Report on the Equestrian Diarchy and it’s workings
HSH Twilight Sparkle
Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns
Many things have changed in equestrian politics over the last few years, the princess of the night, long thought to be a myth has returned, the long fabled crystal empire has emerged in the north and new alicorns seem to be popping up everywhere.
As the most junior of this plethora of pony princesses I find myself compelled to clarify the state of the equestrian monarchy and government given all these changes. Whether you are a school foal learning about our nation for the first time or just a pony curious about this sort of thing, I hope that I will be able to clear everything up.
Her Divine Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria. (1) That’s a name that you’ve all heard before, but let’s delve into what the tittle really means.
1: I’m using the Princesses shortened title here. Her full list of honorifics could fill a small volume.
Currently in Equestria there are three princess variations, corresponding to the magnitude of pony they represent. The two Alicorn sisters are Divine Highnesses, given their immortal lifespans and magnificence at birth. (2)
2: Princess Flurry Heart would also be considered such, although her station as a vassal ruler may complicate things.
The second variation corresponds to members of the royal family that are not members of the ruling diarchy, the Royal Highnesses. This title is held at current by three individuals, Prince blueblood (3), Princess Cadence and Prince Shining armor.
3: Prince Bloodblood’s unique case is expanded upon later in the document.
The third and final variation, which happens to correspond to yours truly is the Serene Highness. This title is reserved for ascended Alicorns that have no designated fiefdom but are claimed by the monarchy as one of their own. This tradition started in CR 500 as a way for potential threats to equestrian sovereignty to be neatly folded into the established order.
For reigning monarchs to possess the title of “Princess” may seem strange to some. The historical reason for this is actually quite sound. During the founding of Equestria proper the two regal sisters adopted the title of Princess as a means to display their equality in rule. It was felt at the time that the egalitarity of two reigning princesses was better than the strange totality of two reigning queens.
The beginning years of the diarchy were spent smoothing over existing customs in Unicorn, Pegasus and Earth pony governments, in order to centralize control around a strong monarchy. This is second reason for the choosing of the “Princess” title, to be declared Queen, Commander or Chancellor would amount to playing favoritism among the pony races.(4)
4:Although it is noted that Princess Celestia retains “Queen of Unicornia” as one of her titles.
This brings us to the pre-unification monarchy, the line of Platinum. As the old order was swept away in the face of the majesty and power of the Alicorn sisters, several compromises were made. The Unicorn nobles, fearful that their privileges and holdings would be stripped away as the control of the state was increasingly centralized, appealed directly to Princess Celestia to preserve their social order.
After intense negotiations between the upper nobility and the crown, a compromise was made similar to those struck with the governments of the other races. The line of Platinum and the nobility were allowed to exist in perpetuity provided that the crown of Unicornia was handed to the Alicorn sisters (5) and the royal line was degraded by and order of one magnitude to accommodate for the change.
5:Celestia in particular, Luna cared more about martial matters.
This process resulted in the survival of the Platinum line into the current era. The current Platinum, His Royal Highness Prince Blueblood, Duke of Canterlot and Margrave of the eastern reach heads the nobility from the Equestrian capital many generations later.
With this multitude of princes and princesses, the need for differentiation in station becomes readily apparent.
Next we come upon the case of the crystal princess, Her Royal Majesty Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Dubious descendent of the Crystal refugees that fled to Equestria during King Sombra’s reign millennia ago, she and her husband Prince Shining armor currently rule the Crystal Empire as a vassal state of Equestria.(6)
6: It is worth noting the irony of the status of the Crystal Empire as a vassal state of Equestria given it’s historical relationship as the larger, more powerful nation prior to it’s sudden disappearance.
Although Princess Cadence is an ascended Alicron by merit, she was raised to the rank of Royal Highness when she was adopted into the Monarchy by Princess Celestia. Whether by pre-cognition or wonderful timing, Princess Cadance and her Husband were ready to take control of the Crystal Empire when it and the shadow tyrant Sombra re-emerged in CR 1003.
The two were installed into the vacant crystal throne after Sombra’s defeat according to Princess Celestia’s Pan-pony unification doctrine. (7) Following such doctrine has led Equestria through rapid territorial expansion since the three tribes were originally united.
7: Given the birth of Flurry Heart, it seems that the Crystal succession, and as a result Equestria’s northern border is secured.
The diarchy has gone through many changes since it’s inception at the founding of Equestria. My only hope is that in the course of time future generations will be able to appreciate the truly exceptional times this generation of Equestrians live in.
I hope this document serves to clear up any confusion that may arise on the part of the Equestian populace as it pertains to the royal interworking of the nation. In conclusion, Equestria as a nation and ponykind as a race continue to flourish under the eye of a watchful aristocracy that amply rewards merit, however lowly or common it’s origin.
My thanks to Their Divine Majesties Princess Celestia and Luna for their co-operation during the course of my research. I also would like to thank the Royal Canterlot Archives for putting up with my requests at all hours of the night in the name of public education.
