#trhor asks

Hi Anon, thanks for the question. I did in fact ramble and so to save everyone time, it's under a read more.

At this point, Theo can't forgive withholding information that directly affects her life. She doesn't care for the idea it might have been to protect her, because that's not always the case. She'd much rather have to face the harsh reality of the truth no matter how bad it might be head on, then be blindsided by it and expected to act like it hasn't fundamentally caused a shift in her life. To go with the flow like it's no being deal. This has happened twice first when her mother chose not to tell her kids she was dying and they weren't privy to the information until it was pretty much too late. Isobel would argue, it was to protect them both and to make as many happy memories without the loom anxiety that this might be it. Theo, as an introspective eighteen year old understands her mother's choice but doesn't agree with it.

Happy Holidays! And hi there, thank you for stopping by - it’s a real treat. I really enjoy, the alternate universe you’ve built and the idea of what if the French empire was still in existence. I think it adds an interesting storytelling element that I enjoy. So thank you for the question it's greatly appreciated.

1. What kind of government does your country have?

The United Kingdom of Great Briton and Ériu is very proud of their constitutional monarchy who prides themselves on the fact they a democracy, though the head of their country is technically unelected. But in the spirit of democracy, they do in fact vote for MPs that will represent them in the House of Commons, though they don't have the ability to elect the hereditary peers that sit in the House of Lords but that's another issue for a different time. Technically the country is run by the Prime Minister, because the role of the monarchy is suppose to be and largely is ceremonial. Though if we're being honest, the reigning sovereign has more power then people think but because no one wants to be the King or Queen who loses everything in a revolution that transforms the country into a republic, it's best they don't test to see how much power they actual posses.

7. What titles are used in your country? Are there any special titles unique to your country? (e.g., Hereditary Prince, Princess Royal)

Hi, hello there! Thank you for stopping by and thank you for asking a question. I'm still in disbelief that I've been noticed by anyone, so this means a lot to me. Just again thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, if you celebrate. Just again, thank you.

6. Who creates and enforces laws in your country? What is the punishment for breaking the law?

Theoretically, the monarch could create laws but at this point in history to avoid causing a revolution and losing everything, they do not. So, that leaves the creation of laws in the hands of the houses of Parliament and the Prime Minister. Once they've argued everything to death, it's then given to the sovereign who signs it and is given the official seal and then it becomes a law. While the ruling monarch, isn't "technically" creating the laws, they do have the ability to see all drafted laws before even members of parliament do. This is called the King's Consent and with this unspoken ability, the monarch and their heir can see all drafted laws and have the ability to make any "quiet" requests for changes they see fit when it suits their best interest. So while the monarch isn't suppose to meddle in the affairs of parliament, they can if they so choose to without upsetting anyone.

So all laws are enforced by the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary system, which has existed in some shape or form for the better part of a 1000 years. So it's more confusing then it necessarily should be but in the United Kingdom of Great Briton and Ériu everything is so steeped in tradition that there really isn't a want to make more concise changes. At one point, the monarch could make judgements on their own but that was done away with in the 16th century, so no more beheadings of the monarch's political enemies. So now all punishments and judgements are delivered by the court system. On a more ground level there's is law enforcement who's job is to catch those that break the law and bring cases against them to the various court systems.

7. What titles are used in your country? Are there any special titles unique to your country? (e.g., Hereditary Prince, Princess Royal)

Traditionally, the only title that's unique to Great Briton and Ériu is the title of Prince of Cymru, that is exclusively reserved and used by the heir apparent. Throughout it's entire history, it was exclusively given to the monarch's "male" heirs. In the cases where the heir was a female, it was more common to use Crown Princess. Hamish wanting to support and legitimize Theo's claim as the heir apparent made her the first investiture Princess of Cymru in the title's long history. The only other really special title is that of Princess Royal which came to exist because of King James I wanting to give his eldest daughter a special distinction above her other siblings. So now it's common practice that the reigning monarch gives the title to their eldest daughter and she keeps the title until her passing. The current holder of the title Princess Royal is Laoisa, Hamish's younger sister. She received the title after her great aunt Sibyl passed when she was around thirteen and several years into her father's reign.

