HistoryInsight

Margaret Thatcher & The Queen - What was their relationship like?

It was May 1979, and Margaret Thatcher had just been elected as Prime Minister of Great Britain. Queen Elizabeth II was 27 years into her reign, and for the first time in history, the country was ruled, at the highest level, entirely by females. When Elizabeth II acceded to the throne in 1952 at the age of just 25, some thought that this would be the beginning of the end of the male-dominated…
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British RoyalsFeaturesHistoryHistoryPalaces & Buildings

What are the royal links to the 5th of November?

“Remember remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot…” November 5th is still considered to be one of the most important in British history. But why? What are the royal links? And why do we still mark it today? On April 13, 1570, Guido ‘Guy’ Fawkes was born in York, England. He was to become one of the greatest criminal masterminds in history. The daring escapade he…
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FeaturesHistory

History of Royal Titles: the historic Duchy that only a male heir can hold

The Duke of Cornwall is a special title within the British monarchy, reserved for the male heir to the throne. First created in 1337 by King Edward III for his eldest son Edward, the Duchy was meant to provide an independent revenue stream for the heir to the throne that included land holdings. Prince Charles’s website notes that, “The Duchy currently provides an annual income of £21m…
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HistoryThe Kents

History of Royal Titles: the Dukedom of Kent

The present Duke of Kent has held the title since 1942, but it is a title that has only been awarded twice in the thousand years of the monarchy. A title belonging to Kent dates back to ancient times when Kent was its own kingdom before the seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms…
FeaturesHistoryInsight

History of Royal Titles: why is Spain's heir known as the Princess of Asturias?

The Spanish heir to the throne is always given a special title, Prince or Princess of Asturias, to denote their place as first in line to the throne. It is a title that dates back to the late 1300s and has continued to this day. Princess Leonor became the Princess of Asturias on 19 June 2014 following the abdication of her grandfather, Juan Carlos, and the accession of her father, Felipe. In…
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