Features

A romantic tiara that links two royal families sparkles again at a glittering State Banquet

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg chose to wear one of her royal family’s most famous tiaras at the State Banquet that began her State Visit to Belgium. And her pick had a sentimental element, too. For the diamond diadem worn by the Grand Duchess was taken to Luxembourg by a Belgian princess on her wedding day. The tiara in question, the Belgian scroll, is just one part of a sparkling…
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Features

The mysterious mistress who helped turn a party prince into a popular royal

I’ve always felt rather sorry for the mistress known as Mrs Jordan. For two decades, she lived alongside the third son of King George III. Her partner is known to history as King William IV but for their duration of their relationship he was the somewhat dodgy Duke of Clarence who had champagne taste and no money, purely because he had spent everything he’d been given. Dorothea Jordan was…
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History

The only joint coronation in British history

11 April will be the 335th anniversary of a very unique British coronation- the only joint coronation in British history. Queen Mary II and King William III were crowned as co-monarchs at Westminster Abbey after being offered the crown.King James II became King upon his brother’s death in 1685. The once beloved Duke of York was Catholic, though, and this would be his downfall. After…
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Features

Four bad lads and a wicked Queen

Queen Isabella of France and Roger MortimerFirst in the queue is Queen Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer. The Queen, often referred to as the She-Wold of France, joined forces with Mortimer and became known as a rather foul duo. For many years, they sought to remove…
Features

From queen's necklace to wedding tiara - the sparkling story of one of the most famous royal gems of all

It’s become one of the big questions in the run up to a royal marriage – which tiara will the bride wear? It’s now an accepted part of any Windsor wedding and the decision of Princess Beatrice to wear the same tiara as her grandmother did as a bride for her big day is both sentimental and rather significant.For Beatrice is now the third generation of Queen Elizabeth…
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