Franken's royals en route

[Großlausitz]

Start of the royal journey

Franconia’s royals are both aware of their tradition and keen on pursuing the newest trends, which move their people that have been entrusted to their guardianship for ages. Similar to their fellow royals in Germania, Scania and beyond they ironically call themselves ‘die Firma’ (the company). Indeed, their organization is run as efficiently and strictly as a huge corporation. While the better part of their stakeholders could never afford buying more than a handful of corporate shares, this particular company’s stakeholders receive their share by virtue of birth. During the brief press conference before the Prince Regent, his wife, their oldest son and the entourage entered the so-called Königliche Luftwaffe ‘FRANKEN EINS’, Jakob von Franken replied to a question of mine on whether that obligation is a burden: “During my youth I was angry and frustrated that I would never be able to have an alternative career of my choice. Tenaciously I argued with my father, time and again. Eventually he sat me down and told me this: In His eternal wisdom or wit without boundaries God has given our house the responsibility for this kingdom’s people. Your privilege will be to help our people to achieve their dreams and aspirations. The basis for our people’s prosperity is to ensure Franken is a trusted and appreciated player in the world.”

As the court correspondent of one of Franken’s most renowned daily papers I have been given the privilege to join the royal party aboard Franken Eins instead of taking the press corps’ jet alongside the other journalists and their teams. Therefore I’ll be able to provide the readers of FAZ.fr and the print version of the Fränkische Allgemeine Zeitung with first-hand news from the royal journey through Breotonia, Anglyn, Aquitaine, Guiana, Brettaine and Sernierre. Whether Aresura will be added to the schedule is not yet sure due to security concerns.

In about 45 minutes this plane will touch down in Breotonia for a two day stay of Prinzregent Jakob, Herzogin Franziska and Erbprinz Sebastian. Whereas his former classmates indulge themselves at sunny beaches and enjoy the free time till the start of university courses in autumn, Sebastian von Schlesnitz joins his parents for a particular kind of summer internship. For the 19-year-old prince charming it will be the first official journey beyond Germania and Gallia. As a confidante with the Lord Steward’s Department told me, Prince Sebastian promised his parents not to indulge in too excessive partying. Judging from his past record it’s safe to assume he will keep it. Even the youngest generation of the royal family mirrors the classical family role allocation: Sebastian is far more considerate and calm than his younger siblings, who are less burdened by the prospect of carrying the crown one day.

Matthias Kuhl, Fränkische Allgemeine Zeitung

 

[Großlausitz]

In the Merchants’ Kingdom

Ever since Franconians first got in touch with the Breotish people and their leaders, they couldn’t help but notice their merchants’ fine business acumen. With the growing importance of the country’s merchants in running Breotonia Franconians acknowledged their rise to power by dubbing the country ‘Das Königreich der Händler’ or Merchants’ Kingdom. A majority of Franconian historians even argues that King Sebastian IV, Franken’s first sovereign king, took great inspiration from the bureaucratic reforms in Breotonia. While the island kingdom’s sovereign’s position would eclipsed by his very own government in the long run, Franken’s monarchs have managed to retain their station as primus inter pares within the state’s complicated structure, reducing the nobility to mere supporting actors.

In the course of the two days of the visit an innocent observer could have been led to believe that Breotonia’s monarch was still more than a deeply revered figurehead of the state. Indeed, the pomp and circumstance of the Breotish monarchy hasn’t been reduced but refined relative to the loss in actual power. It was amusing to see how the daughters and/or granddaughters of any senior dignitary invited to King Gregory V’s state dinner in honour of Prince Regent Jakob and his wife Duchess Franziska Isabella was keen on exchanging a word and some looks with the Prince Regent’s handsome son Prince Sebastian. Nonetheless, despite their preference for noble girls even Franconian princes marry out of love these days.

On the second day it was His Breotish Majesty’s Government led by Prime Minister Harold Simms who faced the sizeable business and political delegation led by the Prince Regent. For constitutional purposes Prinzregent Jakob’s delegation has two senior state secretaries (deputy ministers) as members, who are to counter-sign any royal writs. For Franken’s Kings and/or co-kings – the Prince Regent shares the throne with his father – it’s not unusual to participate in top-level talks during state visits. Legally and constitutionally it’s considered unproblematic, as neither King has a motive to compromise the interests of his nation. Last but not least, a pre-travel consultation between the King and his Ministerpresident is always held.

“Prime Minister Harold Simm is a fine leader, who is both aware and cherishes his country’s traditions,” Prinzregent Jakob von Franken commented on his negotiations’ counterpart afterwards. If Franken’s diplomatic service is notorious for their elusive statements, our Sovereign have been trained to be masters of this particular for ages.

