Features

Poignant heirlooms and peacocks - the emeralds of a famous dynasty

May’s birthstone is the emerald, a jewel that features in some of the most striking royal tiaras and necklaces currently used by ruling houses around Europe. Throughout May, Royal Central is focusing on all things emerald. And today, we’re looking at the tiaras dominated by that stone which are owned by the Luxembourg Grand Ducal Family. Chaumet Emerald Tiara The Chuamet Emerald Tiara is…
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Features

What is a royal jubilee?

There’s been a real raft of jubilees across Europe in the past few years with a trio of monarchs reaching landmarks in their reigns. We’re about to see Sweden party the summer away with the Golden Jubilee of King Carl XVI Gustaf. It comes hot on the heels of two more…
FeaturesPrincess Anne and Family

The Princess Royal and MND Scotland

As an ALS/MND advocate, I wanted to highlight the Princess Royal’s work with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Scotland in the United Kingdom as it is a cause extremely close to my heart; MND is the British term for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Princess Royal at the opening of the Clayton Lodge on 4 July 2019. Photo Courtesy of MND Scotland The Princess Royal…
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Features

A royal rarity - an emerald engagement ring

The birthstone of May was a favourite of a queen born in that month but since the time of Victoria, it’s rarely featured in the rings worn by royal brides at their betrothals. Here’s our rundown of that rarest of royal sparklers – the emerald engagement ring. Queen Victoria’s serpent ring Engagement rings were rarely used when Queen Victoria decided to marry Prince Albert.
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Features

How Queen Victoria nurtured the Chelsea Flower Show into a highlight of the British social calendar

One of Queen Victoria’s great loves was horticulture and gardening, and throughout her long reign, she used the symbolism of flowers to express her love for Prince Albert. It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, that Victoria was one of the Chelsea Flower Show’s biggest supporters in the early days of the event, and is largely responsible for the show becoming the grand occasion that it is…
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