Margarita Pinaria

Margarita Pinaria
Margarita Pinaria
Despotissa
	Portrait of Margarita Pinaria, 2019
Queen consort of Aretias
Tenure	2 October 2015 – 19 August 2019
Coronation	9 January 2016
Born	Margarita Pinaria Natta Sarantena Isabella Maria; 10 December 1989 (age 34); Cularo, Latium
Spouse	Dionysios Byzennios; (m. 2009; d. 2011); Basil IV of Aretias; (m. 2013; div. 2019);
Issue	Andreas Byzennios; Dionysios Byzennios; Zenobia, Crown Princess of Aretias; Princess Beatrice of Aretias; Princess Constantia of Aretias;
House	Pinaria
Father	Michael Pinarius
Mother	Lucilla Claudia
Religion	Imperial Church (Catholicism)
Education	Caelimontium Sancta Sophia; Alba College, Castellum;

Margarita Pinaria (Margarita Pinaria Natta Sarantena Isabella Maria; b. 10 December 1989), less frequently referred to as Margarita of Cularo, is a Latin noblewoman of the Pinaria family. She was Queen consort of Aretias from 2015 until 2021. Margarita became Crown Princess of Aretias and Sebastokratorissa upon her marriage to the future Basil IV of Aretias in 2013. She became Queen consort of Aretias following Basil's ascension to the throne in September 2014. Margarita and Basil divorced in 2021. Prior to her marriage to Basil IV, Margarita was married to Prince Dionysios Byzennios, with whom she had two sons.

Early life and education

Margarita Pinaria Martiana Isabella Maria was born at Palatium Cularo, in Cularo, on 10 December 1989, to Latin nobleman Michael Pinarius and Lucilla Claudia. Margarita was the couple's oldest daughter and third child. She has two older brothers, Alexius and Sergius, and two younger sisters Gabriella and Gregoria. Margarita was baptized into the Imperial Church by Auxiliary Bishop of Ravenna Silvanus Potitus. She was named Margarita for her ancestors Margaret I, Holy Audonian Empress; and Martiana for her grandmother's family. Her baptismal names are Isabella for her maternal great-grandmother Elisabeth of Nyrundy and Maria for her paternal great-grandmother Maria of Keld. She was given the additional name of Sarantena for her maternal grandmother's family. Her godparents are Stephania Pinaria (her father's sister); Jacobus, Prince of Youth (Stephania's husband); Marius Claudius (her mother's brother); and TBD (Marius’ wife).

Margarita was first formally presented to the imperial court of Empress Diana I Anicia and Emperor Leo X Claudius at the age of three. Despite regularly visiting Castellum to see extended family, Margarita did not move to the capital until the age of 9 when her family took up residence at Collidomus, an aristocratic townhouse owned by the Pinaria family. Her family relocated to Castellum in 1999 when father was elected to the Senate and her grandfather was appointed Master of Offices by the newly ascended sole emperor Jacobus VI Claudius the following year. As a child, Margarita and her family traveled to visit extended family frequently, including her cousins in Garza. Her family regularly vacationed near the city of Mariana, Imbros.

She continued her education in Castellum at Lyceum Sanctus Michaelis, where she was classmates with nobility and royalty such as her cousin Princess Maria, Maria of Garza, and Antonia Antistia. She reportedly struggled at school and was also instructed by a number of private tutors. Margarita was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 9. Later she earned her bac from Caelimontium-Saint Sophia Ladies College in 2007.

Margarita enrolled at Alba College, Castellum in fall 2007 and did not take a gap year. During the summer leading into her first year of university, Margarita traveled extensively and visited Ostrozava, Alanahr, Kembesa, Vardana all within a month. She also spent two weeks in Perateia with her future first husband Dionysios Byzennios.

In 2012, Margarita earned a degree in Theater, Dance, & Media, also taking courses in Film and Visual Studies. While at Alba College, she participated in Theater Club, and participated in numerous productions, including Cruenta Maria and Pavor.

Marriage to Dionysios Byzennios

Church of Pantocrator, in Leonople, where Pinaria and Byzennios married in 2009.

On 10 August 2009, at 19 years old, she married Perateian nobleman Dionysios Byzennios. The pair were introduced by Dionysios’ sister Anna, who was a classmate of Margarita’s at Caelimontium-Saint Sophia Ladies College. The marriage was brief, but happy. Their first child, Andreas, was born on 9 January 2010. The couple primarily resided in Castellum throughout their marriage as Margarita was studying at Alba College despite her husband’s active deployment in the Perateian Imperial Army.

The marriage ended on 26 May 2011, when Dionysios was killed in a minor standoff between a Perateian garrison, near the city of Rhodopolis, and Vardani Republican Guard across the Perateian-Vardani border. On 2 February 2012, Margarita gave birth to their second child, whom she named Dionysios after her late husband.

