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STATEMENT FROM WERILLAH EV:
Monday, 12th September 1939
Their Royal Majesties, King Ibrahim and Queen Kasmira are thrillified to announce the engagement of their son, His Royal Highness Prince Fiyero to Ms Elphaba Thropp, formerly of Munchkinland.
Prince Fiyero proposed last week during the couple’s visit to the Emerald City, after obtaining the blessing of both the king and queen and Ms Thropp’s family. Prince Fiyero and Ms Thropp have informed their families and close friends of the happy news and are looking forward to festivating with them in due course.
The wedding will take place in late winter of 1940 at Werillah Ev, as per tradition. Further details will be announced at a later date.
Following the wedding, Ms Thropp will be known as Her Royal Highness, Princess Elphaba Tiggular. The couple will live at Dunn Mor in the Great Kells City.
THE MUNCHKINLAND POST: Munchkinland’s Own Becomes Vinkun Princess
Sunday, 18th February 1940
There were celebrations throughout all of Oz yesterday, as Prince Fiyero Tiggular of the Vinkus married Elphaba Melena Thropp, now henceforth known as Her Royal Highness, Princess Elphaba Tiggular.
Thousands lined the streets between Werillah Ev, the main royal residence since 1884 and the Wodinn Cathedral, where all royal weddings have taken place since the wedding of the Princess Sarisha Dahl-Tigelaar to Duke Jove Tigelaar in 1570, the union which began the House of Tiggular (then Tigelaar. The spelling changed to Tiggular in 1688).
Indeed, some avid royal watchers had been lining up since Friday morning, eager to catch a glimpse of their new princess on her way to the cathedral.
For many, the marriage was a long time coming. Elphaba and Fiyero first met while studying at Shiz University in January 1936 and began dating in April of that same year. Elphaba was studying a double major of politics and law, while Fiyero majored in politics with a minor economics.
They announced their engagement in September last year, the official announcement from the palace coming a week after Fiyero proposed during a trip to the Emerald City.
Fiyero, 28, arrived at the cathedral at 10:30 am, accompanied by his best man, Shiz University classmate and Munchkinland native, Boq Underhill, 23. To the delight of the crowds assembled outside, Fiyero took a few moments to greet some of the well wishes before heading inside. The Vinkun royals, King Ibrahim and Queen Kasmira, arrived a few minutes later and were seen conversing with family and invited nobles before going inside to take their seats.
The guest list, including the bridal party, totalled less than a hundred. The small ceremony raised eyebrows among some members of parliament, but sources say Elphaba and Fiyero were determined to keep their wedding as intimate as possible.
Elphaba, 25, arrived with maid of honour Glinda Upland [of the Upper Uplands], 23, daughter of Gilderoy and Lillianah Upland, who were also in attendance; and her sister and bridesmaid, Nessarose Thropp, 21.
The crowds went wild as they got their first glimpse of their future princess. The bridesmaids wore matching one shouldered golden gowns; while Elphaba’s wedding gown was a silk organza sheath with a two- foot train, long sleeves and high neckline. All three dresses were designed by Vinkun dressmaker, Dove Mosser. The level of secrecy around the dress has been circling since the engagement was announced, with bookmakers taking bets on who would design the royal wedding dress; and what it would look like. Mosser was one of the highest options, offering odds of 6 to 1.
Elphaba didn’t meet with onlookers as Fiyero did, but she did offer some smiles and waves briefly before heading inside. Her bouquet was wild white and yellow roses, the floral emblem of the Vinkus. The expected cornflowers, representing Munchkinland through our floral emblem, were not present; a move sure to cause speculation among Munchkins, although Elphaba hasn’t returned to Munchkinland since Lurlinemas of 1937.
Elphaba walked down the aisle alone. Governor Thropp did not attend.
The couple recited their vows and exchanged rings in the presence of the guests, and at precisely 12.28 pm, emerged from the cathedral amidst the cheers of the crowd. An open air carriage carried the royal couple back to Werillah Ev, the King and Queen following behind with the remainder of the bridal party. More excited onlookers awaited them there, gathering outside the castle to await the traditional balcony appearance of the royal couple- the first official public appearance of the prince and their new princess.
They appeared briefly alongside the king and queen on the balcony to wave to the crowds, and Fiyero bestowed a kiss on his blushing bride as the crowd roared their approval. Afterwards, the reception was held in the Werillah Ev ballroom. Press were barred, but insiders report the festivations continued until after midnight. The Prince and new Princess are expected to honeymoon in the Emerald City. Bookmakers are now taking bets on when the next heir to the throne can be expected.
In the meantime, Her Royal Highness Princess Elphaba will officially start her royal duties when they return. Among serving as a patron to several charities, she is expected to work alongside His Majesty King Ibrahim to develop new laws to protect Animal rights in the Vinkus.
STATEMENT FROM WERILLAH EV:
Wednesday, May 20th 1942
Their Royal Majesties, King Ibrahim and Queen Kasmira are thrillified to announce that HRH Prince Fiyero and Princess Elphaba are expecting their first child this winter.
Princess Elphaba is in excellent health, and she and Prince Fiyero are excited to be expanding their own family.
Their families and friends are absolutely delighted.
The announcement means that Princess Elphaba and Prince Fiyero will be unable to complete their arranged state visit to Gillikin in the fall.
His Majesty King Ibrahim wishes to offer bookmakers excellent odds in favour of the first grandchild being named for a royal ancestor. Queen Kasmira encourages all Vinkuns to gamble responsibly.
