2023-08-05 18:55:00
“I swear to govern with love and self-mockery”: fleur-de-lis crown, wooden scepter and ermine coat, Vincent I was crowned Prince of Hélianthis on Saturday in the citadel of Blaye (Gironde), promising to make this dedicated imaginary kingdom prosper to local heritage.
Dressed in black with a red scarf slung over his shoulder, Prince Vincent took the oath in front of a hundred people and dignitaries from other micronations such as the Principality of Aigues-Mortes (Gard), the Republic of Saugeais (Doubs), the Grand- Duchy of Kuragon (Marne) or the Principality of Shedingeh (Italy).
On the red carpet deployed in the nave of the convent of the Minimes, a desecrated 17th century church, paraded about twenty of these unrecognized pseudo-states which swarm around the world to promote causes or territories.
“I swear to maintain the longevity of the principality of culture and humor, to govern there with love, without moderation and with self-mockery, to promote the beauty of our landscapes”, promised the sovereign, whose real name is Vincent Merchadou. , a 28-year-old lawyer.
Reigning since the creation of Hélianthis in 2013, after co-option by the other members of the principality (his friends from high school), the prince was presented with the “regalia”, coronation insignia designed by craftsmen from Blaye, city of 5,000 inhabitants 40 km north of Bordeaux.
“Long Live the Prince”
In addition to the brass crown, embellished with mosaics and bordered with ermine, “His Serene Highness” received the princely mantle, the ceramic orb and the scepter adorned with golden bunches of grapes, an allusion to the local vineyard, and surmounted by a sculpted watchtower, a nod to the walls of the Vauban citadel, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The prince’s gilded throne, hung with crimson velvet, was surmounted by small watchtowers, those projecting sentry boxes built at the corners of fortresses.
The coronation, solemn but “not too serious”, was preceded by a medieval concert paying homage to the troubadour Jaufré Rudel, a figure in local history and nicknamed “the Prince of Blaye”.
“Long life to the prince and long life to the principality”, proclaimed Emmanuelle Miller, winemaker and grand master of the Conntablie des Vins de Blaye who presided over the ceremony, to the applause of the audience.
The event had been announced with great fanfare as the “first micronational coronation held in the presence of the public and other micronations”. “King Charles (crowned in London at the beginning of May, editor’s note) is a little ahead of us but he has more budget!” Quipped Vincent I to AFP.
At the end of the ceremony, which required two years of preparation and a “crazy job” according to the prince, the guests were invited to a cocktail party in the cloister of the convent. On the menu, figs from Bourg, pralines from Blaye and, of course, wines from Blaye.
05/08/2023 18:53:29 – Blaye (France) (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
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