Monarchy of Mascylla

Queen of the Crowned Republic of Mascylla
Königin der Gekrönten Republik Maskillien
Coat of arms of Mascylla
Incumbent
Dorothy I since 25 November 2005
Details
Style	Her Majesty
Heir apparent	Prince Frederick
First monarch	Lucas I
Formation	23 May 1793
Residence	Lobrecht Palace, Königsreh (primary official) New Palace, Augusthal (secondary official) Hohenehr Palace, Wittingen (tertiary private)
Appointer	Convention of the Realm (de facto hereditary)
Website	www.krone.ma

The monarchy of Mascylla, officially the Monarchy of the Crowned Republic of Mascylla (Hesurian: Monarchie der Gekrönten Republik Maskillien) and colloquially known as the Mascyllary monarchy (Hesurian: Maskillische Monarchie), is the monarchical and upmost constitutional institution of the Crowned Republic of Mascylla and its Overseas Territories. The current monarch and second historical queen is Dorothy I of the House of Ahnern-Welsbach since 25 November 2005, upon the death of her father, King Lucas III.

A constitutional monarchy in essence, it has ruled Mascylla since its inception in 1793, but after the Mascyllary Revolution in 1924, it has been transformed into a ceremonial monarchy under a parliamentary system. The Monarch is bestowed the title of King or Queen of Mascylla (Hesurian: König Maskilliens, Königin Maskilliens), among a variety of others. Upon the end of a monarch's reign, either by death or abdication, the successor is formally elected by secret ballot by a specially convened Convention of the Realm (Reichsversammlung); however, this style of elective monarchy has largely been of hereditary nature in practice, as the Crown Princes and Princesses of Ahnern have been elected without interruption since 1847.

The Queen and her close relatives execute a number of official, unofficial, representative, and ceremonial duties and roles in Mascylla and abroad. While the Queen has the rights and powers of a constitutional monarch, she does not usually exercise them by herself due to the precedent of common law by her two predecessors but instead relies on the Reichsrat, Reichssenat, and Kronenrat for policymaking. Therefore, she is a de facto parliamentary monarch as opposed to her role granted by the royal prerogative, which is stipulated in the Constitution. As the country's fount of honor, the monarch bestows honors and ceremonially appoints elected Prime Ministers, is able to secretly engage in discourse pertaining draft laws, and serves as the nominal commander-in-chief of the Mascyllary Reichswehr.

The petty kingdoms that ultimately grew to become Aldia were formed in the Early Middle Ages. In 1297, the Kingdom of Aldia was created from the Duchy of Aldia and Grand Duchy of Fania by the 1297 coronation of Joseph I of Fania. As a maritime and agricultural power, it grew to become one of the most influential Mascyllary states by the 15th century. After the gradual decline and partitions of Cuthland, Aldia was recognized as one of Berea's great powers and effectively pushed for an effort of Mascyllary unification. The historical rivalry between the monarchies of Aldia, backed by the Elbgau Confederacy, and Adwhin concluded with an Aldian victory, absorbing the remaining independent states and proclaiming their king, Lucas I, as Mascylla's monarch and effectively founding the Ahnern royal dynasty from the House of Lünburg. By the 19th century, Mascylla had developed into a united nation-state following the War of the Five Kings and the peace negotiations of the Treaty of Langquaid that followed it. The monarchies of each state within Mascylla were continued, however, now under the supervision of the Aldian state. Throughout the 19th century, the monarchy ruled the Mascyllary Kingdom albeit with increasing authority and civil dissatisfaction, and the monarch was the nominal head of state of the fledging Mascyllary Weltreich, one of the largest colonial empires at its greatest extent in post-Great War 1917.

Culminating in the Mascyllary Revolution in 1923, the monarchy was dissolved at first and then radically reshaped, with the liberal Maximilian I as its figurehead. The deterioration of the monarchy's position as a foremost domestic political power enabled the foundation of a parliamentary representative democracy, which continues to rule Mascylla today. Following the Melasian Crisis, the empire gradually disintegrated as a majority of former colonies and dependencies gained independence. While in recent times the monarchy and its family have been politically indecisive, they retain their cultural and symbolic significance as the country's traditional representatives while enjoying large public popularity.