Subjects of the talks were negotiations on various industry contracts, e.g. purchase of high-speed trains from Franken, a commission to build state-of-the-art fishing boats ordered by Franken and even more. International commerce aficionados will find a complete list on the web site of Franconia’s Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology:

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I have been writing these lines briefly after our take-off from Breotonia in the late afternoon. Our next stop will be Anglyn.

Matthias Kuhl, Fränkische Allgemeine Zeitung

 

[Großlausitz]

In the Kingdom of Anglyn

As many a well-informed reader of FAZ – my colleagues have been doing a marvelous job with keeping you up to date with the very latest in the hostage crisis – know, the trusted ally and partner of Franken is still worried about the fate of their countrymen trapped in the hijacked flight 239. “Relative to the total number of Anglynian subjects they are only a few, but we are with them, their families and the authorities trying to solve that awful situation,” Prinzregent Jakob commented curious questions by local journalists whether his visit would keep the Prime Minister from seeing to more urgent matters. “I thank my people for their trust in my capabilities, yet being a moderator for hostage situations is none of them. I’m not a part time member of our police’s SWAT, either,” he jokingly added.

Indeed, the Kingdom of Anglyn did its very best to show the Germanics how they understand pomp and circumstance in the west. On the first glance they aren’t so different from the Breotish or even the Franconians. However, if you look more closely and listen more carefully, you will discover that Anglyn’s people celebrate their holidays and event with far more rhythmic and dynamic music. Our readers may know West’s music style by its generic collective name, Reggae. During the first night’s state banquet hosted by Prince Regent Cedric this kind of music was played by the royal chapel beside the classics by Scanian, Gallian or Germanic composers. Both Cedric and Jakob seemed to go along very well, judging from what a humble court correspondent could see from the distance and/or was allowed to see. The two co-kings were apparently able to share some of their experience in leading a monarchy with several centuries of history under its belt. And again Prince Sebastian was able to connect quickly to his female peers at the top table of the banquet.

The next day Prince Regent Jakob was engaged in business much similar to the one in Breotonia. Instead of presenting you with the same story once more, I joined the sub-delegation of Prince Sebastian, who had been invited to inaugurate a research institute co-financed by Franconian benefactors at Winchester University. It was one of the Prince’s rare public appearances in his official capacity as the third in line to the throne of Franken. His speech was brief, witty and moderately worded. After all, he had yet to start his degree course in the upcoming autumn. “[…] I hope the students and researchers will find the institute to be as welcoming for bright and curious minds as I found my future university back at home. May this place be governed by the honest thirst for new knowledge! […]” The entrance of the institute for applied physics thusly features a plate with the engraved date of inauguration and Prince Sebastian’s full title.

In a nutshell, I’m not worried about the future of our monarchy at all. If the grammar school graduate Prince Sebastian is that bright and considerate, how much more thoughtful will be the future university graduate Prince Sebastian? As usually I’m writing these lines while we’re on the plane to the host country for the next two days, Guiana. Anglyn and Guiana not only share a border but also their monarchy. More on that in two days.

Matthias Kuhl, Fränkische Allgemeine Zeitung
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[Großlausitz]

The Commonwealth of Guiana

In past and present some pundits and scholars have compared Anglyn’s and Guiana’s relationship to Franken’s and Wiese’s long bond. There are a few parallels, indeed. Firstly, both countries share a monarch, while still acting as sovereign nations. Several centuries ago Franken’s royal house did carry the imperial crown and rule over today’s Wiese nominally, at least. Furthermore, both countries share a language and political convictions in a broader sense. They’re both members of the European Defence Federation. Guiana followed Anglyn into the alliance and has been a member ever since.

The political part of the stay of Prince Regent Jakob’s delegation was dominated by the discussion about the nascent Northwestern Collective Security Coalition, which is a regional alliance between Aquitaine, Anglyn, Guiana and Sernierre. Some experts expressed their curiosity over how this would fit into the EDF and whether Franken would accept this step by her allies. To most observers the EDF appears to be a show run by Nuremberg for Nuremberg. “Both Anglyn and Guiana are amongst the oldest EDF members. Their input and dedication to our alliance’s cause are highly valued and necessary. The idea of an all-powerful Franconian Crown running the alliance and its states is a slap in the face of all democratically elected governments of our member-states. This alliance exists because the leaders of its members believe it’s the best way to pursue their peoples’ interests,” Prinzregent Jakob explained at a media conference before the obligatory state banquet. Although Franken has been and will be a leading nation within the federation, they could never afford running over the other members’ interests in the long run. According to my FAZ colleague, who is a special correspondent at the EDF HQ, Eiffelland’s delegation has a mollifying influence on any Franconian delusions of grandeur, if they should arise.