Marriage to Basil IV of Aretias

In late 2012, Margarita's family was first contacted by the court of Leon I of Aretias to discuss a courtship and possible marriage negotiation between Margarita and his heir Basil. The match was arranged between the pair’s mothers, who were childhood friends. Margarita reportedly outright refused to entertain the possibility as her mourning period hadn't ended and concerns about her two young sons. However, those close to Margarita felt that she instead wished to marry the recently ascended Emperor Nathan IV of Ghant, whom Margarita courted some time before her marriage to Dionysios Byzennios. Ultimately, Nathan began courting Sophia of Dakmoor in mid-2013.

Official royal portrait, 2017.

By late summer, Basil, accompanied by his parents, visited Margarita in Cularo. A courtship was eventually announced on 19 May 2013. Margarita visited Aretias on three occasions during the courtship, while Basil primarily resided in Latium until the wedding. The limited nature of Margarita's presence in Aretias leading up to the marriage elicited some negative reactions from high ranking members of government.

Their engagement was announced on 18 August 2013 with plans for the wedding to take place in late 2013. Those close to the couple indicated that the marriage contract stipulated a high place at Aretian court for Margarita's two sons, who would reside with her in Chalceritis. Margarita continued to reside in Latium with her sons until late May. The Pinaria family arranged for the wedding to take place at Hagia Euergetou, the traditional site for Imperial Peratene marriages and coronations.

Margarita married Basil on 2 December 2013, at Hagia Euergetou, in Leonople, in a ceremony officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Leon X. The wedding was attended by prominent figures such as Jacobus VI Claudius and members of the Latin Imperial Family, Peter II of Garima, and Nathan IV of Ghant.

At Aretian court, Margarita had a reputation for her grace, sense of refinement, and sharp wit, the latter of which caused a series of issues with Basil and other members of court early in the marriage. She recruited a number of Latin noblewomen to serve as her ladies-in-waiting, and only minimally included local noblewomen – of exception was X. Among her closest confidants at court were her cousin and lady-in-waiting TBD Claudia, Theodora Rasinia, and her brother-in-law Prince Robert. Margarita was thought of highly by King Leon, due in large part to her charming nature and ties to the prominent nobility in Latium and elsewhere. This was far from the universal opinion of Margarita at court, as she could be droll, amusing and use her wit to joke about others.

Their first child, Zenobia, was born on 30 October 2014. Zenobia was born alongside a twin brother who did not survive. On 12 October 2016, the couple had their second child, Basilia, known as Beatrice. A third child, Constantia, was born on 5 January 2018.

Main entrance of the Pinaria School in Chalceritis.

As consort

On 2 October 2015, Leon I passed away, allowing Basil to succeed to the throne and Pinaria became Queen consort. Margarita and Basil were jointly crowned on 9 January 2016. Margarita publicly aired her displeasure with this date on social media and in the press due to it conflicting with the birthday of her son Andreas. However, the coronation and coronation ball were held that night as planned.

Margarita made a high number of public appearances, official or otherwise, during the first years as consort. This was a continuation of her activities as crown princess, where she regularly visited and shopped at local markets, meeting and interacting with the citizenry.

In 2016, she established the Pinaria School (Pinaria Scholí), in Chalceritis, which operates primary, secondary, and special education, along with post-education literacy classes for women. It is the only school in Aretias that is affiliated with the Catholic Church. In 2021, the school began to receive grants from the Catholic Church. Margarita has served as a member of the school's board of directors since its establishment.

Breakdown of relationship

Rumors of a breakdown in the royal couple's relationship first arose following the birth of Zenobia. Basil was displeased at the death of their son during childbirth and according to courtiers blamed both Margarita and Zenobia. Their relationship continued to deteriorate as Basil became king, and his infidelities became more prominent. In November 2015, Latin media outlets first reported on an affair involving Basil and Lydia Orontina that produced an illegitimate daughter. The report was eventually quashed by an imperial orders in Latium and Perateia but continued to be reported elsewhere.

The issues between the royal couple continued to worsen after Basil’s coronation was scheduled for January 9, the birthday of Margarita’s son. While there were few issues during the coronation itself, the coronation ball was the first instance of a visible disagreement between Basil and Margarita. However, Margarita was close to Basil throughout the early hours of the festivities, and according to guests Basil appeared aggressive, inebriated, and overbearing.

In February 2017, Basil ordered Margarita's sons away from court and returned to Latium immediately. Margarita was then separated from her sons, who relocated to Leonople where they resided with their uncle Alexius at the court of then junior emperor Constantine XX Claudius. During this period, she continued to make public appearances in Aretias and accompanied Basil on foreign visits. Margarita continued to regularly visit her sons in Leonople until September 2017.

Separation

In late 2017, yet another affair involving Basil was reported on by Perateian-based media, as were reports that Basil was engaged in an affair with Margarita’s lady-in-waiting Dionysia Exazene. Despite a public denial, Exazene was dismissed by Margarita but did not immediately return to Perateia. Margarita disappeared from public life in December 2017. She was not seen again until the morning of 9 June 2018 with her two daughters, previously entering Hieron Palation in Leonople the night before. Margarita was met by her cousin Emperor Constantine XX Claudius, who arrived in Leonople the following day. Upon Emperor Constantine's arrival, Basil issued a missive to Constantine where he accused the Emperor of abducting Margarita and demanded the return of her and their children. Basil's statement also accused Margarita of an affair with her uncle, senior emperor Jacobus VI Claudius.

