Winter Palace opens to the public

ALEXANDRIA: Winter Palace opens State Rooms for Public Tours

The Winter Palace has opened to the public today for its August tours.  In what has been described as a 'breath taking' showcase of Imperial Crown Regalia, visitors are sure to be impressed by some of the finest craftsmanship the Empire has to offer.

The Winter Palace

 

The Crown Estates Office suggest booking tickets early to avoid disappointment. Full information can be found on the Imperial family Website http://capricanroyalty.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Equinox Bank Holiday Preparations

Early this morning, preparations for the Equinox Day began! As most Alexandrians slept, a small section of the Imperial Military practised manoeuvres through the ancient streets of Alexandria.  

In preparation for Equinox Day, Alexandria will be putting on a show!

Empire Elects New First Minister

Winston Spencer and Labour Party win by a huge majority last minute landslide

Labour Leader Winston Spencer heads the new Labour Government. The First Minister was sworn in this afternoon and was appointed Head of the Government by HIM The Tsar at 7pm this evening. 

 

Exit Polls..

Afternoon Exit Polls...

At 2pm this afternoon, Low Islanders, the bread basket of the Empire were voting Liberal.  Caprican mid afternoon voters were doing the same.  The vote may continue or shift when the Middle and Upper Classes vote this evening! 

Elections Begin!

The Caprican Ballot Box Opens...

The new First Minister will be in office tomorrow!  Voting commenced at 9am CST this morning. 

May 4th Holiday Forces Parade Banned from International Eyes

May 4th Forces Day

HIM Meets With Members Of The Armed Forces

HIM Tsar Peter III Emperor of the Capricas and King of the Low Islands, along with HIM the Tsarina, today met with a small select representative of HIM Armed Forces in the Ballroom of the Winter Palace.  May 4th 'Empire Forces Day' is the first National Holiday of the year. 

TIMs meet a small selection of the Armed Forces

 

Normally May 4th would be broadcast and photographed, however, the MODFA has decided to ban all press from posting the event internationally under the present climate.  A comment from the MODFA suggested that posting video or photographs of the Caprican Army on parade would invoke feelings of jealousy from minor states abroad and leak crucial technological data.

The Conservative Party voiced their total agreement by stating: 'It is a fundamental principle of conservatism to "keep ourselves to ourselves", let the voters have their say too, soon!'

 

Who knows, who indeed knows!

 

Election Fever Starts!

Election of New First Minister!

The Election Season starts, below are the manifestos of the major candidates.

Conservative

Leader: David Alexandrovitch
Manifesto: The Foreign Policy instigated by the late Tsar Ivan has had disastrous consequences for the Empire, the Kingdom and its allies.  Voting Conservative would reduce taxation from the current 5% to 3% and allow all taxation to be pumped into the Caprican economy and not military spending.  Money has been wasted with the present Liberal Government under trade deals with foreign nations of ill repute and even more money wasted defending our glorious nation against those who wish to use us to their advantage.  Vote Conservative!  Vote for the party that will once again isolate our GLORIOUS nation from these vandals, liars, war mongers and infidels of 'supposed' minifig culture. 

Labour

Leader: Winston Spencer
Manifesto: The current Foreign policy is far too weak!  For the Empire and its allies to prosper we must expand and trade more!  We must open up our ports, allow our military to protect both our assets and those of our partners.  Taxation may increase to 6% but the benefits in investment would reap rewards.  Foreign powers should once and for all see their powerlessness and beg to trade with our mighty Empire!  I would say this to all Capricans who do not vote Labour, 'We will trade with those who aspire, we will strongly educate those who do not!  We will make the minifig world both a better and peaceful place!'

Liberal

Leader: Cameron Davidoff
Manifesto: Our current Foreign Policy is one of harmony and education.  The present taxation rate of 5% allows our nation to prosper and thrive.  We want to talk with Foreign Powers and learn more from them.  Under our leadership the first Emissary from a foreign power was appointed.  We led the way to foreign intervention moving from isolation to the world community.  We have also updated defence technology to make us a world leading minifig power.  Vote Liberal, vote for continued peace.

