Features

Royal Cousins at War documentary reveals how rivaling relations led to outbreak of First World War

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7th February 2014
<![CDATA[ This BBC Two documentary series, which aired earlier this week on Wednesday and Thursday evening, reflects on the complex relationship between King George V, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, leading up to the outbreak of the First World War. In 1914, these three cousins ruled over the greatest powers within Europe. However, this series debates whether these…
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Insight

Why isn't Prince Philip King?

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4th February 2014
<![CDATA[A lot of comments we receive on Royal Central raise the question of why Prince Philip isn't king, despite the wife of a king being a queen. On the face of it, it seems bizarre, almost sexist, though in this post I'll explain exactly why Prince Philip…
Insight

The Story of the Peerage: How does it all work?

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2nd February 2014
<![CDATA[Anyone who knows will tell you that the British Peerage is a complicated and diverse institution – and in this article (Part 2 of the Story of the Peerage series), I will explain everything you need to know about the Lords and Ladies of the United Kingdom. As discussed in Part 1, there are 5 ranks in the peerage. They are, in descending order, Duke (Duchess); Marquess…
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Other

Australia's next Governor-General selected

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29th January 2014
<![CDATA[ The Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO is soon set to retire and rumours have been rife about who is going to replace her for months. On Tuesday, the appointment was confirmed when the Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, announced that…
Opinion

Why the cost argument just doesn't wash with Monarchy

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28th January 2014
<![CDATA[And so the subject of royal finances has arisen again after the publication of the Public Accounts Committee report on how the Royal Household manages its money. In recent times, republicans' annual outrage at the cost of the Royal Family has become part and parcel of every piece of news on royal finances – but is it justified? I'm about to explain why I believe…
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History

Anne of Cleves, A Flanders Mare: Part 2

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28th January 2014
<![CDATA[Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of Henry VIII, endured the shortest marriage of any of the six wives. In fact, her marriage was over before it had even begun. In late June 1540 Anne was informed that, due to plague in London, she was to move to Richmond Palace…
Insight

The Story of the Peerage: Feudal Beginnings

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26th January 2014
<![CDATA[ The origins of the peerage are not as obscure as one may think at first thought. In fact, documents dating back over a thousand years have helped historian piece together exactly how we have managed to get to where we are today with the nobility. Earls were one…
Opinion

Why Camilla must become our Queen

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26th January 2014
<![CDATA[It's a subject that divides people across the country and indeed, around the world. Should the Duchess of Cornwall become Queen when Prince Charles accedes to the throne? Some argue she cannot, others that she must – I'm going to explain in this article exactly why I believe Camilla must become Queen. It was a defining moment in the progression of the British Monarchy.
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