Latin and Perateian foreign offices offered a sharp rebuke of Basil who had accused Constantine of attempted to secure a divorce for Margarita following a meeting between Constantine and Ecumenical Patriarch Georgios X. Constantine had overseen the installation Patriarch Georgios just 2 years prior. The imperial office issued a statement explaining that the "Emperor [] is ensuring the safety and well-being of a citizen in need, as is the duty of the true Christian Emperor."

Despite a number of rumors swirling around regarding the situation, Aretian officials visited Leonople on 19 July 2018 for an apparent meeting at Heraion. Basil was not present at any of the meetings, though many were attended by the emperor himself. It wasn't until August that Margarita returned to Latium with her children to take up residence at Velia House in Castellum. Likewise, Basil issued a royal decree affirming Zenobia to be displaced only by the birth of a legitimate son to Basil. Margarita retained the title of Queen consort and the Perateian rank of Sebastokratorissa according to Perateian custom. Margarita and Basil remain officially married, but effectively separated following a February 2019 decree.

Divorce

Basil and Margarita remained married, but separated beginning on 19 July 2018. Throughout the separation, Margarita took up residence in Castellum, and initially lived at her own private apartments in Velia House. Basil routinely released public statements requesting Margarita to return to Aretias. By 19 August 2019, Basil publicly requested a divorce, which was rejected by Ecumenical Patriarch Leon X due to lack of spousal consent by Margarita and a lack of supporting grounds. Basil subsequently requested a divorce at least 5 other times that are publicly known.

On 19 August 2019, Metropolitan of Teos Arcadius Hephaestion granted Basil's request for a divorce due to Margartia's refusal to return to Aretias following a session of the local ecclesiastical court. A week later, following a visit of Jacobus VI Claudius to Leonople, Ecumenical Patriarch Leon X declared that Metropolitan Hephaestion lacked the authority to granted such a request and Basil's actions were denounced by Ecumenical Church leaders, and Perateian and Latin officials. Various autocephalous patriarchs denounced the Ecumenical Patriarch's rejection following Emperor Jacobus' visit to Leonople. Foreign church leaders accused Emperor Jacobus of pressuring Perateian Church leaders to reject the divorce, threatening diplomatic consequences.

By 3 February 2020, Ecumenical Patriarch Leon X approved Metropolitan Hephaestion's decision to grant the divorce.

Other relationships

Prior to her marriage to Dionysios, Pinaria was in a relationship with Nathan IV of Ghant. The two did not publicly court, but were often in each other's company during mid 2007 while Margarita was a student at Alba College. The relationship ended due to Margarita's frustration with Nathan's lack of commitment according to courtiers in Ghish; however, others contended that she was simultaneously in a relationship with Dionysios. Nonetheless, Margarita began courting Dionysios two months later and ceased visiting Ghish soon after.

Personal life

Margarita resided at an apartment in Velia House since her separation from Basil IV until 2021. She receives a biannual stipend to care for her children, which has continued following her divorce from Basil. Margarita received a stipend from Latin court from 2019 to 2021, and continues to earn her late first husband's military pension. She was granted an apartment at Velia House upon her return to Latium by Jacobus VI Claudius, which has served as her primary residence until 2021. In early 2021, purchased a townhouse in Velia, Castellum, which serves as her primary residence.

Titles, styles, and honors

2 December 2013 – 2 October 2015: Her Royal and Apostolic Highness The Crown Princess
- 2 June 2013 – 2 October 2015: Her Royal and Apostolic Highness Sebastokratorissa
2 October 2015 – 1 January 2021: Her Majesty The Queen of Aretias

Honors

Aretias: Royal Lady of the Order of Beneficence
Gelonia: Dame of the Illustrious Order of the Red Hand
Latium: Knight of the Order of the Winged Ram
Latium: Lady of the Ancient Equestrian Order
Mysia: Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Star and Crescent
Perateia: Lady of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Schaumberg: Grand Lady of the Order of the Elizabeth Cross
Rahdenburg: Dame of the Order of Red Eagle
Sydalon: Lady of the Order of the White Lion
Turenne: Lady of the Order of the Viscomtins Cross

Dynastic orders

House of Hazarasp: Knight of the Order of the Senmurv

Issue

Name	Birth	Notes
By Dionysios Byzennios (married Church of Pantocrator 10 July 2009); died 22 April 2011
Andreas Byzennios	(2010-01-09) 9 January 2010 (age 14)
Dionysios Byzennios	(2012-02-02) 2 February 2012 (age 12)
By Basil IV of Aretias (married Hagia Euergetou 2 June 2013)
Zenobia, Crown Princess of Aretias	(2014-10-30) 30 October 2014 (age 10)
Princess Beatrice of Aretias	(2016-10-12) 12 October 2016 (age 8)	Birth name is Basilia
Princess Constantia of Aretias	(2018-11-02) 2 November 2018 (age 6)