Leona of Latium

Leona of Latium
Duchess of Merovia
Princess Leona in 2020
Born	(1993-10-31) 31 October 1993 Heraion, Leonopolis, Diocese of the East
Spouse	Louis, Duke of Merovia (m. 2015)
Full name Leona Claudia Zoe Diana Sophia
House	Claudia
Father	Jason VI Claudius
Mother	Zoe Verrucosa
Religion	Fabrian Catholic

Leona of Latium, Duchess of Merovia (Leona Claudia Zoe Diana Sophia; b. 31 October 1993) is the second legitimate daughter, and first child of Jason VI Claudius by his second wife Zoe Verrucosa. She is seventh in the line of succession to the Latin throne; at the time of her birth, she was second.

Born at the Heraion, in Leonopolis, Leona attended Sanctus Michaelis before enrolling at Vigueria College, Haenna, graduating with a degree in War Studies and International Relations. In 2015, she married Louis, Duke of Merovia, the crown prince of the Kingdom of Merovia.

Early Life

Leona was born on 31 October 1993 at Heraion, 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.

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
• 2 March 2017 – present: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Merovia

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
• Latium: Knight of the Order of the Winged Ram
• Latium: Dame of the Ancient Equestrian Order
• Latium: Grand Cross of the Most Noble Order of St. Maria
• Petra: Lady of the Order of the Holy Lance
• Sydalon: Lady of the Honorable Order of St Philip
• Rahdenburg: Dame of the Order of Rahdenburg

Dynastic honors

• House of Hazarasp: Dame of the Order of the Senmurv
• House of Philes: Lady Grand Cross of the Order of the Golden Bee
• Armavir House of Levidis: Lady Grand Cross of the Order of the XXXX

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Notes
By Louis of Merovia
Zenobia, Despoina of Mysia	(2014-07-09) 9 July 2014

Ancestry

Ancestors of Leona of Latium

16. Theodosius Claudius, Duke Adrianople 8. Jason Claudius, Duke Adrianople 17. Princess Isobel of Gaemar 4. Leo Claudius, Duke Adrianople 18. Leon I, Duke of Thapse 9. Princess Isabella of Thapse 19. Cassandra of Melfi 2. Jason VI Augustus of Latium 20. John Anicius, Duke Beroea 10. Constantine XIX of Latium 21. Joanna I of Latium 5. Diana Augusta of Latium 22. Prince Henri, Duke of Épernon 11. Princess Marie Christine of Épernon 23. Adalinda of Silingia 1. Princess Leona of Latium 24. Pelagius Verrucosus 12. Felix Verrucosus 25. Maria Ahala 6. Duke Josephus Verrucosus 26. Maurianus Egilius 13. Aviena Egilia 27. Sergia Balba 3. Zoe Verrucosa 28. Duke George Vitruvius 14. Duke Damianus Vitruvius 29. Christina Claudia Sabina 7. Damiane Vitruvia 30. Duke Manuel Pompeius 15. Zoe Pompeia 31. Adeodata Voconia

See also

• Latin Imperial Family

Leona of Latium House of Claudius Born: 31 October 1993
Lines of succession
Preceded by The Crown Princess of Dakmoor	Succession to the Latin throne 7th in line	Followed by The Princess Selene