FeaturesHistoryRoyal Weddings

Secret Royal Weddings: the passionate king and the silent widow

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…
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FeaturesHistoryRoyal Weddings

Secret Royal Weddings: the mystery of Anne Boleyn’s two marriages

It was a royal union that changed England forever. The marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn followed years of legal wrangling by the king which led to a religious revolution and an international controversy. When they said ‘I do’, they did so in secret but five centuries on, the question remains – how many clandestine ceremonies did Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn take part in? Their union…
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Features

Have you tried Royal Central Extra?

Royal Central’s Facebook group, Royal Central Extra, is now packed with exclusive content for our subscribers. Since launching in mid September, this special service has built up a library of videos covering British and European royals, past and present. There are…
Spain

Photo gallery: King Felipe leads commemorations for Spain's National Day

It was a muted celebration in difficult times. King Felipe VI has led Spain’s National Day celebrations but the event looked very different from the spectacle that usually takes over Madrid. The pandemic always meant that the usual military parade and reception would be scaled back but just days ago the city was placed under a State of Alarm by the government over concerns about a new wave…
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State & Ceremonial

"Happy birthday Your Majesty and thank you" - Maureen Lipman becomes a Dame in the Queen's Birthday Honours

One of Britain’s best loved actresses, Maureen Lipman, has been made a Dame. The honour comes for services to charity, entertainment and the arts. Dame Maureen, who was born in Hull in 1946, is one of the most popular TV and stage actresses of the past decades. She began her career at the London Academy of Music and Dance and worked in theatre and TV before landing a starring role in…
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