Privy Council founded
Parliament has passed an Act founding a Privy Council as an advisory body to the Emperor. The Council contains Countess Eritoshi, Emperor Mother Margaret, Emperor Father Terry, Taeglan I, Lord Marshal William, and several other politicians and friendly foreign leaders. Appointment to the Council will be at the absolute discretion of the Emperor. The Privy Council has no power to issue legally binding advice, but can give suggestions to the Emperor which he will consider.
Pancake Day celebrated in Wrythe
Residents of Wrythe this morning celebrated Pancake Day – also known as Shrove Tuesday – the day before Lent in Western Christianity. The tradition in Britain is for pancakes to be made on this day, due to Lent having been a time of fasting from animal products, with milk and eggs needing to be used up. Although fasting during Lent is now rarely observed so strictly in western Europe, the tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday remained in Britain, and has been continued by the population of Austenasia. Pancakes were cooked this morning in the Imperial Kitchen and enjoyed by the Crown Princess, Emperor Mother and Emperor Father. The Emperor himself was not present due to currently living in university accommodation at Roehampton.
Imperial Family celebrates confirmation and birthday
Not only did the Imperial Family today celebrate the 58th birthday of Emperor Mother Margaret, but also the confirmation of Crown Princess Caroline into the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The day started with both individuals opening some presents in the Imperial Residence. The Imperial Family then attended the confirmation service at Carshalton Methodist Church, joined by the Boxalls (the family of the Emperor Mother). Emperor Jonathan I – who finishes his first term at university at the end of the week – also attended, having come home for the weekend. During the service, Crown Princess Caroline and several other younger people (including Sir Joseph, former Prince of Copan) were confirmed into membership of the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The Imperial Family and Boxalls then had lunch at a nearby gastropub, before the group travelled to the Imperial Residence. At the Imperial Residence, more presents were opened and cake and coffee were served. A list of those present at the celebration in the Imperial Residence is as follows: Emperor Jonathan I, Crown Princess Caroline, Emperor Mother Margaret, Emperor Father Terry, Emperor Grandmother Joyce, Lord Michael (brother of the Emperor Mother), Dame Rosalind (wife of Lord Michael), and their children Lord Timothy and Ladies Catherine and Jennifer.
Imperial encounter with the True Cross
The Emperor and his parents this afternoon saw what is believed to be part of the wooden cross on which Christ was crucified. Jonathan I, Emperor Mother Margaret and Emperor Father Terry met in Knightsbridge to walk the short distance to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God, where part of the Cross was being brought. The relic, usually kept in Jerusalem, is currently on a “tour” of the United Kingdom. The Emperor and his parents arrived at the start of an hour and a half long service, during which the piece of the Cross arrived and was placed on a stand in the middle of the church while hymns and psalms were sung and prayers were chanted. After the service, members of the congregation went up to venerate the relic, which is encased in an icon of silver and gold. Jonathan I has been an Orthodox Christian since 2011, but this was the first time that his father has been to an Orthodox service, while the Emperor Mother has previously been to two.
New annexation of North American land
Austenasia has expanded for the eighth time this year with the annexation of Terentia, a garden in North America. The land, which has been annexed as a Crown Dependency, is owned by the family of Jacob Lewis, who has been appointed Governing Commissioner of Terentia. The new Crown Dependency has been named in honour of Emperor Father Terry and measures just over 5000 square feet. Terentia is the second annexation that the Empire has made in North America, following that of New Richmond three months ago. As a Crown Dependency, Terentia is under Austenasian sovereignty but is highly autonomous, ruled by the Governing Commissioner in the name of the Throne.
