History

The Queen Mother’s determination to keep her distance from Wallis Simpson is well known, with Her Majesty once writing a letter describing the American socialite as a ‘’naughty lady’. The description of Wallis came in a letter penned by Elizabeth to her own mother-in-law, Queen Mary. In it she writes ‘’relations are already a little difficult when naughty ladies are brought…

It was a famous royal love story that shocked as much as it thrilled. John of Gaunt was the ultra-ambitious prince whose desire to be a king almost cost him his life, Katherine Swynford was the mysterious commoner who supplanted a queen in his affections. Their relationship lasted decades, survived a serious separation and ultimately led to the creation of a dynasty which would snatch the throne…