Chapter 225: The Kingdom of East Africa
May 13, 1870
Kivite Palace, under bright lamplight
After a simple coronation ceremony for King Constantin, witnessed by the only two great nobles—Admiral Ferdinand (Maximilian I), the officers of the East African army and navy, and officials of the central government, the Kingdom of East Africa was officially proclaimed.
The ceremony itself was simple. European monarchical coronations typically bear a strong religious influence, but East Africa had none of that. As an African country, it had no need to replicate European tradition. No clergy attended, so from the moment of its founding, East Africa became an entirely secular state.
As for the church—two months from now, in Italy, the House of Savoy would show the Pope exactly how crucial "how many divisions" can be. In this era, religion was losing its hold, especially in East Africa, where believers of all kinds—even atheists—lived side by side. On seeing atheists and believers of other faiths doing just fine, many began to question the purpose of their own faith. Faith might continue, but its devotion would be questionable.
The ceremony regalia was the original crown, scepter, and royal robes of the former Principality of Hohenzollern. King Constantin personally placed the crown upon himself, with German folk music playing in the background. The crown and scepter had undergone revisions, lavishly inlaid with jewels and gold—Sapphire from East Africa (tanzanite), diamonds, and other local gems.
They also finished designing the Kingdom of East Africa's flag. If not for the Hohenzollern–Hechingen family coat of arms (image), it would look almost like a replica of the North German Confederation flag.
(image)
The Kingdom of East Africa did not adopt the old Hohenzollern princely flag. Its eagle emblem was nearly identical to Saxe-Meiningen's.
(image)
There was no deep symbolism to the new state flag. Its black-white-red tricolor came from the family crest, while the crest on the flag, minus the deer element, looked simpler yet bolder—symbolizing the unity of the Hohenzollern–Hechingen family and the East African Kingdom as one.
Finally, the ceremony concluded with a review of the Royal East African Guard. They would have liked a bigger celebration, but circumstances didn't allow. Even if they held a festival, they couldn't gather many people, so they gave citizens a few days off and let them celebrate on their own.
…
May 20:
The East African Kingdom's diplomatic mission broke off from the Hechingen Consortium and began operations in the various countries.
May 25:
Across Europe, major newspapers reported the founding of the Kingdom of East Africa. According to the plan, the Austro-Hungarian government was the first to announce recognition, followed by Prussia, Sweden, Romania, and Russia. Then the German states of Bavaria and others, plus Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, etc., recognized the legitimacy of the East African Kingdom. Finally, Alfonso XII in France—representing Spain—likewise recognized it, leaving the current Spanish government rather embarrassed.
…
France, Élysée Palace.
The French Foreign Ministry delivered the new kingdom's letter of credentials to Napoleon III.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Sire, it's a letter from a newly formed state."
"A new state? I've heard nothing of any such changes in Europe," Napoleon III said.
"It isn't in Europe, Your Majesty—it's a state in Africa."
"African state? Isn't that place all natives? Does the Foreign Ministry have nothing better to do?"
"Er…Sire, this African country has ties to Europe."
"Egypt is in trouble?" Napoleon III wondered, recalling the Suez Canal and the British.
"No, Sire. It's the Hohenzollern family establishing a new state in East Africa, calling itself the Kingdom of East Africa."
"The Hohenzollerns… East Africa… I recall that might be the line from southern Germany's Principality of Hohenzollern?"
"Yes, Sire."
"I see, the East African Kingdom—interesting!"
"What should we do next, Sire?"
"Did they send a delegation?"
"They're waiting at a hotel."
"Let them come see me, then."
…
Britain
When British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone heard the news from the Continent, he felt tricked.
"Damn it, we've been fooled. This so-called East African colony wasn't Prussia's, but was backed by Austria-Hungary."
"Prime Minister, it's not strictly deception. After all, East Africa never said it was a Prussian dependency. We were simply misled by the Hohenzollern name."
"So does this mean Austria-Hungary has unrealistic dreams of an overseas colony?"
"I doubt it, sir. More likely, this East African Kingdom is trying to cozy up to Austria-Hungary. Our intelligence suggests the two royal families married in. Possibly that's the main reason. Archduke Ferdinand, who is the father-in-law to Ernst (Crown Prince of East Africa), resides in East Africa."
"Well, that's not so bad. At least it's not a puppet invented by Austria-Hungary. We can live with it."
"Indeed, Prime Minister. We've learned that East Africa's founding plan is somewhat like how the East India Company took over India—led by the German Hechingen Consortium. The real mastermind was the Hohenzollern royals. It has little to do with other nations."
"So, Constantin orchestrated it personally, just so he could be some African chief?"
"Uh… yes, sir. Our informants see it that way: after the principality was annexed by Prussia, Prince Constantin never got over it. Reduced from a sovereign state to a puppet, he wasn't content—especially seeing Prince Karl in Prussia become a prime minister. Constantin felt overshadowed. Determined to leave Prussia's grasp, he spent many years scheming. To get back at Prussia, he chose Austria-Hungary, not so closely allied to them. He'd planned Habsburg marriages, plus saving Maximilian I tightened his ties with the Austrian Imperial Family…"
Britain's intelligence conjured up a dog-blood plot from scraps of info.
"All right, I'm not—" Gladstone began, but just then, an official ran in, whispering in the prime minister's ear.
"What? Are you sure?"
"Yes, Prime Minister. They're rioting in Ireland."
"Understood. I'll deal with it at once."
Seeing him about to leave, the foreign secretary quickly asked, "Prime Minister, what's going on?"
"Ireland."
The foreign secretary immediately caught on.
"And about this East African Kingdom?"
"There's no time for that now. Copy other countries' statements and release it."
With that, Gladstone left.
May 25, 1870: The great powers of Europe—Austria-Hungary, Russia, Britain, and France—gradually recognized the new East African Kingdom. Then most of Europe's smaller nations followed suit. Overnight, everyone knew of this new state's birth.
Ernst had deliberately chosen May 25 as the date for Europe to acknowledge East Africa, just before the Franco-Prussian War. Even if France's government wouldn't recognize it, he could negotiate later with a new French regime. Meanwhile, on May 25, the Irish autonomy movement erupted in Britain, diverting its attention. Fortunately, neither Britain nor France pressed the matter; they accepted the fledgling East African Kingdom. Except for a few small states, which hardly mattered, nearly all recognized it. Among those minor states, only the Vatican had any influence, and the Pope was not pleased with Constantin's actions. They stirred up a big fuss in Europe without the Church knowing anything, so how did the coronation happen? The Principality of Hohenzollern was in Catholic southern Germany, after all. And most infuriating, East Africa sent diplomatic envoys to many countries, even Italy, but not to Rome (the Papal States).
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