African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 235: Chapter 223 East African Kingdom

May 13, 1870.

Qivite Palace, under bright lights, after King Constantine performed a simple coronation ceremony, witnessed by Ferdinand, the Navy Commander and an East African noble, combined officers of East Africa’s army, navy, and Central Government officials, the establishment of the East African Kingdom was formally declared.

The ceremony’s procedure was simple. Unlike European monarch coronations heavily influenced by religious culture, East African ceremonies don’t require that since it’s an African nation and doesn’t need to follow European customs.

No clergy participated in the coronation, signifying that East Africa is a thoroughly secular state from the moment it was founded.

Regarding the church, two months later, the Italian Savoy dynasty would show the Pope in Rome the significance of a few divisions.

Religion in this era is already ineffective, especially in East Africa, where diverse beliefs and even atheists gather, leaving believers to question why they should continue their faith when others, including non-believers, are thriving. There may still exist followers, but their devoutness is questionable.

The coronation ceremonial props were the crown, scepter, and royal robe from the former Heixinggen Principality.

King Constantine personally crowned himself, with the music used for the ceremony being traditional German folk music.

The crown and scepter underwent some detail modifications, utilizing a significant amount of jewelry and gold, East African sapphire (Tanzanite), diamonds, and other unique East African gems.

The East African Kingdom flag has also been designed, and if not for the Heixinggen Royal family emblem (Illustration), it looks like a replica of the North German Federation flag.

(Illustration)

The East African Kingdom flag did not adopt the original Heixinggen Principality flag; the eagle flag mainly clashed with the Saxon-Meiningen Duchy since both flags look nearly identical.

(Illustration)

The East African Kingdom flag doesn’t have any special meaning. The black, white, and red tricolor originates from the family emblem, while the emblem on the flag has been simplified, removing the deer element, making it look more sleek and imposing. This design also represents the ideology of unity between the East African Kingdom and the Hohenzollern-Heixinggen family.

Finally, the ceremony concluded with a review of the East African Royal Guard, not because they didn’t want a grand celebration, but due to East Africa’s limitations preventing it. Even for festive ceremonies, not many people could gather; they could only give the people a few days off for spontaneous local celebrations.

...

May 20, the East African Kingdom diplomatic mission, directly separated from the Heixinggen Consortium, began office work all over.

May 25, this day.

In Europe, major newspapers began publishing the news of the East African Kingdom’s establishment.

Following previous plans, Austria-Hungary was the first to announce recognition of the East African Kingdom, then came Prussia, Sweden, Romania, and the Tsarist government issued statements.

Soon after, German regions like Bavaria and other states, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, and other countries also issued statements recognizing the legality of the East African Kingdom.

Finally, Alfonso XII, still in France, also represented Spain in announcing recognition of the East African Kingdom, making the current Spanish government quite embarrassed!

...

France, the Elysee Palace.

The French diplomatic department delivered East African Kingdom’s letter of credence to Napoleon III’s presence.

”What is this?”

”Your Majesty, this is a letter from a new country.”

”A new country? How come I didn’t know Europe had recent changes?”

”Your Majesty, this country is not in Europe but an African country.”

”African country! Isn’t it all natives over there? Your diplomatic department is already idle?”

”Uh, Your Majesty, this African country indeed has some ties to Europe.”

”Did something happen in Egypt?”

Napoleon III immediately thought of the Suez Canal and the British.

”It’s not that, Your Majesty; the Hohenzollern family established a new country in East Africa, self-proclaimed as the East African Kingdom.”

”The Hohenzollern family, East Africa - I recall, isn’t it related to the Southern German area Heixinggen Principality line?”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

”I figured, East African Kingdom, quite interesting!”

”Your Majesty, how should we proceed?”

”Did they send a mission!”

”They are in the hotel.”

”Have them meet me!”

...

United Kingdom.

Current UK Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, upon receiving the European news, called it deception.

”Damn it, we’ve all been fooled; this so-called East African colony isn’t a Prussian colonial effort but one supported by Austria-Hungary.”

”Mr. Prime Minister, this doesn’t necessarily constitute deception. After all, East African colonies never claimed to be a Prussian subordinate force. Initially, we were misled by the Hohenzollern name.”

”Does this imply Austria-Hungary harbors unrealistic fantasies about overseas colonies?”

”Not necessarily, Mr. Prime Minister, the so-called East African Kingdom deliberately aligned with Austria-Hungary. Our intelligence shows royal family connections through marriage long ago, which might be the main reason. Also, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary is East African Kingdom’s Crown Prince Ernst’s father-in-law, currently in East Africa.”

”That’s fine then, as long as it’s not a kingdom instigated by Austria-Hungary, it is acceptable.”

”Mr. Prime Minister, in fact, the founding of the East African Kingdom mirrors the East India Company’s usurpation of India; it’s largely initiated by the German Heixinggen Consortium, with its true owner being the Heixinggen Royal family. Hence, this affair is long premeditated by the Heixinggen family, with little involvement from other countries.”

”Does this mean Prince Constantine masterminded this scheme? Just to become a chieftain in Africa?”

”Uh, Mr. Prime Minister, it’s likely such intentions. Our intelligence suggests so. Ever since the Heixinggen Principality’s annexation by Prussia, Prince Constantine has harbored discontent. Naturally unwilling to turn into a puppet, exacerbated by Prince Karl acquiring the Prime Minister position in Prussia—this disparity deepened Prince Constantine’s resentment. To escape the Prussian Kingdom, Constantine decided on an overseas departure, spending over a decade planning, and chose Austria-Hungary, less associated with Prussia, as an ally. Marriage into the Habsburg family was also within his calculations, and rescuing Maximiliano I bolstered ties with the Austrian Royal Family...”

The British intelligence department, not sparing sparse intel, conjured an entire melodramatic plot.

”Alright, I’m not...” William Ewart Gladstone wanted to say something.

Suddenly, an official hurriedly approached, whispering to William Ewart Gladstone.

”What? Are we certain of the report?”

”Yes, Prime Minister, local riots have erupted in Ireland.”

”Alright, I understand, I’ll handle it immediately.”

Realizing the Prime Minister was leaving, the Minister of Foreign Affairs quickly inquired, ”Mr. Prime Minister, what happened?”

”It’s the Irish.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs immediately understood.

”How should we handle this East African Kingdom situation?”

”No time to deal with it now, just replicate statements from other countries and release it!”

Finished speaking, the Prime Minister left.

May 25, 1870, European powers, Austria, Russia, Britain, France, successively acknowledged the East African Kingdom’s legitimacy; subsequently, other European nations followed suit. Overnight, most Europeans became aware of a new country’s birth.

Ernst chose May 25 to announce East African Kingdom’s establishment in Europe, demonstrating true premeditation. Before the Franco-Prussian War, founding the East African Kingdom meant that regardless of France’s acknowledgment of its legitimacy, future discussions with France’s new government remained plausible.

Furthermore, May 25 marked the eruption of the Irish autonomy movement in Britain, deflecting British attention.

Nevertheless, the outcome was positive; neither England nor France troubled the new East African Kingdom, now acknowledged by most major European nations, save for a few smaller countries.

Among smaller countries, only Vatican slightly holds sway, with the Pope displeased by Constantine’s maneuvering in Europe, unbeknownst to the church—how was his coronation conducted? Located in the Southern German Catholic area, Heixinggen Principality.

The most irksome part is the East African Kingdom sent diplomats to many countries, even Italy, yet conspicuously none went to Rome (Pope Country).