UNITED PRINCIPALITIES ANNOUNCEMENT
This morning Alexander Krivinos, High Priest Anakha Van-dorino of Melcelene, and Empress Marianna Regalla of Equus were inducted into the Order of Riurik.

The Most Noble Order of Riurik is the highest award that can be granted to an individual by the nation of Galicia-Volhynia. Its recepients join an honorific institution founded two hundred years ago.

In addition to receiving the cross of the order, new inductees are made noble in the United Principalities, and are given territory in the oblast of Greater Volhynia and as a result of their noble status are also made Barons/Baronesses in the Baronial Court of the legislative body, the Valorum.

Alexander Krivinos, the recent foreign minister for the United Principalities was made Landgrave of Krosovskji. He was also recognized for his statesmanship during his tenure in the Foreign Ministry.

High Priest Anakha Van-dorino was recognized for his efforts in strengthening ties between the Venerable Theocracy of Melcelene and the United Principalities. He was made Landgrave of Komjenskji this morning.

A proxy for Marianna Regalla accepted the title of Margrave of Vizjula for her sovereign majesty, who was recognized for her role in maintaining the region.

Nominees for the Order of Riurik are chosen by the Lord Retainer and his nominations forwarded to the Valorum for final approval.

Empress Honoured

Francesca Plantinovisk, Press Secretary - Imperial Chevallian Sun Times

A full imperial retinue was on hand in Volydmyr Volynksy, Galicia for the presentation of the Order of Rurik on our belovèd empress. Although her condition has not improved enough to allow her to attend the occasion, those who know her well say she would have been moved nearly to tears by the honour.

Accepting the award on her behalf were Prime Advisor Andrei Monotonov, Ambassador to Wysteria Renata Unitius, and the Empress' close friend and personal secretary, Michael Szun Thai. As part of his address, the Prime Advisor remarked: "Indeed, it takes three of us just to accept this honour on the Empress' behalf. I represent her practicality, Renata her diplomacy, and Michael her love. Honesty, wisdom, foresight, and humour were unable to join us today -- the podium isn't big enough and someone had to stay home to run the nation."

The Order of Rurik and the Margravedom is bestowed in perpetuity. While the customary practice of inheritence in Galicia-Volhynia is through primogeniture, the Empress' decision not to have children prevents this honour to be passed along her own bloodline. Pending the Empress' awakening, the Order of Rurik and the Margravedom have tentatively linked to the Imperial seat and will be inherited by the line of elected Imperials, for as long as they hold the chair.