The marriage of Sonja Haraldsen to the
future King of Norway, on August 29th 1968, marked a moment of joy
in a relationship that had caused huge debate as soon as it was
known about. For the bride had no royal blood in a monarchy where
princes were expected to wed regally. However, love prevailed and
Sonja married the then Crown Prince Harald in front of crowned
heads from across Europe. This…
The Élysée Palace played host to several
royals ahead of the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympic
Games. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a reception on the
day of the opening ceremony to officially receive the heads of
state attending the 2024…
It began life as a royal fortress and
became a symbol of a revived French monarchy in the 16th and 17th
century and, as the Olympics took over Paris, kings and queens once
more reigned at the Louvre. Several royals mingled at an Olympic
gala dinner at the palace turned…
The princess whose wedding dress was still being sewn as the church bells rang for her marriage
26th July 2024
Princess Madeleine’s wedding dress is one
of the most celebrated of recent royal weddings. The bride herself
talked openly about how her wedding dress was designed. The Italian
fashion designer Valentino Garavani had asked her if he could
create her dress. And the princess said the meetings with the
designer were “rather funny”. Princess Madeleine’s lace covered
dress…
The first tiara of a future queen and the sweet family story that made a princess emotional
26th July 2024
She once stood in as a ‘first lady’ when
her country was without a consort and one of the oldest princesses
in Europe has admitted seeing a future queen in a tiara for the
first time made her emotional. Norway’s Princess Astrid, now 92,
was often at the…
For centuries, tiaras have been a symbol
of royalty and some gems hold more significance than others when
used in these sparkling signs of power. The ruby is the birthstone
for July. It’s been used in royal jewellery collections for
centuries and it now features in…
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 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? What if
Edward VIII had…
European leaders are gathering at
Blenheim Palace. Ever since being built at the dawn of the 18th
century, it has been home to a long and illustrious lineage of the
Dukes of Marlborough. Over the centuries, it has been the home of
various great personages, John Churchill…
With the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in
Paris only a few days away, royals across the world are preparing
to support their athletes as they represent their kingdoms. While
most royals heading to the Olympics will be spectators, there are
some who have played much bigger roles…
King Charles has read his speech at the
State Opening of Parliament and he was wearing one of the most
important symbols of monarchy for it, the Imperial State
Crown. The Imperial State Crown is worn by the British
monarch when they leave Westminster Abbey at the end of their
Coronation. They also wear the Imperial State Crown for the State
Opening of Parliament. (Queen Elizabeth II chose to…
