Leo of Ghant
| Prince Leo | |||||
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| Prince of Ghant Duke of Alba | |||||
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| Born | 31 August 1991 Inperiala Palace, Ghish, Ghant | ||||
| Spouse | Elissa of Dakmoor (m. 2019) | ||||
| Issue Detail |
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| House | Gentry | ||||
| Father | John, Crown Prince of Ghant | ||||
| Mother | Isabella, Princess Imperial | ||||
| Religion | Fabrian Catholic | ||||
| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance |  Latium | ||||
| Service/ |  Latin Army | ||||
| Years of service | 2009–2017 (end of active service) | ||||
| Rank | Catapan (honorary) Tribunus | ||||
| Unit | Legio IV Triumphalis | ||||
| Ghantish Imperial Family |
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Extended imperial family
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| Latin Imperial Family |
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Extended imperial family |
Prince Leo of Ghant, Duke of Alba (Leo John Robert Aurelius; b. 31 August 1991) commonly known as Prince Leo, is the oldest child of John, Crown Prince of Ghant and Princess Isabella of Latium. At the time of his birth, Leo was third in line to the Obsidian Throne; he is currently fifth. Leo is twenty-first in the line of succession to the Latin throne.
Leo resided in Ghish from his birth until the death of his grandfather Albert I of Ghant, after which he was attained and expelled from Ghant along with his mother and sisters. Leo and his family would reside in Latium following his expulsion from Ghant and was given the honorary title "Prince in Latium". He is the first member of the immediate Ghantish Imperial Family to be both Fabrian Catholic and foreign raised. His attainder, along with that of his two sisters, was lifted in Ghant in 2006 by his half-brother Emperor Nathan IV of Ghant.
Leo is a graduate of Academia Militaris Olympia in Latium where he studied international strategy and participated in the Leadership Development Program. At his graduation he was commissioned as a Decurion, and before he took a leave of absence in 2017 held the honorary rank of Cataptan in the Latin Army. He was a key figure in the 2016 succession crisis, serving as a key commander in the armies of Emperor Constantine XX.
Leo previously served as Master of Offices from 2017 until 2018. In spring 2018, he was appointed Imperial Justiciar of Ghant. His tenure has been noted for increased investigation and prosecution into corruption.
Early Life
Leo was born at the Imperial Palace, in Ghish, Ghant on 31 August 1991. He is the third child of John, Crown Prince of Ghant and his first by Princess Isabella of Latium. Leo was named for his grandfather Leo, Prince Consort and prolific ancestor Leo of Ghant. His birth was celebrated in Ghant and in Latium, initially. At the time of his birth his parents were unwed, as John was then married to Caroline Zuria. Though plans for a divorce were in the works prior to Leo's birth, approval for John and Caroline's divorce was not formally sent to the Jauneketxea. However, due to various factors and speculated obstruction, the divorce was not approved. Leo has two younger sisters, Diana and Theodora, as well as three half-siblings from his father's marriage to Zuria, Nathan, Adelaide and Arietta.
Leo was baptized into the Church of Ghant, on 20 January 1992. His godparents are raised at the Imperial Palace, in Ghish, during his formative years. When Leo was 3, his father died in a plane accident. Following John's death, Leo's mother Isabella was charged for the care of all of John's children, including Leo's half-siblings Nathan and Adelaide.
Controversy
Prior to his birth, the Fabrian Catholic Church threatened to censure Isabella following her intentions to marry John, as he was already married to Caroline Zuria. John submitted plans for a divorce from Caroline to the Ghantish Jauneketxea prior to Leo's birth, however, the matter was delayed and ultimately rejected after Leo's birth. Some Latin news outlets referred to Leo's birth mockingly, however publications printing or speaking of these remarks were later prohibited in Latium. While the divorce never occurred, John and Isabella proceeded with their marriage plans and married in a private ceremony in December 1991. When news of this broke, the Fabrian Church asserted that the marriage was illegitimate due to John's marriage to Caroline Zuria. Isabella began to undertake the formal duties of the Crown Princess.
