Features

The story of England's First Queen: Matilda of Flanders

Every monarchy has to start somewhere. For England, the ”modern” monarchy started with William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda of Flanders. Matilda was born in 1031 into the House of Flanders. She was the only daughter of Count Baldwin V of Flanders and Adela of France. The Flanders were of strategic importance to most of Europe and England as they served as a “stepping…
Read more
Features

Marie Antoinette, last Queen of France?

Marie Antoinette’s whole life was lived in the spotlight and her story continues to fascinate. While other women later took on the role of Empress of the French, Marie Antoinette has a special place in the country’s royal history. Here, Royal Central looks at the…
HistoryPalaces & BuildingsSweden

Rosendal Palace: from the first to the last Bernadotte

Rosendal Palace is one of the lesser-known royal buildings in Sweden, but that doesn’t mean it is less spectacular.  Located on the island of Djurgården, in central Stockholm, it was erected between 1823 and 1827 for King Karl XIV Johan – none other than Jean Bernadotte, the founder of the current ruling dynasty in Sweden. The palace was created by Frederik Blom, one of the…
Read more
History

The Mazarinettes: Laura Mancini

The Mancini sisters are famous for their connections to the French court, thanks to the work of their uncle, Cardinal Jules Mazarin. This is the first post in the series about the seven Mazarinettes. This post will explore the brief life of Laura Mancini, Duchess of Mercœur, but first, we must learn how the women came into the French court. Cardinal Mazarin’s Power Cardinal Jules…
Read more
Denmark

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie visit Christmas market in Paris

Princess Marie of Denmark visited Frederik’s Church in Paris on Friday, 26 November, to officially open the local Christmas market.  Her Royal Highness visited the church with her husband, Prince Joachim; Frederikskirke is the biggest Danish church in the French capital.  The church will host the Christmas market throughout the weekend, and Princess Marie took time to go through the many…
Read more