Genovia
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The Principality of Genovia ("Kingdom of Genovia" in the films) (pronounced "zhä'no'vë'ä" in the films by native Genovians, but often as "jä'no'vë'ä" by outsiders) is a fictional country central to the plot of the novel The Princess Diaries and the films based on them (see The Princess Diaries (film)). Their author, Meg Cabot, made up the country of Genovia, but based it on Monaco. The sequel film, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, marks the first time Genovia is seen properly on screen. It was shown briefly in the first film from an airplane window.
The movie and book tell the story of Princess Mia Thermopolis, who is the unknowing future heir to the country's throne, as the only daughter of the crown prince. In the books Mia's father is infertile, due to testicular cancer and chemotherapy. In the films, however, he is just deceased. The prince's American artist ex-girlfriend is Mia's mother. In the period the story is set, the prince's widowed mother, Dowager Princess Clarisse Marie Grimaldi Renaldo (Renaldi in the Film), is simply a figure such as the British Queen Mother Elizabeth, while her son Philippe rules (however in the films, Queen Clarisse Renaldi as she is called, serves as regent until Mia comes of age).
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[edit] History
The country's history dates back to the 500s when an Italian king was slaughtered by a warlord named Albion. He took Rosagunde, a daughter of one of the dead king's generals and made her drink wine from her dead father's skull. She was so infuriated that she strangled Albion with her braids while he slept on their wedding night. She then gave the throne to the king's son, and he made her the dowager princess of a small land, now known as Genovia.
This story is apparently based on the murder of Albion, the Lombard king, by his wife Rosamund. She was the daughter of King Cunimund of the Gepids, who were at that time living in the area of Belgrade. Albion did actually make Rosamund drink wine from her dead father's skull, and she arranged to have him murdered in bed (although not by strangling him with her braids). She then fled to Ravenna, in northern Italy.
Princess Diaries, Volume VI: Princess in Training contains the story of St. Amelie, the patron saint of Genovia, whom the current dowager princess claims Mia Thermopolis Renaldo was named for. Born in 1070, Amelie was a peasant goatherd who miraculously lulled an invading Italian count and his entire army of mercenaries to sleep with her beautiful singing voice. She then cut off the count's head with an axe. This terrified the mercenaries so much that they fled, and Amelie was hailed as her country's savior. The petrified heart of St. Amelie has been preserved as a relic, and only members of the Renaldi royal family are permitted to touch it.
[edit] Geography
Genovia is a tiny country situated between France and Italy (France and Spain in the films, which would make it nearer to Andorra). In the book series it is stated that it is approximately a mile long and the population is around 50,000. It has beautiful beaches, and the only white sand along the Mediterranean (according to Clarisse). It is warm all year round, while its beaches are used in the tropical weather.
Genovia is based on the country of Monaco, which is also subject to a founding treaty. In Genovia, if Philippe dies without ever having produced an heir, the throne will go to Mia's second cousin, Sebastino Grimaldi, son of Clarisse's late husband's sister. (In the films, the throne will be turned over to other rulers such as Lord Nicholas Devereaux or the Von Trokens if certain obligations of the royal family are not met, which is also the case in Monaco, where the nation will remain independent from France if the ruling house were to fall.[1])
[edit] Government
Genovia's form of government is a principality, headed by the House of Renaldi. Genovia's royal family is related to the House of Grimaldi in Monaco, and to the dethroned Prince Rene of Italy.
The seat of government is the capital of Genovia, named Pyrus in the films. Architectural cues in Genovia are similar to its neighboring nations.
The country has a small parliament of approximately 50 seated members, in which all the members wear long British Empire-style robes and gray-toned wigs. Membership in parliament is likely acquired through peerage rather than election judging by the styles of its members. Parliament is held in session within the royal palace. There is no prime minister of Genovia, though one is present in the films - Prime Minister Sebastian Motaz, who in the movies presides over the body, and one noted senior parliamentarian is Lord Palimore, and another member Lord Harmony. Untitled members include Hiller and Bishop.
The Captain of the Guard is the zealous Kip Kelly. The royal guard uniform is a military-styled navy blue with white helmets.
