Katherine

## Queen Katherine

Anthony Collins (2012)

Queen **Katherine** (born **Katherine Porter**, August 24th, 1923; disappeared October 4th, 2012) was a Valorian public figure who served as the eighth and final sovereign of Valoria from 2010 to 2012. The wife of King Henry, Katherine was queen-consort of Valoria for two separate reigns, first from 1980 to 1995, then from 2000 to 2008.

Katherine was appointed sovereign by the National Assembly to succeed her son Lindsay to the throne after he fled the country unannounced. She inherited a deeply unpopular monarchy, regarded by many as a dying institution. Katherine spent her short reign attempting to salvage the monarchy's image and reverse the damage that had been done to its reputation. Her efforts were in vain, and her reign ended when the National Assembly dissolved the monarchy in 2012.

## Reign (2010 - 2012)

On September 26th, 2012, at noon, the monarchy was formally dissolved, and Queen Katherine once again became Katherine Green. She was stripped of all royal possessions, and forced to sell her only private residence.

## Post-sovereignty and disappearance (post-2012)

Two minutes before noon on September 26th, Katherine left the royal palace on Nahant, surrounded by crowds celebrating the abolition of the monarchy. A single government car was provided, with local police as escorts. She was brought to The Cerulean hotel in Boston. At the entrance, she was swarmed by another crowd, which was cleared by hotel security to allow her to enter unimpeded.

Although now a private citizen, Katherine continued to be closely followed by the media and public. She was confirmed to be staying in suite 403, after being observed walking onto the room's balcony and having a cup of tea on the mornings of September 27th and 28th. Both times, crowds formed underneath her balcony, flying republican symbols and chanting the phrase "good riddance." After roughly ten minutes, she returned inside, bringing her cup with her.

On September 29th, Katherine did not appear, arousing speculation as to her location. The following day, however, she appeared once more. She continued to appear on the balcony in the same fashion into October, emerging on the first three days of the month. During these appearances, she never interacted with the public, only drinking her tea and observing the crowds.

October 4th was the final sighting of the former royal. That morning, Katherine broke the pattern by leaving her teacup on the table outside. She has not been seen on the balcony of suite 403, nor anywhere in public, since then.

After she had not appeared on her balcony for several days, the public turned to the Cerulean to offer an explanation as to where she had gone. The hotel released a statement explaining Katherine was no longer staying in suite 4, and that it was available to book. The statement was met with confusion and outrage for being vague and unhelpful; the following day, the Cerulean released another statement clarifying the room had since been booked, and was now no longer available for occupancy. Despite ample request, they have not commented further on Katherine Green's stay since.

## Legacy

Katherine has left behind a mixed legacy. Some have criticized her for insufficient and half-hearted attempts at keeping a corrupt and dying institution alive. She is also often criticized for consistently supporting her son throughout his troubled reign, despite his numerous controversies, and for consistently playing a part in upholding the monarchy by serving as queen-consort and queen-mother throughout her life.

On the other hand, some figures have come out in her defense. PM Eric Henderson has said "she was a sweet old lady doing her best," and a group of six Conservative delegates co-wrote a letter in October 2012 refuting common criticisms of her and saying that, although the monarchy was an institution that could not last, Katherine herself was not at fault for it, and she did not deserve to bear the brunt of criticisms that should instead be levied against the monarchy.