wilson, designed an arms of alliance for the imperial couple in his capacity as Chief Herald, which was prominently displayed behind their table at Saturday’s wedding reception and referenced in the Emperor’s speech. The imperial couple first met on 11 November 2011, began a romantic relationship on 5 November 2015, and were engaged in September 2016. Their engagement lasted several years, due to the desire to complete their university degrees before focusing on wedding planning. The Empress has reigned as Princess of Wildflower Meadows since May 2016. As this position is that of a sovereign head of state, she will likely continue to go by Princess in various contexts.

Emperor pays tribute to Elizabeth II

His Imperial Majesty has released the following statement after learning yesterday of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II: It was with great sadness and shock that Our Imperial Majesty yesterday learnt of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Having achieved a great age of 96, it was not a surprise; but it was a shock. The end of a reign which lasted for over seventy years could be nothing else. Her passing is a moment of historical significance equalled by little any of us have experienced. It is truly the end of an era. A person who has been an ever-constant presence in the background of our lives has now gone. A symbol par excellence of continuity, dignity, stability, identity, constancy, diplomacy, and duty; gone. Austenasia has always promoted an identity for its people that has complemented rather than conflicted with their existing nationalities. It is due to this that the Imperial Family mourns not just the Queen, but our Queen. We mourn not just as Austenasians, but as Britons. As well as British Austenasians, there are also Austenasians who are Canadian and Australian. Elizabeth II was Queen of just over a quarter of the Austenasian population, and so her death is a blow to our nation as well. The Austenasian Star is flying from the Imperial Residence today vertically, in its customary position of mourning, and as Emperor of Austenasia, our Imperial Majesty pays respectful tribute to the life, reign, and memory of Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was last pictured at the start of this week as she exercised her constitutional duty in the appointment of a new British Prime Minister. Although frail, she was standing and smiling, and few us of who saw those photographs would have imagined she would be dead in two days. Even in the very last days of her life, she carried on working until the very end, performing her duty to her country and her people, informed and inspired by her strong Christian faith. She was, a paragon of duty and service, who dedicated her life to her people until its very end, and a true example to us all. ICJAWrythe, 9 September 2022

Emperor’s great-uncle Lord Geoffrey passes away aged 94

Lord Geoffrey Trory, Duke of Belfast yesterday passed away aged 94. A great uncle of Jonathan I on his mother’s side, Lord Geoffrey was first made properly aware of Austenasia during a visit to Wrythe in September 2009. He expressed great interest in and enthusiasm for the then relatively new country, and was named Duke of Belfast by the Emperor in September 2014, a title for which he expressed great thanks. Geoffrey was born in Essex in 1926, and moved to London in 1940. An accomplished church organist, he was a Graduate of the Royal College of Music and held a professional diploma from the Royal College of Organists. He moved to Belfast in 1953, where he spent the rest of his life. Lord Geoffrey is survived by his wife Lady Mabel, whom he married in 1963, their three sons (the eldest of whom, Lord Graham, has inherited his peerage) six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Emperor Jonathan I has called for a state of mourning to be observed through the Empire until his late great-uncle’s funeral. UPDATE 13 APRIL 17:10 – Lord Geoffrey’s funeral will take place on the morning of Thursday 15th.

Palasia Pet Cemetery designated national monument

On November 10th, a charter was signed which gave Palasia Pet Cemetery official national monument status. Palasia Pet Cemetery is located in Joyce Memorial Garden in Palasia. The status of national monument, created by the Monuments and Heritage Act 2017, is for sites or structures within Austenasia which are of cultural or historical significance to the nation. Palasia Pet Cemetery is the second site to be granted the status. The first national monument was another pet cemetery, that of Wrythe, and the Ministry for Culture is also exploring the option of granting the status to a monument recently erected in Nahona. Palasia Pet Cemetery was officially opened on 21 July earlier this year after the burial of Pickles, the family dog of Lord John Gordon. It is also the final resting place of a rabbit, Sasha. Its status as a national monument now enshrines within law the commitment of the Representative of Palasia to make provision for the maintenance of the cemetery, and increases the legal penalty for damaging the site.