On the 24th of March, 2018, Stephen Freayth officially abdicated from the throne of the Abeldane Empire.

During the end of the weekly Reichsversammlung meeting, the Emperor gave this speech to the government body.

“On this very day in 2015, the Grand Prince Donald abdicated as Emperor in favour of me. The time for such an abdication was untimely considering the fact that our Empire was dealing with a crisis. I had abdicated a few weeks prior to Grand Prince Donald’s abdicated, and I abdicated in favour of him. That period, that period, was the worst thing I feared and it still is today; that the Empire would disunite because of an issue that cannot be resolved through simple compromises. Afraid of providing a solution and afraid that the Empire would collapse. We were headed to a future that seemed impossible to dictate, that didn’t know how to proceed and left with an Empire in shambles. We headed off to a period of inactivity and of no progress at all while our other allies went off to proceed with their advancement. I didn’t lose hope and I had a duty to maintain and preserve our Empire. We did hit a resurge in activity in mid-2016 after we went federalising the Empire. As time after that period progressed, we have seen the occasional problems that our Empire have gone through and all the hardships we’ve gone through. Our community and that of our Empire is so diverse and so active that I simply cannot control everything that is happening. But if we want to progress further and if we want to continue further to the future, it is better we compromise things. We have differences, but we ought to united in things that matter much more in issues that concern the Empire’s stability, progress and how we will go on. Commitment is also another thing that is required for the stability and governance of our Empire. Our early citizens failed to do this and it is time we recognise that commitment is an important issue and that needs to be tackled. Being on the throne for exactly 3 years on this day makes me recognise that a high position comes with great responsibility. I know that I have been personally responsible [for] things that may have seemed morally or logically wrong and I do recognise that and I do apologise. But all the other problems are all in my shoulders and I am responsible for all of its aftermaths. People seemed to be discouraged to join us because of all our problems and that is not the image I would like Abelden to be known for in its existence. We all have a duty and so do I, and that duty is to be a uniting force for all Abeldanes and to maintain its existence and its good governance. I thank everyone that I’ve worked with personally and micronationally for all the times, in good and in bad, we’ve gone through and I shall miss it all. As I join my fellow founders, Donald and Rachel, this will pave a new way for the future era the Empire is about to enter. It’s not as easy as it is to go but one must go in order to make things better. As the Empire begins a new era, all I ask is that we commit ourselves for the betterment of our Empire, that we do things with compromise, that we enjoy things and not make them all too serious and that we cooperate together with your new Emperor, Nicholas.”

Nicholas Kaos, Pacemian Emperor and former Prince Regent of Abelden, accepted these duties with the following declaration in the Reichversammlung.

“My fellow Abeldanes, I am here today to speak of my new role as the Emperor of our great nation. For over three years has Steve ruled us without disappointing the needs of the people and the needs of our government. He has served us well, and deserves this break into normal citizen life. Now, I am now the one to hold this torch. In my micronational history, I have served several different micronations, including Abelden, in their respective governments. In this time, I have learned to be a strong leader, and this will not change in Abelden. In order to best serve this nation, I shall be following in the footsteps of Steve, and will be asking him for advice throughout my reign. But I will also take advice from the people, from government members, and from anyone who can spare their two cents in order to best serve the empire. When needed, I will constantly take action to best suit the empire. I hope you all can accept me as your Monarch for as long as needed, and I hope I serve you well. Through all hardships shall I be here to serve, and will, until the end of my reign, make Abelden one of my highest priorities. Thank you all so much for this chance.”

Shortly afterwards, in consideration of Stephen’s previous decrees, Kaos declared Newton von Uberquie as the Prince Regent, serving as Kaos’ number two and as the heir to the throne. The citizens of Abelden have had generally positive responses, with many celebrating the arrival of the new Emperor, with the common ‘Hahu’ being said through many Abeldane chats.

Some have wondered, due to Kaos now leading both Pacem and Abelden, how will they interact and work with one another? In short, the nations will share a personal union, similar to many monarchies in Europe years and years ago. In avoidance of a conflict of interest, Kaos decided to go on this path, as well as resigning from the National Abeldane Independence Party to be an Independent, as Emperor Stephen had done before.