Princess Elphaba asks for the people’s understanding during the next six months if she is unable to fulfil all her royal duties and commitments to the best of her ability, recognising that she must prioritise her own health and wellbeing and that of the child.
The Prince and Princess ask that all those wishing to send gifts, instead please make a donation to a local children’s charity of your choosing.
THE VINKUN CHRONICLE: New Princess Born!
Tuesday, November 10th 1942
Palace officials from Werillah Ev announced late yesterday evening that HRH Princess Elphaba has given birth to her first child, a daughter.
The new Princess was born at 3.54 am, after Her Highness went into labour late Sunday morning, the official statement said. Prince Fiyero was by his wife’s side to welcome their daughter into the world.
The official statement, now on display at the front of Werillah Ev for public viewing, simply stated that the princess was born and mother and child were in good health. However, sources from the palace reveal that the princess was born not at Dunn Mor, but at the Greater Kells Hospital.
The queen’s private secretary confirmed that the princess was rushed to hospital around three am on Monday morning, after midwives feared the baby was in distress. The baby was born via caesarean section shortly after, and given a clean bill of health by midwives.
The king and queen arrived at the hospital after breakfast to meet their granddaughter, as did Glinda Upland, and Nessarose and Boq Underhill, Elphaba’s sister and brother-in-law, who were married earlier this year.
Palace officials sent another statement at the time of print.
“Their Royal Highnesses Prince Fiyero and Princess Elphaba are delighted to announce the arrival of their daughter, Princess Odede Melena Tiggular, 18 inches long and weighing eight pounds, two ounces. She is healthy, beautiful and already ridiculously doted upon by her grandparents, aunt, uncle and godmother.
Prince Fiyero and Princess Elphaba would especially like to extend their thanks to the midwives, doctor and hospital staff who helped bring the princess safely into the world. Because of this, they kindly request that anyone wishing to send gifts would instead make a donation in Princess Odede’s name to the hospital or a children’s charity.”
The king and queen have already made a donation to the hospital in gratitude to the staff, and it is expected the Mr and Mrs Underhill and Ms Upland will follow suit.
There has been no word from Governor Thropp, the princess’s father, from whom she is estranged. Aside from her sister’s wedding, they have not been sighted together since Princess Elphaba’s graduation from Shiz University. Insiders say he has no plans to visit the Vinkus to meet his granddaughter.
December 1st, 1943
Dearest Nessie,
I’m so sorry to hear you and Boq won’t be joining us at Dunn Mor for Lurlinemas this year, but incredibly thrillified to hear the reason why- I’m going to be an aunt!
I hope you’re starting to feel better by the time this reaches you. If not, try drinking ginger tea of a morning before you get up. It was a miracle worker for me when I was suffering morning sickness with Odie.
I do wish I could be there and be more of help, but I shall bombard you with advice from now until June, don’t you worry! But I suppose with Dr Jardine, the midwife and Boq’s mother, you won’t be lacking with people to help you.
Please don’t feel bad about not coming for Lurlinemas, Nessie. Your health and the health of my niece or nephew is most important. Odie is only just over a year, and she’s still far more interesting in the wrapping paper than any actual gifts or Lurlinemas traditions. I don’t know how she’s going to sit through the service at church on Lurlinemas morning. Now that she’s walking unaided (Oz that sounds so surreal to say), keeping her still for more than a moment is a struggle.
How is Boq feeling now? Don’t tell him I told you this, but Fiyero laughed when I read him that Boq fainted upon hearing the news. He laughed so hard he fell off the couch, which I told him served him right. He wasn’t too steady himself when I told him I was expecting Odie.
Speaking of whom, as I said, she’s practically running now. I think she’s skipping the walking stage entirely. But her vocabulary has grown to include a third word- “uh-oh”. It came out when she dropped a block she was playing with. Fiyero said it, and she repeated it. I think he’s more delighted than when she said “dada”, but it’s a reminder that we have to be very careful with what we say around her now!
Would you like us to come out in the summer? Or we can merely come for the christening, whenever it’s planned for. Odede will be old enough for the journey then, I think, although it’ll take far longer than usual. I can’t say I’m eager to see Father again, or for Odie to meet him (and him her), but for your sake and the baby’s, I’m willing to endure it.
Glinda is coming for the holidays- not for Lurlinemas itself, but for the New Year. She’s bringing her new “beau” as she called him in her last letter (if she refers to him as that while they’re here, I don’t think I can stop myself from rolling my eyes), Duke Caron Foxe. Neither Yero or I have met him before nor know much about him. Glinda hasn’t said much beside how wonderful he is. I know you’re going to ask me if it’s serious and if she loves him, but you know Glinda- she falls hard and fast. But don’t you worry, he’ll go through a thorough close watch and scrutiny while he’s here, and I’ll report all my findings to you afterwards.
Fiyero said we’re practicing for when Odie starts dating… and then quickly decided he wasn’t ready to think about that prospect just yet.
I can’t write as much as I’d like, I’m off to a charity function this afternoon. I’m so thrillified for you and Boq, Nessa. If you’re even half the wonderful mother that you are aunt, this baby is going to be very lucky indeed.
Give all my love to Boq, and remind him sternly to make sure he looks after you. Let me know when you’d like us to come out, and I’ll post your Lurlinemas gifts next week.
All our love,
Elphaba, Fiyero and Odie.