Royal weddings are now major
celebrations, glittering events that capture the imagination and
draw huge crowds who cheer the vows and shout demands for a kiss
when the deal is done. However, in centuries past a royal union
might be a discreet event, witnessed by just a handful of people.
And for that reason, rumours were able to grow of secret weddings,
hidden spouses and possible threats to…
Within the walls of one of England’s most
picturesque castles, a queen gave birth to her only child and set
in motion a chain of events that would become one of Tudor
England’s most intriguing mysteries. The birth had been much
anticipated and much talked…
The Duchess of Cornwall has had a poem
specially written for her to mark her 75th birthday. Camilla is the
subject of The Living Proof by Roger McGough. The verses were
revealed by the poet just days before the Duchess’ milestone
celebration. The poem has been…
As the long, dry summer of 1905 unfurled
across Britain, a prince was born, but his arrival was far from the
media event that the arrival of a new royal heralds today. On July
12th 1905, the Princess of Wales gave birth to her sixth child and
fifth son. But his arrival was little more than a footnote in the
papers of the day. The baby boy, who would be christened John
Charles Francis, would…
Sixteenth century kings, even those that
had worked their way through a quintet of queens, had a somewhat
preconceived idea of what a consort should bring to their royal
marriage. Henry VIII might well have been in love with the idea of
love but he also had a concept of…
Henry VIII is famous for many things but
perhaps the most talked about is his penchant for weddings. The
king with six wives clearly enjoyed being married even if those he
tied the knot with ended up less than impressed. However, Henry
didn’t like to make a fuss about…
In years to come, he might well hand out
the prizes at the world’s most famous tennis tournament himself.
But on a sunny summer’s afternoon, Prince George found himself
being presented with the winner’s trophy at Wimbledon. George was
given the chance to hold the famous gilt cup by the newly crowned
Men’s Singles champion, Novak Djokovic, as he and his parents…
The Duchess of Cornwall has chosen some
rather unusual photo stars for her stint as editor of a magazine –
her two dogs. And Bluebell and Beth are dressed up for the
occasion. For their appearance on the famous frontspiece of Country
Life, known as the girls in…
Victoria was the monarch who invented
jubilees as we know them. The celebrations of 1887 and 1897 are
among the most famous events of royal history and helped shape her
legacy. But our modern minds assume there must also have been a
silver version, for that is the pattern we…
It’s one of the most potent symbols of
the record breaking reign of Elizabeth II and, as her Platinum
Jubilee year continues, it’s become a focal point for reflections
on her rule. The Coronation dress has come to life again in
different ways to mark this major milestone. At the Tower of
London, the colours and embroideries of the gown are at the heart
of a new garden planted for…
