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Journal Entry 38
19.06.2026 What an amazing welcome from the Chinese when we arrived in Beijing this evening. Jonas was truly honored, as he had not expected such a large event, nor had I. The King was presented with a box containing two Pan Chang knots by a beautifully dressed little girl. Jonas met briefly with the young girl and her family, who said they made the knots specifically for him. The family asked Jonas to place one in his castle and one in his office. After arriving, our motorcade travelled to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where we are staying during the state visit. Before we retired for the evening, we dined with…
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Journal Entry 37
18.06.2026 I am honestly relieved that we are finally on our way to Beijing. The G7 summit had me wanting to pull my hair out, making sure Jonas stayed on schedule. Every leader and their support team were on strict timelines, which made every minute count. The King and I spent this evening during our flight, preparing for his state visit to China. Behind the upcoming pomp and pageantry, Jonas will work with President Xi Jinping regarding trade and cultural exchange. This evening was nice sitting with Jonas next to me. We certainly work well together, and there is no absence of badgering time between us. Even as we worked,…
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Journal Entry 36
16.06.2026 A successful day to say the least. King Jonas attended the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, near the border with Switzerland. Jonas met privately with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a constructive meeting with U.S. President Trump. I was amazed, surprised, and relieved about the amount of security at the summit. The Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG), led by the French Air and Space force, Swiss Air Force, along with thousands of law enforcement officers, provided impressive security during the summit, including to support staff such as myself. Jonas briefly discussed the Israeli-U.S.-Iranian and the Russian-Ukrainian…
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Journal Entry 35
14.06.2026 This evening, King Jonas and I left for France to attend the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. The King will be representing Dorstenland as a guest nation. The summit begins Jonas’s first foreign travel since the death of Queen Claudia and the attempted coup of our monarchy. My anxiety and stress levels are high. My workload increased dramatically as I tried to schedule and confirm meetings with Jonas and leaders of the G7, including President Trump. I am excited about our visit to Asia. Although I anticipate working hard as the King’s private secretary, I scheduled some time for Jonas and me to sightsee in China and Singapore. I’m…
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Journal Entry 34
13.06.2026 I was planning to spend today with Otto and Emma, but it appears that I have become a backseat to their social lives. At their age, I completely understand their independence. This morning, I sent a text to Jonas asking what his plans were for the day. I only keep a schedule of his royal duties. Ironically, Jonas intended to be with his children as well. However, it became clear that our children planned to spend the day together, without their fathers Jonas decided to join some of the workers from his non-profit organization during a renovation and asked me to join. Of course, I could not decline. Not…
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Journal Entry 33
11.06.2026 I love this picture of King Jonas and me in front of his castle. The setting was not suggested by the photographer or by me, but at Jonas’s insistence. Before we began our workday, Jonas gave me a present and asked me to unwrap it. Inside was a framed picture of the two of us that he asked me to put in my office. Later in the day, Jonas asked me for my approval to have the picture posted on the monarchy’s official website. Of course, I agreed and chose not to pry about why he needed my approval. The King told me the picture signified our life-long bond.…
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Journal Entry 32
09.06.2026 What an exciting day for all the people of Dorstenland. Jonas officiated the prime minister’s oath of office ceremony for Sabine Keller, as the first female Ministerpräsidentin des Königreichs Dorstenland. Following the ceremony, the King gave his ceremonial speech to parliament and the citizens of our nation. I met Sabine years ago while she was Dorstenland’s ambassador to Singapore. It is only fitting that Sabine will travel with Jonas next week to Asia, with a state visit to China, and for trade talks in Singapore with representatives from Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. This evening, Jonas and I had dinner at my home and played chess. Playing chess…
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Journal Entry 31
08.06.2026 I woke up this morning dreading the outcome of the election of our new prime minister to represent Parlament von Dorstenland. Our nation suffered deeply when Prime Minister Hans Northcott attempted last year to overthrow King Jonas and the monarchy. Northcott influenced his political party, Neu Christlich Demokratische Partei Dorstenlands, to do his bidding in parliament and in a small fraction of our military. Following the events that crushed Northcott’s ambitions, King Jonas was legally authorized to rule our nation, including Parlament von Dorstenland, until new elections were held, as per Dorstenland’s constitution. Our citizens voted to fill the seats of parliament with party members from Königliche Volkspartei (KVP),…
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Journal Entry 30
07.06.2026 I joined Jonas today to help during one of his personal community projects. The King’s way of relaxing is his favorite past-time; construction projects for the needy. A recently closed boy’s preparatory is under renovation to house low-income senior citizens in Feldkirch, Eberbach. Jonas turned down the project’s board of director’s idea of having the home named after the Queen. The final decision on naming the home has yet to be decided. Today was warm and muggy. Not the average weather during this time of year. Tomorrow, I will meet the Jonas early in the morning before we go to the Parliament building, for the King to fulfill his…
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Journal Entry 29
06.06.2026 Today was brilliant! Otto, Emma, and I accompanied the King and his four children, Princess Emily, Prince Boris, Princess Sophie, and Princess Tatiana to the 2026 Pride Festival in Eberbach. I was humbled by the excitement, community, and acceptance of those who took part and attended the festival. Bands from Prague to Ireland to Oregon in the USA, performed for free. On the drive home, Otto and I listened to Duran Duran’s new single, Free to Love, featuring Nile Rodgers. What a beautiful song to end an exciting day. Love is love, and everyone should be free to love who they want. Jonas called me late this evening to…