Constitutional role and politics

Succession

Upon the death of a monarch, a successor is elected without debate and by secret ballot by the Convention of the Realm (Reichsversammlung) that specially gathers at the New Palace in Augusthal. The ceremonial assembly's members consist of all members of the Reichsrat, the Reichssenat and specifically the four holders of the State Appointments (Hofämter), the Privy Council (Geheimrat), as well as a proportionally representative number of civil servants such as delegations of the states legislatures, mayors of cities, representatives of universities and other civil institutions, or prominent public figures; historically, the Convention repeatedly exceeded 1,000 members in size. The Crown Law requires that the assembly be held no later than 15 days after the monarch's death and chaired by the President of the Reichssenat.

Recognized candidates are hereditary or life peers (Paire), possess Mascyllary citizenship, are eligible to vote for the Reichsrat, and are non-partisan. Until 1924, male-preference cognatic primogeniture dictated who could or could not be elected as successor based on gender. During the election, a candidate is required to secure an absolute majority, and if no candidate is able to secure this level of support within the first two rounds of the procedure, the candidate who secures a plurality of the votes cast wins. However, long-established convention has it that the convention almost exclusively confirms the Crown Prince or Princess of Ahnern as heirs apparent to the throne, instead of discarding their claim in favor of another candidate. Since 1847, only members of the House of Ahnern-Welsbach were elected monarchs, thus making Mascylla a de facto hereditary monarchy in all but name.

A subsequent day after the electors verified the result of the vote, the Accession Council (Antrittsrat) convenes in the New Palace to prepare a formal proclamation of accession of the successor-elect to the throne, confirming the identity of the heir by regnal name and title. The individual in question, in the presence of the council assembled, accepts the vote's result by signing a Declaration of Accession (Antrittsdeklaration) and then takes an oath of allegiance:

"Ich schwöre und verspreche feierlich, im Angesicht Gottes, dass ich meine ganze Kraft unwiederruflich dem Wohle des Volkes dieses Maskillischen Reiches widme, ihn in jeglicher dienlicher Weise, soweit ich nach meinem Wissen und Können durch göttlichen und heiligen Beistand unterstützt werde, diene, seinen Nutzen mehren, Schaden von ihm wenden, seine Gesetze und Freiheiten wahr und verteidige, meine gegebene Pflicht gewissenhaft erfüllen und Gerechtigkeit gegen jeden Mann ausüben werde. So wahr mir Gott helfe."

"I solemnly promise and pledge, in the sight of God, that I will inviolably devote my whole strength to the well-being of the people of this Mascyllary realm, to service them in all ways useful to them, however many, in so far as I am supported by divine assistance according to my knowledge and ability, increase their welfare, protect them from any harm, uphold and defend their laws and liberties, perform my given duty conscientiously, and exercise justice against any man. So help me God."

List

The Mascyllary monarchy is considered the continuation of the Aldian monarchy, but is not listed here.

