Nicola I of Istalia

Grand Prince Nicola of Istalia (Nicola Michele Giulio Appiano De Borromei; Romula, 30 October 4571) is the elder son of Alessandro I and the Empress Consort Valentina and he is the heir apparent to the Throne of the Istalian Empire.

Early years
Nicola was born in Romula just two months after the declaration of the foundation of the Istalian Empire on September 1st 4571 and he was the first member of the Appiano De Borromei family after its elevation to Imperial House of Istalia. Actually, only a decree by the newly enthroned Michele I created Nicola officially Imperial Prince, like his father, and thus member of the Imperial Family, being born out of wedlock when his parents just lived together. At the time his father had just completed the Military Sciences' Studies and was about to join the Defence Staff unaware of the fact that Michele I,his oncle as younger brother of Alessandro's father, was already looking at him as his successor.

Nicola, despite the new role of his family, was raised like any other child and indeed for the first years he continue to live with his parents in their Romula's appartment and attending publix schools. Only since 4576, when his father began to be ever more involved by Michele I in the state affairs, it began to be clear that Nicola was the son of the next Emperor.

At the end of 4578 Nicola's parents finally got married and after a few months Alessandro was officially created Grand Prince of the Crown and thus officially designated as heir apparent to the throne. Nicola, 8 at the time, remained however Imperial Prince on decision of his father in respect of the three daughters of Michele I who had the title of Grand Princesses.

Military Career
When Nicola graduated on High School, between 4589 and 4592 he attended the Political Sciences course at the State University of Romula alongside extensive military studies and training in all three services of the Armed Forces but privileging the Navy. Despite initially he was a little reluctant about following the military career, it was on his father's insistance if he joined the Armed Forces developing then a passion about the Navy which became his services of reference. within the navy he was specifically trained on submarine's crewman: he was part of a 8 months cruiser of the Nuclear Attack Submarine NSMN 519 Siracosa. In 4594 he started to attend the Strategic Military Studies to the Agirgento Navy's High Accademy.

Personal life
Prince Nicola since he was teenager has been heavily under the attention of the gutter press which reported several Nicola's liaisons with commoners as well as more famous girlfriends, like the one with Cristina Montevecchi, aka Kris K, two years older then him.

In 4592 Nicola met Josephine of Hulstria, youngest daughters of the former reigning Kaiser and Kaiserine Hans Friedrick Albert lll and Annemarie I and sister of the reigning Kaiserine Sophie I. She was spending a summer in Istalia to study the local language and culture hosted by the family of Alessandro I, since years a close friend of the Hulstrian Imperial couple.

In 4593 Nicola and Josephine were spotted on holiday together on a beach of Selucia in intimate moments while since 4595 the couple was seen together in several mundane and social events and also in one official events of the Imperial Family, the baptism of Princess Michela, daughter of Alessandro's cuisin Grand Princess Ginevra, youngest daughters of Michele I.

=Titles, Styles and Honors=

Title
Since 4571 Nicola after a decree of Michele I held the title of Imperial Prince and the treatment of His Imperial Highness like is natural father.

When Nicola's father was officially designed Heir to the Throne, despite to alessandeo it was recognized the title of Imperial Grand Prince of the Crown together with his wife, in respect of the three daughters of Michele I, Nicola maintained the title of Imperial Prince.

Only when his father Alessandro succeeded to Michele I as Emperor of the Istalians Nicola and his sister Eleonora were elevated to the title of Grand Princes of Istalia.

As heir apparent, Nicola will be created officially Grand Prince of the Crown when he is 25. Despite this, if he would succeed to the Throne before he is 25, he would be reiging Emperor without the need of an Imperial Regent having over 18 years.

Honors
Since he is 18, Nicola was awarded of the Knight Gran Cross with Collar class of the Order of the Crown of Eagles as well as of the other major Istalian dynastic and chivalry orders.