Grand Ball at Royal Palace - Mega picture post!

(Year 230, Fall) It's Fall already, but not too late to serve you a mega picture report from the Grand Ball that closes the Social season of every year. This is also a good way to stay updated with most of Mazaloom's nobility. Social season lasts all through Summer, and is packed with events for the aristocracy. Noble men and women, and sometimes joined by their old-enough-to-get-married-shortly children, gather for garden parties, walks, sports and a lot more, all leading up to the Grand Ball taking place at the royal palace, Chateau Peak.

Upon arrival the many guests will greet the royal hosts.

The Grand Ball has been arranged annually ever since Year 151. The gala event is hosted by the Monarch and Consort. Invitation with directions is sent from the royal palace to each of the higher ranked Houses six months ahead.

Most people see these events as very formal, but fact is that during Social season most attendees are less formal. That's why they gather this time of year, and Houses normally not hosting much will throw some kind of event because minor lack of formality will be excused. For dinners and ball dancing the guests might wear their gala attire including old fashioned gowns, sashes and tiaras, but the atmosphere is way more relaxed than rest of the year. With neither journalists nor fans in sight, they can all lower their shoulders and giggle or dance the night away. And maybe that's why the season is so popular - most of them find it a lot easier to make new contacts.

Invites are referred to as Candidates (hey, this sounds a bit formal...) and mostly include Peers of high nobility peerages with spouse. In addition their invitation might include members of a Candidate's House (typically siblings and dowagers), and Candidate's child if minimum 20 years old.

His Majesty King Tarriot and Queen Consort Venezia.

King Tarriot surprised everyone by having sported a new beard! He wore his royal military uniform, including the High Order of Warriors sash. Etiquette says that guests should not overshadow the hosts, so by dressing this formal he gives more space for the guests. Queen Venezia wore a lovely coral dress, a good match with the blue sash (Highest Royal Order) and Luxe-Hamper parure. The latter is not the oldest of jewelries, it was gifted to Queen Anna in Year 150 when the kingdom was reinstated in Year 150, and therefore is of great historical value to the royal House of Luxe-Hamper. She also carried the Luxe-Hamper family order.

Let's spend a few moments on the most notable arrivals before we look into the party taking place in the Throne Room. If you don't care about arrival pictures, just scroll down a couple miles...

Anyone wondering if the Crown Princess attended the Grand Ball? You can rest assured that she is only 19 years old and will not be admitted until next year. Her three younger brothers must wait even longer.

Guests arrive at the Great Mazaloom Hall, where two royal friendly newspapers were permitted to photograph them. Here comes HRH Prince Royal Blaise with his family!

HRH Prince Royal Blaise (59) brought his wife and their two teenagers. Despite being the King's brother and a central member of the royal family for decades, he was never knighted for any order, so he can't wear a sash. His family resides at Wyvern Hall in Britechester, which is property of the Mazaloom Royal Trust. He focuses on his work with the old family business, Luxe-Hamper Shipping, Inc., while his wife HH Princess Duella (64) works with Law.

HH Princess Evendice (24) has joined her parents to the Grand Ball once before. She is still officially single - will she meet a future life partner tonight? This is the first time HH Prince Marquis (21) attends the ball.

Next arrival is the popular House of Ross from Henford-on-Bagley (Rossie, Region 2):

Duke Jarret of Rossie (60) is a long-timer and one of the kingdom's most decorated men. He has no less than 4 sashes to choose from, and a few medals as well. He could in fact have worn his military uniform to the ball, but according to etiquette he chose the tuxedo. Duke Jarret is cousin of King Tarriot as their long gone fathers, Duke Reinart of Rossie and Prince Consort Clempus were brothers.

Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie (66) gave birth only two weeks before this ball - the couple's 5th son! Despite her age and the child was not really planned, it all went fine. There was a chance they would turn down the invitation, though, but everything sorted out. Duchess Ribra Lynn carries the Rossie Order sash (aka the rose), with her medal from the Order of the Golden Lion, and House of Ross family order. Her dress will stand out as usual, elegant while quite simple. She is well known for trusting her own taste rather than old fashioned expectations - and she always did so with style.

Next; House of Saxor from the city of San Myshuno:

Duke Victus of Meadows (56) is another highly respected peer, member of The Royal Chamber and even the fresh political Hood Contact for San Myshuno's Fashion District. He could not run for a seat in the People Chamber, because nobody can be in multiple chambers. He wore the blue sash from the Highest Royal Order, with his Baltazar (medal). His wife, Duchess Gloria of Meadows (74) is only knighted for the Meadows District Order (pale green sash), that she wore with the Saxor Family Oder. The Duchess is known as «Lady Tiara», because she has access to what is the largest collection of the kingdom, and she is the only female to use them.