Name	Portrait	Arms	Birth	Marriages	Death	House
Lucas I Lucas George Lukas I. Georg 23 May 1793 – 2 August 1827 (34 years)			16 July 1744 Augusthal Palace Son of Albert I and Anne of Geserheim-Soburg	Princess Josephine of Welsbach-Sternau Augusthal Palace 13 November 1778 3 children	2 August 1827 Hohenehr Palace Age: 83 years	Lünburg
Lucas II Lucas August Lukas II. Augustus 3 August 1827 – 28 October 1847 (20 years)			11 December 1780 Saarow House Son of Lucas I and Josephine of Welsbach-Sternau	Sophia Martha of Marlburg-Gränich-Freida Hohenehr Palace 20 April 1800 5 children	28 October 1850 Weidenau Palace Age: 69 years	Ahnern
Sophia I Sophia Alexandra Sophia I. Alexandra 2 November 1847 – 23 March 1882 (35 years)			15 July 1810 Schönbrunn Palace Daughter of Frederick Otto of Welsbach and Catherine of Ahnern-Mürbach-Konreid	Albert of Lübbernau-Welbermark Marienfelde Residence 30 June 1829 4 children	23 March 1886 Königsreh Palace Age: 76 years	Ahnern-Welsbach
Frederick I Frederick William Friedrich I. Wilhelm 24 March 1882 – 5 September 1892 (10 years)			13 February 1831 Hohenehr Palace Son of Sophia I and Albert of Lübbernau-Welbermark	Charlotte of Maining-Saanberg-Geisahl Augusthal Palace 8 May 1852 8 children	5 September 1892 Heiligtann Palace Age: 61 years	Ahnern-Welsbach
Louis I Louis Edward Frederick Ludwig I. Eduard Friedrich 6 September 1892 – 29 May 1923 (31 years)			31 January 1850 Böhrder Residence Son of Frederick I and Charlotte of Maining-Saanberg-Geisahl	Princess Alexandra of Tudonia Hohenehr Palace 12 April 1893 3 children	29 May 1923 Königsreh Age: 73 years	Ahnern-Welsbach
Mascyllary Revolution and establishment of the Crowned Republic in January 1924
Maximilian I Maximilian Charles George Albert Maximilian I. Karl Georg Albert 5 March 1924 – 14 June 1976 (52 years)			12 November 1914 Hohenehr Palace Son of Louis I and Alexandra of Shwesia	Princess Sophia of Lavaria St. Lorenz Cathedral 22 March 1935 4 children	28 June 2001 Schönbrunn Palace Age: 86 years	Ahnern-Welsbach
Lucas III Lucas Albert Theodore William Lukas III. Albert Theodor Wilhelm 15 June 1976 – 24 November 2005 (29 years)			4 February 1938 Weidenau Palace Son of Maximilian I and Sophia of Lavaria	Henriette of Taubach-Goldach and Birchau St. Lorenz Cathedral 11 September 1969 4 children	Alive Age as of 2020: 82 years	Ahnern-Welsbach
Dorothy I Dorothy Sophia Theresa Dorothea I. Sophia Theresa 25 November 2005 – present (17 years as of 2022)			10 October 1982 Hohenehr Palace Daughter of Lucas III and Henriette of Taubach-Goldach and Birchau	Wolfgang of Auserburg and Clemens Königsreh Palace 26 May 2005 3 children	Alive Age as of 2022: 40 years	Ahnern-Welsbach

Family tree

The Mascyllary royal family tree from 1793 to today

Timeline

Symbols and arms

Regalia

The Mascyllary Crown Jewels (Maskillische Kronjuwelen) is the royal regalia and ensemble of ceremonial objects accessible to the Mascyllary monarch and held in trust, which are stored and on public display in Köpenick Palace (Schloss Köpenick). It consists of 74 items, including but not limited to: a complete set of coronation regalia with 2 sovereign crowns (St Theodore's Crown and Crown of Lucas I), 3 consort crowns, 5 princely coronets, 1 royal sceptre (Divine Sceptre), 5 swords (among them the Sword of the Crown), and 1 orb, 8 maces, 5 trumpets, 2 robes, 3 rings, and 1 pair of spurs.

Used for coronations of monarchs from the House of Ahnern, the crown jewels are an integral component to denote their role as head of state. During such ceremony, holy oil is used for anointment, the individual in question is invested with symbolic ornaments and robes, and subsequently crowned with St Theodore's Crown; after the 1793 formation of the Mascyllary Kingdom, the Kings of Aldia continued to use their regalia despite a new crown for Mascylla having been created and used once with Lucas I's coronation in 1793. The crown intended as their successor in 1924 (Mascyllary State Crown, Maskillische Staatskrone) was never created. However, a heraldic version of this crown exists and is used in this capacity. Queen consorts are invested with specially made crowns and regalia of plainer design, same for relatives of the Monarch.

