British RoyalsFeaturesHistoryInsightQueen Elizabeth IIThe Netherlands

The Dutch state visit to the UK: history and memories

The official announcement that King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will make a state visit to the UK this autumn is confirmation of a long-awaited and hotly anticipated trip. The visit will run between October 23rd and 24th and will see the Dutch royals hosted at Buckingham Palace. Ahead of the visit, Royal Central looks back at past trips between the two nations. One of the…
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British RoyalsFeaturesHistory

History's Royal Kates: the almost queen

Born a princess, daughter of a feted king and a much-admired queen, this royal Kate seemed destined for a crown of her own. But when civil war once more erupted in England, she found herself on the wrong side of royal favour and ended up a countess instead. This is the story of Katherine of York, one of the last Plantagenet princesses. Katherine was born on August 14th, 1479, at Eltham Palace in…
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FeaturesHistory

History's Royal Kates: Katherine of Valois

For a woman who founded one of the most famous royal dynasties in British history, she is surpisingly enigmatic. Katherine of Valois was the first Kate to be Queen of England and yet much of the modern imagining of her comes from her fleeting appearance in the works of…
FeaturesHistory

The Honiton Christening Robe's Place in Royal History

At some point this summer, it’s likely we’ll get another close up look of the best known replica christening gown around. For when Prince Louis of Cambridge is baptized, probably before the Royal Family’s summer break, he will wear the intricate copy of the famous Victorian outfit that featured in so many royal christenings. That original is too fragile to be used anymore but the pretty gown…
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British RoyalsFeaturesHistoryQueen Elizabeth II

To Crown a Queen: the Coronations of England's female monarchs

The Coronation of Elizabeth II on June 2nd 1953 is often spoken of as the moment that a new era began. It was a moment of history and just the sixth time a queen regnant had been crowned in England’s history. As Royal Central marks 65 years since the Queen’s Coronation, here’s a look back at the crowning of England’s other female rulers. Mary I Mary I became the first woman…
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