Features

The steel of Sweden: the sparkling tiaras with a link to a tragic royal that were hidden for decades

The Swedish Royal Family has a knack for jewellery, and that’s especially true of their steel tiaras. There are two steel cut tiaras in their vault and both have a link to a tragic royal.The Cut Steel Tiara dates back to Queen Hortense of Holland’s time; she was the granddaughter of the tragic Empress Joséphine and was queen consort between 1806 and 1810.Princess Desiree of…
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The royal bride who changed England forever

For a woman who had such a profound effect on a whole country, she is surprisingly enigmatic. Catherine of Valois changed royal history forever but even now, centuries on, the prevailing image of her is the one created by Shakespeare for whom this French princess was a pretty pawn in a political drama. But what little we do know seems to indicate that the ‘fair Kate’ of Henry V was…
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This stylish royal is bringing back classic fashion as she channels the 50s with Dior again

Queen Mathilde of the Belgians is a hard-working consort. She is the patron of several large organisations, including the internationally-recognised Queen Elisabeth Competition for musicians. However, she has also quietly been establishing her sartorial profile over the last few years, with the help of one key designer.On Sunday, 18 May, Queen Mathilde wore a white Christian Dior…
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Features

Who was Jane Austen's favourite monarch?

The royal that Jane Austen is most often connected with is the Prince Regent, or the future King George IV, as he requested a copy of her novel for his library. However, there is a different royal from history that Austen much preferred to “Prinny”.A…