The Prince

The Principality of Sylvestria is an elective monarchy. The Prince is elected for a life term by national referendum of all Sylvestrians over the age of 16. The Prince carries out public rituals, represents the people of Sylvestria, and is the fons honorem from which all titles, awards, and honors are bestowed. In cooperation with the Sylvestrian lords, the Prince oversees the administration of justice. The Prince appoints the Director General in consultation with the National Assembly, Sylvestria's unicameral legislature. The Prince is officially styled "Prince of the Sylvestrians", highlighting the responsibility and role of the prince as leader and protector of the people.

The Director General

The Director General is the Head of Government of the Principality of Sylvestria and oversees the daily governance of the nation on behalf of the Prince. In the absence of the Prince, the Director General serves as Regent, carrying out the duties of the Prince until a new Prince of the Sylvestrians is elected. All government bureaus report directly to the Director General. The Director General frequently represents Sylvestria internationally in his capacity as senior diplomat and ambassador plenipotentiary. The current Director General is His Illustrious Excellency, Bart E. Belteaux.

Treasury

Budget development and oversight, postage stamps and currency, digital and physical archives

Foreign Affairs

Sovereignty, foreign policy, international partnerships, protocol

Culture, Arts, & Heritage

Arts and crafts, holidays, festivals and sports, sumptuary code

Science, Industry, & Agriculture

Agricultural development, cottage industry, research initiatives

Orders and Awards

In Sylvestria, individuals who serve the Prince, government, or people with distinction are highly regarded and respected. The Prince of the Sylvestrians has the exclusive right to confer all awards and titles of honor. Nominations may be made to the Prince by the Director General, the National Assembly, or members of the Sylvestrian nobility. The honors granted by the Prince include the Sylvestrian Order of Merit, medals of commendation in Arts & Sciences, Sports, and Diplomacy, as well as medals of achievement. On rare occasion, the prince may elevate especially meritorious individuals to the Sylvestrian nobility as Counts, Barons, Leet Lords and Leets. These titles are not hereditary.

Royal Sylvestrian Order of Merit

The Order of Merit is a prestigious award that recognizes individuals who have made significant, sustained, lifetime contributions to Sylvestria. It is the highest civil honor that can be bestowed upon an individual and is limited by statute to just 10 living recipients. It is suspended from a green and white drape. Awardees may use the post-nominal letters SOM.

Order of the Laurel Cross

The Order of the Laurel Cross recognizes Sylvestrians and foreign nationals who have made Sylvestria better through exceptionally meritorious achievement in the Arts and Sciences. The bronze medal is suspended from a blue drape. Membership in the order is limited to 25 living recipients.

Order of Friendship and Peace

The Order of Friendship and Peace is awarded to Sylvestrians and foreign nationals for special merit in strengthening peace, friendship, cooperation, and understanding between nations, or supporting and promoting Sylvestrian interests in a distinguished way. The medal is suspended from a black drape.

Medal for Excellence in Exploration

The Medal for Excellence in Exploration, also known as "the Explorer's Medal" is awarded to Sylvestrians for distinction in the field of exploration, discovery, and research whether by land, sea, air, or space. The award may be granted to foreign nationals for exceptionally meritorious achievements made in cooperation with Sylvestrian research objectives.

Civil Commendation Medal

The Civil Commendation Medal is a decoration designed to recognize outstanding accomplishments in the Arts, Sciences, Sports, or Diplomacy that are of considerable benefit to the nation or world. The color of the drape from which the medal is suspended denotes the field in which the medal was earned.

Civil Achievement Medal

The Civil Achievement Medal is awarded for notable actions not warranting award of the Civil Commendation Medal. Like the Civil Commendation Medal, the color of the drape from which the medal is suspended denotes the field in which the award was received.

Expeditionary Service Medal

The Expeditionary Service Medal is awarded to individuals who actively participate in or provide direct support to BCDS or RSGS operations of exploration, training, research, or security. The medal may also be awarded to citizens of foreign nations who participate in Sylvestrian led or aligned operations. The medal is suspended from a blue and green drape.