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  St Theodore's Crown (Krone des heiligen Theodorichs), created in 1503

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  Crown of Lucas I (Krone von Lucas I.), created in 1793

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  Orb of the Crown (Kronenapfel)

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  Sword of the Crown (Kronenschwert)

Residences

The Mascyllary royal family inhabits and occupies a variety of residences throughout Mascylla. The official residence and administrative headquarters of the monarchy is Lobrecht Palace (Lobrecht-Palast), commonly but incorrectly referred to as Königsreh Palace (Königsreher Schloss), in the borough of Lorenz-Prinzwald. It hosts the vast majority of official functions such as state banquets, public audiences, receptions, royal christenings, and lyings-in-state. Historically, the City Palace (Stadtpalast) was intended and constructed for the purpose of being the Mascyllary monarch's residence in Königsreh, but a devastating fire in 1818 forced Lucas I and his family to acquire Lobrecht Palace, privately built by Count William Gunther of Lobrecht nine years earlier.

The New Palace (Neues Schloss), referred to as Augusthal Palace (Augusthaler Schloss), is considered the second official residence of the monarch, as it has been in continuous use since 1749 as the seat of the Kings of Aldia, and is principally used during weekends and multiple holidays of note; it is the largest single-building inhabited royal residence in the world and hosts the assemblies of the Imperial Convention and the Accession Council. The third quasi-official residence is Hohenehr Palace (Schloss Hohenehr), located near Königsreh at Wittingen, which is frequently used as a summer retreat by the royal family. Other properties inhabited by members of the royal family include Veilchenbrunn House (Anwesen Veilchenbrunn) and Sandauerholz House (Anwesen Sandauerholz). Two royal residences are privately inherited properties of the monarch and thus not owned by their institution, on the virtue of the position as King or Queen: the estate manor of Sybillenhof Palace (Schloss Sybillenhof) and Castle Lauenberg (Burg Lauenberg).

A number of residences are no longer used by members of the royal family in some capacity and thus transformed into museums, repurposed, or inherited by individuals not regarded as part of the royal household. Köpenick Palace (Schloss Köpenick), Lucas Palace (Lukaspalais), and Belleau Palace (Schloss Belleau) are museums, Liechtenwald Palace (Schloss Liechtenwald) contains the law faculty of the University of Lehpold, and Schöneiche Palace (Schloss Schöneiche) hosts the headquarters of the Telmerian Union Budgetary Control Committee.

The Agency for Royal Palaces and Property is directly responsible for the management and upkeep of unoccupied residences and those owned by the monarchy, while the Agency of Royal Households cares for and maintains the residences occupied by members of the royal family and those in private ownership. The royal yacht Maskane, which is traditionally used by members on official visits overseas or for summer cruises, is within the responsibility of the Mascyllary Navy.

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  Lobrecht Palace (Lobrecht-Palast), in Königsreh

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  New Palace (Neues Schloss), in Augusthal

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  Hohenehr Palace (Schloss Hohenehr), near Wittingen

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  Veilchenbrunn House (Anwesen Veilchenbrunn), near Augusthal

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  Sandauerholz House (Anwesen Sandauerholz), near Lehpold

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  Sybillenhof Palace (Schloss Sybillenhof), near Mayern

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  Castle Lauenberg (Burg Lauenberg), near Woltzar

Titles and styles

Styles of Queen Dorothy I of Mascylla
Reference style	Her Majesty (Ihre Majestät)
Spoken style	Your Majesty (Eure Majestät)
Alternative style	Lady/Dame (Dame; in third person) Ma'am (Madame; in first person)

The most commonly used titles and style of the monarch at present is as follows: "Dorothy the first, Queen of the Crowned Republic of Mascylla and of Her Other Territories in Overseas" ("Dorothea die erste, Königin der Gekrönten Republik Maskillien und Ihrer Anderen Territorien in Übersee").

