Over fifty years ago, a shout from a
crowd prompted an unusual response from Queen Elizabeth II. During
a visit to Normandy in France, a voice cried ”Vive La Duchesse!”.
It wasn’t a case of mistaken identity, as Her Late Majesty herself
acknowledged. For the British monarch has long laid claim to the
ancient title of Duke of Normandy. In the middle ages, the Duke of
Normandy…
In August 1100, England’s second King
William died in strange circumstances and was buried quietly at
Winchester Cathedral. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Henry,
hastened to London to claim power. What really happened to the
king? Today we’re looking at a royal…
She was the beautiful princess who had
been the subject of endless royal wedding speculation, he was the
handsome prince with a crown waiting in his future. When Marie-Jose
of Belgium married Umberto, heir to the throne of Italy, in January
1930 their marriage had all the…
The queen's daughter who disappeared without trace - a Tudor mystery that remains unsolved
2nd August 2023
Within the walls of one of England’s most
picturesque castles, a queen gave birth to her only child and set
in motion a chain of events that would become one of Tudor
England’s most intriguing mysteries. The birth had been much
anticipated and much talked about. The baby, a little girl, was
immediately taken off to a nursery decked in scarlet and gold where
a string of attendants…
While there is a traditional uniform for
kings at their coronation, there is not for queens. This has
allowed each queen to wear a gown specifically created for their
coronation day. Queen Alexandra’s coronation dress remains one of
the most sumptuous in British…
August's birthstone and one of the most famous royal jewels in the world
1st August 2023
It’s just been seen up close by millions
around the world at the Coronation of King Charles III. And despite
its name, the Black Prince’s Ruby, this gem is actually a sparkling
example of the birthstone for August, Let’s say hello to the most
famous spinel…
Her story is amongst the most
controversial of all the Queens of England and centuries after her
death, a new twist appeared in the tale of Elizabeth Woodville. An
expert at the National Archives in London found a document
suggesting that the consort who revolutionised royalty may have
died of the plague. Euan Roger is a records specialist at the
National Archives and while looking through 16th…
Who was the first commoner to be Queen of
England? There has been a long debate on the matter, because the
parameters for being classified as “commoner” have shifted though
the centuries. Elizabeth Woodville is considered the first commoner
to be crowned as…
Amidst the chronicle of lost tombs at
Westminster Abbey is that of Queen Anne Neville, wife of King
Richard III. Queen Anne’s invisibility in these terms underlines
the purported neglect on behalf of Richard III; this lack of a
memorial was rectified however when a bronze…
Royal weddings bring all kinds of
expectations and among them is one filled with sparkle and glitter.
For we all assume a royal bride will arrive for her marriage
wearing a tiara. When the wedding will result in them becoming a
consort or consort in waiting, the expectation is even higher.
However, some of the most high profile royal brides of recent times
have decided to ditch the diadem. Royal…