Alternative History
Register
Tag: sourceedit
No edit summary
Line 32: Line 32:
 
*Legislative power is exercised by [[Imperial Congress of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Congress]], comprised of the [[Cygnian Senate (Joan of What?)|Senate]] and the [[Cygnian House of Representatives (Joan of What?)|House of Representatives]].
 
*Legislative power is exercised by [[Imperial Congress of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Congress]], comprised of the [[Cygnian Senate (Joan of What?)|Senate]] and the [[Cygnian House of Representatives (Joan of What?)|House of Representatives]].
 
*Executive power is exercised by His Majesty's Government, which comprises the [[Chancellor of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Chancellor]] and his/her Cabinet. While the Emperor serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Cygnian Imperial Armed Forces, the powers associated with the Commander-in-Chief are exercised by the Chancellor through the {{JoW|Chiefs of Staff Committee}} and the {{JoW|Cygnian Ministry of Defence|Ministry of Defence}}. The Cabinet also has the direction of the Civil Service and other Imperial Servants such as the Diplomatic Corps and the Military Intelligence Bureaus (the Emperor receives certain foreign intelligence reports before the Chancellor does).
 
*Executive power is exercised by His Majesty's Government, which comprises the [[Chancellor of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Chancellor]] and his/her Cabinet. While the Emperor serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Cygnian Imperial Armed Forces, the powers associated with the Commander-in-Chief are exercised by the Chancellor through the {{JoW|Chiefs of Staff Committee}} and the {{JoW|Cygnian Ministry of Defence|Ministry of Defence}}. The Cabinet also has the direction of the Civil Service and other Imperial Servants such as the Diplomatic Corps and the Military Intelligence Bureaus (the Emperor receives certain foreign intelligence reports before the Chancellor does).
*Judicial power is vested in the various courts of the Empire, the most senior of these being the [[Supreme Court of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Supreme Court of Cygnia]].
+
*Judicial power is vested in the various courts of the Union, the most senior of these being the [[Supreme Court of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Supreme Court of Cygnia]].
 
*The [[Church of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Church of Cygnia]], of which the Emperor is the head, has its own legislative, judicial and executive structures.
 
*The [[Church of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Church of Cygnia]], of which the Emperor is the head, has its own legislative, judicial and executive structures.
 
*Powers independent of government are legally granted to other public bodies by statute or Statutory Instrument such as an Order in Council, Imperial Commission or otherwise.
 
*Powers independent of government are legally granted to other public bodies by statute or Statutory Instrument such as an Order in Council, Imperial Commission or otherwise.
Line 43: Line 43:
 
Despite being a constitutional monarch, however, the Emperor possesses significant power in comparison with other constitutional rulers. For example, the Emperor has the ultimate authority to sign bills into law, and may veto the bill if he believes it is not in the interests of the Cygnian people.
 
Despite being a constitutional monarch, however, the Emperor possesses significant power in comparison with other constitutional rulers. For example, the Emperor has the ultimate authority to sign bills into law, and may veto the bill if he believes it is not in the interests of the Cygnian people.
   
The Imperial Prerogative includes the powers to appoint and dismiss officials, regulate the civil service, and issue passports. The decision to declare war and make peace is not the Emperor's to make; Congress instead has the powers to do so. The Emperor personally shares with the Chancellor the powers to negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances and international agreements. Any treaties cannot, however, alter the domestic laws of the Empire; an Act of Congress is necessary in such cases. The Emperor is also jointly responsible for the protection of Cygnians abroad and foreign nationals in Cygnia, making the powers related to those specific responsibilities fall outside the jurisdiction of Imperial prerogative. The Emperor is commander-in-chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, accredits Cygnian High Commissioners and ambassadors, and receives diplomats from foreign states.
+
The Imperial Prerogative includes the powers to appoint and dismiss officials, regulate the civil service, and issue passports. The decision to declare war and make peace is not the Emperor's to make; Congress instead has the powers to do so. The Emperor personally shares with the Chancellor the powers to negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances and international agreements. Any treaties cannot, however, alter the domestic laws of the Union; an Act of Congress is necessary in such cases. The Emperor is also jointly responsible for the protection of Cygnians abroad and foreign nationals in Cygnia, making the powers related to those specific responsibilities fall outside the jurisdiction of Imperial prerogative. The Emperor is commander-in-chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, accredits Cygnian High Commissioners and ambassadors, and receives diplomats from foreign states.
   
