Random Worldbuilding: The King Of Canterlot · 7:17pm Jun 17th, 2024
This occurred to me over the weekend, and I love the idea. Here's the basics:
The House of Platinum, founded by Princess Platinum, still technically rules Canterlot. The head of the family still holds the title of "King," and has for the past 1,200 years or so. Prince Blueblood (full name: Vladimir Blueblood Platinum) is next in line for the crown, which is currently held by his father, King Ignatius Noble. King Ig(gy) Noble nominally has a great deal of power in Canterlot, but long tradition means that any official act he takes must be ratified by Celestia et al.; thus, his official duties are mostly restricted to ribbon-cutting ceremonies and kissing babies. Blueblood has little to inherit other than the (admittedly very nice) family manor house, a small fortune that's been getting even smaller for centuries, and the actual, physical crown of House Platinum.
As part of their ascension to the throne, Celestia and Luna were ceremonially adopted into the Platinum line, as nieces of the then-current King (let's call him King Sterling I), making them the "Aunts" of all successive Platinums. They (Celestia & Luna) took the title of "Crown Princess(es)," which, on paper, means that they are next in line as soon as the current King steps down. In practice--and in no small part to keep the unicorn nobility appeased--Celestia and Luna have graciously allowed each successive monarch to keep their title as "King"/"Queen," remaining content to be the next in line... though, through the generations, the Platinums have lost more and more power to the Princesses.
Blueblood himself is perfectly fine with this arrangement, at least for now. He is content to be a bit of a fop, though some of his more difficult behaviors can be attributed to lingering resentment of the Diarchy. If he chose to take up arms against this arrangement, it's uncertain whether the unicorns of Canterlot would side with their ancestral rulers, or with the Princesses--or, for that matter, whether the Princesses would dispense with the pretense and take the Platinum crown for themselves, in truth as well as in custom.
Makes perfect sense to me. (I've always called Platinum's father Palladium, because chemistry jokes.) Not the first time I've seen the diarchs get adopted into the royal family and become the seniormost members simply by waiting, but having a still-reigning king is a new and fascinating idea. Thanks for presenting this.
Blueblood, as much of a horse's back end he might be himself, is a tremendously interesting character. His existence has Implications, and if there's something fanfic writers, and obsessively overthinking fans love, it's Implications. Like FOME, I don't think I've seen anyone coming up with a figurehead King before!
I agree, the idea that ponyborn King just chilling around in this Kingdom of Equestria seems very logical in hindsight. Might even have a riff on it now, thanks for sharing
"I will take my rightful place as king!"
"Cool. Here's the sun. You raise it."
"..."
"We'll be in Mareuba. Call me if you feel like things were better before."