British RoyalsFeaturesHistory

The coronation of a consort who might have been England's first queen regnant

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18th March 2023
In another lifetime, perhaps she’d be recognised as England’s first queen regnant, but Elizabeth of York was fated to be a consequential queen consort instead, with her popularity helping to sow peace in the aftermath of the Wars of the Roses. Elizabeth holds a unique position in English history: she is the only woman to be daughter, niece, sister, wife, and mother to kings. The long and…
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British RoyalsFeaturesHistory

The ring that went wrong at Queen Victoria's coronation

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15th March 2023
Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years and lent her name to the era of political and social change, but it began with a ‘botched’ coronation ceremony. When Victoria was crowned on 22 June 1838, it was the third coronation ceremony of the century; and she followed two uncles to the throne: George IV, unpopular for his spending and his ego; and William IV, unpopular due to the Reform…
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British RoyalsHistory

Where was Edward the Confessor crowned?

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15th March 2023
For almost a millennium, kings and queens have been crowned at Westminster Abbey. But perhaps the king most intrinsically linked to the Abbey was never crowned there: Edward the Confessor. Instead, Edward the Confessor was crowned at Winchester Cathedral. He succeeded his…
British RoyalsFeaturesHistory

The coronation of Mary I

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14th March 2023
There have only been a handful of queen regnants in Britain’s history. Queen Elizabeth II was the most recent, having reigned a historic 70 years, but 400 years before her reign began, the first queen regnant was crowned: Queen Mary I. The eldest daughter of Henry VIII…
The Edinburghs

The Duke of Edinburgh becomes patron of the DofE Award

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14th March 2023
The Duke of Edinburgh has been named patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and International Award, following in his late father’s footsteps with the royal youth awards scheme. Edward, who was named Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday last week, has been involved with the Awards since 1988. He joined the Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in 2006. The late…
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British Royals

The Imperial State Crown - in numbers

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13th March 2023
After the pomp and ceremony of King Charles III’s coronation on 6 May, he will return to Buckingham Palace with one of the most important jewels in the country upon his head: the Imperial State Crown. This stunning crown is a symbol of the sovereignty of the monarch…
The Edinburghs

Sophie cuddles rabbits in the New Forest in her final engagement as Countess of Wessex

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10th March 2023
The Duchess of Edinburgh made some furry friends in the New Forest after opening a new climate centre at Beaulieu. In what was her final ever engagement as the Countess of Wessex before The King conferred Prince Edward the Dukedom of Edinburgh, Her Royal Highness met some furry friends. The Fort Climate Centre is committed to raising awareness of climate change and its potentially…
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