There’s no doubt that King Henry VIII reformed the Monarchy and its purpose significantly during his reign. From reforms in the Royal Court to church reforms, he had it all under his control.
What many people don’t know is that there has almost always been a Church Of England. Henry VIII did not begin the Church, but actually remodelled it into its own faith, with him as the Head.
In…
From the introduction of the first English Monarch [William the Conqueror] in 1066, Monarchs ruled absolutely, with no requirement for public input, government or indeed any opportunity for it, with the exception of a comparatively weak and more-or-less disregarded charter…
The Investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales in photos
5th March 2019
Today, the Queen hosts a reception in London to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. The ceremony itself took place on July 1st 1969 at Caernarfon Castle, watched by thousands at the ancient royal site and many more on TV. It…
The Queen Mother on Wallis Simpson: 'a naughty lady'
4th March 2019
The Queen Mother’s determination to keep her distance from Wallis Simpson is at the heart of a new TV programme. In ‘Queen Mum: the Reluctant Queen’, her attitude towards the Duchess of Windsor is examined with one letter, describing her as a ‘’naughty lady’’, taking centre stage.
The description of Wallis came in a letter penned by Elizabeth to her own mother-in-law, Queen Mary. In…
Caernarfon Castle - A History of Investitures
4th March 2019
On Tuesday, 5 March, a special reception will be held at Buckingham Palace in honour of Prince Charles, who is this year celebrating 50 years as the Prince of Wales. Hosted by Her Majesty The Queen, the reception is expected to be attended by all of the senior members of the…
When Queen Elizabeth II invested her eldest son Prince Charles with the title of Prince of Wales in a ceremony on 1 July 1969 at Caernarfon Castle in Wales, it was the latest in a storied and solemn show of monarchy and there were absolutely no complaints about the…
Poetry and the Tsarina?
27th February 2019
Included amongst the works read as a young woman by Princess Alix of Hesse, later Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918), were – according to letters that she wrote to her eldest sister, Victoria, Princess Louis of Battenberg – Guizot’s Reformation de la Litterature, the Life of Cromwell and Raumer’s nine-volume set, Geschichte der Hohenstaufen(Baroness Sophie Buxhoeveden…
The Queen appoints new members to the Order of the Garter
27th February 2019
It is the oldest Order of Chivalry in Britain, linking the 21st century with the medieval era and today it got new members. Buckingham Palace has announced that the Order of the Garter is to welcome two new appointments.
Dame Mary Peters, the Olympic gold medallist who has…
'My darling Auntie': Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna and Princess Louise
21st February 2019
Amongst the extensive collection of letters left by Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, the sixth daughter of Queen Victoria, are at least two from her niece, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918).
Two of Alexandra’s letters to her aunt were reproduced in the admirable…
Westminster Abbey's Royal Brides - The House of Windsor
20th February 2019
Westminster Abbey has been a place of worship for the Royal Family for centuries, been the venue for every coronation since 1066 and the venue for royal weddings and funerals. This article will examine the royal weddings which have taken place at Westminster Abbey between 1919 to the most recent wedding, held there in 2011.
Princess Patricia of Connaught (1919)
Born Victoria Patricia Helena…