Expulsion from Ghant
On 19 May 1997, Leo's paternal grandfather, Emperor Albert I of Ghant, passed away, with the throne falling to Leo's elder half-brother Nathan. Though during Albert I's reign, there was talk of Leo surpassing Nathan in the line of succession, however Nathan came to the throne uninterrupted. By July, the Jauneketxea decalred a regency led by Prince Albert of Ghant. With his first act as regent, ALbert stripped Isabella, Leo, Diana, and Theodora of their Ghantish imperial titles and rights and repatriated them to Latium. Reports from former household employees of Princess Isabella claim that she and her children were awoken in the middle of the night by Ser Adrasto Minazar, captain of Isabella's personal guard, and told to pack their belongings. Courtiers report that Nathan was not allowed to see Isabella or his siblings before their departure. On the afternoon of 18 July 1997, Leo, his mother, and sisters, were escorted by Imperial Black Guards to the Ghish Airport where they were met by the Latin Ambassador to Latium, who joined them for their flight to Castellum.
The day after their arrival, Jason introduced the children to court, and Empress Diana announced courtesy titles for Leo and his sisters. Leo and his sisters converted to the Catholicism a month later and were restored their place in the line of succession. Leo was named "Prince in Latium," with a similar title granted to his sisters. This was fully distinct from a Prince of Latium, and "created to affirm [each child's] status as a foreign royal in Latium". Leo continued to hold the status of a ''Prince in Latium'' until September 2016 when he was made a ''Prince of Latium'' by the Emperor's last will and testament.
Education
While in Ghish, Leo's father John hired tutors from both Ghant and Latium, particularly Perateia, to educate Leo and his sisters. The most prominent of which was Pankratios Anemas, whom would later be hired as a tutor for both Leo and his cousin Constantine upon Leo's arrival in Latium. Due to his education, Leo is fluent in Ghantish, Latin, Hellenic. He also received lessons on Arthuristan and Aulic. Leo also received martial training from Ser Adrasto Minazar, a Ghantish knight who remains close with the family.
Upon the insistence of his uncle Jason, Leo was enrolled at Sanctus Michaelis for primary and secondary schooling. As Leo prepared to enter secondary school, his brother's regency was concluded and Nathan's first act was to restore the title and rights of Leo, his mother, and sisters. He attended Lyceum Sanctus Michaelis for secondary school, earning his bac in 2009. He chose to forgo a gap year, and joined the Latin Army where he enrolled at Academia Militaris Olympia. While at Olympia, he primarily studied international strategy and was a participant in the Leadership Development Science program. He graduated in 2013 with a commission as a Decurion.
Military Career
Leo received his military training at Academia Militaris Olympia, the main national military service academy in Latium. He was first enrolled as a cadet in 2009, and during his first year participated in the Student Conference on Belisarian Affairs as his primary extracurricular activity. After undergoing training and schooling for four years at Olympia, Leo was commissioned on 1 June 2013 as a Decurion. Following his commission, Leo sough active service but joined a detachment of 4th Legion, stationed in Kalymnos, outside of Leonopolis, in the Diocese of the East. From April 2014 until June 2015, Leo spent time with a cohort of the 4th legion in Lyncanestria along the Lyncanestrian-Valgtean border. Leo participated in numerous military exercises while stationed with the 4th Legion, including war games with Belisarian allies. By May 2016, Leo was promoted to Tribunus (Military Tribune) and re-stationed to Utica. He was put on leave in early January 2017, and remained a member of legionary reserve until 2020.
