Regency of Queen Adelaide

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Regency of Adelaide

Date	3.V.1752 AN – present
Location	Natopia
Cause	Health decline of Empress Vadoma I
Participants	Queen Adelaide (Regent) Vadoma I (Empress) Marco Lungo III (Chancellor)
Outcome	Ongoing

The Regency of Adelaide was a period of regency government in Natopia that began on 3.V.1752 AN when Empress Vadoma I formally appointed her eldest daughter, Queen Adelaide, as Regent of Natopia. The appointment followed months of declining health that left the eighty-one-year-old Empress unable to discharge the full duties of her office.

As Regent, Adelaide exercises the powers of the Imperial Crown on her mother's behalf while Vadoma I retains her throne and sovereign dignity. The regency represents the first transfer of executive Imperial authority since Vadoma I's accession in 1717 AN.

Background

Empress Vadoma I's health concerns first became public in X.1751 AN, when she cancelled a scheduled appearance at the annual Harvest Thanksgiving ceremony in Anmutstadt. Vista de Nada Palace attributed the absence to "fatigue," marking the first time in her thirty-four-year reign that health concerns had forced the sovereign to miss a planned state function.

Medical bulletins issued in XII.1751 AN confirmed ongoing fatigue, and the Empress reduced her public schedule. The official explanation described "precautionary rest" appropriate for an eighty-one-year-old monarch. Emperor-Consort Edgard III assumed additional ceremonial duties during this period.

In early II.1752 AN, the Empress suffered what Vista de Nada Palace described as a "medical incident." While the Palace did not specify the nature of the episode, sources indicated a possible minor stroke or similar neurological event. The Empress's physicians ordered complete rest, and all public engagements were cancelled indefinitely.

Adelaide's return to Natopia

Queen Adelaide, the Empress's eldest daughter and heir apparent, departed Cárdenas for Lindström in mid-II.1752 AN. New Alexandrian officials initially described the trip as a routine family visit, though the timing prompted immediate speculation.

Adelaide arrived at Vista de Nada Palace in late II.1752 AN and remained in residence as other members of the Imperial family gathered throughout the following weeks. The Empress's younger children, Princess Guinevere, Prince Ferdinand, and Prince John, were all observed arriving at the Palace during this period.

Political transition

The 1752 Natopian Frenzy elections, held in III.1752 AN, resulted in a significant political realignment. The Free Juice and Bagels Party won a plurality of seats, and party leader Marco Lungo III formed a coalition government with the Parti Alexandrin in IV.1752 AN. The elections also saw the defeat of Chancellor Isabella Betancourt in her own constituency, ending an era in Natopian politics. The new government had been in office for less than a month when the regency was announced.

Appointment

On 3.V.1752 AN, Vista de Nada Palace announced that Empress Vadoma I had formally appointed Queen Adelaide as Regent of Natopia in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution. The Palace statement marked the first official acknowledgment that the Empress's health had deteriorated to the point where she could no longer discharge her duties in full:

Her Imperial Majesty has experienced a prolonged health decline over recent months. While she remains lucid and engaged, her physicians have advised that the physical demands of the Imperial office exceed what can reasonably be asked of her at this time. The Empress has accepted this counsel with characteristic grace.

—- Vista de Nada Palace Press Office Statement; 3.V.1752 AN.

The statement confirmed that Vadoma I retained her throne and sovereign dignity, with the Regent exercising Imperial powers on her behalf "until such time as the Empress is able to resume them or until the natural conclusion of Her Imperial Majesty's reign."

Constitutional basis

The regency derives its authority from Article 3 of the Constitution of Natopia, which provides that the Empress must appoint a Regent capable of fulfilling Imperial responsibilities during any absence exceeding three continuous Norton months.

Under the Constitution, the Regent exercises the powers and duties of the Crown during absences declared by the Empress, serves as a member of the Imperial Court and deputy to the sovereign, and may be directed by the Empress to perform Imperial duties in her name at any time. The Constitution explicitly prohibits the Regent from issuing or amending the Instrument of Succession, preserving this authority for the reigning sovereign alone.

Style and titles

As Regent, Adelaide is styled Her Imperial Highness the Regent. She retains her separate title as Queen of Nouvelle Alexandrie, though her primary residence has shifted to Lindström for the duration of the regency. King Sinchi Roca II shall continue to manage the day-to-day affairs of the New Alexandrian Crown during this period, but without the support and assistance of his wife.

The Treaty of Dynastic Separation of 1721 AN established that the thrones of Natopia and Nouvelle Alexandrie shall remain separate despite the marriage of Adelaide and Uturuncu (later Sinchi Roca II). This arrangement continues to govern the relationship between the two Crowns during the regency.

Imperial family

The Empress

Empress Vadoma I remains at Vista de Nada Palace under the care of Imperial Household physicians. Emperor-Consort Edgard III remains at her side. The Palace has indicated that the Empress continues to take comfort in the presence of her husband and children, and that she personally signed the Instrument of Regency appointing her daughter.

The Regent

Adelaide Carrillo y Waffel-Paine (born 1694 AN) is the eldest child of Vadoma I and Emperor-Consort Edgard III. She married Uturuncu (later King Sinchi Roca II of Nouvelle Alexandrie) in 1721 AN and has five children:

• Sayari Inti-Carrillo of Waffel-Paine (1722 AN–)
• Nathan Inti-Carrillo of Waffel-Paine (1724 AN–)
• Urpi Inti-Carrillo of Waffel-Paine (1726 AN–)
• Xanthorr Inti-Carrillo of Waffel-Paine (1728 AN–)
• Phaedra Inti-Carrillo of Waffel-Paine (1730 AN–)

At fifty-eight years of age, Adelaide brings extensive experience as Queen of Nouvelle Alexandrie and a lifetime of preparation as heir apparent to the Bovic throne.

Siblings of the Regent

The Regent's siblings have gathered at Vista de Nada Palace during the Empress's illness:

• Princess Guinevere Carrillo y Waffel-Paine (1697 AN–)
• Prince Ferdinand Carrillo y Waffel-Paine (1699 AN–)
• Prince John Carrillo y Waffel-Paine (1702 AN–)

Religious observances

The Dozan Bovic Church has played a significant role in the national response to the Empress's illness and the establishment of the regency. Pentheros Sergius Hergones travelled from Athlon to Lindström following news of the Empress's health episode in II.1752 AN and has remained in the capital.

Following the regency announcement, the Pentheros presided over a service of prayer and reflection at the Dozan Bovic Cathedral in Lindström. Church officials indicated that Sergius Hergones has met privately with both the Empress and the Regent. Special prayers for the Empress's health continue to be offered at services across the Empire.

See also

• Vadoma I
• Adelaide of Natopia
• Regent of Natopia
• Constitution of Natopia
• 1752 Natopian Frenzy elections
• Marco Lungo III