Born on 28 September 1828, Antoinette
Ghislaine de Merode was born in Brussels, Belgium, to Count Werner
deMerode and Countess Victoire de Spangen d’Uyternesse. The day she
turned 18, a “golden-haired” Antoinette married Prince Charles III
of Monaco on 28 September 1846 in a double wedding in Brussels with
her older sister, Louise, who married Carlo Emanuele dal Pozzo…
How Queen Charlotte and Queen Victoria & Albert introduced the Christmas Tree to Britain
9th December 2021
Prince Albert is generally credited with
introducing the Christmas tree to Britain, but in fact, it was the
work of his wife’s grandmother, Queen Charlotte. Like Prince
Albert, Charlotte was born and raised in Germany, where the
tradition of bringing a tree inside at…
The competition for city status, being
held to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, is now in its final
stages. Entry to the contest has closed – the final date for
submitting applications was December 8th 2021. Towns across the UK
have put themselves…
Four oak armorial panels once hanging in
a home inhabited by Marie de Guise, Mary Queen of Scot’s mother and
wife of James V, are now part of the collections of the National
Museums Scotland. The acquisition was announced on a meaningful
day, with 8 December being the birthday of Mary, Queen of Scots.
These types of roundels were found in royal and noble houses and,
according to the…
Ippolita Trivulzio holds the distinction
of being the first woman to hold the title of Princess of Monaco.
Ippolita Trivulzio was born in 1600 in Palazzo Trivulzio,Duchy of
Milan (what is today Italy), as the only daughter and younger child
of Carlo Emanuele…
The connection between the House of
Windsor and the House of Grimaldi begins in the 19th century when
Albert I, Prince of Monaco married a beautiful and willful British
aristocrat called Lady Mary Victoria Hamilton. Her father was the
11th Duke of Hamilton and her…
Royal Trivia: An interview with Royally Obsessed hosts Rachel Bowie and Roberta Fiorito
7th December 2021
If you love quizzing people on royal
facts or have a royally-obsessed person on your gift list this
year, a new book will definitely tick all the boxes. Releasing 21
December, Royal Trivia by Royally Obsessed podcast hosts Rachel
Bowie and Roberta Fiorito covers facts on everything from royal
births, weddings, nicknames, hobbies, and more. Named one of the
best podcasts of 2021 by Town &…
OBITUARY: The Dowager Duchess of Grafton, the Queen's most senior Lady-in-Waiting, who has died aged 101
5th December 2021
The Dowager Duchess of Grafton was born
on 24thFebruary 1920 into an aristocratic family of Barons,
financiers, and of the banking dynasty Smith’s Bank of Nottingham
(founded in 1658 by Thomas Smith). Born Ann Fortune Smith, Her
Grace married Hugh FitzRoy, the…
Imperial China has a long and illustrious
history. It is a civilisation that began with the Shang dynasty in
1250 BC and lasted until the Qing dynasty that fell in 1912. The
last emperor to rule China was Puyi, whose regnal name was Xuantong
Emperor. He came to the…
As royal families around Europe begin the
Christmas countdown, all eyes are on Monaco where the recent return
of Princess Charlene has been followed by yet more questions. The
Royal Central team discuss Charlene’s situation and also debate how
the Windsors will pass their festive season after a tough year. And
there’s a look ahead to some of the most sparkling festive
traditions…