 
It is the prerogative of the Emperor to convene, adjourn, and dissolve Congress. Each Congress begins with the Emperor's summon, although in practice new Congresses are opened on 23 January. The new Congress' first session is marked by the State Opening of Congress, during which the Emperor reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate chamber, outlining the Government's legislative agenda. Adjournment usually occurs about one year after a session begins, and formally concludes the session. Dissolution ends a congressional term, and is followed by a federal election for all seats in the House of Representatives, and half of those in the Senate. A federal election is held four years after the previous one as provided in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. In the event of a motion of no confidence in either the Chancellor or the Government in Congress, the Emperor is ''de facto'' empowered – this is not explicitly permitted in the Constitution – to declare a {{JoW|double dissolution}} (dissolution of both Houses of Congress, including the entire Senate) and call for midterm elections to form a new Congress to complete the term. This has thus far happened only once, and was employed by Emperor Ellory I as an improvised solution to the {{JoW|1975 Cygnian constitutional crisis|1975 constitutional crisis}}.
 
It is the prerogative of the Emperor to convene, adjourn, and dissolve Congress. Each Congress begins with the Emperor's summon, although in practice new Congresses are opened on 23 January. The new Congress' first session is marked by the State Opening of Congress, during which the Emperor reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate chamber, outlining the Government's legislative agenda. Adjournment usually occurs about one year after a session begins, and formally concludes the session. Dissolution ends a congressional term, and is followed by a federal election for all seats in the House of Representatives, and half of those in the Senate. A federal election is held four years after the previous one as provided in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. In the event of a motion of no confidence in either the Chancellor or the Government in Congress, the Emperor is ''de facto'' empowered – this is not explicitly permitted in the Constitution – to declare a {{JoW|double dissolution}} (dissolution of both Houses of Congress, including the entire Senate) and call for midterm elections to form a new Congress to complete the term. This has thus far happened only once, and was employed by Emperor Ellory I as an improvised solution to the {{JoW|1975 Cygnian constitutional crisis|1975 constitutional crisis}}.
Line 61: Line 61:
 
Upon the death of a sovereign, his or her heir immediately and automatically succeeds, and the accession of the new sovereign is publicly proclaimed by the Chancellor. Upon their accession, a new sovereign is required by law to take the Oath of Accession. The latest oath, taken by {{JoW|Alexander III of Cygnia|Alexander III}} in 2017, is as follows:
 
Upon the death of a sovereign, his or her heir immediately and automatically succeeds, and the accession of the new sovereign is publicly proclaimed by the Chancellor. Upon their accession, a new sovereign is required by law to take the Oath of Accession. The latest oath, taken by {{JoW|Alexander III of Cygnia|Alexander III}} in 2017, is as follows:
   
{{Quote|I, Alexander Charles Philip George, do hereby solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will in my capacity as Emperor of the Cygnians uphold, defend and protect the Constitution of the Empire of the United Cygnian States, and to the best of my ability serve and defend the will of the Cygnian people. I further affirm that I shall protect the democratic rights of all citizens of the Empire, and fulfil my responsibilities and duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will. This I declare, and this I affirm.}}
+
{{Quote|I, Alexander Charles Philip George, do hereby solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will in my capacity as Emperor of the Cygnians uphold, defend and protect the Constitution of the United Cygnian States, and to the best of my ability serve and defend the will of the Cygnian people. I further affirm that I shall protect the democratic rights of all citizens of the Union, and fulfil my responsibilities and duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will. This I declare, and this I affirm.}}
   
During the {{JoW|Empire of Cygnia|First Empire}}, Emperors were crowned in St George Cathedral, normally by the Archbishop of Swanstone. A coronation was not prescribed by law, and was not necessary for a sovereign to reign. Since the restoration of the Empire in 1946, Emperors have instead been inaugurated in secular ceremonies similar to those which swear in the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.
+
During the {{JoW|Empire of Cygnia|Empire}}, Emperors were crowned in St George Cathedral, normally by the Archbishop of Swanstone. A coronation was not prescribed by law, and was not necessary for a sovereign to reign. Since the establishment of the Union in 1949, Emperors have instead been inaugurated in secular ceremonies similar to those which swear in the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.
   
While the Emperor is technically the Supreme Governor of the Church of Cygnia, a religious oath or affirmation is not legally required. Indeed, all three Emperors since the restoration of the Empire made secular affirmations at their inaugurations. However, to assume their roles as the leaders of the Church, it has become customary to swear a separate, religious oath in a more private ceremony at St George Cathedral.
+
While the Emperor is technically the Supreme Governor of the Church of Cygnia, a religious oath or affirmation is not legally required. Indeed, all three Emperors since the restoration of the Union made secular affirmations at their inaugurations. However, to assume their roles as the leaders of the Church, it has become customary to swear a separate, religious oath in a more private ceremony at St George Cathedral.
   
