H.E Dame Marianne Paine Stahle – President of the Council of the Kingdom
– Coronation Dinner Speech –
Principality of Monaco – 22 Nov 2025
Honorable and distinguished Prince Antoine V
Honorable members of the Royal House of Araucania and Patagonia,
consuls, ministers and advisors
Honorable guests and international dignitaries
Thank you for attending this unique event, the coronation of the ninth Prince of Araucania and Patagonia, Futha Apo Toki, Antoine V.
Tonight, for the first time, we have the privilege of viewing the Royal Steel Crown.
The Steel Crown is a powerful symbol of dignity, dedication and commitment, and of the sacred bond between the Sovereign and the Mapuche people – strong and eternal.
Mapuche identity and traditions are reflected in the Steel Crown. The crown is rich in symbols. I will mention some of them.
- There are 4 stones in the rim of the crown, taken from the four cardinal points of the Wallmapu, representing the four corners of Mapuche ancestral territory. Among them is Lapis Lazuli, the very same kind of stone that legend says gave Toki Kalfukura supernatural powers. The presence of the Lapis Lazuli is a dignified way to honour Toki Kalfukura, one of the founders of the Kingdom and martyr of the Mapuche Nation.
- There are 3 stones contained in the orb at the top of the crown, beneath the Txarikan or Andean cross are from the three rivers Bio-Bio, Colorado and Salado, all recognized as geographical and legal boundaries of Wallmapu under the Mapuche Treaties and under international law.
- Steel is the strongest and most long-lived metal we know. Also the steel is enriched with symbols. Around the rim there is the pattern of the Lonko´s headband, the Trarilonko. This symbolizes that the Sovereign of the Kingdom is Futha Apo Toki, the Mapuche High Chief of war. This title was originally given to King Orellie, Antoine I, by Toki Kilapan co-founder of the Kingdom at his appointment as first Sovereign of Araucania and Patagonia.
I would like to take this opportunity to declare my and the Kingdom’s deeply felt gratitude to some persons, whose indispensable efforts were absolutely essential in the making of this beautiful and important Steel Crown, the very symbol of the strong and reliable bonds between the Kingdom and the Mapuche people.
First of all, the artisan, Chev. Darren Ainsworth. Chev. Ainsworth has been awarded the Knight of the Order of the Steel Crown for his important contribution to the Kingdom.
Dame Teresa Paillahueque and the Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Diplomatic Affairs, Reynaldo Mariqueo have cooperated with Dame Nina Saleh Ahmed, Duchess of Neuquen with knowledge and inspiration in the process of designing the Steel Crown.
Dame Annette Montague-Thomas, Baroness of Quentrequil, whose generous philanthropic support has made the Steel Crown possible – we are all in eternal gratitude to you.
I would also wish to thank Dame Nina for her never failing work for the Kingdom, always a reliable source of knowledge and patience.
Thank you all!
And now I call upon Prince Antoine to pronounce the oath of office in the presence of the Steel Crown.
H.E Dame Marianne Paine Stahle – Duchess of Angol
President of the Council of the Kingdom
