Dustinian I, Sitkan Emperor
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| His Imperial Majesty Dustinian I | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor and Autocrat of all Sitka King of Congress Hurford Grand Duke of Platova | |||||||||
| Sitkan Emperor | |||||||||
| Reign | 12 March 2024 - present | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Monarchy established | ||||||||
| King of Hurford | |||||||||
| Reign | 15 April 2024 - present | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Monarchy established | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| House | Salisbury | ||||||||
| Religion | Orthodox Christianity | ||||||||
| Occupation | Businessman | ||||||||
Dustinian I (born Dustin Salisbury) was the reigning Sitkan Emperor, King of Hurford, and Grand Duke of Platova until 2024. He has been involved in micronationalism since 2019 and has held various diplomatic positions in several micronations over the years.
Early life
Dustin Salisbury was born in British Columbia, Canada. The oldest of two children, he adopted a lifelong interest in European history and medieval mythology at a young age. His father is of English and Irish ancestry and his mother of Danish, English and German descent. Salisbury graduated from Malaspina University-College in 2007, where he majored in business. His wife currently reigns alongside him as Empress Constort of the Sitkan Empire.
Micronational career
Salisbury began his micronational career with the Confederation of Northern Territories where he briefly served as a senator, and later with the Holy Canadian Empire where he rose to the rank of prince-elector. In 2020, he founded the Kingdom of Permaria and ruled as its king until early 2024. In February of that year, Salisbury embarked on a trip to the Alaskan panhandle, where he set about creating an independent North American monarchy and continuation of the Roman Empire by declaring the foundation of a successor state to Imperial Russia. Upon his return to Canada in early March, he founded the House of Salisbury as an imperial dynasty to lay claim to his property as hereditary lands and achieve his aims of building a functional nation-state. Salisbury was eventually joined by several close family members and the foundation for a micronation began to take shape. The Sitkan Empire was officially founded on 12 March 2024, with Salisbury being crowned as its first monarch and declared Emperor and Autocrat of all Sitka by his peers. Taking inspiration from Byzantine emperor Justinian I, Salisbury chose Dustinian as his regnal name and began his reign over his newly-established empire.
Reign
Under the reign of Dustinian I, the fledgling micronation experienced rapid growth and development in its early days. Its initial population grew to 18 subjects, with 10 becoming ennobled. Several imperial decrees were enacted for the long-term security of the empire, notably the the banning of communism and Scientology. Important trade agreements were signed to expand the Sitkan economy, with agriculture quickly becoming its largest sector.
Personal life
Dustinian resides in Platova, the Sitkan capital. He is a self-described animal lover, owning several dogs and birds, and has volunteered with local birds refuges and other animal welfare initiatives. He is also a noted outdoorsman who enjoys mountain climbing, hiking, and sailing. Politically, Dustinian identifies as a moderate centrist. He is a staunch monarchist and strongly supports the British and Liechtensteiner monarchies. He has also publicly called for the restoration of the French and German royal families.
Titles, styles and honors
| Imperial styles of Dustinian I, Sitkan Emperor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | His Imperial Majesty |
| Spoken style | Your Imperial Majesty |
| Alternative style | Sire |
Alternative titles and styles
- 12 March 2024 – present: His Imperial Majesty The Sitkan Emperor
Full titles as Emperor
His Imperial and Royal Majesty Dustinian the First, By the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of all Sitka, Semper Augustus, King of Hurford, Grand Duke of Platova, Tsar of New Archangel, of Kodiak, of Kenai, of Unalaska, of Wrangrell, of Ninilchik, of Yakutat, of Kasilof, of St. Michael, of Pokrovskaya, of St. Paul, and of Nulato, as well as all the dependencies and borders, Count of Baronof, Margraviate of the Alexander Archipelago, Lord of Nanaimo, of Comox, of Parksville, of Qualicum, and many other towns and cities, Hereditary Sovereign of the Imperial House of Salisbury, Ever Increaser of the Realm