However, in occasions of state visit reception or acts of national significance, as is the case in the appointment of a Prime Minister or the opening ceremony of the Parliament, the mid-sized style and title is used: "The Queen Dorothy the first of the Crowned Republic of Mascylla and Her Other Territories in Overseas, of Aldia Queen, of Fahnicht, Welsbach, and Birchau Grand Duchess, of Elpsland Sovereign and Supreme Duchess, of Jusland, Morleck, Nelgery, and Holnia Duchess, of Seebronn and Würthburg Burgravess, of Eustria Landgravess, of Falia, Lehpold, Lensrau, Geisahl, and Weibteich Princess, of Ahnern Countess" (Die Königin Dorothea die erste der Gekrönten Republik Maskillien, von Alden Königin, zu Fahnicht, Welsbach und Birchau Großherzogin, zu Elpsland souveräne und oberste Herzogin, zu Jusland, Morleck, Nelgern und Hohlnern Herzogin,zu Seebronn und Würthburg Burggräfin, zu Eystrun Landgräfin, zu Falien, Lehpold, Lensrau, Geisahl und Weibteich Fürstin, zu Ahnern Gräfin").

The correct etiquette to address the monarch in conversation is "Your Majesty" (Eure Majestät) and subsequently as "Ma'am" (Madame) or "Sir" (Herr). Individuals of lesser titles are addressed as follows: "His" or "Her Royal Highness" (Seine or Ihre Königliche Hoheit) for the titles of prince and duke, "The Most Honorable" (Der or Die Höchst Ehrenwerte) for the title of marquess, and "The Honorable" (Der or Die Ehrenwerte) for the titles of count and viscount. Additional styles include "By the Grace of God" (Von Gottes Gnaden) and "Margravess of Warthburg" (Markgräfin zu Warthburg), though these may be added or omitted upon the monarch's request. Moreover, ordinals are used for Mascyllary monarchs regardless of how peculiar or ordinary their name is, and the monarch is asked to choose a regnal name upon accession.

The most important and senior members of the Mascyllary royal family hold the princely title of Prince or Princess of Mascylla (Prinz or Prinzessin von Maskillien), whereas the wider family, in addition to other titles, hold the title of Prince or Princess of Ahnern (Prinz or Prinzessin von Ahnern). Subsidiary titles held by the Monarch and close relatives to them are of historical note, signifying and representing the accumulation and accretion of lands by the House of Ahnern and the Kingdom of Aldia at large.

Orders

Main article: Orders, decorations, and medals of Mascylla

The monarch presides over a number of royal orders of chivalry and merit in the Mascyllary honors system and is responsible for recognizing and appointing candidates to the national orders on their sole discretion and behalf. The orders maintain highly symbolic significance in Mascyllary society and politics, and serving politicians and military officials are often awarded membership amid or after their retirement. Male and female members are styled as knights (Ritter) or dames (Damen) of multiple classes of authority respectively.

The most senior and exalted order of knighthood is the Order of the Blue Lion (Orden des Blauen Löwen), outranked in the order of precedence only by the Black Cross (Schwarzes Kreuz), followed by the Order of the Crown (Orden der Krone). Appointments and awards to these orders are almost always in recognition of demonstrating exceptional merit or valor, or particularly noteworthy service to the monarch and the nation, regardless of whether the individual is a civilian or a military officer.

Arms and standard

Main articles: Coat of arms of Mascylla and Flag of Mascylla

The monarch possesses the coat of arms of Mascylla as its sovereign, and is described as follows: "A Shield Or, halfed by a slim line with outbent Arms, and an Inescutcheon containing the Dynastic Arms of the Royal Houses. In the first Field three open Antlers Azure, placed over each other. In the second Field three Lions Azure, crowned with open Crowns Or. The Inescutcheon is party per pale the Arms for the House of Welsbach (Bendwise three Antlers Azure); and the House of Ahnern (Azure, three Lions watching over a Fortified Bridge Or and Argent)."

The coat of arms of Queen Dorothy I since 2006, its design in use since the accession of King Maximilian I in 1924.

The royal standard, a personal flag of the differenced version of the coat of arms in banner form defaced with the monarch's royal cypher, is also used in their capacity as sovereign. Similarly to other special flags in use, it is flown only from buildings and vehicles when the monarch is present. The royal standard without a monarch's royal cypher is flown until a successor is elected.

