Features

The princess named after Ireland's patron saint

For a princess who claimed a bit of a royal first at the baptismal font, it’s perhaps not surprising that Patricia of Connaught – known for most of her adult life as Lady Patricia Ramsey – ended up changing plenty of regal rules on her way.  The little girl who was born in Buckingham Palace on March 17th 1886 grew up to be one of the most eligible women in Europe, and when she…
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Features

The Coronation of King George I

The Coronation of King George I in 1714 marked the beginning of a new dynasty on the throne of Great Britain but its crowning moment was rather a difficult affair in more ways than one.  After Queen Anne’s death in August 1714, George inherited the throne due to the…
Features

The tiny piece of gold that is one of the most important of all the Crown Jewels

It’s little and often overlooked and yet it remains one of the most important parts of the Crown Jewels. The golden ampulla dates back to the reign of the last king called Charles to be crowned at Westminster Abbey and it will play a vital part in the Coronation of King Charles III. The ampulla holds the holy oil which is used by the Archbishop of Canterbury to anoint the Monarch before…
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Features

The uncrowned kings of England

On May 6th 2023, the fortieth Coronation of a Monarch since the Norman Conquest takes place at Westminster Abbey. King Charles III will be crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a ceremony that is little changed through the centuries. It will be, as it has been for…
Features

The Coronation necklace

As Queen Camilla walks into Westminster Abbey on May 6th 2023, it is expected that she will be wearing one of the most important sets of jewels in the Royal Family’s collection. A spectacular necklace, worn by Queen Elizabeth II as she was crowned and by the last three…
Features

The duke who inherited the job of organising the Coronation

The Coronation of King Charles III will involve thousands of people but, ultimately, the responsibility for organising this historic royal event falls to one person. The job belongs to the Earl Marshal. The Earl Marshal is one of the Great Officers of State and for centuries, the role has belonged to the Dukes of Norfolk. It became an hereditary position within the family in 1672 and, ever…
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British RoyalsHistory

Where was Edward the Confessor crowned?

For almost a millennium, kings and queens have been crowned at Westminster Abbey. But perhaps the king most intrinsically linked to the Abbey was never crowned there: Edward the Confessor. Instead, Edward the Confessor was crowned at Winchester Cathedral. He succeeded his…
Features

The Cullinan II Diamond - Star of the Imperial State Crown

Following royal tradition, King Charles III will wear the Imperial State Crown as he leaves his Coronation on May 6th 2023. The Imperial State Crown is set with an impressive 2,868 diamonds, the largest and most famous being the cushion-shaped brilliant Cullinan II diamond, set within the gold band at the front of the crown. [getty src=”104506777″ width=”587&#8243…
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