At the main entrance of Westminster Abbey lies the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the body of an unknown British soldier from the First World War. On 11 November 1920, the body was brought from France to be buried at The Abbey. While there is one body that lies in The Abbey, it was between themselves and three other heroes who would be put to rest there.
On 7 November 1920, four bodies covered in…
Sweden was a monarchy long before its current ruling house arrived on the throne. However, it was the last dynasty to accede to the throne that made it famous.
Its founder was born in France, and the Kingdom of Sweden was his reward for a well-conducted campaign during…
t was a famous royal love story that shocked as much as it thrilled. John of Gaunt was the ultra-ambitious prince whose desire to be a king almost cost him his life, Katherine Swynford was the mysterious commoner who supplanted a queen in his affections. Their relationship…
Many people are used to thinking about members of royal families as people with immense privilege and a life free from pain and suffering.
However, this was far from the truth for King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Born Prince Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus on 30 April 1946, he was the last child and only son of Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sybilla.
On 26 January 1947, Prince Gustaf…
The modern brides of the House of Kent have all made history with their royal marriages in one way or another and the gowns they wore on their big day are certainly memorable. Two took centre stage in some of the most ancient churches in England while another was worn at a…
A significant artefact of the Chinese Ming Dynasty will be put up for auction in London after spending almost eight decades in private hands.
The artefact in question is a decorative box that is believed to be part of a five-piece set of such items designed specifically…
A crucial part of any Coronation is the oath that the new Sovereign takes.
Just like the ceremony itself, the oath that is part of it has changed throughout the centuries, according to historical context and the will of the Monarch.
The last big change to the oath came in 1937, when other “territories and realms” were also included in the formula, an acknowledgement of all the…
On 6 May at Westminster Abbey, King Charles III will be crowned with St. Edward’s Crown at the moment of coronation. The design dates back to the eleventh century, but the crown itself that will be used is much younger.
The original St. Edward’s Crown reportedly…
Elizabeth Woodville is considered to be the first commoner to be crowned as Queen of England. Her coronation, soon after her marriage to King Edward IV was revealed, was controversial at the time and would mark a formal beginning to a royal tenure that was filled with drama…
As the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla inches nearer, the historic gems that will be used in the ceremony are under the spotlight. Among those historic pieces is the Black Prince’s Ruby which sits in the Imperial State Crown.
Located on the front of the crown, the ruby is an irregular and large cabochon red spinel weighing 170 carats or, 34 grams. Like the Monarch on…
