Monarch of Aldovia

The monarch is the head of state and ruler of the Kingdom of Aldovia. The reigning monarch is King Richard II, whose heir apparent is Princess Elleri.

## Constitutional Monarchy

The monarch is assisted in the governance of the kingdom by a prime minister, King's Council, other cabinet ministers, and a parliament.

## Royal Residence

The official home of the sovereign of Aldovia is the Aldovia Royal Palace.

## Succession

Aldovia has a hereditary monarchy in which the crown is passed down the royal bloodline. Until recently, the rules around royal succession only followed the male bloodline in male primogeniture. In 2019, under the reign of Richard II, absolute primogeniture was adopted, extending inheritance to include female members of the royal family. At the time, the change meant the heir presumptive went from being Count Simon Duxbury to Princess Emily. However, later that year Princess Elleri was born, becoming the heir apparent.

While the laws of Aldovia state the heir to the throne must be a member of the royal bloodline, monarchs are able to designate adopted successors by process of decree.

The period of Interregnum in Aldovia is limited to a maximum of one year.

## Coronation

As in Montenaro, the investiture of the monarch during the coronation appears to mark the formal accession to the throne of Aldovia. In contrast, however, the coronation of the sovereign of Aldovia is a secular ceremony rather than a religious rite. It is performed by the prime minister rather than a cleric, and can take place in a government venue such as the houses of parliament or the Aldovia Royal Palace itself. During the intended coronation of King Richard II at the Christmas Eve Ball in 2017, the following form was used:

* The ball is opened and dancing takes place.
* A sudden outburst of applause signals the coronation is about to begin.
* A ceremonial orchestral fanfare announces the arrival of the new sovereign and the prime minister on the dais before the throne. The two face each other and exchange a shallow bow before turning to face those assembled.
* They step forward together toward the royal crown of Aldovia, which, alongside a golden scepter, sits on a fine velvet cushion. The cushion surmounts a set of golden tassels upon a square column. The regalia are attended by their custodian in a ceremonial uniform.
* The prime minister makes brief remarks welcoming the members of parliament and other guests in attendance, notes that Christmas Eve comes during a season of hope and new beginnings and then begins the formal coronation proceedings, saying *His Royal Highness, Prince Richard, son of King Richard I, presents his rightful claim to the crown and throne of the Kingdom of Aldovia.*
* Those present applaud.
* The new monarch then kneels, and the custodian of the coronation regalia holds aloft the golden scepter.
* The prime minister continues, saying: *Richard, do you pledge your life and fealty to Aldovia and all her subjects.*
* Monarch: *I do.*
* The prime minister takes the scepter, and, handing it to the new monarch, continues with the formula: *Do you swear to protect her, to uphold her sacred laws in times of wealth or poverty, in peace, or war?*
* The monarch holds the scepter in the right hand, resting its orb along the forearm.
* The prime minister turns toward those assembled and continues: *If any of the peerage wish to dispute Prince Richard's claim to the throne, speak now, or forever stay silent.* [Here the intended Christmas Eve coronation of Richard II was interrupted by a claim advanced by Baroness Sophia Taylor and supported by Count Simon Duxbury. When the coronation resumed on Christmas Day at the houses of parliament, the prime minister used a similar form, saying *If any of those present would wish to dispute Prince Richard's claim to the throne, let them speak now or forever remain silent.*
* In absence of objections, the prime minister holds aloft the royal crown of Aldovia above the new monarch's head, saying *By the power vested in me as Prime Minister, I crown you Richard Bevan Charlton, King of Aldovia.*
* Those present applaud.
* The monarch arises as the prime minister calls out *Long live King Richard II!*
* Those assembled respond *Long live The King!* and the ceremony concludes.

### Coronation Requirements

* A coronation can not take place until a majority of the King's Council officers are present.
* Following the death of King Richard I, the law dictated his dowager, Queen Helena, must preside at the coronation of his successor.
* The coronation must take place before the interregnal period, which can last a maximum of one year, expires.

### Coronation Regalia

The coronation regalia consist of a golden scepter which is given to the monarch during the ceremony. It is topped with a delicate open orb.

The royal crown of Aldovia consists of a gold coronet with eight half-arches surmounting a cap of estate of purple velvet. The half-arches each bear five diamonds, and are joined under a golden demimonde surmounted by a fleur-de-lis. A fleur-de-lis also joins the bottom of each half-arch to the coronet, the alternating points of which are topped with diamonds. Other gemstones (perhaps rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and additional diamonds) run in alternation among the fine golden filigree along the base of the coronet.

A second crown used for royal consorts also features an elaborately-wrought gold coronet with eight similarly intricate half-arches surmounting a cap of estate of red velvet. The half-arches bear a variety of gemstones and meet under an unadorned monde. This crown was most recently used in the coronation of Queen Amber following the completion of her marriage ceremony to Richard II.

During the intended Christmas Eve Ball coronation, Richard II wore a military dress uniform with golden epaulets, but was in civilian dress the following day when his coronation was completed.

### Trivia

* The coronation oath of the monarch of Aldovia includes the sovereign's declaration of fealty to the kingdom and "all her subjects." This is a distinct contrast to many systems of monarchy, in which subjects conventionally swear fealty to the monarch.
* The prime minister appears to be empowered to adjudicate disputes in the succession.
* Though she was instrumental in securing the succession of Richard II, Amber Moore was not actually present at the moment of his coronation, having quietly left the houses of parliament as the ceremony continued to return to the United States.

## List of Monarchs of Aldovia

* King Richard I
* King Richard II