Sebastian Linden visits Wrythe and Orly
Sebastian Linden, a leader of the Federal Republic of Francisville, today visited Carshalton. Linden, who is a member of Francisville’s Federal Council (a body which serves as the country’s collective head of state) and governor of the Francillian canton of Rudno, was met by Emperor Jonathan I at Carshalton station. The Emperor then gave Linden a guided tour of Orly, which is situated very close to the station, before the two walked to the house of Queen Emma I of Copan, where they were served drinks and engaged in discussion with the Queen and some of her friends. Jonathan I and Linden then walked to Wrythe, speaking to Countess Eritoshi (Chief Ambassador and candidate for Austenasian Prime Minister in next month’s elections) via mobile phone on the way. At Wrythe, Linden was introduced to Emperor Father Terry, Emperor Mother Margaret, Crown Princess Caroline and the Imperial Family’s two pet bullmastiffs Rose and Edd. After being shown Wrythe Public Park and its various monuments, Linden had his photograph taken with the Emperor before the two had some food and discussed several matters. Jonathan I then accompanied Linden back to Carshalton station. Austenasia has recognised Francisville – founded in November 2008 – as a sovereign state since 13 August 2012. Francisville does not formally recognise the Empire in return due to its complete lack of any official foreign relations, but has granted tacit recognition to Austenasia several times besides today’s visit, including a letter sent in December 2012 stating the wish of the Francillian government to eventually pursue formal diplomacy with the Empire.
Jonathan I celebrates 19th birthday
His Imperial Majesty Emperor Jonathan I has celebrated his 19th birthday this weekend after returning to Wrythe from Roehampton University on Friday 11th. On Saturday 12th, the Emperor was accompanied by Countess Eritoshi, Emperor Father Terry, Crown Princess Caroline, Air Chief Marshal Micheal, and M. Jones of the Imperial Air Force to a game of laser-tag in Sutton, after which a meal was had at a nearby restaurant. Today, Sunday 13th – the Emperor’s birthday – he attended church in the morning before returning to Wrythe to open presents and cards. Birthday greetings have been received from many friends, foreign leaders, and members of the extended Imperial Family.
Five years of independence celebrated
The fifth anniversary of the Austenasian Declaration of Independence is being celebrated across the Empire with a three-day-long public holiday. The actual anniversary of Austenasia’s founding was Friday 20th, but Independence Day is celebrated today (21st) on the third Saturday of September. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor announced last weekend that a public holiday would be held over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 22nd in celebration of this milestone. Emperor Jonathan I returned home to Wrythe from Roehampton University yesterday on the 20th, having spent the afternoon at Thanasia with Countess Eritoshi of Memphis on the way back. The Emperor appointed her to the ceremonial rank of Augusta by an Imperial Edict, granting her the style of Imperial Highness and making her second only to himself in the order of precedence in the Empire. This morning, Independence Day was marked in New South Scotland with a parade by its Constabulary, an organisation founded by Governing Commissioner Haakon Lindström to enforce law in the Crown Dependency. The celebration was concluded with Mr. Lindström having drinks with the members of the Constabulary. Celebrations continued as Jonathan I this evening accompanied Crown Princess Caroline, Emperor Father Terry and Emperor Mother Margaret to a quiz night at Carshalton Methodist Church with a fish and chips supper, joined by Lord Marshal William and the population of Zephyria and by Lord Michael, Dame Rosalind and Lady Catherine of the Boxall family (the family of the Emperor Mother). Tomorrow, the final day of the independence anniversary holiday, looks set to be a more relaxed day, with no major celebrations planned.
The Emperor moves into Roehampton University
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor yesterday moved into accommodation at the University of Roehampton. Emperor Father Terry and Emperor Mother Margaret helped Jonathan I to unpack his belongings in the en suite room he now lives in, located in the Digby Stuart College of the university. The university is located just over 6 miles away from Wrythe, which the Emperor plans to visit every few weeks. The Emperor shares the floor which his room is on with six other people. Although each room has its own bathroom, there is a shared kitchen area. After moving into the university yesterday, Jonathan I today attended talks given to those in the Humanities Department before having lunch and spending the afternoon with Countess Eritoshi, who is also studying at the university although not taking up residence there. The Emperor will start a three-year course on Theology and Religious Studies next week after formal enrolment on Wednesday.
Potato crop harvested
His Imperial Highness Emperor Father Terry has harvested several dozen potatoes which were planted in Wrythe Public Park earlier this year. The Imperial Family ate some of the potatoes with their evening meal tonight. Crown Princess Caroline called them “normal” and “potatoey”. The now Emperor Father also grew a crop of potatoes in August 2009 while still Emperor. Some tomato plants have also been planted in Wrythe Public Park. While the Empire is far from self-sufficient, growing some of our own food is a small step towards decreasing our reliance on the neighbouring United Kingdom.