The seated monarch is styled "Her Royal Highness" formally, and occasionally "Your Highness" in the more familiar by those in a social station who dare.
[edit] Ruler In the Novels
In the books Artur Christoph Philippe Gerard Renaldi (known as Philippe) is the monarch, and his daughter Amelia will follow upon his death. In the novels Genovia is a principality, whereas in the films it is a kingdom. In the novels, it would never be required of Mia to be married to ascend the throne. Clarisse Renaldi is the dowager princess, and not royal by blood, and therefore will never rule.
[edit] Ruler In the Films
In the films, the monarch of Genovia is currently Queen Amelia Migonette Thermopolis Renaldi, having succeeded her grandmother, Queen-by-marriage, Clarisse Renaldi. Mia is the latest ruler in over 150 years of rule by House Renaldi. She was briefly engaged to His Grace the Duke of Kenilworth, Andrew Jacoby, as part of the 300-year-old statutory requirement of parliament that a princess of Genovia could not ascend to the throne until wed. This statute is reversed prior to the wedding.
Dowager Princess Clarisse married Prince Rupert Renaldi of Genovia, and they had two sons, Philippe, who is Mia's father, and the first born who denounced the crown to join the church. In the films, Clarisse is later involved with Joseph, her former head of security, though in the novels she does not remarry, though her astrologist proposes to her in book 4 1/4; Valentine Princess.
Mia was also briefly challenged in her right of ascent in the films, by Lord Nicholas Devereaux, great-great-great grandson of King Chevalier and grandson of a senior Lord Nicholas. Devereaux's uncle is Viscount Arthur Mabrey. (More properly "vicomte" given the French language heritage in Genovia). If the events of the second film are contemporary to its release, Nicholas turned twenty-one on the 20th of October, 2003.
- Genovia is a principality and that in the novels Mia would never have to be married to ascend the throne.
- Since Genovia is not a kingdom, but a principality, when Mia does rule, she will not be style Her Majesty the Queen Amelia, but rather Her Royal Highness Princess Amelia Mignonette of Genovia.
- If Mia married her beau Michael (as she plans to do) he will become His Royal Highness, Michael Moscovitz Renaldo, Prince of Genovia, Prince Consort to HSH Princess Amelia.
[edit] National Flag
The Genovian flag is a tricolor of green, white, and blue bands with the royal coat of arms in the white section, similar to the flag of Andorra.
[edit] National Anthem
The Genovian National anthem (in the films)
Genovia, the land I call my home,
From the green clear summer,
to blossoming pear trees;
Magnificent her mountains and seas.
Genovia, Genovia,
You're noble, proud, and brave.
Genovia, Genovia,
Forever
Will your banner wave!
[edit] Exports
In the novels Genovia is best known throughout Europe for its olives, and the number one export of Genovia is olive oil, while the main import is tourists, due to the tropical climate and casinoes. In the films, Genovia is famous for its pear, and the Genovian Pear is a major export.
[edit] Delicacies
Foie gras consumed by Genovians with wine is a delicacy in Genovia and at Genovian weddings a ten course meal - olives, pasta, antipasto, fish, meat, salad, cheese, bread, fruit, and desert - is served. Also Grappa, a very strong form of alcohol is commonly served around Christmas. The films feature popcorn that taste like pears.
[edit] Names/Puns
The name "Genovia" is based on the name of a city in Italy called Genoa. This was probably chosen as the House of Grimaldi is associated with the history of the Republic of Genoa and of the Principality of Monaco, upon which the country is based. The Grimaldi family descends from Grimaldo, a Genovese statesman. (Note The term Genova is frequently used in the city of Genoa for the city in italian.)
| The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot |
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| The Princess Diaries • Princess in the Spotlight • Princess in Love • Princess in Waiting • Princess in Pink • Party Princess • Princess on the Brink • Princess Mia • Forever Princess |
| Princess Diaries novellas |
| Valentine Princess • Project Princess • The Princess Present • Sweet Sixteen Princess |
| Related articles |
| Genovia • The Princess Diaries movie • The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement • Princess Lessons • Perfect Princess • Holiday Princess |