2016 succession crisis
Emperor's Council appointment
Leo was appointed Master of Offices on 5 January 2017. The same day, Leo was made Propraetor of Falisca, and Ostia. Throughout his tenure as Master of Office, Leo participated in Imperial duties on behalf of Emperor Constantine, which have included serving as the presiding officer of the 2017 Ludi Circenses, participation in state visits, and even a limited amount of investitures when Emperor Constantine was indisposed or unavailable.
Leo resigned as Master of Offices after he announced his paternity of an illegitimate child on 21 December 2017. He retained a seat on the council as an Aid-in-council.
Ghantish Privy Council
In spring 2018, Leo was appointed Imperial Justiciar of Ghant by his half-brother, Emperor Nathan IV. Prior to his appointment, he held a seat on the Ghantish Privy Council as an Adjunct councilor since 2006. Since becoming Justiciar, Leo has removed many of his predecessor's appointments and installed his own subordinates. He has made an effort to target corruption in Ghantish imperial court, and has authorized the investigation and arrest of a number of court officials.
Despite prioritizing an anti-corruption agenda, he has numerous critics at court and in Ghant who have denounced his liberal use of Imperial Marshals to carry out arrests. The most notable of these critics is his cousin, Princess Cassandra, who has pardoned a number of those who have been arrested and prosecuted. These pardons are said to have caused an ever growing rift at court between the various factions. In 2019, reports circulated that Leo offered his resignation to his brother Emperor Nathan IV; however a spokesperson from the Justicar's office stated that the report was "unfounded."
Personal life
Little is known of Prince Leo's personal life. The most widely known fact of Leo's personal life is that he and Emperor Constantine XX are close friends; Leo was the best man at Constantine's wedding in December 2017. Leo is a known football fan, and is a fan of Liga Premier side FC Imperialis Ianiculum. Along with his military training, Leo is known to be trained at traditional arms, though his swordsmanship skills are largely unknown. He came into possession of the Arragaran steel sword Lokatz.
In February 2018, Leo came into ownership of Palatium Blachernae in Blachernae. It is his primary residence in Latium, though he maintains an apartment at various Imperial residences, including the Palace of Augustus.
Courtships
Rumors of relationship between Leo and Anna Kinnamos, now a Latin Senator, extend as far back as secondary school. The first instance of this was when the pair attended end of the year formal together at Sanctus Michaelis in 2008 and 2009. Over the years, the two have been spotted together at numerous events, state functions, and even in the public sphere.
In summer 2014, Leo travelled to the Kingdom of Izotza, in Ghant, to court Queen Izolde I at the request of his brother. Leo knew little of Izolde at the time and according to those at Ghantish court, she was eager for Leo's arrival. Leo remained in Izotza for a week upon his first visit. Though he was still an active member of the Latin Army, Leo frequented Izotza between 2014 and 2016. In summer 2015, Izolde gave birth to a daughter, Edura, Crown Princess of Izotza. She has thus far refused to speak on her daughter's paternity, though Leo is believed to be Edura's father.
In February 2017, Leo and Lena, Princess Royal were seen together by paparazzi in Ghish, resulting in speculation the two were courting. This speculation grew when Leo traveled to Gelonia in March. Neither publicly commented on the rumored relationship.
At the 2017 Ludi Circenses, Leo was photographed with Lyncanestrian noblewoman Caroline de Villeneuve at show jumping and chariot racing events. Speculation began to mount among the media and royal circles that the two had begun courting. It wasn't until October 2017 that spokespersons for both Leo and Caroline confirmed a relationship. In November 2017, Leo attended the Endowment for the Arts charity gala in Beaupré, which was hosted by Caroline. Though she attended the wedding of Emperor Constantine XX on Leo's personal invitation, Leo's acknowledgement of an illegitimate son with unnamed woman in late December 2017 is believed to have placed a strain on his relationship. The courtship ended in February 2018.
Marriage
The Ghantish imperial household announced the engagement of Leo and Princess Elissa of Dakmoor in October 2018. They were married on 1 February 2019, at the Pantheon. Their first child was born in November 2019.
