On 6 May 2023, the world will watch as King Charles III is coronated alongside Queen Consort Camilla. During their coronation, the world will also see a symbol of royal history, The Gold State Coach.
The enclosed, eight-horse-drawn carriage was commissioned in 1760 by Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings, for King George III. Samuel Butler was the one to build it in one of his…
Royal funerals in Westminster Abbey: history with a big hiatus
17th September 2022
Queen Elizabeth II will be the first monarch to have her funeral held at Westminster Abbey since 1760.Â
All sovereigns after that date have received their last salute at St George’s Chapel, in Windsor, due to logistic challenges: the Royal Vaults in the Abbey are…
The symbols of majesty resting on Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin
16th September 2022
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin is currently Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall for four days to allow the public to pay their respects. She will remain there until 6:30 am on Monday, 19 September. Resting on top of the coffin are three symbols of the monarchy which hold…
The US Presidents knighted by The Queen and King George VI
16th September 2022
Her Majesty The Queen met all but one of the US Presidents during her reign. In total, The Queen has reigned during the tenure of President Harry Truman to the current leader, President Joe Biden. In total, 12 of the 13 presidents of the United States who have taken office during The Queen’s reign met her.
Her Late Majesty honoured two US presidents with honorary knighthoods (and her…
The last monarch to have a funeral at Westminster Abbey: King George II
15th September 2022
In just days, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey in London. It’s been centuries since a monarch had a funeral at the Abbey. The last one was King George II in 1760.
The funeral of King George II took place on 13 November 1760.
Back to School with The Queen
30th August 2022
The Queen has broken many records in her lifetime but one less known is that she and her sister, Princess Margaret, were the last to be educated by private tutors from home.
Up to the age of seven, Princess Elizabeth was educated by her mother in reading and…
Milestones of a Monarch: The Diamond Jubilee
29th May 2022
With the Platinum Jubilee right around the corner, The Queen’s past jubilees have become a popular topic of discussion again. At Royal Central, we are looking at the Milestones of a Monarch and among the biggest moments in her reign was Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.Â
The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, with the main festivities taking place over a four day weekend in…
Jane Austen's royal fans through the ages
6th April 2022
Today the Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton. The beloved English author spent the last eight years of her life in the cottage before her death in Winchester 1817. Austen is a rare author who still remains a favourite choice amongst…
A quick guide to Windsor Castle
17th March 2022
Windsor Castle was founded almost 1,000 years ago by William the Conquerer and has since been occupied by a staggering 39 monarchs.
Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to make this her permanent residence in recent years. This beautiful castle is the oldest and largest…
The shortest reigns in English royal history
4th February 2022
On 6 February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, 70 years on the throne. On 9 September 2015, Elizabeth passed Queen Victoria’s record for the longest reigning British monarch. While Elizabeth and Victoria both have lengthy reigns, there are some English monarchs who have had rather short reigns.
These are the shortest reigns of monarchs of England that are not…