British Royals

Is this the best royal wedding dress of the 20th century?

It’s not the best known royal wedding dress but it is rather lovely. For this gown is one of the all time classics when it comes to Windsor brides. It’s elegant, timeless and yet very much suited to its wearer.And almost three decades on, it’s still irresistibly beautiful. Which begs the question, is Lady Sarah’s bridal gown the best royal wedding dress of them…
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British Royals

A poem for Camilla on the eve of her milestone birthday

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 read for the first time at a special lunch at the National Liberal Club in central London hosted by The Oldie magazine. The…
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Features

The discreet arrival of 'The Lost Prince'

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…
Features

The many weddings of King Henry VIII

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 his weddings. He preferred a discreet and often private ceremony and several of his brides weren’t confirmed publicly…
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Features

Why didn't Queen Victoria have a Silver Jubilee?

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 are used to. Elizabeth II, the ultimate Jubilee Monarch, began her unprecedented run of anniversary celebrations in 1977 as…
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