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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> | |||
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. | |||
<br> | |||
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== | ||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!Portrait | |||
!Name | |||
!Reign | |||
!Consort | |||
|- | |||
|[[Image:Grand Duke Travis.jpg|200px]] | |||
|[[Grand Duke Travis]] | |||
|30 June 2004 - 14 January 2006 | |||
|[[Marquise of Walgreen|Grand Duchess Cathryn]] | |||
|- | |||
|[[Image:Duke of Ravencroft.jpg|200px]] | |||
|[[Grand Duke Philip]] | |||
|14 January 2006 - 20 December 2008 | |||
|Grand Duchess Melinda | |||
|- | |||
|[[Image:JL Langer.png|200px]] | |||
|[[Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence]] | |||
|30 December 2008 - 2 June 2010 | |||
|Grand Duchess Lisa | |||
|- | |||
!colspan=10|Throne Vacant<sup>[1]</sup> ''(2 June 2010 - 21 September 2012)'' | |||
|- | |||
|[[Image:Grand Duke Travis Portrait.jpg|200px]] | |||
|[[Grand Duke Travis]] | |||
|21 September 2012 - Present | |||
|[[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]] |