As Hallowe’en approaches, ghost stories abound. The nights are drawing in, darkness is falling and amidst the swirling mists of late autumn evenings come tales of mystery. This Hallowe’en, Royal Central is taking a look at some of the best known tales of regal ghosts and today we turn to the time of the Tudors and the sad story of a teenage queen, Catherine Howard whose downfall began…
The October Queens: the woman who changed English royal history forever
25th October 2021
When being a queen meant that you had married a king, rather than being a ruler yourself, life stories were told very differently. The queens of yesteryear might have ended up as some of the best known personalities of their time but the start of their stories were often as…
Queens and witchcraft aren’t words that go together. In books and in films, witches are the wicked women who stand in the way of pretty princesses as they search for a happy ending. In the history of royalty, witchcraft was a tool to use against women who might…
In the early autumn days of 1537, King Henry VIII was celebrating as his court welcomed a prince. His longed for son and heir, Edward, had been born on October 12th at Hampton Court Palace to widespread rejoicing.  Preparations were in full swing for an elaborate christening and bonfires were being lit around the little boy’s future kingdom.  But while the parties started, in a corner of…
Towns and cities across the UK are hosting beer festivals inspired by Oktoberfest, the famous celebration that usually takes over Munich as autumn arrives. The main German event was cancelled in 2021 for the second year in a row, because of the pandemic. But while thousands…
It’s not been the easiest of weeks for the House of Windsor. There was a lot of debate after it was confirmed The Queen had spent a night in hospital just hours after doctors had advised her to rest. It wasn’t just the Monarch’s health that got people…
The Princess Royal has taken part in a fresh tribute to her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, as she marked the creation of a new fund set up to help those working in engineering.
Princess Anne visited the Royal Academy of Engineering in London as it announced the Prince Philip Fund. It was established in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh who helped set up the Academy in 1976 and who was a senior…
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain to pay State Visit to Sweden
21st October 2021
The King and Queen of Spain are set to make a State Visit to Sweden as 2021 draws to a close.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will spend two days in Stockholm at the end of November.
They will be hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. It’s the first…
Sweden's royals follow Dutch and confirm same sex marriage is no bar to the throne
20th October 2021
A future monarch or heir to the throne in Sweden wouldn’t have to give up their royal role if they were to contract a same sex marriage.
The Marshall of the Realm confirmed that a same sex union would not be a bar to succession, just days after the Dutch Prime…
The Queen's busy October takes in over a dozen duties before doctors advise her to rest
20th October 2021
The Queen’s decision to rest, albeit reluctantly, on medical advice comes after a period of intense activity that has seen her carry out over a dozen engagements in just two weeks. At the age of 95, her duties have recently taken her to Wales and Scotland as well as London and Windsor. It means a planned trip to Northern Ireland has had to be cancelled. Here, Royal Central looks back at the…
