Carilla of Durland

Carilla
Princess of Leps
Carilla in 2022
Princess of Durland
Tenure	29 August 1972 - present
Investiture	1 September 1972
Predecessor	Garmaanas II
Heiress apparent	Ingdil
Prime Ministers	Saamn Lansduin Clarwin Gjardeer Unes Krijsdor Jeren Draris Ellee Asnee Eelar Lordann Gurver Deena
Born	Carilla Theyra Emele (1946-08-04) 4 August 1946 Herran, Durland
Spouse	Olar Wismar (m. 1975)
Issue	Ingdil, Hereditary Princess of Durland Prince Ludan, Marquis of Geillen
House	Leps
Father	Garmaanas II
Mother	Countess Theyra Jonaara
Religion	Durlish Orthodox
Military career
Allegiance	Principality of Durland
Service/branch	Home Guard
Years of service	1967–1972
Rank	Sub-lieutenant

Carilla (Carilla Theyra Emele; born 4 August 1946) is Princess of Durland, having succeeded to the throne on 29 August 1972.

Carilla was the first-born child and only daughter of Prince Garmaanas and Princess Theyra. At the time of her birth, she was second in the line of succession, behind her father. On the birth of her brother, Prince Sarnar, in 1955, she was displaced in the line of succession due to cognatic primogeniture. However, with the introduction of absolute primogeniture in 1959, she was returned to second in line ahead of her younger brother. Carilla was educated at the Jora School and studied for periods at the University of Herran.

Following the death of her grandfather Garmaanas I in 1962, Carilla became hereditary princess on the succession of her father. However, due to her father's illnesses (he suffered from severe asthma), she served as regent periodically until her accession. Carilla became princess following her father's death in 1972. She subsequently married commoner Olar Wismar, becoming the first monarch to marry a commoner and the first to marry whilst on the throne. Her daughter, Ingdil, is heir apparent.

Carilla is the longest-reigning monarch in recent Durlish history, having reigned for 51 years as of 2023.

Early life and education

Carilla was born on 4 August 1946 at the Laaurlen Palace in Herran as the first child of Hereditary Prince Garmaanas and Hereditary Princess Theyra. At her birth, she was second-in-line to the throne after her father, and accordingly was styled a Princess in Durland. She was educated by a mixture of private tutors and public school tutors, attending the Herithas School from 1951 until 1957. She was the first person of her rank and position to enrol in a public school, with all prior heirs being educated privately at home.

Carilla in 1969.

Carilla has later said of her childhood that she was "incredibly happy" but was "aware of a shadow hanging over [her]." Her parents, she claimed, were distant, although this was not through choice, and there were several periods where they were absent. It was only when she reached the age of 11 that she was made fully aware of her parents' position and the reason for their absence.

With the birth of her brother, Prince Sarnar, in 1955 she was displaced in the line of succession. However, in 1959 a new succession law was enacted which replaced cognaic (male-preference) primogeniture with absolute primogeniture. As a result, she was reinstated as second-in-line and new plans were drawn up for her preparation for her future role.

In 1967, following her 21st birthday, Carilla enrolled in the Home Guard as a corporal, being promoted twice and eventually reaching the rank of sub-lieutenant in 1971. During her military service, she qualified as a mechanic and undertook training in engineering. She was appointed an aide-de-camp to her father Prince Garmaanas in 1970.

Reign

Although Carilla became princess in August 1972, she had been prepared for the role due to her acting as regent for her father. Her final regency was from 27 July 1972 until her father's death on 29 August the same year.

On succeeding to the throne, Carilla became the first princess regnant of Durland. She was sworn in during a meeting of the Council of State in the Royal Palace of Herran on 1 September 1972. The same day, she addressed a joint session of the two houses of Parliament for the first time.

As a young monarch, albeit one that had experience as regent, Carilla faced distrust and ambivalence from many in government. Prime Minister Saamn Lansduin was a notable critic of the princess in private, although he maintained the façade of respect in public. Records released following his death detail his poor regard for the new princess, his attempts to avoid scrutiny by the monarch, and a sustained campaign of frustrating her role in state affairs. Lansduin was dismissed by the princess in 1974 when he lost a no confidence motion in Parliament, and was replaced with the more amiable Clarwin Gjardeer.

In 1975, Carilla married businessman Olar Wismar. They had previously met four years earlier, but their relationship was forbidden by the Prince due to his status as a commoner. The couple rekindled their relationship in 1973. He became the first Prince Consort in Durland's history. Carilla subsequently became the first reigning monarch to marry whilst on the throne. During these pregnancies her husband served as regent.

As constitutional monarch, Carilla is the foremost representative of the state. As such, the princess has undertaken various formal and informal overseas trips. In 1981, Carilla became the first Durlish monarch to visit Garindina, where she met Emperor Alexander III and Emperess Catherine. As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the princess has also attended various military parades and ceremonies overseas.

Controversy

Throughout her reign, Carilla has maintained an active role in Durlish politics, as per her constitutional position. She has appointed several informateurs to led negotiations in cabinet formations, and has also played a minor role in assisting in these negotiations. However, Carilla has maintained a strict non-political approach to her duties and little is known about her own private beliefs. She has nonetheless courted controversy at different points during her reign. The most prominent example is the "Family Order Crisis," during which she was criticised for awarding royal family orders to a number of Social Democratic ladies of the court whilst overlooking Conservative ladies. The crisis was averted when the Princess apologised for "sadly missing many talented ladies of the court" and subsequently awarding the order.

