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Austenasian Times

Online news for the people of the Empire

Line of Succession overhauled

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: 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.

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.