Features

The emerald ring that changed the monarchy forever

She was the woman who would change royal history forever. Wallis Simpson’s romance with King Edward VIII led to him deciding between love and duty. In the end, it was a choice of love. The King Emperor abdicated the throne as he was unable to marry the American divorcée in the Church of England at the time. The throne passed to his brother, Albert, who became King George VI. And Edward headed…
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Features

The importance of a royal hat: new play highlights why Queen Elizabeth II's clothes mattered

Author Daisy Goodwin’s new play, By Royal Appointment, opens this week in Bath with a close look at a special royal relationship.Goodwin’s stage play, By Royal Appointment, is a new play exploring the close relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her friend and dresser, Angela Kelly.Running at the Theatre Royal Bath from 5 to 14 June, the show looks at possible moments…
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Features

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II: an iconic and historic day

One of the most recognisable and iconic moments in The Queen’s historic 70-year reign was her 1953 Coronation. It was the first televised Coronation and was watched by 27 million people in the United Kingdom, with millions more watching from around the world.Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne upon her father’s death on 6 February 1952. King George VI had only reigned for fifteen…
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Features

The royal bride who changed England forever

For a woman who had such a profound effect on a whole country, she is surprisingly enigmatic. Catherine of Valois changed royal history forever but even now, centuries on, the prevailing image of her is the one created by Shakespeare for whom this French princess was a…
Insight

If Edward VIII hadn’t abdicated, who would be Monarch today?

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 Edward VIII announced to the world that he was ending his reign to marry the woman he loved, Wallis Simpson. His reign had lasted just under 11 months, starting on January 20th 1936. But what if Edward VIII…
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