 
After an individual ascends the throne, he or she usually reigns until death. However, the Constitution provides procedures for the abdication of a monarch. In the event that the Emperor is suspected of "treason, bribery and other high crimes or misdemeanours," Congress is empowered to suspend the Emperor, institute a regency, try the Emperor and thereafter if convicted the Emperor can be compelled to abdicate. This abdication would be formally advised to the Emperor by the Chancellor. So far, this has not yet happened in Cygnian history. However, one Emperor, {{JoW|Theodore V of Cygnia|Theodore V}}, has abdicated on his own accord, which he did on 5 May 2017 in favour of his son, {{JoW|Alexander III of Cygnia|Alexander III}}.
 
After an individual ascends the throne, he or she usually reigns until death. However, the Constitution provides procedures for the abdication of a monarch. In the event that the Emperor is suspected of "treason, bribery and other high crimes or misdemeanours," Congress is empowered to suspend the Emperor, institute a regency, try the Emperor and thereafter if convicted the Emperor can be compelled to abdicate. This abdication would be formally advised to the Emperor by the Chancellor. So far, this has not yet happened in Cygnian history. However, one Emperor, {{JoW|Theodore V of Cygnia|Theodore V}}, has abdicated on his own accord, which he did on 5 May 2017 in favour of his son, {{JoW|Alexander III of Cygnia|Alexander III}}.
 
===Restrictions by gender and religion===
 
===Restrictions by gender and religion===
Succession during the [[Empire of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|First Empire]] was largely governed by male-preference cognatic primogeniture, under which sons inherit before daughters, and elder children inherit before younger ones of the same gender. The Second Amendment to the Acts of Succession, which was passed shortly after the restoration of the Imperial Constitution under the [[Government of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Second Empire]] in 1946, abolished the gender-preference rule for anyone born after 1 June 1946. The Amendment also provided that Emperors would not be prohibited from marrying a Roman Catholic – a law which dated from the pre-Cygnian Acts of Settlement 1701. However, since the Emperor is also the Supreme Governor of the Church of Cygnia, the law which prohibits a Roman Catholic from acceding to the throne remains. The Amendment was passed by Congress on 14 May 1946, and was given Imperial Assent on 25 May.
+
Succession during the [[Empire of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Empire]] was largely governed by male-preference cognatic primogeniture, under which sons inherit before daughters, and elder children inherit before younger ones of the same gender. The Second Amendment to the Acts of Succession abolished the gender-preference rule for anyone born after 1 June 1946. The amendment also provided that Emperors would not be prohibited from marrying a Roman Catholic – a law which dated from the pre-Cygnian Acts of Settlement 1701. However, since the Emperor is also the Supreme Governor of the Church of Cygnia, the law which prohibits a Roman Catholic from acceding to the throne remains. The amendment was passed by Congress on 14 May 1950, and was given Imperial Assent on 25 May.
   
 
Only individuals who are Protestants may inherit the Crown. Roman Catholics are prohibited from succeeding. An individual thus disabled from inheriting the Crown is deemed "naturally dead" for succession purposes, and the disqualification does not extend to the individual's legitimate descendants.
 
Only individuals who are Protestants may inherit the Crown. Roman Catholics are prohibited from succeeding. An individual thus disabled from inheriting the Crown is deemed "naturally dead" for succession purposes, and the disqualification does not extend to the individual's legitimate descendants.
 
===Regency===
 
===Regency===
The Regency Acts allow for regencies in the event of an Emperor who is a minor or who is physically or mentally incapacitated. When a regency is necessary, the next qualified individual in the line of succession automatically becomes regent, unless they themselves are a minor or incapacitated.
+
[[Constitution_of_Cygnia_(Joan_of_What?)#Section_3_2|Article Two, Section 3]] of the {{JoW|Constitution of Cygnia|Constitution}} allows for regencies in the event of an Emperor who is a minor or who is physically or mentally incapacitated. When a regency is necessary, the next qualified individual in the line of succession automatically becomes regent, unless they themselves are a minor or incapacitated.
   
 
During a temporary physical infirmity or an absence, the Emperor may temporarily delegate some of his functions to Counsellors of State, who consist of the Empress and the first four adults in the line of succession. The present Counsellors of State are {{JoW|Catherine of Cygnia|Empress Catherine}}, [[Princess Danielle of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Princess Danielle]], the [[Louise, Princess Imperial and Countess of Shellharbour (Joan of What?)|Princess Imperial]] and {{JoW|Princess Abigail of Cygnia|Princess Abigail}}. Alexander III's father and predecessor, {{JoW|Theodore V of Cygnia|Theodore V}}, also serves informally as one of his advisors. Although he is not a Counsellor of State — and any references to him as such are technically incorrect — an agreement exists that in the event of the Emperor being unable to perform his duties, Theodore would act as if he were a Counsellor of State.
 