Jubilees

In 1997, Carilla celebrated her Silver Jubilee. A series of events to mark the occasion ran throughout the year. A service of thanksgiving was held in August at the Cathedral Church of Herran, attended by the Princess, Prince Consort, members of the Princely Family, politicians, and members of civic society. The Princess Carilla Silver Jubilee Fund was also established to fund the arts and entertainment, as well as to provide scholarships for disadvantaged people. Carilla's Ruby Jubilee was similarly marked in 2012, with a series of street parties held to mark the event. For both jubilees, commemorative medals were released and awarded to individuals in the order of precedence, members of the armed forces and emergency services, and other select civil servants.

Carilla in 1998.

In 2022, Carilla celebrated her Golden Jubilee. This jubilee was more muted compared to previous jubilees; a speech by the Princess on New Years Day 2022 included the death of her father and her "continued grief." As she does every year, she marks her accession with "private reflection and worship" and "time to remember [her] father." The Golden Jubilee Medal was released with a wider eligibility, with charity workers prominent amongst recipients.

Personal life

Marriage and children

Carilla first met Olar Wismar in 1971 when the then-princess regent hosted a reception at the Royal Palace of Herran for business leaders. Wismar, who was working in the manufacturing industry at the time, later said that the two "immediately found that [they] had a lot in common," although there was no suggestion of romance. Subsequent meetings, both formal and informal, quickly led to the two falling in love. In December 1971, Carilla presented Wismar to her parents, who were not impressed in his background and commoner status. Prince Garmaanas ordered Carilla to break off the relationship; whilst she and Wismar agreed to "pause" their plans, neither intended to wholly separate from the other.

On Garmaanas' death the following year, the two rekindled their relationship and were seen in public for the first time together in February 1973. Due to the princess' new role and increased responsibilities, the two did not announce their relationship immediately, it becoming public knowledge only in August 1973 after much speculation. In June 1974, the Royal Palace announced that the princess and Wismar would marry, and the marriage ceremony held in Herran on 14 June 1975. Earlier that day, Carilla granted Wismar the title of prince and the style of Highness. On their marriage, he became the first Prince Consort of Durland.

In 1976, Carilla gave birth to her first child Princess Ingdil. This was followed by the birth of Prince Ludan in 1979. Ludan was born via caesarean section due to complications. During both pregnancies, Prince Olar served as regent at various points, especially during the latter pregnancy.

Children

Name	Birth	Marriage
		Date	Spouse	Issue
Princess Ingdil, Hereditary Princess of Durland	19 June 1976	16 August 2003	Count Rardan een Maatrel	Prince Genran Princess Enna
Prince Ludan, Marquis of Geillen	4 February 1979	13 May 2006	Helana Gabella	Princess Mare-Lana Prince Erril

Hobbies

The princess is known for her love of reading, and has been a patron of several reading initiatives during her reign. The Princess Carilla's Reader's Club is the largest reading club in Durland, established as a charitable foundation in 1982. Carilla has written prefaces and other contributions to various books, including a number on Durlish history. She also co-wrote a book with historian Dr. Amecia Peetar on Durlish consorts (not including her husband).

Carilla has also made several comments about her love for movies, saying in a 2021 interview that she had a home cinema. Among her interests are silent movies, particularly horror movies, possessing a collection of over twenty. In 2022, images were released showing part of her extensive media collection, generating much interest among film collectors. In 2023, Carilla was elected an honourary fellow of the Royal Durlish Academy of Motion Picture Arts.

Fashion

Carilla is known for eschewing an interest in fashion, declaring that she wears "what fits" and "leave[s] dress sense to [her] daughter." Throughout her reign, she has become associated with long overcoats, which she began wearing during her service in the Home Guard. These coats, affectionally known as "Princess' coats", are popular among women, with the princess popularising what previously was male attire.

In 2019, the Princess' Household sold a number of Carilla's overcoats, with proceeds going to various charities that the princess supports.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

Royal monogram

At birth, Carilla was styled "Her Highness Princess Carilla in Durland". On the accession of her father on 19 June 1962, she became known as "Her Highness The Hereditary Princess of Durland". The title Princess of Leps was added when her father created it to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the accession of Farnar II in 1966. Since her accession on 29 August 1972, she has been styled "Her Highness The Princess of Durland" and also assumed the Florentian title "Duchess of Lanbenpendue."

Carilla's full title as Princess of Durland is: Her Highness Carilla, by the Grace of God, Reigning Princess of Durland, Princess of Leps, Duchess of Lanbenpendue, Marquise of Heirel and of Geerl, Countess of Eejren, Baroness of Jetrel, of Meesren, and of Beeikes".

Honours

National honours

• Sovereign and Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Jora
• Sovereign and Grand Collar of the Order of Leps
• Sovereign and Grand Cordon of the Order of the Two Lions
• Sovereign and Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
• Commemorative Medal for the Centenary of Farnar II (1976)
• Commemorative Medal for the Wedding of the Hereditary Princess and Court Rardan een Maatrel (2003)

Foreign honours

• Kertosono: Grand Medal of the Order of Sailendra

Arms

Main article: Coat of arms of Durland

Carilla's arms as heir to the throne (left: 1962-1973) and as princess (right)

As heir to the Durlish throne, Carilla's arms were the Durlish coat of arms differenced with a label of three points argent (white). She used a convex heater shield, rather than an Iberian shield generally used by women. Surmounting the shield was the heraldic crown of the heir to the throne, decorated with four half-arches. Following her accession to the throne, the label on her arms was removed. The crown of the heir was changed to that of the monarch's, featuring eight half-arches rather than four.

Arms depicting other orders within the Honours of Durland are recognised; these, however, are generally used in relation to the monarch's role as Grand Master of the relevant order. Depictions of these variants are found in the chapels of each of the respective orders.

See also

• Johamara, Princess Eirmar of Mardan