His Majesty King George VII (Marquess of Marchmain) today received the Acting Supreme Leader Adam Kacprzyńsk of Traensoles and the Sovereign of Riaphe for an audience in the King’s Audience Chamber.

During the audience, His Majesty, who chairs the Imperial Council for Military Affairs and Service, was pleased to announce the Council’s decision to proclaim Traensoles and Riaphe as the Empire’s Nations of the Week, in recognition of their contributions to the diversity and character of the Imperial Armed Forces.

In particular, His Majesty expressed his appreciation for the distinctive military traditions brought by both nations to the Empire. Traensoles possesses a proud and highly developed military tradition, distinguished by its powerful naval and aerospace forces and its emphasis on layered national defence. From the imposing ORT Admirał Kadyrachow, the flagship of the Traensolian Navy, to the venerable ORT Żbik, remembered fondly by generations of submariners, Traensolian military history is marked by both remarkable equipment and the men and women who have served aboard it.

His Majesty also highlighted the courage displayed during Operation Guillotine, particularly that of Major Aleksander Wrona and the crew of Tu-22M2 Red 9. After the aircraft was struck by a Patriot missile and suffered severe hydraulic damage, Major Wrona successfully brought the bomber and its crew safely back to Zakrów Air Force Base. The aircraft was subsequently repaired and returned to service, while Major Wrona was awarded the Bronze Cross of War Merit with Swords and the title of Hero of Traensoles.

Riaphe, meanwhile, brings an altogether different but no less distinctive tradition to the Imperial Armed Forces. Its military philosophy is centred upon national defence, careful use of resources, and close cooperation between military and civil services. The Riaphean armed forces' unusual organisation, in which a number of former military formations have been reorganised as civil services, reflects the nation's longstanding preference for a restrained defensive posture.

Among the most recognisable chapters of Riaphean military history is the story of Starland, the former cruise liner converted into a warship and used to transport troops from Star City to Port Starland during the Astrian Conquest. The conquest of the Astrian Islands, remembered as the Riaphean National Unification, remains commemorated each year on 25 June and stands as an important part of the nation's military and national heritage.

His Majesty noted that the histories of Traensoles and Riaphe demonstrate the remarkable variety of military traditions found throughout the Empire. From Traensoles' sophisticated defensive doctrine and celebrated naval and air forces to Riaphe's distinctive integration of military and civil services, both nations have developed traditions that enrich the character of the Imperial Armed Forces.

His Majesty congratulated both representatives upon their nations' selection and expressed his appreciation for the continued service, traditions, and contributions of the peoples of Traensoles and Riaphe.