The Easter of 1956 was a nightmare for the Spanish Royal Family. Maundy Thursday in 1956 was the day when 18-year-old Juan Carlos, later King Juan Carlos of Spain, shot and killed his younger brother Alfonso de Borbon. Alfonso was the youngest child of Don Juan Carlos de Borbon and Princess Maria de las Mercedes and was called Alfonsito by family and friends. He was only 14 years old.
At the…
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden married Daniel Westling (now Prince Daniel) on a warm summer day in 2010. Huge celebrations were planned around the 19 June nuptials, and Swedes had been looking forward to the big event for a long time
By the wedding day, hundreds of…
The history of St. Giles' Cathedral, the setting for Elizabeth II's first lying in state
12th September 2022
Queen Elizabeth II is now lying at rest in St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. It was taken there in procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 12th 2022. A Service of Thanksgiving followed and now thousands are queuing to walk past her coffin and pay…
Everyone knows of the ancient Library of Alexandria, which was located in Egypt and later destroyed – losing a wealth of knowledge from the ancient world. But who was the monarch responsible for its creation?
It is thought the idea of the library was first brought up to Ptolemy I Soter by Demetrius of Phalerum – an Athenian orator living in Alexandria who had been exiled – in…
Historic tiaras and gems highlighted in special event from the Royal Collection Trust
29th July 2022
The Royal Collection Trust has held an online talk to offer royal watchers a behind-the-scenes look at The Queen’s impressive jewellery collection.
On Thursday, 28 July, the RCT held “Royal Jewels: A Platinum Jubilee Celebration”. Deputy Surveyor of The…
On 25 May 1961, British-born Toni Avril Gardiner married King Hussein of Jordan as his second wife.
The wedding took place in the Zahran Palace in Amman and was followed by a procession through the city.
Toni, who took on the name Princess Muna al-Hussein after her…
The future Queen of Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, debuted a new-to-her tiara at her eighteenth birthday celebrations.
The pearl and diamond tiara belonged to Ingrid Alexandra’s great-great-grandmother, Princess Ingeborg of Sweden.
Born Ingeborg Charlotte Caroline Frederikke Louise in 1878, she was the daughter of King Frederick VII and Louise of Denmark. She was a first cousin…
While members of the Royal Family are always greeted warmly whenever they visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, there is also an important tradition that takes place.
When the Monarch enters the City of London in State, they are welcomed by the Lord Mayor of London with the…
The Imperial State Crown is one of the most symbolic images of the royalty, though it only dates back to 1937. The real history lies in the jewels that adorn it.
It was created the Coronation of 1937 but while it was being planned, it was believed it would be placed on…
St Edward’s Crown is one of the most recognisable symbols of royalty in the world. Used by British monarchs at the moment of crowning, the history of this relic dates back to the time of Edward the Confessor—who reigned from 1042 to 1066—after whom it was named.
After Edward the Confessor’s death, St Edward’s Crown was used in every coronation ceremony up until Charles I’s…
