FeaturesInsight

By Royal Appointment: The Queen and her handbag

Sam Launer came to England from Czechoslovakia as a Jewish immigrant and founded the company of Launer around 1941. He brought with him an idea that is as important to the company today as it was then: leather goods should be elegant, be formed out of the best materials available and made by highly skilled craftspeople. Launer championed British, handmade goods at a time when others in the…
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Insight

On Holiday with The Queen

On Monday 10th August, Queen Elizabeth II arrived for her annual summer holiday at the Scottish retreat of Balmoral Castle. For the next two months, she will reside at this 50,000-acre estate in Aberdeenshire. Originally purchased in 1852 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert…
History

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria

Everybody will remember the magnitude of celebrations commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. From the River Thames pageant to the concert outside Buckingham Palace and especially the extended Bank Holiday weekend. Let’s not forget though that The Queen’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, was also a Monarch, who celebrated 60 years on the throne, and though…
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Insight

The Harry Potter series and its quirky 'connections' with royalty

If, like me, you are a massive fan of all things Harry Potter, then I am sure you would have visited the dedicated Wikipedia site to all things related to the boy wizard and his world. Just recently I visited the site and was surprised at how much thought had been put in to the connections between the magical world and the history of our Royal Family, it truly was astounding and I just had to…
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History

Kenilworth Castle: The forgotten royal fortress

When you think of royal castle’s, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Windsor Castle? Warwick Castle? Balmoral Castle? One is sure that when you think of a royal castle, Kenilworth Castle isn’t the first that springs to mind however this Warwickshire fortress was…
History

Stories of the Stuarts: River Thames Frost Fairs

There are records of a Frost Fair on the River Thames dating back to as early as the Winter of 1607 though they really became a popular event as the 17th century was drawing to an end. Though just what is a Frost Fair I hear you ask? Well they are exactly what they sound like, a fair held on top of a frozen River Thames and for over 200 years, they became the place to be for the residents of a…
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