Features

The weighty reminder of power that will be placed in the hands of King Charles III

By
20th April 2023
It’s one of the oldest and storied item in the Crown Jewels, the Sovereign’s Orb. Created in 1661 by Sir Robert Vyner for Charles II’s coronation, the orb is a hollow gold sphere with a cross on top. It symbolizes the monarch’s Christian sovereignty and their position as head of the Church of England. The orb weighs 1.32 kg (3lbs.) and is bejeweled with bands of nine emeralds, 18…
Read more
Features

The wedding flowers of Princess Grace of Monaco

By
19th April 2023
It was a ground breaking and glamourous royal wedding and the images of it remain as familiar now as they have ever done. The world watched, enthralled, when Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 19th 1956. Her wedding dress has become one of the most…
Asian RoyalsHistoryHistory

Rare Ming Dynasty artefact found in private home is to go for auction

By
19th April 2023
A significant artefact of the Chinese Ming Dynasty will be put up for auction in London after spending almost eight decades in private hands.  The artefact in question is a decorative box that is believed to be part of a five-piece set of such items designed specifically for Emperor Xuande; the pieces all bear his reign’s characters etched at the bottom of the box and inside the…
Read more
Features

The Coronation of King Charles III: what Is The Supertunica?

By
18th April 2023
King Charles III’s coronation will be a blend of modern and traditional. The Supertunica he will wear is firmly in the “traditional” column. In fact, it dates back to medieval coronations and is one of the items mentioned in the ‘Liber Regalis,’ which is basically a Coronation guide book that dates back to 1382 when Richard II reigned. The ‘Liber Regalis’ says the Supertunica…
Read more
Features

A look at the Diamond Jubilee State Coach 

By
13th April 2023
King Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive in style for their coronation at Westminster Abbey. The Royal Family has announced that the royal couple will travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The modern-day carriage…
HistoryKing Charles III

What are coronation banquets and why aren't they held anymore?

By
12th April 2023
King Charles III is making considerable changes to the coronation to modernise the ceremony and recognise the monarchy’s position in the twenty-first century. Both the coronation ceremony and procession will look quite different from his mother’s coronation in 1953. However, Charles is not the only monarch to make changes to coronation traditions.  Historically newly–crowned monarchs…
Read more