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Post by Belgiuqe on Aug 17, 2015 11:00:25 GMT
The Duke of Brabant would like to go for a playdate with the Kaiser, he is particularly interested in the bumblebees in the Kaiser's garden can this be arranged.
Jean Anthony
Minister for Foreign and Diplomatic Affairs |
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Post by Kaisertum Österreich on Aug 17, 2015 11:30:31 GMT
After making it abundantly clear to the Austrian Kaiser that Belgium was no longer the Austrian Netherlands, and therefore not subject to his political will, the Regency Council felt happy enough to allow the Duke of Brabant to pay a state visit. The Duke of Brabant will be housed as the guest of honour at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, and there will be many a banquet held at the Hofburg palace. Due to the busy schedule of the Kaiser, the Duke of Brabant will only be able to meet him in person once, most likely in the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace, not in public, and under the watch of Archduke Louis, as well as the Royal guard.
We look forward to the arrival of the Duke of Brabant. Vienna will be decorated as if it were Victory day, Imperial troops will line the streets, Austrian flags will fly proudly next to those of Belgium - spared no expense
Kindest Regards,
Archduke Karl-Francis
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Post by Belgiuqe on Aug 17, 2015 11:33:55 GMT
The Duke of Brabant makes his way onto the coach to Vienna, he brings with him his servants Grom and Trom two simple beings that will be used as Young Leo's footstalls for the journey. The Duke looks forward to his meeting with the Kaiser.
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Post by Belgiuqe on Aug 17, 2015 19:17:26 GMT
The Duke of Brabant arrives in Vienna awaiting his meeting with the Kaiser, he thoroughly enjoys the entertainment provided by his host and wonders what the great Kaiser shall teach him about bumblebees.
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Post by Kaisertum Österreich on Aug 17, 2015 20:13:56 GMT
As he stepped out of his coach the Duke of Brabant was greeted with a truly memorable site. Austrian and Belgian flags hung in a uniformed manner on the side of the surrounding buildings, the streetlights, as well as the flag poles of the Imperial guard. The guard stood, as it always did, in three lines of 100 men, standing resolute, eyes fixed forward, muskets raised high with fixed bayonets, and swords drawn. Their white uniforms stood out brightly against the backdrop of Vienna, their medals of campaigns past reflecting the sun in the direction of the Duke. Suddenly their commanding officer barked the command "attention". With parade ground precision the Imperial guard presented its arms and stood to attention with all eyes focused on the Duke. The commander then turned 90 degrees, raised his sword in front of his face before passing it to his left hand and lowering it, at which point, with his right hand on his right hip, he marched down the front of the guard. The imperial and Belgian standards were raised, the nearby band stuck up, the beautiful Belgian national hyme was played, and with it the cheering crowds of what appeared the whole of Vienna fell silent. The Belgian hyme was then followed by the Austrian national hyme, which caused every officer to salute.
Towards the end of the Austrian national hyme the Austrian chancellor, and foreign minister, Metternich, stepped forward to welcome the Duke to Austria. With Metternich he was led to inspect the Imperial guard. At the end of the inspection the Duke was helped into the waiting Royal carriage which was to escort him to the Reichskanzleitrakt wing of the Hofburg palace where Archduke Louis was waiting for him. On arriving the Archduke Karl-Francis greeted him, welcoming him to Austria. The group of men, which had now become a crowd walked the grand stairways higher and higher into the palace. At last they reached the grand balcony, the band below struck up, and the Duke was treated to a two hour military parade.
.................... A drawing of the Imperial guard awaiting the arrival of the Duke of Brabant
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The Emperor was not present for dinner at the Hofburg palace that evening. However, the men all enjoyed the chilean sea bass which was served to them.
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Early the next day the Duke was taken to the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace to meet the Kaiser, under the watchful eyes of Archduke Louis of course. However, the Kaiser could only spare an hour of his busy life
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Post by Belgiuqe on Aug 17, 2015 21:49:17 GMT
The Duke asks the Kaiser abouts bumblebees,
"So Ferdy? Is it ok if I call you Ferdy my liege? How are the bumblebees so special here in Vienna?" he reaches out for for a handshake to the Kaiser
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Post by Kaisertum Österreich on Aug 17, 2015 23:05:10 GMT
Before the Duke was able to shake the Kaiser's hand the Archduke Louis stepped forward, he looked as if he was having a mild stroke or some description.
Clearly very angry, he maintained a mannerly and diplomatic tone in his voice as he explained, in perfect French
"As you are our most honourable guest here in Vienna, one can forgive you for not knowing the correct etiquette of the Empire. You must always address the Kaiser as "your majesty" at informal events and "your imperial majesty" at formal events
The Duke was then presented to the Austrian Kaiser, who now answered the Dukes question
"This garden is like my land, each rose is like a different area, the bees, some of who look and sound different are all the same. They all want the same thing, if they have it they get along. I am their emperor, and I give them what they want - balance. I change things here and there, there and here, and balance is achieved. It is why I have named this garden Austria"
He went back to his garden, a sign he had no further intention of talking to anyone
The Duke was taken away
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Post by Belgiuqe on Aug 18, 2015 8:23:46 GMT
The Duke leaves the next day thanking the Archduke for all his hospitality.
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Post by Kaisertum Österreich on Aug 18, 2015 9:33:12 GMT
OOC: A bill with the final cost of the entire state visit will be dispatched to Brussels later this week
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Post by Belgiuqe on Aug 18, 2015 14:44:54 GMT
The King would like to remind the Kaiser and his staff that the Austrian delegate is staying in Brussels at the expense of the Belgian crown, if Austria wishes for Belgium to pay for a state visit then the expenses of your ambassador will be sent in full plus a service charge caused for your trouble.
Jean Anthony
Minister for Foreign and Diplomatic Affairs
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Post by Kaisertum Österreich on Aug 18, 2015 16:49:51 GMT
Well, the last time we checked, at the foreign ministry, we were under the impression that the Austrian delegation would be staying at the Austrian embassy in Brussels, escorted to and from the conference by Austrian stage-coach, and dinned at the Austrian ambassadors residence - all paid for by the Austrian crown.
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