During a temporary physical infirmity or an absence, the Emperor may temporarily delegate some of his functions to Counsellors of State, who consist of the Empress and the first four adults in the line of succession. The present Counsellors of State are {{JoW|Catherine of Cygnia|Empress Catherine}}, [[Princess Danielle of Cygnia (Joan of What?)|Princess Danielle]], the [[Louise, Princess Imperial and Countess of Shellharbour (Joan of What?)|Princess Imperial]] and {{JoW|Princess Abigail of Cygnia|Princess Abigail}}. Alexander III's father and predecessor, {{JoW|Theodore V of Cygnia|Theodore V}}, also serves informally as one of his advisors. Although he is not a Counsellor of State — and any references to him as such are technically incorrect — an agreement exists that in the event of the Emperor being unable to perform his duties, Theodore would act as if he were a Counsellor of State.
Line 103: Line 103:
   
 
==List of monarchs==
 
==List of monarchs==
===First Empire (1792–1946)===
+
===Empire (1792–1949)===
 
====House of Stuart (1792–1821)====
 
====House of Stuart (1792–1821)====
 
{| style="text-align:Center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
 
{| style="text-align:Center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
Line 211: Line 211:
 
|}
 
|}
   
===Second Empire (1946–present)===
+
===Union (1949–present)===
====House of Stuart-Campbell (1946–present)====
+
====House of Stuart-Campbell (1949–present)====
 
{| style="text-align:Center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
 
{| style="text-align:Center; width:100%" class="wikitable"
 
! width=15% | Name<br/>Reign
 
! width=15% | Name<br/>Reign
Line 228: Line 228:
   
 
Son of {{JoW|Theodore IV of Cygnia|Theodore IV}} and {{JoW|Gertraud of Cygnia|Gertraud Wolfshiem}}
 
Son of {{JoW|Theodore IV of Cygnia|Theodore IV}} and {{JoW|Gertraud of Cygnia|Gertraud Wolfshiem}}
| {{JoW|Victoria of Cygnia|Victoria Geraldton}}<br>{{JoW|St George Cathedral}}<br>3 October 1945
+
| {{JoW|Victoria of Cygnia|Victoria Geraldton}}<br>{{JoW|St George Cathedral}}<br>3 October 1950
   
 
3 children
 
3 children

Revision as of 05:44, 16 July 2018

Emperor of the Cygnians
Coat of arms of the House of Stuart-Campbell
Coat of arms of the Cygnian Imperial Family
Incumbent
Prince William Duke of Cambridge
Alexander III
since 5 May 2017
Details
Style His Majesty
Heir apparent Prince Ellory, Duke of Augusta
First monarch Alexander I
Formation 5 May 1792
Residence Ellingham Palace

The Emperor of the Cygnians, commonly referred to as the Cygnian Emperor, is the constitutional monarch of Cygnia. The monarch's title is "Emperor" (male) or "Empress" (female). The current monarch and head of state, Alexander III, ascended the throne in 2017 following the abdication of his father, Theodore V.

The monarch and his or her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties. As the monarchy is constitutional, the monarch is limited to non-partisan functions such as bestowing honours and appointing the Chancellor. The monarch is, by tradition, commander-in-chief of the Cygnian Imperial Armed Forces. Though the ultimate formal executive authority over the government of Cygnia is still by and through the monarch's royal prerogative, these powers may only be used according to laws enacted in Congress and, in practice, within the constraints of convention and precedent.

Constitutional role

Imperial Standard of Cygnia

The Imperial Standard of Cygnia, the Emperor's official flag

In the Imperial Constitution, the Emperor (otherwise referred to as the Sovereign or "His/Her Imperial Majesty", abbrieviated H.I.M.) is the Head of State, as established in Article II, Section 1. Oaths of allegiance and office in Cygnia are made to the Emperor and his lawful successors. "God Save the King" is the Cygnian imperial anthem, and an abbrieviated version is used as the official imperial fanfare. The Emperor also appears on postage stamps and coins.

The Emperor takes a relatively significant role in Government for a constitutional monarch. While the decisions to exercise sovereign powers are delegated from the Emperor, either by statute or by convention, to the Chancellor, the Cabinet, officers of the Crown, or other public bodies, exclusive of the Emperor personally, the Emperor acts as an important part of the system of checks and balances to the various political institutions of the country.

