Their Introduction to Society

(Year 234, Winter) The old term might be outdated, but this year a modernized version of the «debutante ball» made its return! Again, young members of Aristocracy can have their formal introduction to society - if their parents so wish. The format is slightly less formal and some of the traditional accessory were left out. And now, in this genders neutral era, also the young men are included.

This year's Debutantes: Ms Melida Dipperwell (24) and Mr Barros de Froux (24).

Time changes. While Mazaloom kingdom is nearly 250 years old, the recent monarchs focused a lot on gender equality. It started with King Tybe who stated that he would accept the Mazaloom Throne only if his main heir could be a daughter, so we finally got adjustments to the heritage laws, pointing at the oldest child rather than the oldest son. You may think this affected his daughter only, but such changes normally affect the broader community as well. Today it is the norm that oldest child will be anyone's main heir, regardless of class and gender. It was not that way before King Tybe forced the change 85 years ago.

And when gender equality became an issue, not only heritage was affected. The game rules were adjusted in many ways - also within aristocracy.

The old tradition

Back in the days, lets say before the Great Revolution (Year 118) when the royal house was ditched and nobility stripped for most of its power anyway, debutantes were daughters formally introduced to society when they were old enough to marry. Several critics have referred to the practice as «a meat market hosted by the King». They might have a point, but the tradition was in fact practical, and also made a huge event in the life of a young woman stepping into the young adult lifestage. For the first time they could attend the social season events, including the grand ball at the castle. We should remember that many of them were already more or less engaged, as many families made private agreements involving their children long before they were old enough to debute. So, to many, the social tradition including the balls and specific outfits were just as much about stepping up to get recognized by aristocracy. You could refrain, which could result in exclusion from the high society.

The young women normally wore a long but simple white (pale shades were accepted) dress, feathers on their head, and especially for the higher ranked houses also long white gloves. The longest gloves were reserved the dukedoms. The dress could be used numerous times during social season, but the feathers were for the debutante ball, only.

Males were not seen as debuntants but consorts, as many would already have their life track set, through expected heritage of fortune and titles. Some of them being well recognized within society already. Those not neccessarily facing a central position of their House would still find the social season important in the hope of a strategic marriage, but they could not take any attention for granted, as many of them would fail.

King Tybe put an end to the old debutante ball back in Year 179.

The new tradition

King Tybe's successor, Queen Evez, never changed her faher's «Royal Debute Act Y179», maybe because she had no daughters. But now, King Tarriot has accepted to reinstate some of the tradition.

There are changes, though, perhaps the biggest are that both daughters and sons are equally involved, the ceremonies are less formal, and the focus is more on «stepping up» than to find a spouse. And, perhaps even more important to some; the whole thing shall be optional and not a forced thing.

It's meant as a way for the youngsters to enter society, but even more for aristocracy to welcome them and to stay updated on all those new faces. It will now be possible to register as a Debutante/Debutant in Spring of the year you turn 23. The active period will be over two years, age of 23-24. Most will be done when they celebrate their YA birthday at 25, but for special cases it might be possible to have the introduction one year earlier or later.

Administrated by the Debute Committee

Because only a few relevant events during social season will be handled by the RPO (Royal Palace Office), there is a Debute Committee administrating this new routine. They have a club where those «coming of age» must sign up. It is in fact the only way to experience all that the routine offers. The committee is lead by Countess Bequeenie de Tredony (66) in Tartosa. She is married to Prince Jerome, who is King Tarriot's nephew. She is also 1st Cousin to Mr Malcolm Landgraab. So, Bequeenie's connections makes her the perfect committee leader.

Originally RPO suggested two committee leaders, but Agnes Crumplebottom (101) said no thank you, and Clara Gobelin (74, formerly known as Clara Bjergsen) first said yes, but then realized it would be too far to travel between Windenburg and Tartosa repeatedly. RPO insists on the leader not having own children preparing for introduction. This made the much harder than expected, but there might be more candidates to lead the committee in just a few years. RPO provides some funds for its efforts, and therefore wants to decide who and how many shall lead it.

Countess Bequeenie de Tredony (66) leads «Debute Committee».

Any member of aristocracy can apply for their teenager. Required skills are Logic, Research & Debate, and Dancing. The fee is §1,000 and covers two years.

The club will arrange minimum one club meeting where the focus is skill building activities expected from any member of society, such as politeness, classical/slow dancing, nectar making, gourmet cooking or gemology. Duchess de Tredony suggesteed to use the garden of the Castelli for minimum one gathering every Spring, but the club might also travel to a suitable «custom venue».

The members will be encouraged to further skill building and other training. Classes might be offered according to the skills of the committee leader. It will make the proccess of stepping into society easier when these teenagers get to know each other before their first social season.

As a club member the Debutante/Debutant is expected to follow a certain progression:

Early in your 23rd year it is time to sign up and pay the fee. This year you will follow club activities but not attend much during social season (Summer). Your main event will be attending Royal Court for the first time. Royal Court takes place at the royal palace on 1st day of Winter and is a formal event, but no gala, so your white dress/tuxedo can wait. At 24 you will follow club activities + attend many events during social season, including the grand ball at the palace late Summer, where you will courtsy for the monarch and have your official introduction.

For the grand ball, females will be expected to wear a white long dress without sleeves. Long or semi-long gloves can be worn with reference to traditions, but will no longer be compulsory. No head feathers, but flowers and/or pearls will suit the occasion well. Males (Debutants) will wear some form of a tuxedo. Both genders will wear the blue poppy brooch as accessory with all outfits except sports/sleep/swimming, all through the season for recognizion, the last time will be with their gala outfit at the ball.

Will princesses and princes partake?

So, will the royal children be involved with this routine? RPO says yes, they will. They will of course be known to aristocracy already, and stand a good chance to build networks without the debuting club program, but it is also important to the royal House that all princes and princesses - regardless of number in line - are well known by society. First out is HRH Crown Princess Emireza who attended the recent Royal Court.

The new take on the old tradition was reinstated last year, introducing one Debutante and one Debutant. Next year the total seems to be five.

Future line up will be announced in the section Royal Court on the Royal Palace Office webpage.