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The title '''Grand Duke of Westarctica''' was created by Travis McHenry in June 2004 as part of the transition of the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica|Achaean Territory]] from a [[Micronations|new country project]] to a [[sovereignty|sovereign]] nation. The legal basis for the creation of the title is found in the [[Grand Ducal | [[File:Grand Dukes 1.jpg|350px|thumb|Grand Duke Travis and former Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence in 2021]] | ||
The title '''Grand Duke of Westarctica''' was created by Travis McHenry in June 2004 as part of the transition of the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica|Achaean Territory]] from a [[Micronations|new country project]] to a [[sovereignty|sovereign]] nation. The legal basis for the creation of the title is found in the [[Grand Ducal Mandate]], as well as the [[Achaean Royal Charter]]. | |||
==Choice of title== | ==Choice of title== | ||
Due to the vast land area encompassed by the country of [[Westarctica]], there has been significant speculation and even occasional criticism over Travis' decision to proclaim himself a Grand Duke rather than a King or even an Emperor. As a sovereign leader of a newly-created monarchy, there were a wide range of titles to pick, but only the title of "Grand Duke" seemed to fit the description of what Westarctica actually was: a monarchy with limited resources and a small population, recognized by few world governments, and generally dependent on the kindness of larger nations for its continued existence. | Due to the vast land area encompassed by the country of [[Westarctica]], there has been significant speculation and even occasional criticism over Travis' decision to proclaim himself a [[Grand Duke]] rather than a King or even an Emperor. As a sovereign leader of a newly-created monarchy, there were a wide range of titles to pick, but only the title of "Grand Duke" seemed to fit the description of what Westarctica actually was: a monarchy with limited resources and a small population, recognized by few world governments, and generally dependent on the kindness of larger nations for its continued existence. | ||
In a 2018 interview for a documentary film, Travis gave as his motivations: | In a 2018 interview for a documentary film, Travis gave as his motivations: | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
When you tell people you're a King, they're immediately credulous. Firstly, there aren't many Kings reigning in the world today, and most of them aren't hanging out | When you tell people you're a King, they're immediately credulous. Firstly, there aren't many Kings reigning in the world today, and most of them aren't hanging out at Starbucks on a Saturday morning. Secondly, there's a certain association that comes with being a King, and I don't think I'm there yet. We still have a tremendous amount of work to do before I can kick back and enjoy sitting on a gilded throne. A King is someone who has come through all that already. I'm not there yet. I'd love to have the title of Emperor someday, but it's unlikely to happen anytime soon. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 13: | Line 14: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
So I picked | So I picked the title of Grand Duke because it's accurate and obscure. I've kept it because it fits and it works. | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
Additionally, Travis was partially inspired by the [[Grand Duchy of Haren]] [[micronation]] in the choice of making [[Westarctica]] a Grand Duchy instead of a Kingdom or an Empire. | |||
==Succession== | |||
Succession to the title of Grand Duke of Westarctica is governed by [[Royal Decrees|Royal Decree]] RD-2020-001 - [[Succession to the Crown and Throne of Westarctica]]. | |||
==List of Grand Dukes of Westarctica== | ==List of Grand Dukes of Westarctica== | ||
| Line 32: | Line 38: | ||
|[[Grand Duke Philip]] | |[[Grand Duke Philip]] | ||
|14 January 2006 - 20 December 2008 | |14 January 2006 - 20 December 2008 | ||
| | |Grand Duchess Melinda | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Image: | |[[Image:JL Langer.png|200px]] | ||
|[[Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence]] | |[[Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence]] | ||
|30 December 2008 - 2 June 2010 | |30 December 2008 - 2 June 2010 | ||
|Grand Duchess Lisa | |Grand Duchess Lisa | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[ | !colspan=10|Throne Vacant<sup>[1]</sup> ''(2 June 2010 - 21 September 2012)'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Image:Grand Duke Travis.jpg|200px]] | |[[Image:Grand Duke Travis Portrait.jpg|200px]] | ||
|[[Grand Duke Travis]] | |[[Grand Duke Travis]] | ||
| | |21 September 2012 - Present | ||
|[[Prince-Consort Dinny]] | |[[Prince-Consort Dinny]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
<small>''[1] Although the throne [[Transitional Government|during this time]] is generally regarded has having been "vacant," it was technically abolished until the [[Charter of Westarctica]] reinstated the role of Sovereign''</small> | |||
[[Category:Government of Westarctica]] | [[Category:Government of Westarctica]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:23, 17 August 2023
The title Grand Duke of Westarctica was created by Travis McHenry in June 2004 as part of the transition of the Achaean Territory from a new country project to a sovereign nation. The legal basis for the creation of the title is found in the Grand Ducal Mandate, as well as the Achaean Royal Charter.
Choice of title
Due to the vast land area encompassed by the country of Westarctica, there has been significant speculation and even occasional criticism over Travis' decision to proclaim himself a Grand Duke rather than a King or even an Emperor. As a sovereign leader of a newly-created monarchy, there were a wide range of titles to pick, but only the title of "Grand Duke" seemed to fit the description of what Westarctica actually was: a monarchy with limited resources and a small population, recognized by few world governments, and generally dependent on the kindness of larger nations for its continued existence.
In a 2018 interview for a documentary film, Travis gave as his motivations:
When you tell people you're a King, they're immediately credulous. Firstly, there aren't many Kings reigning in the world today, and most of them aren't hanging out at Starbucks on a Saturday morning. Secondly, there's a certain association that comes with being a King, and I don't think I'm there yet. We still have a tremendous amount of work to do before I can kick back and enjoy sitting on a gilded throne. A King is someone who has come through all that already. I'm not there yet. I'd love to have the title of Emperor someday, but it's unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Besides, there's not much dignity in being a poor Emperor. When I tell someone I'm a Grand Duke, it's a title they've never heard before, so they keep listening while I explain the history of Westarctica and before they know it, I've delivered the whole elevator pitch and they're asking how to sign up for citizenship.
So I picked the title of Grand Duke because it's accurate and obscure. I've kept it because it fits and it works.
Additionally, Travis was partially inspired by the Grand Duchy of Haren micronation in the choice of making Westarctica a Grand Duchy instead of a Kingdom or an Empire.
Succession
Succession to the title of Grand Duke of Westarctica is governed by Royal Decree RD-2020-001 - Succession to the Crown and Throne of Westarctica.
List of Grand Dukes of Westarctica
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Consort | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grand Duke Travis | 30 June 2004 - 14 January 2006 | Grand Duchess Cathryn | ||||||
|
Grand Duke Philip | 14 January 2006 - 20 December 2008 | Grand Duchess Melinda | ||||||
|
Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence | 30 December 2008 - 2 June 2010 | Grand Duchess Lisa | ||||||
| Throne Vacant[1] (2 June 2010 - 21 September 2012) | |||||||||
|
Grand Duke Travis | 21 September 2012 - Present | Prince-Consort Dinny | ||||||
[1] Although the throne during this time is generally regarded has having been "vacant," it was technically abolished until the Charter of Westarctica reinstated the role of Sovereign