Ambassador to Legoland Arrives Safely

HSH Prince Christian and HSH Princess Grace Arrive in LEGOLAND

CNN has heard from official channels that TSHs The Prince and Princess of Carpentaria have arrived safely in Legoland and are housed 'safely' in Davidium, the Legoland capital.  The Eulenbourg has also released information stating that TSHs are limited to 30 words in communication with the MODFA and that on arrival TSHs were 'interrogated' by the Legoland Secret Police!  This action has been explained but at this time the CNN has not heard whether this was an interview or torture!  The CNN can only speculate on this matter.  However, if TSHs have been mishandled in ANY way the outcome, CNN speculates, would be war... 
But if the Legoland populace embrace TSHs a very different turn of events would blossom!  Who knows... Perhaps peace between two very different cultures may germinate!
It has emerged that TSHs dress and uniform caused a concern with the Legoland Government, apparently in Legoland minifigs DO NOT CHANGE CLOTHES!  This puts into question both the Legoland economy and personal hygiene!  They obviously do not have free trade or department stores whereby minifigs may buy alternative dress!  The Emperor and his people must smell - somewhat - and how 'Medieval'! 

CNN

Ambassador's Ball

Ambassador's Ball at the Winter Palace

An informal Ball was held at the Winter Palace this evening congratulating Ambassadors to and from the Empire. 

Ambassador Groons from Legoland was honoured by being proclaimed; 'Baron Groons of Blackrock and Glenageary'.  His return to Legoland has been requested and as such the Legoland Embassy Building remains unoccupied for the time being. 

TSH Prince Christian and Princess Grace depart to the PBR as Ambassadors.

Vice Admiral Piers Augustus Greenburg and Mrs Greenburg depart as the Ambassadors to Legoland from Caprica.  They will accompany Baron Groons on his return home to Legoland.

New Building in Alexandria

Amidst peace talks with the 'Empire of Legoland', a new building is to be constructed in Alexandria.  The 'Palace' Nightclub/Cinema construction will start this weekend!  Paid for from various non-government funding which includes the Tsar Ivan IV memorial fund, public donations, rhubarb harvests and private investment, the 'Palace' was thoughtfully designed and named to fit in with the Imperial nature of our capital city.

The new Government Site was created today to relay official sentiments of HIM Caprican Government.  Restrictions to News Reporting were also lifted in the Eulenbourg today.  However, it has been decided by the Editors in Chief of all News representatives to adhere to an unwritten code of conduct to rise above the 'Legolomaniac' views of overseas Nations and report 'News' truthfully and without 'rubrick' or 'tabloidisms' as have been witnessed recently in 'Legoland'  (not the official Legoland).

Separation of Government News and Caprican News Network (CNN)

The Official Site of the Imperial Caprican Government and the Caprican News Network (CNN) are undergoing a partition. Under new Government legislation the Caprican News Network will be free to publish its views but the new Government site will publish the correct views of the Empire of Caprica and the Kingdom of the Low Islands and its Dominions Beyond the Seas...

Heir to the Throne is born!

The Empress Delivers a Boy!

 

 

Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Sarah, has this evening safely delivered a baby boy.  His Imperial Highness the new Tsarevitch, Frederick William Petrovitch was born at 8pm at the Winter Palace in Alexandria.  When the new Tsarevitch takes the throne he will be known Emperor Frederick II.  The Nation and our Territories beyond the Seas welcomes our future Emperor into the world.

 

The Winter Palace in Alexandria, the only working Minifig Palace in the World...

The Imperial Motto Adjusted!

The Imperial Motto has, under Tsar Peter III been amended. It will now carry the extra wording, 'Dormientes ursi numquam debet excitato'. Meaning 'Sleeping Bears should never be awakened! And so they should NOT! Caprica is a force to be more than reckoned with! We are respectful but also demand respect!

Snow in Caprica

The Emperor and Empress enjoy a sledge ride at The Table Top Hills Resort.

The Winter Palace

The Imperial Winter Palace in Alexandria! Outside, Ballroom, Throne Room, Kitchens!
The only working LEGO Modular Palace in the world.
Official residence of the oldest LEGO monarchy in the world;
The Augustenbourg-Rheinholds - founded 1979.

