Kingdom of Ruritania
The Kingdom of Ruritania is a micronation with extensive claims to a fictional enclave in Europe. The history of the nation pre-1950s is generally regarded as a fanciful re-telling of the plot of The Prisoner of Zenda, a fiction novel which takes place in the Kingdom of Ruritania. Although the country began as a pesudo-simulation of the fictional nation, in the early 2000s, it rapidly evolved into a micronation having activities in the real world. The fictional backstory was retained by the government as a sort of "founding mythology" in a practice that has been replicated by many other countries.
| Kingdom of Ruritania | ||||
| ||||
| Capital city | Strelsau | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official language(s) | English | |||
| Demonym | Ruritanian | |||
| Government | Monarchy | |||
| - Monarch | Queen Anastasia | |||
| Established | 1800s | |||
| Area claimed | Unknown (American Embassy is .5 acres) | |||
| Population | 50+ | |||
| Currency | Kronen | |||
Official Website | ||||
Government
Ruritania is an absolute monarchy ruled under the principles of Divine Right. Queen Anastasia is the ruler of Ruritania, having assumed the throne in 2010 following the death of her husband, King Wilhelm-Rudolph, who had served as King since 1960.
Her Majesty the Queen is assisted in her government duties by her daughters, Grand Duchess Juliana and Grand Duchess Lydia. Grand Duchess Juliana is also the Heir Apparent to the throne.
Location
Although the claimed area of Ruritania is fictional, the government maintains an embassy in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The embassy is open to visitors by appointment only and can be visited for a tour with advance notice and official permission.
Activities
The Queen of Ruritania has undertaken several state visits, including one with the Republic of Molossia in 2013. Her Majesty also attended MicroCon 2015 in Anaheim, California and co-hosted MicroCon 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. During MicroCon 2017, a lavish reception was held at the Ruritanian Embassy for the delegates of the conference.