Features

Madame de Pompadour: from sickly child to stateswoman

Royal mistresses were, for centuries, a fixture in royal courts. Some were loved, others hated and some became amongst the most important advisers at court. One of the most influential royal mistresses of all was Madame de Pompadour. Born in Paris in December 1721 as Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, she came from a well-to-do background and at the age of five, she was sent away to school run by the…
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FeaturesHistory

Royal Mistresses: Louise de Kérouaille

Louise Renée de Penancoët de Kéroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth was born 5 September 1649 and is the daughter of Guillaume de Penancoët, Seigneur de Kéroualle and Marie de Ploeuc de Timeur. Nobles in Brittany, France, the family name is derived from an heriess whom an…
FeaturesHistoryInsightSweden

A look at Sweden's royal christening gown

All big royal events have symbolism attached to them and when Prince Julian of Sweden is baptised, on August 13, 2021, at the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace, he will find himself wrapped in one of his family’s best-known traditions. The little royal, youngest child of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, will be christened wearing the gown that has been used by Bernadotte babies for over…
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FeaturesHistory

Mary Boleyn: From royal mistress to spending the rest of her life in obscurity

Mary Boleyn, known as Lady Mary, was born circa 1499 in Blicking Hall, Norfolk. She was the sister of the English queen consort, Anne Boleyn, whose family enjoyed a considerable influence during the reign of King Henry VIII. [getty src=”463974025″ width=”398″ height=”594″ tld=”com”] Mary was the daughter of a rich diplomat and courtier, Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire…
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Features

Tatoi Palace threatened by wildfires

Greece’s Tatoi Palace in Athens is under threat of a ravaging wildfire. Fire crews of over 700 people have been working through the night to battle the flames. Evacuations are taking place in the threatened area, and the Greek Ministry of Culture has ordered the royal…
FeaturesHistoryNorway

Royal Olympians: King Olav

Several different royals have competed at the Olympic games throughout the last century and a quarter. The British Royal Family is well-known for their equestrian presence at the games. However, there are several other European royals who have taken part. King Olav V of Norway is one of those successful royal athletes.  King Olav V of Norway ruled from 1957 until his death in 1991. He married…
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