Leo of Ghant
| Prince Leo | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince of Ghant Prince of Latium | |||||
| <imgur w=225>k9dtekg.jpg</imgur> Leo at the Endowment for the Arts charity gala in Beaupré, November 2017 | |||||
| Born | 31 August 1991 Inperiala Palace, Ghish, Ghant | ||||
| 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 | <imgur w="20">1uF77QG.png</imgur> Legio IV Triumphalis | ||||
| Battles/wars | 2016 succession crisis | ||||
Prince Leo of Ghant and Latium (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 remains third. Leo is eleventh 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 line of succession to be both Fabrian Catholic and foreign raised. His attainder was lifted in Ghant in 2006 by his half-brother Nathan.
Leo is a graduate of Academia Militaris Olympia in Latium where he studied international strategy and participated Leadership Development program. At his graduation he was commissioned as a Captain, and before he took a leave of absence in 2017 held the 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 his cousin, Constantine XX of Latium. Leo was named Cataptan of all Latin forces in Byzantion early in the military standoff, providing tremendous pressure to the armies loyal to Prince Michael from the north. Leo is credited for the peaceful surrender of Prince Michael's loyalists in Ravenna, where his forces own dealt a crushing defeat to Prince Michael's military and remaining domestic support.
Leo previously served as Master of Offices from January through December 2017. His primary residence is Palatium Blachernae, outside of metropolitan Alexandria.
Early Life
Leo was born at the Imperial Palace of Ghish on 31 August 1991, the second child of Crown Prince John of Ghant and his first by Princess Isabella of Latium. He was named for his grandfather Prince Leo, Duke of Apennina and prolific ancestor Leo of Ghant. His birth was celebrated in Ghant, though was one of great controversy in his mother's home of Latium where he was mockingly called "Leo Gentry" by some conservative-leaning Latin based media outlets.
He was primarily raised in Ghish during his earliest years, and for some time still after the death of his father in April 1994. From 1994 until the death his grandfather Albert, Leo would spend his time between his mother's private villa and the Palace in Ghish.
Controversy
Prior to his birth, the Fabrian Catholic Church excommunicated his mother following her intentions to marry John against both the wishes of her parents, and Church leadership. On temporal grounds, her marriage was rejected by Imperial Marriages Act section of the Acts of Succession. This disqualified her and her children of any place in the line of succession at the time. The Church asserted that the marriage was illegitimate due to his father being already married to Caroline Zuria.
Expulsion from Ghant
On 19 May 1997, Leo's paternal grandfather, Emperor Albert of Ghant, passed away, with the throne falling to Leo's elder half-brother Nathan. Nathan was nine years old at the time, resulting in a regency led by their uncle Prince Albert. One of the first actions of this regency was to issue an attainder against Leo and his sisters, Diana and Theodora, and banished them from the country along with their mother. 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. By the time the news of the attainder and banishment had reached Isabella and her children, they were already on their way to the airport.
Word of Emperor Albert's death and the subsequent actions taken against Leo and his family quickly reached Latium and even Prince Leo, Duke of Apennina, who had been in flight from Castellum to Palatium Supranio in Adrianople. Emperor Leo's flight made an emergency landing in Oea, after he suffered a heart attack and died en route to the hospital. Emperor Jason VI was elevated to co-ruler by his mother Diana Augusta on 20 May, as she too was rumored to have her own health scare. As his first act as Emperor, Jason personally welcomed Leo, Diana, Theodora and their mother, Isabella, to Latium on 20 May 1997 at Diana Augusta International Airport in metropolitan Castellum.
The Catholic Church was quick protest the new Latin emperor's decision to allow the children entry, as their mother had been excommunicated for having claimed to have taken part in a polygamous marriage. The day after their arrival, Jason introduced the children to court and restored his sister's place as a Princess of Latium. Having been stripped of his titles and succession rights in Ghant, Leo was named "Prince in Latium," with a similar title granted to his sister. This was fully distinct from a Prince of Latium, and "created to affirm [each child's] status as a foreign royal in Latium". This proclamation has never officially been rescinded following the restoration of his rights in Ghant. Leo continued to hold the status of a ''Prince in Latium'' until September 2016 when he was made a ''Prince of Latium'' by Jason VI Augustus' last will and testament.
Leo's excommunication, along with his mother and sister, was lifted by Pope Benedict VIII in late May 1997.
Education
While in Ghish, Leo's father John hired tutors from both Ghant and Latium, particularly Byzantion, 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, he is fluent in Ghantish, Latin, Byzantic Hellene and Allamunnic, though is reported to consider Greek his favored tongue. Leo also received martial training from Ser Adrasto Minazar, a Ghantish knight who remains close with the family to this day.
Upon the insistence of his uncle Jason, Leo was enrolled at St. Michael's for primary and secondary schooling. He finished secondary school at St. Michael's in 2009. He chose to forgo a gap year, and enlisted in the Latin Army where he enrolled at Academia Militaris Olympia. While at Olympia, he primarily studied international strategy and was a participant in the prestigious Leadership Development Science program. He graduated in 2013 with a commission as a Centurion.
