Monday, April 6, 2009

Arrival at Potzdorf

Finally, the glorious day has come! Field Marshal the Reich Duke Wilhelm of Beerstein has arrived in Potzdorf, the capitol of the Margraviate of Carpania. As usual, please click on the pictures for a larger image.


The officials and troops gather on the greensward in front of the eastern gate of Potzdorf. The courier gallops closer, bringing the word of the Reich Duke's imminent arrival.

The troops providing the honor guard are (from left): the converged grenadiers of Carpania, Campbell's Highlanders, the converged grenadiers of Sachsen-Wachsenstein, and the Grenadier Regiment Pavlovski of Courland.


The Reich Duke's party, led by Major General Seamus Campbell, OT, clatters into view, accompanied by its Courlandian Cossack escort.


The carriage halts to allow the Reich Ducal party to disembark.


The Reich Duke and Duchess and young Basil, King of the Romans, approach the welcoming dignitaries.

From the left they are: General Campbell on his rearing horse, the officers of the Carpanian army, Princess Buttercup of Carpania and her ladies, the Carpanian minister of war, Margrave and Margravine Hapnich and their attendants, the Duke and Duchess of Sachsen-Wachsenstein, and the Duke and Duchess and war minister of Courland.


Major General Campbell, OT, has now dismounted and joined the dignitaries for the official portrait of the visit. On the wall behind, the party is guarded by one of the fine Carpanian 12-lbrs meticulously forged by the Barony of Eisenmuhlen. The converged grenadiers of Sachsen-Wachsenstein and the Grenadier Regiment Pavlovski (Courland) form part of the honor guard. The rest of the honor guard (out of the picture to the left) are Campbell's Highlanders and the converged grenadiers of Carpania.

The Reich Duke's visit will continue tomorrow as the entertainment begins - fine food, dancing, and music to delight and please the senses.

As an aside, this is the first use of my "new" backdrop. I spray painted a large section of folded corrugated board a nice medium blue, then sprayed on some greenery at the bottom and some clouds along the top. I'll be using this inexpensively produced backdrop in future pictures.

6 comments:

Capt Bill said...

Wow what a reception! Reich Duke Wilhelm will invest Margrave Hapnich of Carpania, Duke Pavlov of Courland, and Duke Siegfried of Sachsen-Wachsenstein into the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Tankard as a tribute to their excellent hospitality...

Fitz-Badger said...

Very nice series of vignettes! The background is simple, but effective. This is quite an excellent turnout for the Reich Duke's visit! And a nice genteel change from the usual martial affairs (though we enjoy those, too).

Konstantinos Travlos said...

Basil is well impressed by the pomp and ceremony of the reception. Mayhaps he can find a bride?;)

old-tidders said...

Looks like the Reich Duke is being well received - hope he is impressed by the turnout

-- Allan

ColCampbell50 said...

Ummm, maybe I'll have to shoot an extra vignette of Basil and Princess Buttercup of Carpania meeting in the garden.

Jim

Prinz Geoffrey said...

Wow, that is impressive, your efforts will surely put pressure on others to produce such a grand occassion.