History

Habsburg jaw caused by intermarrying

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20th February 2023
A group of fourteen surgeons and geneticists have confirmed that the distinctive Habsburg chin in the Spanish Royal Family resulted from their inbreeding. The Habsburg dynasty dates back to the eleventh century when the Counts of Habsburg ruled areas of present-day Switzerland. Through successive generations of advancement and intermarriage with different royal families, branches of the…
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History

Napoleon III’s remains will not return to France

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18th February 2023
France is marking a special royal anniversary this year.In light of the anniversary, a year-long debate has also flared up at a high political level in recent months. Several senior French politicians want to attempt to have the Emperor’s remains returned to…
European RoyalsFeaturesHistoryHistoryInsightSpainState & Ceremonial

King Felipe and the Catholic Church: a changing tale of faith and diplomacy

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11th February 2023
To analyse the religious situation in Spain, one must consider faith and diplomacy as inextricably linked.Spain is one of the world’s most religious countries, officially, with some statistics putting the percentage of the population that ascribes to the Roman Catholic Church as high as 96%. To put that number in context, that same survey put Italy’s percentage of Roman Catholics at…
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Features

The big mystery at the start of Queen Elizabeth II's historic reign

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6th February 2023
The life and reign of Elizabeth II has been one of the most well documented in history. But one integral part of her story remains unknown – the exact time that her reign began is a mystery.Elizabeth II succeeded her father, George VI, on February 6th 1952. She was told that she was now Monarch by Prince Philip during a stay in Kenya after he received news that the King had died. But the…
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Features

Royal Wedding Rewind: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

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2nd February 2023
It was a wedding for the history books and thousands turned out to celebrate. When Willem-Alexander and Maxima married in 2002, the popularity that has mostly dominated their time as King and Queen of the Netherlands was on show for all to see as they were cheered throughout their special day by crowds across Amsterdam.The road to the altar hadn’t been smooth. Willem-Alexander was the…
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