Features

Every year, the Norwegian King and Queen celebrate Christmas at the grand royal lodge called “Kongsseteren” in the expensive neighbourhood of Holmenkollen in Oslo. Let us take a look at this magnificent royal property. “Kongsseteren”, formerly called The Kings Villa, is a property and timber lodge which is under the Norwegian Royal Family’s private ownership. The property is mainly…

We all love a royal what if and perhaps one of the most intriguing of recent times revolves around the question of the king who renounced his throne for love. On December 11th 1936, 85 years ago, Edward VIII announced to the world that he was ending his reign to marry the woman he loved, Wallis Simpson. But what if Edward VIII hadn’t abdicated? Who would be Monarch now? There are two roads to…

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 forward for the honour. Among the contenders is the Cornish resort of Marazion which, with just over 1,400 residents, would be the…

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 mother was a German princess, Marie of Baden. Marie provides the first link between the Grimaldis and Elizabeth…