Issue
Leo is the father of one child, an illegitimate son, Felix Gentry, born in August 2017. Leo was not made aware of Felix's birth until December, after purportedly being contacted by the mother. On 21 December 2017, Leo publicly acknowledged his paternity of Felix though refused to comment on the mother, claiming she desired to remain anonymous and out of the eye of the press.
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Princess Elissa of Dakmoor | |||
| Prince Constantine | 20 November 2019 | ||
| By N.N. | |||
| Felix Gentry | 22 August 2017 | Illegitimate | |
Titles, styles, honors and arms
Titles and styles
| Styles of The Duke of Alba | |
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| File:Coat of Arms of Leo of Ghant and Latium.png | |
| Reference style | His Imperial Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Highness |
| Alternative style | His Highness |
- 31 August 1991 – 1 May 1997: His Imperial Highness Prince Leo of Ghant
- 1 May 1997 – 14 January 2006: His Highness Leo, Prince in Latium
- 14 January 2006 – 3 November 2016: His Imperial Highness Prince Leo of Ghant, Prince in Latium
- 3 November 2016 – present: His Imperial Highness Prince Leo of Ghant
- 31 January 2019 – present: His Imperial Highness The Duke of Alba
Leo is a Prince of Ghant by birth, based on his status as the second son of Crown Prince John of Ghant and a male-line member of House Gentry. While entitled to the rank of "prince" in Ghant, Leo had been referred to as "Leo Gentry" by the press in Latium, due to his status in the country as an illegitimate child, until he was made a "Prince in Latium" by Emperor Jason VI Augustus. Due to his royal birth, Leo does not use a surname for everyday purposes. According to classmates at Olympia, Leo's cadet uniform listed his surname as "Ghanteko" (of Ghant)
Leo is also entitled to the rank of "prince" with the territorial designation "of Latium" due a posthumous award of the rank and title by his uncle Jason VI Augustus in his last will and testament. Leo will drop his Latin territorial designation after his marriage when he is to receive the Dukedom of Alba. He will be entitled to retain his Ghantish territorial designation, as will any of his descendants through the male line. This will would be the eighth creation of the Dukedom of Alba; the most recent holder of this title was Prince Michael, Duke of Alba, becoming extinct in 1897 when when he died leaving no legitimate male issue.
He is a Knight of the Order of the Ram, and holds Knight Commander of the Ancient Equestrian Order and Grand Cross of the Sacred Order of Felix. He is also a recipient of the Medal for Valor and holds Membership in the Most Ancient Praetorian Order. He is a member of the Emperor's Council and a Personal aide-de-camp to the Emperor.
Honors
- Latium: Knight of the Order of the Winged Ram
- Latium: Knight of the Sacred Order of Golden Eagle
- Latium: Knight of the Ancient Equestrian Order
- Latium: Member of the Order of the Grass Crown
Medals
- Latium: Recipient of the Medal for Valor
Foreign honors
Gelonia: Knight of the Illustrious Order of the Red Hand 
Lyncanestria: Officer of the Order of the Golden Sceptre <imgur w="50">qn7pDc5.png</imgur> 19 November 2017
Sydalon: Knight of the Order of the Holy Lance 
30 June 2017
Arms
Ancestry
| Ancestors of Leo of Ghant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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See also
Leo of Ghant Born: 31 August 1991
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| Lines of succession | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Prince Nicholas of Ghant |
Succession to the Ghantish throne 5th in line |
Followed by Prince Constantine of Ghant |
| Preceded by Princess Adriana |
Succession to the Latin throne 21st in line | |
| Nobility of Latium | ||
| Vacant 6th creation extinct in 1897 Title last held by The Prince Michael
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Duke of Alba 2019–present |
Incumbent Heir: Prince Constantine |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by The Dowager Empress |
Master of Offices 2017–2018 |
Succeeded by The Duke of Ossonoba |