Features

Why is the future king called William?

The odds were not in William’s favour when the newborn son of the Prince and Princess of Wales was born on 21 June 1982. In fact, the bookmakers predicted that the future king’s name would be George, or James, or Charles, or Philip, or Louis, but the bookmakers did not predict that William would be the child’s name. A week later, Buckingham Palace announced that the future king was to be…
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Features

The striking tiara created from family gems for a young queen

Emeralds are among the most striking gems found in any collection and they feature in some of the best known royal tiaras in Europe. And the Emerald Parure Tiara, owned by the Dutch Royal Family, has a truly fascinating history. [getty src=”1149595458″ width=”594″ height=”396″ tld=”ca”] Queen Emma ordered this tiara from the jewellers…
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Features

A royal rarity - an emerald engagement ring

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. Here’s our rundown of that rarest of royal sparklers…
History

How King George VI guided Windsor through some of its toughest times

Following the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. King George VI would be the monarch to lead the UK through some of the country’s darkest times. During the war, Windsor Castle would become pivotal for the royal family. [getty src=”51396671″ width=”594″ height=”461″ tld=”com”] During the…
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Features

The royal bridesmaid who became a queen

As 1922 got under way, newspapers began to run excited articles about a royal wedding. The only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary was about to say ‘I do’ and every moment of her marriage ceremony was up for scrutiny. Princess Mary’s wedding dress…
HistoryPalaces & BuildingsSweden

Rosendal Palace: from the first to the last Bernadotte

Rosendal Palace is one of the lesser-known royal buildings in Sweden, but that doesn’t mean it is less spectacular.  Located on the island of DjurgÃ¥rden, in central Stockholm, it was erected between 1823 and 1827 for King Karl XIV Johan – none other than Jean Bernadotte, the founder of the current ruling dynasty in Sweden. The palace was created by Frederik Blom, one of the…
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