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 Schürmann in 1899 – she wanted a…
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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 – the emerald…
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 outbreak of the war in 1939, Windsor…
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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, choice of…
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 Djurgården, 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 leading…
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Features

The princess named after Ireland's patron saint

For a princess who claimed a bit of a royal first at the baptismal font, it’s perhaps not surprising that Patricia of Connaught – known for most of her adult life as Lady Patricia Ramsey – ended up changing plenty of regal rules on her way.  The little girl who was…
History

The history of Clarence House, one of London's last remaining aristocratic townhouses

On The Mall, next to St James’s Palace, you’ll find an aristocratic townhome, Clarence House. It’s the current residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla and a home that has housed many generations of the British royal family. [getty src=”2369780″ width=”594″ height=”391″ tld=”com”] Built between 1825 and 1827 to a design by John Nash, Clarence House was…
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