The Winter Palace is the only working minifig Palace in the world

The Front of the Winter Palace with the new memorial statue to Emperor Ivan IV

 

The Ballroom/State Dining Room, the largest known with three full chandeliers

The Throne Room

 

The Imperial Kitchens are always extremely busy preparing food for diplomatic functions

First picture of the new royal baby

The Imperial Family proudly pose for the press in the Ballroom of the Winter Palace with their new child, HIH The Grand Duchess Alexandra Caroline.

Still the biggest and best!

Following pictures of the Palace Cinema, it would seem that the Auditorium of the Theatre Royal in Alexandria still holds the record for the largest modular Auditorium in the World!  Seating 81 minifigures on three levels and with a capacity for iPhone movies and full theatrical performances...

 

 

 

The classical front of the Theatre Royal, Alexandria

 

 

The Stage from 'The Gods'

 

 

Looking into the Auditorium from backstage, the stalls (seats 36) are below stage level

 

The Auditorium from above, the Royal Circle or Royal Tier has three dedicated seats for the Imperial Family.  Normally in a theatre these would be on the side in 'Boxes', this is something I am thinking about for the future.  However, at the moment there is a lot of work to do on the Winter Palace...

 

Auditorium from the side

 

The Proscenium Arch under construction...  Most theatres of this standard have one... The new Palace Cinema, when bought, will be considered a Theatrette, a small scale venue for 'Fringe Events' a place for new aspiring artists.  The Theatre Royal however, will remain the Main Venue for Ballet, Opera and Theatre in Alexandria.

 

Classical on the inside, classical on the outside.  The theatre was designed using the LEGO Digital Designer.  The bricks were ordered (as you could do that then) and subsequently the theatre was built.  I tried a corner theatre but it never worked.  Part of my design must, was of course stalls, royal circle and gods.  At some point I will design a display board for the outside and print off posters for the windows at street level.  The ground floor has the Green Room, a place to buy refreshments and drinks and tickets.  The actual auditorium is on the level above the outside arches to the roof.  I like to think LEGO named their Palace Cinema after the Theatre Royal in Alexandria, as mine looks a bit like a mini palace!  Who knows? 

IT'S A GIRL!

The Winter Palace announced this afternoon that HIM The Empress safely delivered a baby girl who will be known as Her Imperial Highness The Grand Duchess Alexandra Caroline Petrovna.  Mother and baby are doing extremely well.

Both the Imperial Family and the Duke and Duchess of Molebourg are said to be delighted.  At present, the new Grand Duchess is first in line to the throne.

MEDICAL TEAMS RUSH TO THE WINTER PALACE!

Within the last few minutes medical teams from Alexander the Great Memorial Hospital have been called to the Winter Palace in Alexandria.  It is highly likely that Her Imperial Majesty the Empress has begun delivery of her child.
It is known that Her Imperial Majesty, The Empress is expected to deliver soon!  The Empire and The Kingdoms await in fervent anticipation and pray for a safe and painless delivery! 

Cameron Davidoff:  The Empire wishes a speedy and painless delivery Your Majesty!

Delivery may take up to several hours, we will endeavour to keep updates...

Her Imperial Majesty is in Delivery!  The Emperor is at her side!  The Empire awaits its next young heir!  As our offices close for the night... Swift delivery to Your Majesty!  ...

The New Year Ambassador Meetings

The First Minister met with the Senate Elect to discuss Foreign Policy... 9am...

 

It was a heated debate followed by meetings with foreign ambassadors...

First was Sir Reginald Isaac Groons, Ambassador to Legoland at 11am...

 

 

The content of the meeting (as with all ambassador New Year meetings) is classified, but it was noted that the Ambassador to Legoland looked shaken when leaving the Eulenbourg Palace....

 

 

Next to be met was the Great Ambassador to the Republiks of the Speilzuglands (1pm), the Great Ambassador left the Eulenbourg Palace with a hearty smile and a heavy bow to the press!  He hailed the awaiting press and shouted, 'Long live the Tsar of the Capricas! Our Friends and allies!'

 

 

First Minister Cameron Davidoff waved to the Mall (4pm)! 

Another proud moment in Foreign Affairs!