This is the first Grand Ball that their daughter, Lady Corva Saxor (24) attends. She wore an elegant white dress with the green Saxor Family Order, but no tiara as she is not yet married. Lady Corva is currently a student at the Butler Academy - probably more because she plans to run a top nobility home than to become a servant. However, she can not inherit the Meadows duchy, because that peer must be male. She has been observed with Baron Rainert of Myshuno, but their relation has not yet been made formal.

More duchies coming up! Next is House de Cavalier, reigning in Brindleton Bay:

Duke Charlopold de Cavalier (39) is rather fresh as a Duke, succeeding to the duchy only four years ago. He wore the Brindleton District Order sash, with a military medal. He reached Officer grade quickly, thanks to his History degree. His wife Duchess Luna de Cavalier (39) has never before attended the Grand Ball. They married last year and she recently gave birth to a baby girl - their firstborn, but not in reach for the dukedom. Duchess Luna wore a stylish silvery dress, with long grey gloves, and the Cavalier Family Order.

Joining this young couple was the elderly and still very popular Dowager Duchess Claudine de Cavalier (80). She resides a smaller family property at Cavalier Cove, with their retired Cook. She wore an elegant gown with a floral pattern in purple shades - purple is Brindleton's signature color. On her sash she showed off her National Sprout medal and the family order.

All the way from Windenburg (Region 1) came the head couple of House von Heimlich:

Duke Merlin von Windenburg (78) made the headlines when he was found in the Selvadoradian jungle with amnesia, several decades after he was supposed dead. With his return the Windenburg dukedom could reappear! There is only one catch, that he is old and weak while his heirs are yet too young for school. Thanks to spending most adult years incognito in Selvedorada, he did not collect many orders, but the Windenburg District Order sash looked great on them both! And, Duke Merlin holds the highest peerage of his region, meaning he could wear the Baltazar medal. Duchess Mandy (44) is much younger, and she already gave birth to five children including two pairs of twins! The well known Oasis Springs Politician and former Councilor, Josue E. Rosewood, is her father. For the ball Duchess Mandy wore a classic old gown, with the pale blue sash and the Heimlich Family Order bow. Her jewelry is the very old Wessex Aquamarine necklace and tiara, said to be as old as our kingdom - 230 years!

Just one more duke and duchess left: From Aarbyville came House de Croismare:

Duke Vibrattore de Aarbyville (48) and his wife Duchess Prudence (42) are 2nd cousins, both descending from the first Duke de Aarbyville. They reside in San Sequoia, which is the center of their Region 6 Aarbyville. Unfortunately they don't seem able to have children. Duke Vibrattore's younger son might take over the title eventually, but things might still shape up, somehow. The Duke wore the red Military sash (High Order of Warriors) with his Baltazar (medal). Duchess Prudence decorated her long, simple light brown dress with the brown Aarbyville sash - and hardly any jewelry at all. Because she did not give the House an heir, she never got the Croismare family order. And just like normal, she expressed how much she dislikes the press...

Next arrival representing House de Gould:

Count Helfert of Ticktop (46) is the freshest Peer as his investiture is coming up this Winter, replacing his late father. He wore the Tickertown District Order. His wife, Countess Elizabeth (51) was dressed in a stunning ling dress with discrete floral design, with the same Tickertown sash. But ouch - she had forgotten the rank star! So did others this night! Just like Duchess Prudence of Aarbyville, Countess Elizabeth has no family order bow - she had 3 children, but counts and barons don't have such an order for their females.

Next was a family of four from Tartosa, House de Luminosa:

HH Prince Jerome, Count de Tredony (65) and his beautiful wife, Countess Bequeenie de Tredony (62) are used to photographers and posed generously. He is a knight of the Highest Royal Order, and carried the order's blue sash with his Baltazar. Countess Bequeenie, who made headlines way back when she declined a Princess title, wore a dark formal dress more than indicating that she won't be dancing the night away. She carried the Tredony District Order sash.

Right behind them we see their two sons, Prince Nicham (28) and Prince Millaus (23). The former is 1st in line to the Tredony county, and was already knighted for the Order's pink sash. The young men were obviously eager to find out if any girls their own age would attend.

Then, from House of Paris:

Count Jacop of Crafthole (45) represents the biggest of the three regions that might be merged administratively as part of the upcoming regional reform. Both Region 7 Advorton and Region 8 Ticktop are smaller when it comes to population. His wife Countess Benedicta (48) origins from House de Croismare. They both wore the Crafthole District Order's green sash, Count Jacop topping it with his Baltazar. Countess Benedicta looked stunning in a classic cream yellow dress. She has explained previously that she prefers trousers. For the Grand Ball she obviously had no choice, though.