Military Career
Leo received his military training at Academia Militaris Olympia in Olympia, Latium, the premier national military service academy. He was first enrolled as a cadet in 2009, and during his first year participated in the Student Conference on BC 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, near Leonopolis on a joint BC military installation. From April 2014 until June 2015, Leo spent time with a cohort of the 4th legion in Vannois along the Vannoisian-Liothidian 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 remains a member of legionary reserve.
2016 succession crisis
Leo was a prominent figure throughout the 2016 succession crisis. On 3 November 2016, he was present at the Palace of Augustus in the immediate aftermath of the death of Emperor Jason VI Augustus and subsequent coup by his cousin Prince Michael and the Scholarian Guard. Along with Emperor Constantine XX and the rest of his family, Leo was forced to flee from the capital and retreat to Adrianople by Praetorian bodyguards. Reports as to Leo's dealings after having reached Adrianople are hazy, though he reappeared in Alexandria soon after where he met with prominent leaders in the Byzantion counties, including peers such as Konstantinos Palaiologi-Oriundi, 17th Doux Palaiologi, Xene Doukas-Mouzalon (wife of The Doux of Doukas); Byzantion politicians Anna Kinnamos and Leon Dalassenos; and local military leaders such as Strategos Niketas Argyros. At the meeting, Leo was able to gather civilian and military support from the Byzantion counties for his cousin, Emperor Constantine XX. Leo was appointed Cataptan of all Latin forces in Byzantion on 8 November 2016, which is the accepted date of the Alexandrian meeting.
Leo and his forces in support of Emperor Constantine XX converged upon Leonopolis before setting out to march on the capital. These forces set out for county Sorrentia and Ravenna on 17 November 2016. His armies were met with poor weather, causing a historic flood of the Frusina River and delayed the Byzantion legions. Leo's armies had been delayed while the allied Vannoisian forces passed through Espo and battled with the minimal armies loyal to George, Count Vinovium.
His army was encamped just south of Espo during the attack on the Ghantish Embassy and subsequent rescue of Leo's sister, Princess Theodora, on 22 November 2016. After securing the safety of his younger sister and her arrival in Ghish the next day, Leo's forces began to mobilize for Ravenna and the army loyal to Prince Michael before marching on Castellum.
Surrender of Ravenna
Entering Castellum
Emperor's Council appointment
Leo was appointed Master of Offices on 5 January 2017. The same day, Leo was made Propraetor of Falisca, and Sorrentia – both key counties located near Castellum. 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.
Personal life and character
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. However, rumors have been rampant of a number of years regarding a relationship between Leo and Anna Kinnamos, a sitting Latin Senator since 2015, as far back as secondary school. The first instance of this was when the pair attended end of the year formal together at St. Michael's Preparatory in 2008 and 2009. Over the years, the two have been spotted together at numerous events, state functions, and even in the public sphere. The two had reportedly separated sometime in 2015 or 2016.
In February 2017, Leo and Lena Rouanti were seen together by paparazzi at the Ristorante Ebor in Castellum, resulting in speculation the two were dating. This speculation grew when Leo traveled to the Gelonian counties as part of his duties as Master of Offices, including Lena's hometown of Durnovaria. Neither publicly commented on the rumored relationship.
At the 2017 Ludi Circenses, Leo was photographed with Lyncanestrian noblewoman Caroline, Countess of Winburn 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.
In February 2018, Leo came into ownership of Palatium Blachernae in Blachernae. It is his primary residence in Latium.
Leo has been considered a very private person by those who know him, as well as by the media. He has been noted to be someone who observes first and speaks little.
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 N.N. | |||
| Felix Gentry | 22 August 2017 | Illegitimate | |
Titles, styles, honors and arms
Titles and styles
| Styles of The Prince Leo | |
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| <imgur w=50>kMwnYip.png</imgur> | |
| 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 and Latium
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 "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 Ostia. He will be entitled to retain his Ghantish territorial designation, as will any of his descendants through the male line. This will be the fourth creation of the Dukedom of Ostia.; the most recent holder of this title was Emperor John XIII, becoming extinct in 1897 when it merged into the crown.
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
Sydalon: Knight of the Order of the Holy Lance 
30 June 2017
Lyncanestria: Officer of the Order of the Golden Sceptre <imgur w="50">qn7pDc5.png</imgur> 19 November 2017
Arms
Ancestry
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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 4th in line |
Followed by Albert I of Vorindeum |
| Preceded by Princess Teresa of Beroea |
Succession to the Latin throne 11th in line |
Followed by Princess Diana of Ghant |
| Regnal titles | ||
| Vacant 6th creation extinct in 1891 Title last held by The Prince John
|
Duke of Ostia DESIGNATE 2017–present |
Incumbent Heir: none |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by The Dowager Empress |
Master of Offices 2017–2018 |
Succeeded by The Duke of Ossonoba |