Press Release 2/1/1770

Dateline: Malmaison, Normandie, 1 February, 1770, Agence Normandie Presse
Byline: Roland Pressiot
Subject: New Castille Crisis

Responding to the news continuing to leak out of the struggling Principality of New Castille, King Richard of Normandie has released the following statement.

“Given the unfortunate situation in her homeland, the Queen has announced that she would be willing to step in to the fray. As you are undoubtedly aware, Marie-Alice is the sole surviving great granddaughter of the late Prince Roderick of New Castille, the grand-father of the late Prince Charles. Her grandfather, Clermont di Narvi, was the uncle of the late Prince.

After much soul-searching and close consultation with Chancellor D’Anger and Minister of State di Narvi, she would be willing to return to her homeland and serve as head of state, if no closer consanguineous relative is found, and if, and only, if the people of New Castille so request.

If such event were to occur, We have decreed that the Crown Prince Pierre-Paul will renounce any claim on the Principality that would fall to him under normals laws of Succession, and allow the crown to pass to his brother, Prince Mathieu-Luc. We fervently hope this action will remove any charges of dynastic ambiton on the part of Normandie

Again, let Us repeat, this situation would only be consummated should both of the requirements be met. There must be no claimant with a closer blood claim and there must be a request from New Castille that she claim the throne.

Beyond this announcement, the Kingdom of Normandie shall take no further action of any kind in regards to the Sovereign Principality of New Castille.”

Neither Chancellor D’Anger nor Minister di Narvi were available for comment. It should be noted that Philippe di Narvi is the brother of the Queen and a native of New Castille. He came to Normandie with the then-future Queen’s entourage. His keen intellect and winning personality made him indispensible to the Queen and, ultimately, the King, as well. Being the younger sibling, apparently it has been decided that the Queen’s claim takes precedence, although this is only surmise on the part of this reporter.