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  Royal Standard of Mascylla without alteration

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  Royal Standard of Mascylla as used by Queen Dorothy I

When the monarch is not present at one of their residences, the ordinary Three Bands Flag of Mascylla is flown instead.

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  Flag of the Crowned Republic of Mascylla

Royal family

The Mascyllary royal family is the ambiguously defined group of close relatives surrounding the Queen Dorothy I. The princely title of Prince or Princess of Mascylla (Prinz or Prinzessin von Maskillien) is used by the most senior and significant members of the royal family, whereas the wider family, in addition to other titles, hold the title of Prince or Princess of Ahnern (Prinz or Prinzessin von Ahnern). However, no instrument or document strictly defines who is or is not a member.

Current principal royal family

The core of the Mascyllary royal family comprises as follows, according to the Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household (Herr Kämmerer des Königlichen Haushalts) Alexander von Pappel in 2021:

• HRH The Duke of Hohenehr Prince Lucas (The Queen’s father and predecessor)
  • HM The Queen Dorothy I
  • HM The Prince Consort and Count of Auserburg and Clemens Wolfgang (The Queen’s husband)
    • HRH The Crown Prince of Ahnern Frederick (The Queen’s eldest child and heir apparent)
    • HRH The Duchess of Fahnicht Princess Julia (The Queen’s elder daughter)
    • HRH The Duchess of Birchau Princess Victoria-Theresa (The Queen’s younger daughter)
  • HRH The Duke of Jusland Prince Henry (The Queen’s brother)
  • HRH The Duchess of Jusland Princess Brigitte (The Queen’s sister-in-law)
  • HRH The Dowager Duchess of Morleck Princess Claudia (The Queen’s widowed sister-in-law)
• HRH The Duke of Elpsland Prince William (The Queen’s paternal uncle)
• HRH The Duchess of Elpsland Louise (The Queen’s paternal aunt-in-law)
• TH Count of Wollersleben-Erpe Edward Gröber (The Queen’s paternal widowed uncle-in-law)
• TMH Marquise of Mordani-Sizzi Cecilie (The Queen's maternal aunt)
• TMH Marquess of Mordano-Sizzi Bruno (The Queen's maternal uncle-in-law)

Extended royal family

• HRH Princess Emilia of Jusland (The Queen's niece and Prince Henry's daughter)
• HRH Prince Lucas of Jusland (The Queen's nephew and Prince Henry's son)
• HRH The Hereditary Duke of Morleck Prince Maximilian (The Queen’s nephew and Prince Louis' son)
• HRH The Count of Taubach-Goldach Prince George (The Queen’s nephew and Prince Charles' son)
• TH Viscount of Liebenwalde Albert Ahnern (The Queen's cousin and Prince William's son)
• Renate Groß (Albert Ahnern's divorced first wife)
• Cornelia Weiszler (Albert Ahnern's second wife)
  • Francis Louis Ahnern (Albert Ahnern's eldest son)
  • Marcus Ahnern (Albert Ahnern's second son)
  • Philip Ahnern (Albert Ahnern's youngest son)
• TH Lady Margaret Welkerskamp (The Queen's cousin and Prince William's daughter)
• Dietrich Welkerskamp (Lady Margaret's husband)
  • Beatrice Welkerskamp (Lady Margaret's daughter)
• Thomas Alexander Gröber (The Queen's cousin and Princess Anne's son)
• Franziska Gröber (Thomas Alexander Gröber's wife)
• TH Count of Godenborn George Ahnern (The Queen's cousin and Prince Albert Frederick's son)
• TH Countess Eloise of Ahnern and Peake-Wombeley (George Ahnern's wife)
  • TH Viscount of Mildenburg Michael Ahnern-Peake-Wombeley (George Ahnern's son)
  • TH Lady Ines Ahnern-Peake-Wombeley (George Ahnern's daughter)

See also

• Monarchy of Lavaria
• Monarchy of Dulebia