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Leona of Latium

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Princess Leona
Leona of Latium.jpg
Princess Leona in 2020
Basileia consort of Mysia
Tenure20 September 2014 – 2 March 2017
Coronation26 December 2014
Born (1993-10-31) 31 October 1993 (age 31)
Lauseion, Leonopolis, Diocese of the East
Spouse
Basil I of Aretias
(m. 2013; annulled 2017)
Issue
Full name
Leona Claudia Zoe Diana Sophia
HouseClaudia
FatherJason VI Augustus of Latium
MotherZoe Verrucosa
ReligionFabrian Catholic
Latin Imperial Family
Coat of Arms of the Emperor of the Latins
Extended imperial family

Princess Leona of Latium (Leona Claudia Zoe Diana Sophia; b. 31 October 1993) is the daughter and first child of Jason VI Augustus, Latin Emperor, and his second wife, Zoe Verrucosa. She was Basileia consort of Mysia, from 2013 to 2017, by virtue of her marriage to Basil I. Her tenure as consort of Aretias is the shortest in the kingdom’s history.

Leona first attended Vigueria College, Haenna, where she studied War Studies and International Relations. She left Vigueria after one year to marry then Basil, Despot of Mysia in 2013. They separated in 2016, which culminated in their marriage ending in an annulment in 2017. Together, they had one child, Zenobia.

Following her return to Latium, Leona resumed her studies at Castellum College, Castellum, earning a degree in international relations. She has gradually undertaken more responsibility within the Imperial household and court. Leona was the presiding officer of the 2020 Ludi Circenses.

Early Life

Leona was born on 31 October 1993 at Lauseion, in Leonopolis, Diocese of the East. She was the second legitimate child of her father then Jason, Prince of Youth, and the first from her father’s marriage to Latin noblewoman Zoe Verrucosa. Leona was baptized into the Fabrian Church on 25 December 1993, at Sancta Sapientia, in Castellum, by Patriarch Flavius Hostillius of Alba. At her christening, her godparents were Florian Claudius (her parents’ mutual cousin), Alexandra Tarpeia (her father’s cousin); Adriana of Keld (a friend of her mother) and TBD.

Then the daughter of the heir apparent, Leona was styled as ''Princess of Youth'' from her birth until her father's ascension to the throne in 1997. She was named Leona after her grandfather Leo X Claudius, Zoe after her mother, and Diana after her grandmother Diana Augusta.

Education

Leona began her education in Leonopolis, first enrolling at Antony Studites for her primary education in 1996, while her father served as Count of the East. However, she completed her primary education at Lyceum Sanctus Michaelis, in Castellum. Leona continued her education at Sanctus Michaelis through middle education and until her second year of secondary education. From 2009 until 2011, Leona was educated at Lyceum Photii, in Leonopolis. Leona returned to Sanctus Michaelis in 2011, and earned her bac in 2012.

Leona visited numerous universities during her final year of secondary school, including prominent universities in Latium, such as University of Castellum Iohannes XIII, Arminium College, University of Haenna and University of Utica. She also visited foreign universities such as the University of Ghish, Imperial University of Lyncanestria, and Sainte-Colette School of Economics and Political Sciences. In fall 2012, Leona enrolled at Viguera College, Haenna. Her enrollment resulted in the fall semester saw a sharp increase in spring semester applications, which rose 15% percent. During her first term, Leona did not reside in student housing, despite university policy requiring first year students to do so. Instead, she resided in a townhouse on the edge of campus with a group of friends, including Constantia of Keld, Sophia of Ossonoba, and her cousin Maria of Ravenna.

She entered the War Studies and International Relations program at Vigueria, and participated in few extracurricular activities during her first term, most notably ski club, and frequently visited nearby Olympia Military Academy. On 9 August 2013, the Latin Imperial Household announced Leona’s engagement, upon which she dropped out of Viguera College.

Leona later resumed her university studies in spring 2018, this time at Castellum College, Castellum. As at Viguera, Leona studied international relations at Castellum, and also pursued a minor focus in art. Leona graduated from Castellum in 2020.

Relationships

Leona had few courtships after making her debut in 2009. Her most notable courtship before marriage came in 2012 when Leona was courting Frederick, Crown Prince of Sudmark. The courtship was widely reported as difficult due to Leona’s ongoing education at Viguera College, and Leona’s difficulty fitting in at court in Ghish. In September 2012, Leona and Frederick’s courtship abruptly ended after what was originally planned to be a month-long visit to Sudmark.

Prior to and after her courtship with Nathan, Leona was in a public relationship with Conrad of Rahdenburg; however, there was no announcement from the Imperial household to confirm a courtship.

Marriage to Basil I

In early 2013, Imperial Offices announced that Leona began courting Basil I of Aretias. They were first introduced in 2009 during an Aretian state visit to Leonopolis; they were later reacquainted in 2011 following the end of Leona’s courtship with Frederick. The pair continued courting throughout the year, and announced their engagement in September 2013. During their engagement, Leona continued to reside in Latium, though began to spend more time in the Diocese of the East as the wedding neared. Leona reportedly had cold feet days before the wedding, as news that Basil had fathered an illegitimate child in 2011 were first being reported.

She and Basil were married, on 25 December 2013, at Hagia Anthemia, in Leonopolis, in a ceremony officiated by Apostolic Patriarch Georgios X. A second ceremony was held a week later, at Sacred Heart Basilica, in Evros, Aretias, upon which Leona was invested as Despotissa of Mysia in the same ceremony. The couple honeymooned near Amala,Sydalon, and Ashkelon, Yisrael.