  • Legislative power is exercised by Congress, comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
  • Executive power is exercised by His Majesty's Government, which comprises the Chancellor and his/her Cabinet. While the Emperor serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Cygnian Imperial Armed Forces, the powers associated with the Commander-in-Chief are exercised by the Chancellor through the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Ministry of Defence. The Cabinet also has the direction of the Civil Service and other Imperial Servants such as the Diplomatic Corps and the Military Intelligence Bureaus (the Emperor receives certain foreign intelligence reports before the Chancellor does).
  • Judicial power is vested in the various courts of the Union, the most senior of these being the Supreme Court of Cygnia.
  • The Church of Cygnia, of which the Emperor is the head, has its own legislative, judicial and executive structures.
  • Powers independent of government are legally granted to other public bodies by statute or Statutory Instrument such as an Order in Council, Imperial Commission or otherwise.

Appointment of the Chancellor

Every four years or when otherwise necessary, the Emperor is responsible for appointing a new Chancellor (or reaffirming the appointment of the existing Chancellor if re-elected). The Chancellor is constitutionally empowered to appoint and dismiss every other member of the Cabinet, and thereby constitutes and controls the government. While by tradition the Emperor may appoint whomever he deems fit to serve as Chancellor, Constitutional law binds the Emperor to appoint the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives. The Chancellor takes office in a public inauguration ceremony in the presence of the Emperor.

Imperial Prerogative

Some of the government's executive authority is theoretically and nominally vested in the Sovereign and is known as the imperial prerogative. The Emperor acts within the constraints of convention and precedent, exercising prerogative only on the advice of the Chancellor and the Imperial Council. In practice, prerogative powers are exercised only on the Chancellor's advice – the Chancellor, and not the Sovereign, has control. The Emperor holds a weekly audience with the Chancellor. No records of these audiences are taken and the proceedings remain fully confidential. The Emperor may express his views, but as a constitutional ruler must ultimately accept the decisions of the Chancellor and the Cabinet except in circumstances as provided in the Constitution.

Despite being a constitutional monarch, however, the Emperor possesses significant power in comparison with other constitutional rulers. For example, the Emperor has the ultimate authority to sign bills into law, and may veto the bill if he believes it is not in the interests of the Cygnian people.

The Imperial Prerogative includes the powers to appoint and dismiss officials, regulate the civil service, and issue passports. The decision to declare war and make peace is not the Emperor's to make; Congress instead has the powers to do so. The Emperor personally shares with the Chancellor the powers to negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances and international agreements. Any treaties cannot, however, alter the domestic laws of the Union; an Act of Congress is necessary in such cases. The Emperor is also jointly responsible for the protection of Cygnians abroad and foreign nationals in Cygnia, making the powers related to those specific responsibilities fall outside the jurisdiction of Imperial prerogative. The Emperor is commander-in-chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, accredits Cygnian High Commissioners and ambassadors, and receives diplomats from foreign states.

It is the prerogative of the Emperor to convene, adjourn, and dissolve Congress. Each Congress begins with the Emperor's summon, although in practice new Congresses are opened on 23 January. The new Congress' first session is marked by the State Opening of Congress, during which the Emperor reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate chamber, outlining the Government's legislative agenda. Adjournment usually occurs about one year after a session begins, and formally concludes the session. Dissolution ends a congressional term, and is followed by a federal election for all seats in the House of Representatives, and half of those in the Senate. A federal election is held four years after the previous one as provided in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. In the event of a motion of no confidence in either the Chancellor or the Government in Congress, the Emperor is de facto empowered – this is not explicitly permitted in the Constitution – to declare a double dissolution (dissolution of both Houses of Congress, including the entire Senate) and call for midterm elections to form a new Congress to complete the term. This has thus far happened only once, and was employed by Emperor Ellory I as an improvised solution to the 1975 constitutional crisis.

Before a bill is passed by Congress can become law, Imperial Assent (the Emperor's approval) is required. Assent can either be granted (making the bill law) or withheld (vetoing the bill). However a veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress, whereupon the Emperor is required to give Imperial Assent to the bill.

The Emperor is considered to be the "fount of honour", the source of all honours and dignities in Cygnia. The Crown creates all peerages, appoints members of the orders of chivalry, grants knighthoods and awards other honours. Although peerages and most other honours are granted on the advice of the Chancellor, some honours are within the personal gift of the Sovereign, and are not granted on cancellarial advice. The Emperor alone appoints members of the Order of the Garter, Order of the Swan, the Imperial Ellorian Order and the Order of Merit.

Religious role

The Emperor is the Supreme Governor of the established Church of Cygnia. Archbishops and bishops are appointed by the Emperor, choosing the appointee from a list of nominees prepared by a Church Commission. The Crown's role in the Church of Cygnia, however, is otherwise titular; the most senior clergyman, the Archbishop of Swanstone, is the spiritual leader of the Church.

As a result of the Emperor's technical leadership of the Church, before 1962 Emperors were granted the title Defender of the Faith. However, in 1962 Ellory I through Letters Patent permanently changed the title to Defender of Faith, to reflect the equal importance of his non-Church of Cygnia subjects.

