Phoenix Prince

Phoenix Prince (or Princess) was a position created by the Empire's Charter, though the title itself was created by Royal Edict. The person designated Phoenix Prince was Heir Apparent of the Empire and would, once confirmed by a body chosen by the Sovereign, succeed the Sovereign for life upon her death. The title itself was a reference to the Abstalian Phoenix, and not only linked the Heir to the Empire's Royal symbol, but also symbolically represented a "rebirth" of the monarchy in the new Sovereign when he or she succeeded the previous one, and portrayed the monarchy (and, by extension, the Empire) as "immortal".

The Phoenix Prince was the only officer of the Empire as a whole chosen by any body other than the Sovereign alone, although the Sovereign still chose the candidate for the office. The heir was confirmed by a majority vote of the Consular Assembly, thus giving some measure of control over succession to Consuls and Tribunes (and, by extension of the latter, to the people). Under a Royal edict of 119 ABY, the Phoenix Prince (when there was one) would rule the Empire as Regent in the absence or incapacity of the Sovereign. By law, the heir apparent had to be made an actual prince as well.

In the early years following the Great Liberation, Rin Sakaros installed her brother Tariun as the first Phoenix Prince of the Empire, confirmed unanimously by the Consular Assembly.

Legally, the Phoenix Prince had no formal duty other than to become Sovereign if the Sovereign died, or to serve as Regent if the Sovereign was incapacitated. However, in installing her brother Tariun (at various points) as Prime Legate, Prefect of the Order of Keltrayu, and a Royal Executor, Rin created the precedent that the Phoenix Prince would be a major participant in day-to-day governance and leadership.

In common parlance, the Phoenix Prince was sometimes called the "Crown Prince", the "Heir Apparent", the "Heir to the Empire", or simply "the Heir". During the early years of the Empire, when Tariun Sakaros was the only prince of the Empire, "the Prince" was also sometimes used to refer to his office as heir, rather than him personally. This usage declined drastically when Nagarian Sakaros was publically confirmed as a prince of the Empire as well.

The Royal Standard of the Golden Empire with colors inverted (white Phoenix and circle on gold) was the personal standard of the Phoenix Prince.