Features

The loves of Princess Margaret Rose

Princess Margaret was born on 21 August 1930 at Glamis Castle, the first royal baby born in Scotland in over 300 years. While she was sister and best friend of Queen Elizabeth II, she is now largely remembered for her complicated and sad love life. Who were the loves of Princess Margaret? Princess Margaret first met Group Captain Peter Townsend as a young teenager but it was not until her…
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History

The Winter Queen who secured the throne

Elizabeth Stuart was the daughter of King James I and Queen Anne of Denmark, the sister of King Charles I, and the aunt of King Charles II and King James II. While she was only a queen herself for little over a year, her lineage would set up a future dynasty in…
Features

Arabella Churchill: the royal mistress who became the ancestress of a popular princess

King James II tends to be largely ignored. Following his brother’s long Restoration reign and removal during the Glorious Revolution for his Protestant daughter and son-in-law, his reign can feel like a footnote in a lot of discussions. And unfortunately, those in his life tend to get the same treatment. While he might not have had the many, many mistresses that his brother did, James did have a…
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Features

The tiara rescued from a revolution for a starring role in an historic reign

There are a few pieces of jewellery that became completely symbolic of the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara known as the Grand Duchess Vladimirovna remained one of her favourite pieces throughout her 70 years as Monarch. The tiara originally belonged to one of the most sociable members of the Romanov court, Grand Duchess Vladimir or Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin before…
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Features

Meet the queen who might have been born in a horse drawn carriage

She lived most of her adult life in the spotlight and yet one very basic detail of her story is shrouded in mystery. For no one is really sure exactly where Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother was born. And no one did more to get people guessing than the Queen Mum herself. In 1980, as preparations were under way for her eightieth birthday celebrations, a Clarence House press officer was asked to…
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