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.
Populations of Wrythe and Thanasia return from Wales
The immediate Imperial Family returned to Wrythe yesterday evening from holiday in North Wales. The four residents of Wrythe stayed in a large house in the coastal town of Criccieth. Unbeknownst to them until a few months previously, the population of Thanasia (Countess Eritoshi and her sister) and their parents were also staying in North Wales the same week, a few miles away in the town of Harlech. The two families met on Monday morning and Thursday afternoon, exploring Harlech Castle before investigating rockpools and swimming on the nearby beach on the latter occasion. The Wrythians had arrived on Saturday 3rd August, whereas the Thanasians had arrived on Friday 2nd, climbing a nearby mountain on Saturday. Horse rides, ten-pin bowling, archery, coastal walks and a visit to a petting farm were just some of the activities that the residents of Wrythe partook in during their week away. The Emperor used the time spent in long car journeys to write up three new Imperial Decrees, which can be seen on the Austenasian government website.
Second IGS Expedition to Wimbledon Common
The Imperial Family yesterday returned to Wrythe after setting out on an expedition to Wimbledon Common on behalf of the Imperial Geographical Society. This is the first time that the IGS has sent an expedition to the same place twice – a first expedition to Wimbledon Common took place on New Year’s Day. While that expedition had twelve members, this one only had four, namely the immediate Imperial Family. The Emperor led the Imperial Family on a circular route around the common, closely following part of the route of the previous expedition and comparing how things had changed in three months with the onset of spring. Photographs were taken, and a short video can be seen here. The next IGS Expedition is planned to take place on 6 May, to British countryside near the Surrey village of Headley.
Imperial Family celebrates Christmas
The Christmas season has been celebrated by the Austenasian Imperial Family over the past few days. On Christmas Eve (Monday 24th), the immediate Imperial Family – consisting of Sir Terry the former Emperor, his wife Lady Margaret, and their children Crown Prince Jonathan and Princess Caroline – went out for a meal at local Carshalton pub The Racehorse to start the Christmas season, traditionally celebrated in Austenasia over the days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Christmas Day (Tuesday 25th) commenced with the opening of presents in Parliament Hall, followed by the Imperial Family joining the population of Zephyria at the Christmas morning service at Carshalton Methodist Church. Crown Prince Jonathan accompanied the Imperial Family despite having converted to Orthodox Christianity in early 2011. Princess Caroline sung an up-beat version of Silent Night as part of the Christmas service, accompanied by two friends and with Sir Joseph the former Prince of Copan on the ukulele. The Imperial Family returned home to have a traditional Christmas dinner of roast turkey, joined for the afternoon by Dame Joyce Boxall, mother of Lady Margaret. The Imperial Residence then played host in the evening to the Allens, family friends of the Imperial Family who visited for drinks and a game of charades. Boxing Day (Wednesday 26th) saw the Boxall family (Lord Michael, brother of Lady Margaret, and his wife and children) visit the Imperial Residence for a roast dinner and a buffet supper, joined again by Dame Joyce. The popular board game Articulate was played and small presents were handed out to the guests. The Austenasian Times hopes all its readers have had a Merry Christmas, and wishes you all a happy 2013.
Lady Margaret Austen celebrates birthday
Lady Margaret Austen, Baroness of Glencrannog today celebrated her 57th birthday. Lady Margaret, 12th in Line to the Throne, was born in 1955 and married the future Emperor Terry I in 1989. She was Empress consort of Austenasia during the reign of Terry I (2008 – 2010) and is mother to Crown Prince Jonathan and Princess Caroline. Her mother Dame Joyce, brother Lord Michael (13th in Line to the Throne) and his wife Dame Rosalind visited Lady Margaret and her two children at the Imperial Residence this morning for coffee and cake, and this evening the Imperial Family ate out at an Italian restuarant in celebration of her birthday.
