Royal weddings are now major
celebrations, glittering events that capture the imagination and
draw huge crowds who cheer the vows and shout demands for a kiss
when the deal is done. However, in centuries past a royal union
might be a discreet event, witnessed by just a handful of people.
And for that reason, rumours were able to grow of secret weddings,
hidden spouses and possible threats to…
Within the walls of one of England’s most
picturesque castles, a queen gave birth to her only child and set
in motion a chain of events that would become one of Tudor
England’s most intriguing mysteries. The birth had been much
anticipated and much talked…
As the long, dry summer of 1905 unfurled
across Britain, a prince was born, but his arrival was far from the
media event that the arrival of a new royal heralds today. On July
12th 1905, the Princess of Wales gave birth to her sixth child and
fifth son. But his arrival was…
Sixteenth century kings, even those that
had worked their way through a quintet of queens, had a somewhat
preconceived idea of what a consort should bring to their royal
marriage. Henry VIII might well have been in love with the idea of
love but he also had a concept of court politics that his wives had
to match. However, his final wedding would prove to be the most
unusual of all his marriages…
Henry VIII is famous for many things but
perhaps the most talked about is his penchant for weddings. The
king with six wives clearly enjoyed being married even if those he
tied the knot with ended up less than impressed. However, Henry
didn’t like to make a fuss about…
Some may have heard of Sir Allan
Frederick “Tommy” Lascelles, or some may have not. Perhaps you know
him as just Tommy. He was a British courtier and civil servant who
would come to have a long-lasting bond with the royal family. Born
11 April 1887 in the…
Victoria was the monarch who invented
jubilees as we know them. The celebrations of 1887 and 1897 are
among the most famous events of royal history and helped shape her
legacy. But our modern minds assume there must also have been a
silver version, for that is the pattern we are used to. Elizabeth
II, the ultimate Jubilee Monarch, began her unprecedented run of
anniversary celebrations in 1977 as…
It’s one of the most potent symbols of
the record breaking reign of Elizabeth II and, as her Platinum
Jubilee year continues, it’s become a focal point for reflections
on her rule. The Coronation dress has come to life again in
different ways to mark this major…
The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the tragedy that changed their lives forever
8th July 2022
It was a quiet country affair, far
removed from the pomp and ceremony we’ve come to expect from royal
weddings. The setting was an English parish church, the regal guest
list only filled a couple of pews, and the bride walked in several
minutes late carrying her own train…
Boris Johnson has informed Her Majesty
The Queen that he is to resign as Prime Minister of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland. Her Majesty, who has recently returned to
Windsor Castle after spending the week at Sandringham, will soon
appoint the 15th Prime Minister of her reign. Mr Johnson has
effectively been forced out of office after he lost the support of
his own Conservative Party…
