Mary

Mary was born to King Geoffrey and Queen Marie of Barleau. Mary was the second youngest child and the youngest daughter of 5 children. Mary along with her sibling were educated by tutors under her mother's watchful gaze. Mary at 15 accompanied her parents on a visit to the Empire of Caledonya, Empress Grace was impressed by the young Princess and began to negotiate a marriage between Mary and one of her sons. Mary met both the heir to the throne Prince James and second in line Prince Charles. According to those in attendance including Prince James, it was love at first sight for Mary and Charles. King Geoffrey agreed to the marriage with the stipulation the the couple wait until Mary was of age to marry. Mary returned to Barleau with her parents but was a regular visitor to Caledonya until her 18th birthday.

## Quick Facts

### Issue

Richard III&IPrincess Anne

Mary and Charles were married in a state wedding two months after Mary's 19th birthday. Two days before the wedding Emperor James created Charles ***The Duke of Newburg*** as well as The Earl of Mercia and Lord Segafe. On the day of their wedding Emperor James released letters of patent stating the he was elevating Mary from a *Royal Highness* the the style of *Imperial Highness* and after the wedding she would take on the female equivalent of Charles' new titles. Mary and Charles spent their honeymoon on the Imperial Yacht touring the Ashnora Islands.

**As Duchess of Newburg**

Mary as the new Duchess of Newburg jumped right into Imperial duties after she and Charles returned from their honeymoon. As Prince James had yet to find a bride, Mary was the second highest ranked female in the family, only Empress Grace ranked above Mary. Mary became patron of the Caledonya chapter of the Red Cross and underwent training in nursing. Charles spent months away from his new bride as he was serving in the Imperial Navy.

## Titles

### Former Titles

The Empress Consort of the Caledonyian Empire
The Crown Princess of the Caledonyian Empire

The Princess of Avalon

The Duchess of Devonshire

The Marchioness of Essex

The Baroness of Killeby

The Duchess of Newburg

The Countess of Mercia

Lady Segafe

Princess Mary of Barleau

Mary gave birth to the couples first child Richard 2 years after their marriage and a second child Anne followed a year and a half later. Mary was by all accounts a very hands on mother to her young children. Although the children had a nanny available, Mary often oversaw the care of the children and only utilized the nannies when she was acting as a working royal. Mary and Charles went on their first overseas tour when Richard was a baby, Mary was reportedly distressed at having to leave her young son. Richard stayed with his grandparents, who enjoyed being able to spoil their first grandchild.

One year after Anne's birth tragedy struck the family when Empress Grace contracted tuberculous and passed away soon after, further tragedy struck when Prince James died two weeks after his mother also from tuberculous. With James' death Charles immediately became Crown Prince and Prince of Avalon.

**As Princess Of Avalon**

Mary was now the highest ranked female in the family as the wife of the Heir to the Throne. Mary took on many of the duties of the Empress Consort and Charles acted as regent to his devastated father. The children spent much time with their grandfather and were reportedly the only thing that brought a genuine smile to his face. Mary continued her role in the Red Cross as The Princess of Avalon and began to take on additional patronages dealing with health, women and children. The Emperor died almost 2 years to the day of Empress Grace's death and Charles ascended to the throne as Charles IV.

**Empress Consort**

Not much changed for Mary after becoming Empress Consort. She continued to support her charities and raise her children with the help of nannies. Charles and Mary often took the children with them on overseas visits allowing Richard and Anne to see what would be expected of them as adults. Mary as with her mother-in-law began to look toward her sons future and began to look at eligible brides but also wanted to allow Richard to fall in love the way she had with Charles. Mary met the young Princess Aurora who was being raised in Caledonya by her maternal grandmother the Dowager Countess of Marth, Mary was charmed by Aurora and thought she and Anne would get along well. Mary held a ball in the Dowager Countess of Marth's honor several months later and introduced Aurora to Mary's two children (Richard now 17 and Anne and Aurora 15). Guests in attendance later spoke of Anne and Aurora's quick friendship and of the shy looks Richard gave to Aurora. Mary was thrilled when 3 years later Richard approached his parents asking permission to ask for Aurora's hand in marriage.

One year after the marriage of Richard and Aurora, Charles died in his sleep after a heart attack. Mary was devastated at the loss of her husband.

**Dowager Empress**

Mary went into mourning after the loss of her husband but returned to her duties after Richard made the announcement that Aurora was expecting their first child together. Mary like her in-laws before her was a very hands on grandparent and loved a spend time with her grandchildren John and Nicholas. Mary retired from public life last year and retired to her country estate, she returned to Lilanelona after Aurora's hospital stay at the start of her third pregnancy and has recently announced that she will be staying in the capital city to be closer to her beloved grandchildren.