11. How are members of your royal family expected to dress? Are they allowed to choose their own outfits for engagements and official events?

In a word, boring. Members of the royal family are expected to dress in a very modest and put together way. Nothing that could be considered distasteful or offensive. It's generally the Queen is the one who sets the fashion trends for the rest of the family. While Isobel was alive, she was considered incredibly fashionable and a little daring during her tenure and since her passing, the family look towards the Queen Mother Alibhe for the tone and style they should be dressing in. So everything is more sensible and demure once again. I do believe though as Theo steps more into her role as Princess of Cymru, I do believe there will be a changing of the guard and the other members of the family will look towards her for inspiration. While the palace will say there's no official document outlining the dos and don'ts of how to dress there are guidelines everyone follows. So while they're able to chose their own wardrobe, they are still expected to follow the guidelines that have long since been established.

Like when doing engagements through out the commonwealth it's best to wear designers that represent the region, thus giving brands a boost. When taking on engagements overseas, it's recommend to wear brands from the country they're visiting to show appreciation for the country and it's local artisans and as a sign of respect to the foreign dignitaries they're visiting.

31. What role do illegitimate children play in your royal family? Do they receive titles?

I'm completely fangirling right now, I have been quietly following along with your story for months. I love it so much and I want Sparkle magazine stop being mean to Eleanor, and Archer is a very handsome sim. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

2. What are your country’s succession laws? Is inheritance restricted in any way by legitimacy, age, gender, ability, or other

Since the onset of the 1920s, after the First Great War succession laws through out the country changed from male-preference primogeniture to absolute primogeniture because the aristocracy was being being wiped out as the male heirs were being killed while fighting. So now regardless of gender, the first born child will inherit. This includes the Rutherford-Kerr royal family, though the line has been fairly male dominated in the past century. Generally to inherit the throne, you need to born first or something has to happen to the first in line to move up position. There's is a legitimacy clause in the kind written down but not really constitution called the Act of Settlement of 1704, which basically states:

Under the Act of Settlement of 1704, only legitimate descendants of the rightfully recognized King Alasdair the first King of Clan Rutherford, can be included in the line of succession. This means adoptive and illegitimate children are excluded, no exceptions.

So using Meredith as an example all of her children are considered legitimate because she is a descendant of King Alasdair and her marriage to her wife Cemile is legally recognized by the law and of the church. Meredith carried all three of her children and in the UK, IVF is legally recognized method of having children and so all her babies are in the line of succession. However illegitimate children are not recognized or adoptive children, illegitimate children because the couple where not legally married and because adoptive children are not from the body of one of Alasdair's descendant.

4. What is the age of majority in your country? What happens if a minor inherits a title?

Eighteen is the legally recognized age of majority in the commonwealth. In the case a minor was to ascend to the throne, they would be given a regent until they reach the age of majority who would act in their stead. In the case of Theo, she was given the title of The Princess of Cymru when she was at the tender age of fifteen and so until she reaches the legal age of majority, her grandmother Alibhe is financially in charge of the Duchy of Kernow, until her eighteenth birthday and then it's transferred to her. Beyond that in the case of like Laosia, the title of Princess Royal is an honorary one, so it had no bearing when she received it and in her case, she was made Princess Royal on her sixteenth birthday. She received title of Duchess of Strathearn upon her marriage to her husband August when she was twenty.

17. Is there a mechanism to remove unpopular or incapable monarchs from the throne?

Yes, so one of the funny quirks of the United Kingdom is the fact that their constitution is not necessarily written down and thus nothing has been codified in a single, written document. So because of that interesting tidbit it gives the parliamentary government more leeway in how to handle the removal of monarch deemed incapable. Though unlikely now because of the devastation it would cause. There is the option of going to war over the throne. During the 17th century that's how Clan Rutherford came to power and why they're still sitting on the throne to this day.

23. Are members of the royal family allowed to marry commoners? Are they allowed to marry citizens of other countries?