On 2 April 2014, it was announced that Leona was pregnant. On 7 July 2014, the couple's first and only child, Zenobia, was born.

Role at court

Separation and annulment

Leona’s marriage to Basil was widely considered rocky by royal observers and those in both Latin and Aretian courts. The couple reportedly struggled due to Basil's paternity of an illegitimate child born in 2011, and a second child in 2012. Rumors of a rift between the couple grew with reports of Leona taking unscheduled visits to Leonopolis, in the neighboring Latin Diocese of the East. In March 2015, newspapers in Perateia reported that Basil was engaged in an extramarital affair, and that Leona was similarly involved in an affair. While this story was quickly struck down by Latin lex maiestatis laws, it persisted elsewhere.

Leona unexpectedly appeared in Leonopolis, at 5:44 am, on 22 August 2016, with her daughter Zenobia. Immediately following this, news broke of an affair between Basil and TBD, confirming previous reports. On 15 October 2016, the Latin Imperial Household announced a formal separation of Leona and Basil; plans to seek an annulment of the marriage were announced in October, but were later delayed due to the death of Leona’s father Jason VI Augustus.

Leona and Zenobia made no public appearances until January, at the funeral procession of Emperor Jason VI. Days later, they were present at a Liga Magna game in Castellum between HC Alba Imperialis and HCMO Leones. An annulment was granted, and announced on 2 March 2017, upon which Leona ceased to be Basileia of Aretias. The annulment was part of an agreement that allowed Zenobia to remain heir presumptive of Aretias, who could only be displaced by the future birth of a legitimate son. Zenobia was then granted the title of "Despoina of Mysia", typically reserved for the Aretian heir apparent, a title she continues to hold.

Engagement to Thomas of Ossonoba

By March 2017, Leona left court in Castellum, for her private estate in Utica. She made few public appearances until returning to Castellum in October. In January 2018, rumors began to circulate that Leona was courting Prince Thomas of Ossonoba. It is believed the two became a couple during her time away from court. This was later confirmed by Leona’s spokesman in June 2018 when their engagement was announced.

Princess Leona’s private villa in Hagia Sophia, southern Latium.

Leona and Thomas resided at Velia House throughout their engagement. Their wedding was originally planned for November 2018, but was delayed first in late September and rescheduled for February 2019. A second delay was announced in December, and did not specify a new wedding date. The engagement ended on 5 January 2019 and was followed by a major shake-up at court.

Personal interests

Leona has a keen interest in skiing, often frequenting resorts and top skiing locations throughout the world. She is a member of a number of private skiing lodges, including [lodge]. Leona also frequently excises, whether swimming or jogging.

As with all members of the Imperial Family, Leona is the patron and leader of a number of charities. Most notably, Leona is the chief sponsor of the Perateia Youth Symphony and the St Andreas Charitable Foundation, as well as a a co-patron of the Verrucosus Foundation with her brother Constantine and sister Selene. Along with her many charitable pursuits, Leona attends church service at least once a week. Following her parents’ divorce, Leona attended both Catholic and Reformed services, though she remains a “faithful Fabrian.”

Titles, styles, honors and arms

  • 31 October 1993 – 20 May 1997: Her Highness Princess Leona of Youth
  • 20 May 1997 – present: Her Imperial Highness The Princess Leona
  • 25 December 2013 – 20 September 2014: Her Royal and Apostolic Highness The Despotissa of Mysia
  • 20 September 2014 – 2 March 2017: Her Majesty The Basileia of Mysia

As a Latin princess and daughter of the Emperor, Leona does not utilize a surname. If Leona were to utilize a surname, it is likely that she would take on the Claudia name; however, it is also possible that the surname for all children of the Emperor to simply be "of Latium". From 2013 to 2017, she utilized the titles and styles of her husband. Following the annulment of her marriage, she ceased using Mysian royal titles and continued use of her Latin imperial titles and styles, and is known as Her Imperial Highness The Princess Leona.

Honors

  •  Aretias: Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Star and Crescent Medaille militaire ribbon.svg
  •  Latium: Knight of the Order of the Winged Ram Red ribbon bar - general use.svg
  •  Latium: Dame of the Ancient Equestrian Order St.AlexanderOrder-ribbon.svg
  •  Latium: Grand Cross of the Most Noble Order of St. Maria Order of the Most Holy Annunciation BAR.svg
  • File:Flag of Petra.svg Petra: Lady of the Order of the Holy Lance Cavaliere SSML BAR.svg
  •  Sydalon: Lady of the Honorable Order of St Philip Kongens fortjenstmedalje.svg
  • Flag of the German Empire.svg Rahdenburg: Dame of the Order of Rahdenburg Order of the Black Eagle - Ribbon bar.svg

Dynastic honors

Issue

Name Birth Death Notes
By Basil I of Aretias
Zenobia, Despoina of Mysia (2014-07-09) 9 July 2014 (age 10)

Ancestry

See also

Leona of Latium
Born: 31 October 1993
Lines of succession
Preceded by
The Crown Princess of Dakmoor 		Succession to the Latin throne
6th in line 		Followed by
The Desponia of Mysia
Aretian royalty
Preceded by
Anna of Ghant 		Basileia consort of Aretias
2014–2017 		Succeeded by
Cassandra of Ghant
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