Features

The most extraordinary and unbelievable royal scandal

There are a number of events in English royal history that seem extraordinary and unbelievable, but the warming pan scandal has to be at the top of the list. The son of James II and Mary of Modena had a very interesting start to life and would be questioned for decades. James II was not an overly popular monarch; he was Roman Catholic (and was married to a Roman Catholic), attempted to…
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Features

Henry VIII's first royal wedding

King Henry VIII is known for his six wives. They were divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded – and one survived. However, before he charged down the path of continually trading in wives to hopefully find the “one”, he married his elder brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon, at Greenwich Palace on 11 June 1509.  Daughter of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of…
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Features

The emerald ring that changed the monarchy forever

She was the woman who would change royal history forever. Wallis Simpson’s romance with King Edward VIII led to him deciding between love and duty. In the end, it was a choice of love. The King Emperor abdicated the throne as he was unable to marry the American divorcée in the Church of England at the time. The throne passed to his brother, Albert, who became King George VI. And Edward headed…
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The importance of a royal hat: new play highlights why Queen Elizabeth II's clothes mattered

Author Daisy Goodwin’s new play, By Royal Appointment, opens this week in Bath with a close look at a special royal relationship. Goodwin’s stage play, By Royal Appointment, is a new play exploring the close relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her friend and dresser, Angela Kelly. Running at the Theatre Royal Bath from 5 to 14 June, the show looks at possible moments…
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