The state banquet wasn’t any different from the one in Winchester. Here Erbprinz Sebastian was particularly enchanted by the exotic Guianan beauties he met at his official appointments alongside his parents. In the second afternoon of the stay in Guiana the royal delegation was shown around at the local EDF space research facilities, some of which are based near Georgetown. Before our departure Prinzregent Jakob, Herzogin Franziska Isabella and their son were given a special treat: They watched a training match between the Anglysh and Guianan national cricket squads. When asked whether he understood the rules of the game, the Prince Regent grinningly told reporters: “The players demonstrated excellent technical skills and impressive gameplay. Obviously Guiana’s victory shows us they were better today.”

As usually I’m writing these lines aboard FRANKEN EINS. According to the flight captain we will reach Aquitania in about 90 minutes.


Matthias Kuhl, Fränkische Allgemeine Zeitung​

 

[Großlausitz]

In the Grand Duchy of Aquitania

All countries but one we have visited thus far have had a few things in common. Firstly, they are all members of the European Defence Federation. Secondly, they are all monarchies, which is surprisingly the characteristic most EDF states have in common. For royal pundits and ethusiasts the Grand Duchy is particularly interesting and exciting, as some of its senior princes are still bachelors. To more liberal progressive minds it may seem both anachronistic and irrelevant who the Aquitanian royal scions choose to marry, but here it is still a matter of tradition and political consideration what princess is to marry into the Grand Duke’s house. Needless to say, the same goes for Franken, even far more implicitly and hush-hush. The methods of today’s royal parents how to convince their offspring of their favourite royal match have become more sophisticated compared to the older days.

In Aquitania we have been received as cordially and friendly as before. The same goes for the state banquet hosted by Grand Duke Jean III and the negotiations on various commercial, cultural and political deals the next morning. Curiously and different from the previous stops Prince Sebastian had been explicitly asked to participate in the talks. Actually his father had told the media he wanted to spare his oldest son from the duller aspects of this journey: “As in every apprenticeship, the supreme rule is that you learn best step by step, little by little. I don’t want to overtax my son.” According to the Household’s Media Secretariat Grand Duke Jean III, who relatively younger than Prince Regent Jakob, wanted to have Erbprinz Sebastian’s input, too. Both princes got along very well during the state banquet.

The visit’s schedule was concluded by an open air performance of the Knight Templar’s highly acclaimed men’s choir supported by the Bordeu Grand Ducal Symphony Orchestra.

The royal trip’s penultimate stop over will be its second non-EDF country, the Kingdom of Brettaine.


Matthias Kuhl, Fränkische Allgemeine Zeitung ​

 

[Großlausitz]

Excerpt from Matthias Kuhl‘ extensive coverage of the Prince Regent’s tour through Boreas
FAZ, June 2, Ascension Day extended issue

[…] Their departure from Aquitania meant they would enter the realms of the non-EDF states again after several days of touring the friendly states of Anglyn, Guiana and Aquitania. Both Brettaine and Serenierre would turn out to be eager hosts, nevertheless. For the former state it was the first state visit by a Franconian royal leader since the early 2000s when King Alfred IV last visited the Borean kingdom, while the latter one saw its first state visit ever from Franken since the dawn of the socialist revolution.

Much like Anglyn’s or Breotonia’s royalty, Brettaine’s king was keen on demonstrating how they understood royal pomp and circumstance in Boreas. Needless to say, even here Prince Sebastian attracted the attention of the young ladies of the nobility as well as the daughters of the business and political elite. From my modest observer’s point of view I can tell you, dear reader, he treated them royally. Whether he has met someone he’d be interested to know more thoroughly and intimately can only be speculated. Speculation isn’t this humble report’s objective at all. So I’ll leave this to those people who thrive on it. Of course the royal delegation didn’t neglect negotiating hard business deals, either. Although the signed contracts (industrial supplies and machinery from Franken, amongst other things) had been planned long before the actual journey, managers within the delegation told me they had some interesting conversations on selling and/or co-developing innovative IT equipment and solutions; possibly to ensure Brettaine’s security against vile terroristic attacks as well as industrial espionage.

Culturally Brettaine and Sernierre had much to offer to the royal delegation. In the Brettish capital Prince Regent Jakob and his wife were enchanted by a creatively re-staged opera by Aren composer Wolfgang von Mozart. The concluding stop-over in Sernierre was dominated by the Flower Festival, where Duchess Franziska Isabelle, her regal spouse and their oldest son were treated to an exquisite demonstration of Sernierrian culture. Economically the royal delegation signed a range of agreements facilitating bilateral trade. Behind closed doors some Franconian diplomats jokingly call the batch of treaties Franken’s observer seat on the NCSC.

The Prince Regent reasoned about the long tour’s mid to long-term ramifications upon his return to the capital. His assessment is […]
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