Queen Blanche II was born on 9 June 1424 as the daughter of John II of Aragon, King of Navarre, and his wife, Queen Blanche I of Navarre. Blanche grew up in the Palace of the Kings of Navarre of Olite with her family.
Blanche was a member of the House of Trastámara which was a dynasty of kings in Spain that first governed in Castile beginning in 1369 before expanding its rule into Aragon…
The ‘meeting’ between Marie Antoinette and the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has a fabled quality, not least because of the oft-repeated folklore that has grown around it. From the point of view of posterity, it is a fascinating moment to contemplate, when two legendary…
Archduchess Mathilde of Austria was born in 1849 as the daughter of Archduke Albert, Duke of Teschen and his wife, Princess Hildegard of Bavaria. She grew up in a wealthy and charming home with a kind family. During the summer, the family spent their time at the Weilburg…
On the 59th anniversary of Diana, Princess of Wales’s birth, Royal Central takes a look back at the life of a remarkable woman who would become known as the ‘People’s Princess’.
Diana Frances Spencer was born on 1 July 1961 at Park House within the royal Sandringham Estate. She was the fourth child to be welcomed by John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer and his wife, Frances…
Several European nations have had members of their royal families with American backgrounds – many of whom have created scandals.
In the British Royal Family, King Edward VIII chose to abdicate in 1936 to marry divorcée Wallis Simpson, and in more recent years…
‘Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived.’ That sad little rhyme, summing up the fates of Henry VIII’s six wives, is familiar to many. But while just about everyone knows that the monarch with a thing for wedding cake said ‘I do’…
Richard III was declared King of England on June 26th 1483 – thanks to a royal romance which had all but been forgotten.
She was the long dead widow who was used by a king to overthrow his own nephew and yet her name is all but forgotten today. Eleanor Butler was the woman who helped change the royal history of England forever and almost brought one of its most famous dynasties to…
History is scattered with monarchical milestones which tell the story of the reigns that have shaped a realm. June, that sunniest of months, is no different. Some of the most famous rulers in British history had landmark moments in its midsummer days. Here’s a Calendar…
This year brings another special anniversary for the Queen’s long and historic reign. This summer marks 65 years since Queen Elizabeth’s first State Visit. It took place in June 1955 and saw the new Monarch travel to the the Kingdom of Norway. So, why was Norway…
It is the high point of summer and a high point in the royal history books. For June 22nd, in the very heart of midsummer, has seen some of the most celebrated and sparkling of all regal events. And all of them are milestones in famous reigns.Here are four special royal events for one midsummer’s day of regal dreams.
The First Diamond Queen – June 22nd 1897, London
On June…