Succession

Succession to the Cygnian throne is governed by the Acts of Succession. The Acts may only be amended or added to by Acts of Congress; it is not possible for an individual to renounce his or her right of succession. The Acts of Succession restricts the succession to the legitimate descendants of Alexander I.

Upon the death of a sovereign, his or her heir immediately and automatically succeeds, and the accession of the new sovereign is publicly proclaimed by the Chancellor. Upon their accession, a new sovereign is required by law to take the Oath of Accession. The latest oath, taken by Alexander III in 2017, is as follows:

I, Alexander Charles Philip George, do hereby solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will in my capacity as Emperor of the Cygnians uphold, defend and protect the Constitution of the United Cygnian States, and to the best of my ability serve and defend the will of the Cygnian people. I further affirm that I shall protect the democratic rights of all citizens of the Union, and fulfil my responsibilities and duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will. This I declare, and this I affirm.

During the Empire, Emperors were crowned in St George Cathedral, normally by the Archbishop of Swanstone. A coronation was not prescribed by law, and was not necessary for a sovereign to reign. Since the establishment of the Union in 1949, Emperors have instead been inaugurated in secular ceremonies similar to those which swear in the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.

While the Emperor is technically the Supreme Governor of the Church of Cygnia, a religious oath or affirmation is not legally required. Indeed, all three Emperors since the restoration of the Union made secular affirmations at their inaugurations. However, to assume their roles as the leaders of the Church, it has become customary to swear a separate, religious oath in a more private ceremony at St George Cathedral.

After an individual ascends the throne, he or she usually reigns until death. However, the Constitution provides procedures for the abdication of a monarch. In the event that the Emperor is suspected of "treason, bribery and other high crimes or misdemeanours," Congress is empowered to suspend the Emperor, institute a regency, try the Emperor and thereafter if convicted the Emperor can be compelled to abdicate. This abdication would be formally advised to the Emperor by the Chancellor. So far, this has not yet happened in Cygnian history. However, one Emperor, Theodore V, has abdicated on his own accord, which he did on 5 May 2017 in favour of his son, Alexander III.

Restrictions by gender and religion

Succession during the Empire was largely governed by male-preference cognatic primogeniture, under which sons inherit before daughters, and elder children inherit before younger ones of the same gender. The Second Amendment to the Acts of Succession abolished the gender-preference rule for anyone born after 1 June 1946. The amendment also provided that Emperors would not be prohibited from marrying a Roman Catholic – a law which dated from the pre-Cygnian Acts of Settlement 1701. However, since the Emperor is also the Supreme Governor of the Church of Cygnia, the law which prohibits a Roman Catholic from acceding to the throne remains. The amendment was passed by Congress on 14 May 1950, and was given Imperial Assent on 25 May.

Only individuals who are Protestants may inherit the Crown. Roman Catholics are prohibited from succeeding. An individual thus disabled from inheriting the Crown is deemed "naturally dead" for succession purposes, and the disqualification does not extend to the individual's legitimate descendants.

Regency

Article Two, Section 3 of the Constitution allows for regencies in the event of an Emperor who is a minor or who is physically or mentally incapacitated. When a regency is necessary, the next qualified individual in the line of succession automatically becomes regent, unless they themselves are a minor or incapacitated.

During a temporary physical infirmity or an absence, the Emperor may temporarily delegate some of his functions to Counsellors of State, who consist of the Empress and the first four adults in the line of succession. The present Counsellors of State are Empress Catherine, Princess Danielle, the Princess Imperial and Princess Abigail. Alexander III's father and predecessor, Theodore V, also serves informally as one of his advisors. Although he is not a Counsellor of State — and any references to him as such are technically incorrect — an agreement exists that in the event of the Emperor being unable to perform his duties, Theodore would act as if he were a Counsellor of State.

Finances

All official expenses of the Emperor are covered by the government, including those for staffing, state visits, public engagements, and official entertainment. This is provided through the Civil List, and its size is fixed by Congress every eight years; any money saved is carried forward to the next eight-year period. An annual Property Services Grant-in-Aid is paid for the upkeep of the Imperial residences, and an annual Imperial Travel Grant-in-Aid paid for travel.

The Imperial property portfolio, known as the Crown Estate, is one of the largest property owners in Cygnia, with holdings of §7.3 billion in 2011. It is held in trust, and cannot be sold or owned by the Emperor in a private capacity. In modern times, the profits surrendered from the Crown Estate to the Treasury have exceeded the Civil List and Grants-in-Aid. For example, the Crown Estate produced §200 million in the financial year 2007–8, whereas reported Congressional funding for the Emperor was §40 million during the same period.