Next up is the head couple from House of Altham:

Count Chander of Advorton (55) is a knight of the Highest Royal Order, while his wife, Countess Annette (41) wore the bright green sash from the Advorton District Order. This couple has two sons, both too young to attend a Ball.

Next arrival is House of Sax-Donnersmalt from Oasis Springs:

Baron Auphor of Verde (89) was the oldest guest this year, formerly Duke of Meadows. He wore the Military sash with his top military medal, the Medal of Supreme Bravery. He actually has a Baltazar as well, but was not seen wearing that medal after leaving the Meadows duchy to his son, quite outside noble rules, but approved by the chamber of course.

His much younger wife, Baroness Morgan (37) looked great in a slim light purple dress with matching gloves, and the Verde District Order's pale yellow sash. How could she forget the rank star? Her jewelry is the August Juan parure, created in Year 61.

We're nearly done when House von Kaching from Gloomville arrived:

Baron Bud of Gloom (82) is also the Baron of Gibbs, but he normally uses the Gloom title only, as it ranks higher. His wife, Baroness Rose (80) wore a comfortable plum dress, making for an interesting match with the couple's orange sashes (Gloom District Order). Baron Bud was knighted the National Sprout, and Baroness Rose for the High Order of the Golden Lion, for her life long work for regional painting artists. They have two grown up children, and their son resides with them, including his wife and their two youngsters.

And next comes a single Peer, from House of Thebe in San Myshuno:

Baron Rainert of Myshuno (28) just graduated from high school, and is now preparing for a university degree. He will move to Britechester over the next four years and will probably not establish a family quite yet, but he has been observed dating Lady Corva Saxor (24). Critics claim that he might not rank well enough for the daughter of a duke? Baron Rainert's sash is from the Myshuno District Order 

And, here comes another single man:

Lord Vincent de Croismare, Baron of Man (43) is the younger brother of Duke Vibrattore de Aarbyville. He resides in San Sequoia, and he is single. If his brother never succeeds having an  heir for the House and the Aarbyville duchy, Vincent will be taking over. As a Royal Security Officer he already knows the royal palace very well and can easily find his way to the Throne Room. But will he also find a woman this night? He would be quite a catch.

Final arrival is House von Fyres from Windenburg:

Lord Dominic of Deadgrass (81) wears the military sash as he is a knight of the High Order of Warriors. He is the only knight who never lead a military career, though. He is one of the more decorated citizens, with four sashes to choose from. He owns the Baltazar, too, because while Duke Merlin of Windenburg was supposedly dead, Lord Dominic was the highest ranked nobility of Windenburg. That is no longer the case, though. His wife, Lady Moira von Dresden (76) is knighted for the Golden Lion, and she was wearing the most vulgar dress cut of the night. This couple runs a large farm with focus on Nectar making.

Despite holding no less than three Lord titles, Lord Dominic and Lady Moira hardly attended a ball in the past. This year is different as Dominic will have his investiture as the 1st Count von Dresden later this year. As part of the adjustments to the large peerage, Deadgrass lordship and Dresden lordship will both go extinct, replaced by the Dresden county. Haunt lordship was already replaced by Haunt barony. It sure is a special year to Dominic and Moira!

Now, let's check out a few pictures taken in the Throne Room!

This is the first event in the recently upgraded Throne Room. Above Duchess Mandy, Duke Merlin, Duchess Ribra Lynn and Duke Jarret all wanted a chat with the King and Queen.

Prince Nicham seems to be focused on checking up every young girl in the room! Who would not want to become his future Countess de Tredony?

A group chatting while enjoying the food and drinks. The huge painting is a portrait of former King Rupert of Mazaloom (Year 1-81).

From left to right we see Baron Bud of Gloom, Baroness Rose of Gloom, Duke Victus of Meadows, Lady Corva Saxor (Meadows) and Duchess Gloria of Meadows.

Count Nolan and Countess Annette of Advorton had fun on the dance floor.

Oh, and who's there, if not Baron Rainert of Myshuno and Lady Corva? Are they actually a couple already?

Elderly Dowager Duchess Claudine de Cavalier was entertained by the much younger Lord Vincent de Croismare.

A few moments later Lady Corva Saxor found herself between Baron Rainert and Lord Vincent - did Baron Rainert just get a rival?

Prince Nicham was seen dancing with Princess Evendice. They are only 2nd cousins, so they might actually become a clever match some day...?

And, it's good to see Duchess Luna and Duke Charlopold having fun, too. Everyone awaits them to get pregnant again, but it seems like we must wait until next year... 

Just some noble mingling...

And at the ball next year, this grey haired woman, Lady Moira, will be entitled Countess Moira von Dresden! Then  her dress might upgrade a little, too... 

*** Credits to all talented CC creators out there! If you want some outfit etc, drop a comment and I'll do my best to share a link.