Riordan VIII

Riordan VIII de Weluta (Riordan Julius Velucianus Augustus Carolinicus; born 13 June 1986) is the current Apostolic King of Urcea. By the merit of his position, he is the head of the House de Weluta and titular Emperor of the Levantines, ruling as Riordan II. Riordan's father, Aedanicus, was Prince of Halfway and was expected to succeed Riordan's grandfather, King Aedanicus IX. Prince Aedanicus's death at the age of 33 in 1996 elevated Riordan to the position of Prince of Halfway.

Succeeding his grandfather in 2006 at the age of 20, King Riordan's reign has largely been characterized by a period of a divided Government of Urcea, which allows the Monarch wide authority under the Constitution of Urcea, and the King's focus has largely sat on foreign policy, a reversal of that of his successor. His early reign was characterized by a period of renewed enmity with Caphiria over the expansion of Quicksilver Industries as well as the permanent status of Urlazio and other issues. These tensions were relieved by one-on-one negotiations with Imperator Alexander Constantinus I which, after several years, resulted in a more formal discussion that produced the Assumption Accords. Following a resolution with Caphiria, the Kingdom's attention turned to the establishment of the Kingdom of New Harren, which many sources and scholars have noted were probably at the personal urging of the King. The King's dual interests have been rapprochement with Caphiria - not only including the Assumption Accords but repeated efforts to mend the Great Schism of 1615 which culminated with the Eight Points Agreement - and expansion of Urcean influence in Crona.

Most political analysts and constitutional historians have classified Riordan VIII as the most powerful Apostolic King of Urcea since the Second Great War and among the most powerful in the era of the Constitution of Urcea. The Apostolic King's "private" outward appearance has been largely supplemented by the King's considerable individual influence within the Government of Urcea. Critics, particularly those within the Social Labor Party, have classified the King's influence as unconstitutional and "pseudo-absolutist". As of 2017, the King enjoyed considerable popularity among the Urcean people, with an aggregate of polling giving him an 92.4% favorability rating; subsequent polls were slightly lower in the wake of the 2018 Urcean institutional referendum.

Early life and military service
Riordan was born on 13 June 1986 in the Julian Palace, per the custom of House de Weluta. Baptized on 2 August 1986, Riordan's godfather was Great Prince Pasqual I of Burgundie and his godmother was his aunt Bridgetta Palacin in an effort to solidify the de Weluta ties to Burgundie; Pasqual I and Riordan would later establish close personal and political ties. Riordan was born during the reign of his grandfather, King Aedanicus IX, to the Prince of Halfway and Princess of Halfway, Aedanicus and Ailenián. Unlike his father, who was still in his 20s and receiving continuing education on matters of state, Archduke Riordan was not expected to succeed to the Julian Throne for decades. Consequently, much of his education was focused on the finer theological points of his Catholic religion, which he took to immediately. His active interest in religion - as opposed to the pious aloofness of his father and grandfather - earned him the nickname "the Monk", both as a term of endearment and one of agitation with his obsession with liturgical norms.

In 1996, Prince Aedanicus was killed at the age of 33 in a helicopter incident, disrupting the succession and throwing Urcea into a period of mourning. The ten-year old Riordan was not especially close or familiar with his father due to the rigorous campaign of public appearances the latter maintained. The young Archduke's perseverance and strength during the period - especially at his father's funeral mass - was a source of pride and a rallying point for the people of Urcea. On September 3rd, 1996, the ten-year old was invested by his grandfather as Prince of Halfway. He took on a rigorous education which included his interest in religious matters incorporated into his education into the affairs of state. For the next decade, Prince Riordan was prepared for assuming the throne of his ancestors, paying attention to the affairs of state and global politics.

At age 17, Prince Riordan was commissioned as an Ensign in the Royal Navy following a six week course in the Imperial War College of the Collegium Scientificum. He served aboard the HMCMS Bounty and HMCMS Southmarch, both guided missile cruisers, until his promotion in July 2005 at the age of 19. As a 2nd Lieutenant, Riordan served as executive officer (an unusual distinction for an office of such a rank) on the destroyer HMCMS Imperator until August of 2006, when he was recalled to Urceopolis due to the declining health of his grandfather.

Reign
On 2 August 2006, Riordan was recalled to Urceopolis as his grandfather, Aedanicus IX, fell into a coma. Considerable efforts were made to revive the 78-year old King, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Prince Riordan was present in the Julian Palace when his grandfather died on 14 August 2006. Per custom, Riordan was responsible for conveying the news to the crowds gathered outside the Palace, who acclaimed him Apostolic King of Urcea and Emperor of the Levantines. As King Riordan VIII, Riordan met with Procurator James Dynan on the morning of 15 August followed by Chancellor and Temporary President Michael Witte. These briefings, which included classified information and state secrets, were followed by an afternoon meeting with the Concilium Purpaidá, which pledged to organize a coronation no later than February of 2007. On 19 August, the new King oversaw the funeral of his grandfather in Saint Peter's Archbasilica. Riordan's first months on the throne were focused on ceremonial duties, such as receiving foreign dignitaries and receiving condolences and well wishes on his reign to come, though during these months he began a productive relationship with Pope Pius XIII. On 13 February, he was crowned as Apostolic King of Urcea and Emperor of the Levantines by the Pope in Saint Peter's Archbasilica.

Ti tles, styles, honors and arms

 * 13 June 1986 - 19 August 1996: His Christian Highness Archduke and Prince Riordan of Urcea
 * 19 August 1996 – 14 August 2006: His Christian Highness The Prince of Halfway
 * 14 August 2006 – present: His Most Christian Majesty the Apostolic King of Urcea and Emperor of the Levantines; His Imperial Apostolic Majesty also used in some contexts

His style and title, as appearing in preambles, is:"Riordan VIII, by the Grace of God, Emperor of the Levantines, Apostolic King of Urcea and Elector of Canaery, King of New Harren, Talionia, Crotona, Culfra, and Dericania, King of the Ængles and the Uzdehzani, Archduke of Urceopolis, Grand Duke of Harren, Sovereign Lord of Medimeria, Ventotene, and the Unnuaq Islands, First and Only Honorary Canon of St. Peter's Archbasilica, Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Holy Cross, Custóir of Custóirs, Custóir of the Julii, and Defender of the Faith."

Military ranks

 * Royal Navy


 * Ensign (June 2003 – July 2005)
 * 2nd Lieutenant (July 2005 - August 2006)