Like the Crown Estate, the land and assets of the Duchy of Augusta is a similar estate held in trust to meet the expenses of the Emperor's eldest son. The Imperial Collection, which includes artworks and the Crown Jewels, is not owned by the Emperor personally and is held in trust, as are the Imperial residences in Cygnia such as Ellingham Palace and Theodora House.

The Emperor is subject to indirect taxes such as value-added tax, and since 1983 the Emperor has paid income tax and capital gains tax on personal income. Congressional grants to the Emperor are not treated as income as they are solely for official expenditure. Republicans estimate that the real cost of the monarchy, including security and potential income not claimed by the state, such as profits from the Duchy of Augusta and rent of Ellingham Palace and Theodora House, is §334 million a year.

The Emperor is also granted access to various vehicles for transportation, many of which are shared with the Chancellor. For ground travel, the Emperor uses the Imperial state car, which is an armoured limousine built on a heavily mmodified Holden-based chassis. The Chancellor uses an identical vehicle. One of two identical Douglas Madison Royce MAC-30 aircraft, which are extensively modified versions of DMR-18-800 airliners, have since 2015 served as long distance travel for the Emperor and are referred to as Air Force One while the Emperor is on board (although any Cygnian Imperial Air Force aircraft the Emperor is aboard is designated as "Air Force One" for the duration of the flight). Domestic trips are typically handled with just one of the two planes while international flights are handled with both, one primary and one backup. Any civilian aircraft the Emperor is aboard is designated Executive One for the flight. The Emperor also has access to a fleet of twenty Cygnian Imperial Marine Corps helicopters of various models, designated as Marine One when the Emperor is aboard any particular one in the fleet. Flights are typically handled with as many as five helicopters all flying together and frequently swapping positions as to disguise which helicopter the Emperor is actually aboard to any would-be threats. The Emperor is usually prohibited from travelling in the same helicopter fleet, plane, or car as the Chancellor, for security reasons.

Residences

Ellingham

Ellingham Palace, the main residence of the Emperor.

The Emperor's official residence in Swanstone is Ellingham Palace, located in the southern side of the city. It is the site of most state banquets, investitures, Imperial christenings and other ceremonies. An alternative residence is Theodora House in the northern city of Theodora. Other members of the Imperial family use different residences, although they unlike the monarch are not prohibited from taking residence on privately-owned property. For example, the Duchess of Carnarvon lives with her family in the southern suburbs of Swanstone. The Duke of Augusta and his family lives in Colburn House, a Government-owned riverside mansion in the inner neighbourhood of Colburn, Swanstone.

Style

The present Emperor's full style and title is "Alexander the Third, by the Grace of the People and the Constitution, Emperor of the Cygnians, Defender of Faith". An additional title, "Head of the House of Stuart-Campbell", is usually bestowed by the Imperial family to the Emperor under its House laws. However, it is technically not tied to the Crown, a characteristic that was demonstrated upon the accession of Alexander III in 2017, when the headship of the House remained with his predecessor, the abdicated Theodore V. Alexander will only receive the headship upon the death of his father. The style "Defender of Faith" dates back to 1521, when Pope Leo X first granted the title "Defender of the Faith" to Henry VIII of England in 1521, rewarding him for his support of the Papacy during the early years of the Protestant Reformation, particularly for his book the Defence of the Seven Sacraments. After Henry broke from the Roman Church, Pope Paul III revoked the grant, but Parliament passed a law authorising its continued use. The usage of the title "Defender of the Faith" continued in Cygnia after Alexander I became Emperor of Cygnia. The style was changed to "Defender of Faith" by Ellory I in 1962 to reflect the equal importance of his non-Church of Cygnia subjects.

The Emperor is known as "His Imperial Majesty". The form "Cygnian Majesty" appears in international treaties and on passports to differentiate the Cygnian monarch from foreign rulers. The latter title is used in the prefixes of military installations and naval vessels. Navy ships carry the prefix Cygnian Majesty's Ship (CMS), while Army and Naval bases have the prefixes Cygnian Majesty's Army Base (CMAB) and Cygnian Majesty's Naval Base (CMNB) respectively.

The Emperor chooses his regnal name, not necessarily his first name – Emperors Theodore II and Theodore IV did not use their first names.

Traditionally in Britain, the signature of the King included his regnal name but not ordinal, followed by the letter R, which stands for rex or regina (Latin for King and Queen, respectively). After three Theodores occupied the throne consecutively, Theodore III dropped the usage of the initial, which had since become an I for imperator (Latin for Emperor), and instead used his full regnal name, Theodore III. This continued with Theodore IV. Ellory I also used his ordinal in his signature, although since his ordinal was I, it would not have made a difference since the ordinal could have been interpreted as the imperator "I" as well. Alexander III also uses his ordinal in his signature.

