The Royal Christmas Broadcasts provide
fantastic insights into the monarch’s personal and professional
year. As we examine a different Christmas speech each day in
December, we are able to learn a bit more about the Monarch on the
throne. Queen Elizabeth II’s 2002 address was a touching end to a
difficult year. The Queen’s younger sister, Princess
Margaret, died on 9 February 2002 at…
The Edwardian monarchs—King Edward VII
and Queen Alexandra and King George V and Queen Mary—are set to
take the spotlight next year as the ‘age of elegance’ of Edwardian
times is highlighted in a new exhibition from the Royal Collection
Trust. The fashionable…
King Felipe finds himself in the middle of a row about Notre Dame
9th December 2024
The King and Queen of Spain have found
themselves unwittingly drawn into a political argument about Notre
Dame. The cathedral reopened in Paris at the weekend following
major restoration after a fire in 2019 which devastated the
medieval building. Royalty from around…
The Royal Christmas Broadcast remains a
beloved tradition, with the Monarch sharing a heartfelt speech. One
of the most exciting years for the Royal Family also produced one
of the most poignant speeches. Sixty years ago, in 1964, the Royal
Family welcomed four new babies. Princess Alexandra of Kent gave
birth to James Robert Bruce Ogilvy on 29 February. Less than a
fortnight later, Queen…
Turquoises have been valued as precious
stones for thousands of years but they are relatively rare in
modern royal jewellery boxes. So when they make an appearance,
everyone notices. And that’s just what happened when a December
born princess chose December’s…
Diamonds and aquamarines glitter on an historic night at Buckingham Palace
5th December 2024
The last tiara night of 2024 for the
Royal Family brought a diamond debut and lots of aquamarines. The
State Banquet held for the Amir of Qatar is also the last such
event to be held at Buckingham Palace for several years as
restoration work means that future State Visits…
In this season of Advent, Royal Central
is looking at different royal Christmas Broadcasts from the last
century in the lead up to Christmas. While many broadcasts have had
to acknowledge difficult events, some were focused on the positive.
Queen Elizabeth II’s 2012 Christmas Day address was one of the most
joyful in her reign. Not only did London host the 2012 Olympic
Games in July, Queen…
Each of the four monarchs who have given
Christmas addresses have had their own approach. Today we see a
monarch’s love for the environment. King Charles III gave his
second annual Royal Christmas Broadcast in 2023. Notably, His
Majesty’s coronation was…
The tiara that told the history and the future of a dynasty at a royal wedding
4th December 2024
It was the last royal wedding of the 20th
century and it was a big one. As December 1999 got under way,
Belgium’s heir married his already hugely popular bride and so
created the promise that the country would one day get its first
home grown queen. And given that this…
The diamond engagement ring of Princess
Grace will be on show in London as part of a brand new exhibition.
It is one of the highlights of an event on the jewels of Cartier,
being staged at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Princess Grace’s
ring will be on loan from the Prince’s Palace in Monaco. It is the
famous gem that she wore in her big screen appearance, High
Society, the…
