IMPERIAL HONOURS LIST: May 28, 2023
AN HONOURS LIST
On the Occasion of the Solemn Opening of the Imperial Diet
THE EMPEROR has been graciously pleased to express his
intention to bestow certain honours within the imperial gift upon the following:
GRANDEE OF THE EMPIRE, of the 2nd Degree*
In recognition of his singular devotion, his undivided
loyalty to the Hanoverian Crown, and his extraordinary efforts to develop the
Electorate of Aspenwald:
HMSH THE COUNT PALATINE AND PRINCE-ELECTOR OF ASPENWALD, GE
KNIGHT COMPANION OF THE IMPERIAL ALEXANDRIAN ORDER
In recognition of their constant devotion, ready willingness
to assist the Crown, and proactivity in service to the Empire:
HIH THE ARCHDUKE ROBERT JAMES, DUKE AND PRINCE-ELECTOR OF HARBURG
HIH THE ARCHDUKE MICHAEL ALEXANDER, DUKE AND PRINCE-ELECTOR OF GUELPH
PRINCE ASSISTANT AT THE IMPERIAL THRONE**
For exemplary service to the Empire:
HG CHRISTOPHER JORDAN, PRELATE AND PRINCE-ELECTOR OF BERGEN
HG SIMON JAMES, PRELATE AND PRINCE-ELECTOR OF PRINZENWALD
*The dignity of Grandee of the Empire, which is the pinnacle of nobiliary
stratification, is to be divided into two degrees, the first being greater than
the second. While both degrees of grandeeship will grant to the holder the post-nominal
letters “GE”, the style of “Most Excellent” as a supplement to one’s existing
styles and titles, and the right to be addressed by the emperor as “Cousin”,
the two degrees will differ in terms of ceremonial privileges at court.
Whereas a grandee of the 1st degree may both address
the emperor and receive his reply while covered, a grandee of the 2nd
degree must remove his ceremonial head covering to address the emperor, but may
then, by right, replace his head covering while listening to the emperor’s
response. The context, here, is a formal ceremonial audience of the emperor (whether
actual or virtual) in which both the monarch and the grandee are attired in full
regalia, the head covering in question typically a grandee’s coronet or
electoral hat (although the same rules apply to any hat worn in formal
circumstances).
Finally, whereas grandees of both classes are to be ceremonially
received in public audience annually by the emperor (the precise occasion for
this has not yet been determined), a grandee of the first class may request an
additional, personal ceremonial audience of the emperor, once annually, on his
birthday.
**The dignity of Assistant at the Imperial Throne is an honour which implies a unique degree of courtly proximity to the person of the emperor, a “Prince Assistant” being of the highest rank within the dignity. In formal ceremonial settings, assistants at the imperial throne stand upon the dais behind, besides, or otherwise about the throne, according to rank.
THE EMPIRE OF GREAT HANOVER • 2023