They were an unexpected king and queen and their royal romance has weathered several storms but King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium are marking their sixty fifth wedding anniversary. The couple, who married on July 2nd 1959 in Brussels, now live quietly following Albert’s abdication. Their wedding was a glittering event and put a shy young couple on the path to a throne.
Their…
King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway enjoyed one of the most famous royal romances of the 20th century. Their wedding, on 29 August 1968 at Oslo Cathedral, was attended by royalty from around Europe and came five months after the announcement of their engagement which was…
The most famous tennis tournament in the world is about to get under way. And while the stars of the sport gather at SW19, we can expect to see royalty attend matches throughout the two weeks of competition at the All England Club.
The finals weekend, in mid July, will be…
We’re used to seeing royals at Wimbledon with the Princess of Wales now patron of the All England Club. But rewind nine decades and another royal was a familiar face there. A princess known to her family as Thora regularly cropped up on the Pathe newsreels of the time presenting trophies and cheering on the tennis stars of the day. This granddaughter of Queen Victoria was a good sport and she…
She was the ‘May Queen’ whose reign lasted little more than a month but left its mark in royal history. Marie-Jose was always a bit of a maverick who had her own views and no fear of sharing them. Those opinions would become a saving grace for the dynasty she…
The Queen has given a personal address to mark national Armed Forces Day.
Her Majesty spoke of her pride in the military and of the gratitude felt for those who serve their country.
Queen Camilla also had warm words for the families who support the Armed Forces around…
The Princess Royal is back at her home at Gatcombe after almost a week in hospital.
Princess Anne, 73, left Southmead Hospital in Bristol on the morning of June 28th, five days after being admitted with minor head injuries and concussion.
It’s understood the Princess was injured by a horse in an incident at Gatcombe on June 23rd. She was treated at the scene before being taken to…
The title that unites a forgotten princess, a very grand duchess and the most historic monarch of all
27th June 2024
The title of Duke of Edinburgh is one of the best known in the modern Monarchy. It was held for almost 74 years by Prince Philip. He is the best known of all the men to be Duke of Edinburgh but the five women who have been the city’s duchess, including the newly created…
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…
The wedding present of a duchess that's become one of the Royal Family's most famous tiaras
25th June 2024
For the quarter of a century that she’s been a member of the Royal Family, the Duchess of Edinburgh has kept her tiara appearances rather simple.
We’ve got used to seeing Sophie in a limited number of diadems. There’s the diamond creation she wore at her wedding, fashioned from jewels that are linked to Queen Victoria, and there’s a diamond and aquamarine tiara that has…
