Features

The King quietly scraps long-standing Buckingham Palace tradition

The King has quietly scrapped a long standing tradition behind the closed walls of Buckingham Palace. According to the Sunday Times, His Majesty has removed the long-standing all-white dress code at the private tennis courts of Buckingham Palace. For decades, the palace courts – which are located in the gardens of the palace – have upheld an unwritten rule echoing the more famous…
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Features

The English queens of France

On an August day, over 500 years ago, Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, was promised in marriage to the French king, Louis XII. She would wed him several months later. The spectacular ceremony in Abbeville in Northern France transformed Mary into the Queen of France. No other English princess held that title after her. In fact, only one other daughter of a King of England had…
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Features

First big change for a new ruler announced as countdown to abdication begins in Luxembourg

The next Grand Duke of Luxembourg has revealed the monogram that will be used throughout his reign. Prince Guillaume will become ruler of the tiny country in October when his father, Grand Duke Henri, abdicates in his favour. With just three months to go until the big day, the monogram that will be the official symbol of the new Grand Duke. It will be used on a wide range of items including…
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Features

The tiara that is said to have given a princess such a bad headache she had to leave a state event

It’s made of diamonds and pearls and is meant to represent a sunburst. But this tiara was such a surprise to its first wearer that she was reported to need a lie down after wearing it for the first time. The tiara in question is a pearl and diamond diadem belonging to the Japanese Imperial family. Empress Masako has several stunning tiaras that she can wear for formal events. However, she…
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