On a hot summer day in 1543, a young widow married an ageing and much wed king in a ceremony that took many by surprise. By the time Katherine Parr said ‘I do’ to Henry VIII in the Queen’s Closet at Hampton Court Palace on July 12th1543, his five previous unions and attitude towards marital harmony were such that continental contenders to be consort of England were all but running in…
It’s rare to see a royal engagement ring with a flash of green about it. Emeralds aren’t the most popular pick for royal betrothals but the few that have hit the headlines are all rather striking.
Here’s our rundown of that rarest of royal sparklers…
The Princess of Wales makes her children her priority as she undergoes treatment for cancer
22nd March 2024
The Princess of Wales has spoken of her determination to ensure her children know that she is ”going to be OK” after she was diagnosed with cancer.
In a video statement, the Princess revealed she is undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ and said…
There are few things harder to deal with than the diagnosis of a serious illness. One of those things is telling your children you have a serious illness. But for one young mother, another terrible task was added to that list. To do it all while people around the world thought it was OK to speculate, lie and bully you because you hadn’t revealed your health diagnosis to them on demand.
The…
'You are not alone' - the words of the Princess of Wales to all those being treated for cancer
22nd March 2024
As she revealed that she is undergoing treatment for cancer, the Princess of Wales had words for all those undergoing similar experiences.
In a heartfelt message confirming her diagnosis, the Princess reached out to those who are also being treated for the…
Caroline of Ansbach was Princess of Wales from 1714 to 1727; her father-in-law, King George I, inherited the throne upon Queen Anne’s death and began the Hanoverian dynasty. She remains one of the most interesting women to hold the title of Princess of Wales and left her…
The heartbreaking gesture that led to one of the most poignant royal wedding traditions of all
20th March 2024
It is one of the most poignant moments in a British royal wedding: the moment the bride’s bouquet is placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
Its origin dates back to 23 April 1923, with the wedding of Prince Albert, Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior was dedicated on 11 November 1920, and King George V wrote about the…
She was the queen who tried to save her dynasty with nothing more than a bouquet of flowers. Maria Amelia saw her husband and eldest son mortally wounded at close range in an assassination that would hasten the demise of their dynasty. She had done all she could to save the…
The site of Christchurch Greyfriars, is a strange, haunting place, redolent of history. It is now a ruined, public garden and a popular place for Londoners to take their sandwiches for lunch. Long gone is the atmosphere of bells and prayer from the Middle Ages; although in…
He created some of the most famous royal looks of the 20th century and he’s still producing talked about style picks. Sir Norman Hartnell was already a sought after wedding dress designer when he was first commissioned to produce a bridal outfit by the House of Windsor. Over eight decades on, and long after his own death, he was responsible for another famous royal marriage look. On the 85th…
