The Principality of Wildflower Meadows – a protected state of the Empire of Austenasia governed by the Augusta Hannah – is celebrating ten years since its foundation on 12 May 2016.

Wildflower Meadows was founded when the then Emperor Jonathan I, exercising his imperial role as successor to the Roman Emperors, transferred sovereignty over the English city of Chester and a nearby river-adjacent meadow to his partner, crowning her Princess Hannah.

The Princess lived in Chester for several years during and after her attendance at the university in said city.

Such a large-scale transfer of sovereignty was very unusual in terms of the polities usually claimed or recognised by Austenasia, and both the Empire and the Principality have openly stressed the ceremonial nature of the latter’s territorial claims.

In May 2017, to mark the first anniversary of the Principality’s foundation, the Emperor and Princess returned to the Meadows for the first time since the latter’s coronation for a celebratory picnic. This became an annual tradition, taking place as close as possible to 12th May each year until Hannah left Chester in 2022.

These annual picnics were the only occasions Princess Hannah would visit the Meadows, and so became formal state occasions, taking on a semi-ritualistic nature.

Jonathan I and Princess Hannah married in November 2022, with the latter assuming the title of Empress. When the former abdicated in 2024, Hannah retained the imperial style in an honorary fashion by decree of Aggelos I. The former Emperor Jonathan meanwhile is now known by his Wildflowerian title, namely Lord Jonathan, Duke of Sweetpea Valley.

This year, to mark ten years since the foundation of the Principality, the now Empress Hannah and Lord Jonathan have returned to Wildflower Meadows for an official visit.

Yesterday, Sunday 26th, the couple visited Chester Meadows for a celebratory picnic, the first in four years. This was followed by touring the landmarks of the city itself, which was continued today.

By the actual anniversary on 12th May, Empress Hannah will no longer be in the Principality, but the day will likely be marked with some other form of event or ceremony.