When the Dowager Duchess of Grafton died
at the remarkable age of 101 in December 2021, she quietly marked
the end of an era. Fortune FitzRoy had served as Mistress of the
Robes for more than half a century – an emblem of continuity in the
Royal Household under Queen Elizabeth II. Yet, nearly four years
on, the role she occupied for such a long period of time has
remained conspicuously…
This rarely seen royal tiara was accidentally borrowed for decades by someone who wasn't meant to wear it
6th August 2025
This week marks the 125th anniversary of
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s birth. She was born on 4 August
1900 and became Duchess of York on her marriage to the second son
of George V in 1923. Her husband became King in December 1936 and
from that point onwards, the…
The beautiful duchess who became chatelaine of one of the most famous palaces in the world as well as a firm royal favourite
6th August 2025
Consuelo Vanderbilt, the American
socialite, became the Duchess of Marlborough in 1895 when she
married Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough. She
would quickly become a royal favourite and she is back in the
spotlight again. Consuelo was the it-girl of…
Queen Elizabeth’s closest confidante: The untold story of Margaret Rhodes - MI6 secretary and the late Queen’s best friend
4th August 2025
Queen Elizabeth II was one of the most
iconic public figures in modern history, instantly recognisable
around the world. While much has been written about her father and
paternal ancestors, less attention has been paid to her maternal
family – the Bowes-Lyons. Yet, it was from this side of the family
that The Queen’s closest confidante and lifelong best friend
emerged: her cousin Margaret…
Why Queen Elizabeth II's favourite royal handbags still have an important place in the Palace
4th August 2025
The late Queen Elizabeth II was known for
several style staples. Her Rachel Trevor Morgan hats and her Fulton
umbrellas were her go-to choices for several decades. Her Traviata
handbag from Launer London has been the royal handbag for years and
it looks like the brand will…
The Queen Mother owned several tiaras in
her own right, including several gifts from her husband, King
George VI. She also had access to many more tiaras in the Royal
Collection while queen. One of her most impressive but rare picks
never actually belonged to her – the…
The King and Queen will be spending their
summer at Balmoral Castle with their annual stay on the estate in
Aberdeenshire coming after a busy time. Balmoral has bee a royal
home for over 150 years. What do the royals do when they are on
holiday at Balmoral? The Balmoral estate is a private
property, meaning that it belongs to The King personally and is not
a working royal home like…
It’s impossible to escape it. The Royal
Family, once the epitome of calm, dignity, and tradition, is now a
never-ending soap opera. And with every headline featuring the
Sussexes or the Yorks, it becomes clearer: the public has had
enough. This week, we find ourselves…
After fifteen years at the heart of the
monarchy’s ceremonial life, Tyrone, one of the most beloved Windsor
Grey carriage horses, has officially retired from royal duties.
From his early days in the royal service over a decade ago, through
to his most recent appearance…
A 1974 kidnap plot exposed deep flaws in
the security of Britain’s royals. Half a century on, the system it
disrupted remains stronger because of it. In the early 1970s, royal
security was less science than symbolism. Police officers in peaked
caps stood near palace gates. Detectives accompanied royals on
major public outings. But the notion that a direct, violent attack
could strike the…
