Features

The royal who really brought the Christmas tree to Britain

Prince Albert is generally credited with introducing the Christmas tree to Britain, but in fact, it was the work of his wife’s grandmother, Queen Charlotte. Like Prince Albert, Charlotte was born and raised in Germany, where the tradition of bringing a tree inside at Christmas time, decorated with lights and sweets, is believed to date back to the 16th century. As a child, Charlotte’s family…
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Features

Why Prince Sverre Magnus is only a Highness when his sister is a Royal Highness

Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway is third in line to the Norwegian throne, and as of today, he is legally allowed to ascend the throne should it ever come to that. However, there are a few major differences in the titles and styles of Sverre Magnus and his older sister, Princess Ingrid Alexandra. The Prince is only styled as “His Highness,” whereas Ingrid Alexandra is “Her…
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History

A Royal Christmas: Celebrating in the Middle Ages

Every Christmas, we expect the Royal Family to go to Sandringham for their annual Christmas Day church service and later, hear a speech from the Monarch. While that is the tradition in the 21st century, the days of the Royal Family celebrating Christmas in a big way date…
Features

The historic royal order which just got a brand new member

King Harald’s gift to Prince Sverre Magnus on his 18th birthday was the designation as a Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav. The prince, the only grandson of King Harald and Queen Sonja, received the gift just days before he comes of age. And it’s a very special order. Founded by King Oscar I in 1847, though he reigned as the Sovereign of both Norway and Sweden, the Order of St.
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Features

The mysterious death of a king which created an unexpected queen

King Karl XII of Sweden was born 17 June 1682 as the son of King Karl XI and the Danish-born Ulrika Eleonora. Karl continued his father’s war politics against other Nordic nations, which led to Denmark joining forces with Poland and Russia. They then went to war with Sweden in 1700, in what has been called the Great Nordic War. Karl personally took charge of the Swedish military…
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