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Post by americanemperor on Jan 22, 2008 7:28:59 GMT 10
Shall His Imperial Majesty ever have a proper coronation? He has certainly reigned long enough as an emperor to deserve one.
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Magister Aequitas
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Post by Magister Aequitas on Jan 23, 2008 4:11:18 GMT 10
The post of the Head of State of Atlantium is not hereditary. The present Emperor, George II, was elected Emperor in 10500 (1981, correct me if I'm wrong) and the present constitution prescribes that if the Emperor dies (or abdicates) a new one will have to be elected. The moment the result of the election (in short: by the Imperial Nobillity and the Senate) is ratified and confirmed the new Emperor immediately takes on the office of the Head of State. As far as I know there are no other rituals or formal gatherings needed for the election to have effect. The ratified and confirmed election constitutes in itself a new Emperor.
So, a coronation is not necessary. Apart from that, I don't think the Empire has an official crown or any other regalia for that matter. And I'm not sure if I would like Atlantium to have a State Crown. Apart from the UK, none of the monarchies in Europe have an official State Crown or, if they do, any official ritual when the monarch actually carries it. For example, this is the case in The Netherlands.
And let be honest: the only person I know who can carry a crown and get away with it is Queen Elizabeth II. Look at the cover of the Lonely Planet Guide to Micronations to see what I mean.
On the other hand, a reign of more than 25 years may call for something special, I quite agree. In the plans for the Province of Aurora I saw something about a Thronehall?
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Post by HIM George II on Jan 23, 2008 19:19:06 GMT 10
My personal opinion is that public ritual is essential in underpinning and informing the relationship between a state and its people.
Communal affirmation or re-affirmation of shared beliefs and aspirations can energise a group in a way that nothing else can - but it needs to be done with great care and consideration - and with much attention to the symbolism that is used.
Atlantium is an imperial republic - so simply appropriating traditional royalist symbols, regalia and ceremonies such as crowns, sceptres and coronations is, in my opinion, highly inappropriate and not something that I would be willing to endorse.
However, I have always envisaged that the enthronement of a new emperor would be conducted as a public ceremony, wherein the Head of State formally affirms his or her acceptance of their responsibilities - and in turn is formally acknowledged by the representatives of the various organs of state, and by the people.
I envisage that such a ceremony would involve the formal investiture of the newly-enthroned emperor with two items of regalia - a Staff of Office and a Wreath Crown (ie a precious-metal circlet of leaves, of the type used by the Romans, and later by Napoleon) - the latter being placed on the emperor's head jointly, by representatives of the judicature, the legislature and the people.
The planned throne hall at Aurora is intended as the site at which the above would be conducted, and where the Imperial Regalia would be permanently housed. When a serviceable building and physical regalia actually exists, I will be happy to consider the matter of my own enthronement - but I have no in-principle objections to the idea.
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Magister Aequitas
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Post by Magister Aequitas on Jan 24, 2008 3:57:18 GMT 10
My personal opinion is that public ritual is essential in underpinning and informing the relationship between a state and its people. Communal affirmation or re-affirmation of shared beliefs and aspirations can energise a group in a way that nothing else can - but it needs to be done with great care and consideration - and with much attention to the symbolism that is used. Atlantium is an imperial republic - so simply appropriating traditional royalist symbols, regalia and ceremonies such as crowns, sceptres and coronations is, in my opinion, highly inappropriate and not something that I would be willing to endorse. Notwithstanding my earlier posting, I agree completely with Your Majesty in regard to the use of and need for public rituals in the relationship between a state and its people. And I'm glad that you consider the traditional royal regalia inappropriate as well. Concerning a possible future investiture or enthronement: let's wait - in line with your posting - till the throne hall is actually build. Afther that we - and Your Majesty in particular - can always see what kind of Imperial Regalia will serve and represent the Empire and its people best. |
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Post by Richard on Jan 28, 2008 1:56:56 GMT 10
So, a coronation is not necessary. Apart from that, I don't think the Empire has an official crown or any other regalia for that matter. And I'm not sure if I would like Atlantium to have a State Crown. Apart from the UK, none of the monarchies in Europe have an official State Crown or, if they do, any official ritual when the monarch actually carries it. For example, this is the case in The Netherlands. Greetings Most Honourable Machiel, In the Netherlands the Queen had an oath-taking and induction ceremony rather than a coronation and the crown is present at these ceremony. In the case of Spain the Kings take the royal rank by proclamation and acclamation, although the royal crown has been present in these ceremonies. The last Spanish King to be crowned was John I of Castile (1358-1390). I think I have a photo of the ceremony of King Juan Carlos where you can see the royal crown and scepter on a pillow and if I find it i'll post it. In my opinion I think Atlantium should have some kind of Imperial Regalia weather it be a sash (like in most South American counties the next president-elect is given a sash made up of the national colors by the out-going President), an Imperial Ring that has the Imperial Seal on it (much like the Emperor of Brazil, Pedro II), and maybe a heraldic crown (only on paper like Belgium, Spain and Monaco). |
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Magister Aequitas
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Post by Magister Aequitas on Jan 28, 2008 22:14:26 GMT 10
I agree and I think that your suggestions should certainly be taken into consideration in due course.
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Post by carmichael on Feb 2, 2008 8:54:12 GMT 10
I believe that a proper coronation or similar type of ceremony is in order. Every seat of power in every country provides for an official inauguration or “passing of the torch” if you will. Such ceremonial activities provide for unity with a governing body and its constituents.
In today’s democratic world we are seeing monarchies fail to the point of near extinction. Nepal and Bhutan are two prime examples that come to mind. While my own views as to royal regalia are premature at this time, it should be no secret that I am a supporter of symbols of office. Whether it be a Prime Ministers Seal, an official Coat of Arms, a National Flag, or the Emperors Crown & Scepter. Such symbolism provides a positive psychological framework for our citizens and the Empire as a whole.
Today, the role of most monarchs is highly ceremonial in nature, with a few still actively participating in the daily governing of their country. But a monarchy also (and more importantly) provides a sense of national identity, additionally, it is imperative to protect such important interests. One way monarchies do this is by serving “life terms”, some hereditary, some not. Another way to protect the national identity of a monarchy is to implement some sort of Lese Majeste Laws.
While elected positions such as Prime Minister is meant to provide organization and cohesiveness so that the government may function nationally and internationally. These types of positions are capped with term limits for a reason, mainly to remove someone from office before they can become corrupt by special interest or lose touch with the reality of their constituents.
We can learn from the lessons of the scattered and failed monarchies throughout the world, or follow the example of successful ones. I recommend traveling to Thailand and observing how the Thai people revere His Majesty King Bhumibol. I was fortunate enough to spend three years in Thailand studying. In that time I learned why the Thai’s admire their King so much. He provides the nation with a sense of identity and a soul, if you will. Because he has consistently ruled his subjects through care and compassion, he is currently the longest reigning monarch in the world; I believe he has sat on the throne for 61 years now.
Dr. Joseph Carmichael
Ph.D. in Applied Management & Decision Science
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Post by HIM George II on Feb 3, 2008 7:52:18 GMT 10
I think we're generally agreed that an inauguration or enthronement ceremony of some description should take place at some future juncture, when the infrastructure and paraphernalia necessary have been put in place.
I don't see a particular urgency for this at present, but it is certainly something that we are working towards.
I've already had discussions with a jeweller in the past year concerning the manufacture of a precious-metal civic/wreath crown of the type discussed above, and it's quite likely we'll make the investment in that sometime in the next year. The rest will follow in due course.
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