Alejandra of Tehua
Alejandra Carlota Isabel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Empress of Tehua | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 October 1992 San Miguel, Tehua |
| Citizenship | Tehuan |
| Nationality | Tehuan |
| Spouse | Michael Halliche |
| Residence(s) | San Miguel, Tehua |
| Alma mater | Imperial and Pontifical University of Tehua |
Alejandra Carlota Isabel Elena is the Empress of Tehua. She is the daughter of the fourth son of Emperor Agustín III, Fernando Carlos Francisco, and his wife, Demetra Isabel Cabrera Santa Cruz. She is the niece and successor of Emperor Maximiliano IV. When she succeeded her uncle, Alejandra became the first Empress Regnant in Tehuan history. In accordance with the Constitution, Alejandra is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. However, unlike most of her male predecessors, she never appears in military uniform. As a constitutional monarch, Alejandra acts on the advice of a government that enjoys the confidence of the elected Cortes. While her own political views are private, she is publicly viewed as an icon of Tehuan national identity and revival.
Birth and Family
Alejandra's father was Fernando Carlos Francisco, the fourth son of Emperor Agustín III. Prior to her birth, the only legitimate grandchild of Agustín III had been Isabel Juana Maria. Her death in 1988 precipitated a succession crisis that put pressure on the other members of the imperial family to marry and have children. In 1990, Fernando married Donna Demetra Isabel Cabrera Santa Cruz, the daughter of Pedro Cabrera Rojas, Duke of Amadis. Her brother Dimas Cabrera Santa Cruz is the current duke.
Alejandra was baptized by Bartolomé Cardinal Cortés in the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in San Miguel on 19 October 1992. At birth, she was fifth in the line of succession after the four eldest sons of Agustín III: Agustín Cristóbal Domingo (later Agustín IV), Maximiliano Claudio Martin (later Maximiliano IV), Antonio Juan Marcos, and her father. During her life, her uncles had several children who were briefly ahead of her in the line of succession. However, none survived past infancy. After the deaths of her grandfather on 9 May 2004, Agustín IV on 9 November 2007, Archduke Antonio on 7 April 2008, and her father on 18 April 2009, she found herself heir presumptive to Maximiliano IV at the age of 17.
Alejandra, as a female male-line descendant of Agustín I, was entitled to the style Archduchess of Tehua from birth. She attended the coronations of her uncles Agustín IV and Maximiliano IV. On 18 October 2016, she was awarded the Order of the Golden Eagle from her uncle, the Chief and Sovereign of the Order.
Heir Presumptive
Alejandra attended the Imperial and Pontifical University of Tehua as had many other members of the imperial family. She earned a law degree there and got to know Tehuans from all walks of life in her classes. However, she was not able to fully enter the social life of the university, constantly attended by minders sent by her mother. Alejandra's main social interaction with her fellow students came as a result of her membership on the university's women's polo team. Demetra also avoided the imperial court and encouraged Alejandra to do the same because of the presence of Emperor Maximiliano's illegitimate children. When not at university, Alejandra was largely isolated at home. She spent her play time with her Imperial Techichi, Afortunado. In addition to law, she studied English, French, German, and Dutch. However, she spoke only Spanish at home.
Immediately after graduation, Alejandra toured the country from Costa Grande to San Rafael and met with ordinary Tehuans along the way. She was greeted enthusiastically at every stop. While she did enjoy getting to meet people and see more of her country, Alejandra found the trip exhausting. She was never off of her feet and had to remain perfectly poised. Maximiliano also disliked the trip. He considered it too much a public celebration for an heir presumptive. Shortly after the trip, Alejandra contracted a severe flu and remained out of the public eye for two weeks. However, the tour nonetheless marked a more public role for Alejandra. She began sponsoring charities, attending polo matches and other sporting events, and receiving copies of most of her uncle's papers.
Maximiliano hosted a ball hoping to find suitors for Alejandra. While she met a number of potential suitors, none of them were a good match. It was not until she ascended the throne that she would meet her husband.
Before coming to the throne, Alejandra represented Tehua abroad when she attended an event held by the Emperor of Excalbia to celebrate the active return of Excalbian involvement in international affairs.