Features

Romantic wedding gifts that became one royal family's most famous tiaras

he birthstone of June is the pearl and it’s been a favourite gem in royal collections for centuries. It stars in some of the best known pieces used by European ruling dynasties and in Spain it has a central part in some very famous jewels. Asturias Fleur-de-Lys Tiara [getty src=”469827298″ width=”396″ height=”594″ tld=”ca”] Queen Letizia is reported to have received…
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Features

A rainbow of royal wedding bouquets

We’re used to seeing royal brides with white flowers. Many a regal wedding has featured a posy of pretty cream flowers, dotted with hints of green and matching the dress to perfection. Bright bouquets are a rarity but they make their mark. Here’s a rainbow of royal…
History

The king who created the House of Windsor

King George V led the Royal Family through the First World War, oversaw the transition to the House of Windsor, and recognised the British Empire’s Dominions as independent nations. However, his birth in 1865 was that of a spare rather than an heir.  Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert was born on 3 June 1864 to the then Prince and Princess of Wales. Princess Alexandra, wife of Albert…
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Features

A princess reveals how pampered dogs made her wedding dress into their bed

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 impressed fashion…
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Features

The queen who turned spectacular diamonds into 'crown jewels' as her final wish

It is not uncommon for monarchies to hold priceless pieces of jewellery that enjoy special status: they don’t belong to any specific person, nor can they be sold or separated.  This is also the case for Spain, when Queen Victoria Eugenia, better known as Ena, decided to create a set of jewellery pieces to be passed down from generation to generation of queens.  According to Queen Ena…
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