List of monarchs

Empire (1792–1949)

House of Stuart (1792–1821)

Name
Reign
Portrait Arms Birth
Parentage
Marriage(s)
Issue
Death Claim
Alexander I
Alexander Henry
18 March 1793

2 February 1809
King George III of England by Johann Zoffany Coat of arms of Cygnia (1783-1821) 6 December 1740
Norfolk House

Son of William IV of the United Kingdom and Caroline of Ansbach

Alexandria of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
St James's Palace
21 April 1761

2 children

2 February 1809
Ellingham House
aged 68
Constitution of Cygnia
Theodore I
Theodore William Alexander
2 February 1809

9 August 1821
George IV 1821 color Coat of arms of Cygnia (1783-1821) 31 July 1765
Kensington Palace

Son of Alexander I and Alexandra of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Anne Harris
Ellingham House
9 April 1786

5 children

9 August 1821
Ellingham Palace
aged 56
Son of Alexander I

House of Stuart-Campbell (1821–1946)

Name
Reign
Portrait Arms Birth
Parentage
Marriage(s)
Issue
Death Claim
Alexander II
Alexander George Louis
9 August 1821

6 October 1840
1st Earl of Munster Coat of arms of Cygnia (1821-1871) 27 June 1788
Ellingham House

Son of Theodore I and Anne Harris

Josephine Campbell
St George Cathedral
16 August 1799

2 children

6 October 1840
Ellingham Palace
aged 33
Son of Theodore I
Theodore II
Albert Alexander Theodore
6 October 1821

3 February 1885
King Edward VIII, when Prince of Wales - Cope 1912 Coat of arms of Cygnia (1821-1871) 2 June 1828
Ellingham Palace

Son of Alexander II and Josephine Campbell

Mary Frances Tennyson
St George Cathedral
10 August 1847

5 children

3 February 1885
Ellingham Palace
aged 57
Son of Alexander II
Theodore III
Theodore Albert Alexander Charles William
3 February 1885

2 August 1928
Duke of Edinburgh by Alan Sutherland Coat of arms of the House of Stuart-Campbell 24 March 1855
Ellingham Palace

Son of Theodore II and Mary Frances Tennyson

Alexis of Spain
Almudena Cathedral
4 July 1886

2 children

2 August 1928
Ellingham Palace
aged 73
Son of Theodore II
Theodore IV
William Theodore Victor Frederick Peter
2 August 1928

3 May 1932
Charles, Prince of Wales portrait young Coat of arms of the House of Stuart-Campbell 30 April 1888
Ellingham Palace

Son of Theodore III and Alexis of Spain

Gertraud Wolfshiem
Ellingham Palace
3 October 1908

4 children

3 May 1932
Ellingham Palace
aged 43
Son of Theodore III
Ellory I
Ellory Alexander William Theodore Victor Albert Louis
3 May 1932

4 December 1996
Ellory portrait 1932 Coat of arms of the House of Stuart-Campbell 8 October 1921
Ellingham Palace

Son of Theodore IV and Gertraud Wolfshiem

Victoria Geraldton
St George Cathedral
3 October 1945

3 children

4 December 1996
Swanstone
aged 75
Son of Theodore IV

Union (1949–present)

House of Stuart-Campbell (1949–present)

Name
Reign
Portrait[n 1] Arms Birth
Parentage
Marriage(s)
Issue
Death Claim
Ellory I
Ellory Alexander William Theodore Victor Albert Louis
3 May 1932

4 December 1996
Ellory portrait 1932 Coat of arms of the House of Stuart-Campbell 8 October 1921
Ellingham Palace

Son of Theodore IV and Gertraud Wolfshiem

Victoria Geraldton
St George Cathedral
3 October 1950

3 children

4 December 1996
Swanstone
aged 75
Son of Theodore IV
Theodore V
Theodore Frederick Thomas Oliver Charles Elliott William
4 December 1996

5 May 2017
Theodore V 1996 Coat of arms of the House of Stuart-Campbell 5 June 1951
Swanstone Central Hospital

Son of Ellory I and Victoria Geraldton

Elizabeth Cooke-Lyon
St George Cathedral
2 April 1979

2 children

Living Son of Ellory I
Alexander III
Alexander Charles Philip George
5 May 2017

present
Prince William Duke of Cambridge Coat of arms of the House of Stuart-Campbell 21 June 1982
Ellingham Palace

Son of Theodore V and Elizabeth Cooke-Lyon

Catherine Parkes
St George Cathedral
29 April 2005

3 children

Living Son of Theodore V
  1. At or close to time of accession, as no coronation portraits have been painted after Theodore IV's.