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, 86 years ago, 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?
New questions…
The Coronation of King Charles III took
place a year ago in a day of pomp and pageantry with an ancient
ceremony at its heart. The King was crowned at Westminster Abbey on
May 6th 2023 and wore two different crowns at different parts of
the service. St. Edward’s…
The history of the Imperial State Crown, the glittering symbol of Monarchy worn by King Charles at the Coronation
6th May 2024
It was the second crown that King Charles
wore on the day of his Coronation but the one that will be seen in
history books for centuries to come. As he left Westminster Abbey
on May 6th 2023 after the Coronation, The King wore the Imperial
State Crown. It was also used for…
What really happened to Henry VIII's last queen? Inside the mysterious death of Katherine Parr
5th May 2024
History remembers her as the ‘survivor’.
Katherine Parr, last queen of Henry VIII, managed to get to the end
of his reign with her marriage and her head intact. It was no mean
feat. Yet, just over a year later, Kateryne The Quene was dead. How
did the story of a royal woman who had navigated the pitfalls and
caprices of the last days of Henry VIII end so soon afterwards?
The…
”Around the Tomb of theUnknown Warrior
were arranged spring flowers symbolic of remembrance, including
sprigs of rosemary, bay for virtue, bluebells and forget-me-nots
for constancy of love, daffodils for chivalry, cowslips, and lilac
for memories of…
Letters of Credentials, also known as
Credentials Letters, are one of the most ancient tools of
diplomacy, and their delivery to the Head of State marks the
official beginning of the posting of a specific Ambassador to a
specific country – which, in turn, determines…
The time The Queen and Prince Philip attended the Kentucky Derby, fulfilling a lifelong dream
4th May 2024
Queen Elizabeth II was a huge supporter
of horse racing and was one of the sport’s most prominent owners,
so it is hardly a surprise that in her free time, the monarch could
often be seen on a racecourse. Her late Majesty became a regular
face at some the UK’s best known racetracks such as Ascot and Epsom
Downs, but the Queen was also known to visit more distant
racecourses…
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. And as the gem is the birthstone for May,
now seems a good time to…
On 20 January 1936, Britain’s King George
V died. George V was a popular monarch with strong public morals,
his son, the Prince of Wales acceded to the throne upon his
father’s death. He became King Edward VIII, a name chosen as
opposed to King David as there had been no…
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 repeal…