FeaturesHistory

A Brief History of Frogmore Cottage

With the announcement that Frogmore Cottage will become the residence of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Windsor, it is perhaps interesting to briefly review Frogmore Cottage’s history. Contrary to popular imagination, it is not the first time that the building has served as a residence for royalty. ‘Bark writes that you offer me a Cottage at Windsor. Words fail me to express all I feel…
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FeaturesHistory

George H.W. Bush and the Royal Talking Hat

Ah yes, the talking hat. Any life is made of moments, some poignant, some funny, some profound, some light. Much has already been written of the political contributions of George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States of America, who has died at the age of 94. But among the moments that make up his legacy is the time he helped turn the Queen into a talking hat. Embed from Getty…
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FeaturesHistory

What happened to France’s monarchy?

In the latest instalment of our autumn series, looking at what led to the fall of various monarchies throughout history, Royal Central looks at the end of the monarchy in France. The most well-known episode regarding the ending of France’s monarchy is the 1789…
FeaturesHistory

One of Britain's most famous tiaras is stolen

The Portland Tiara, commissioned for a duchess to wear at a glittering and hugely important royal occasion, has been stolen. The diadem, made by Cartier in 1902 ahead of the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, was taken on Tuesday night from the gallery where…
FeaturesHistoryRoyal Weddings

Who signed the register at The Queen's wedding?

It was the beginning of a royal chapter which would make history time and time again. But on November 20th 1947, the ceremony which joined Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip as wife and husband was described by one of the clergy involved as ”in all essentials, exactly the same as it would have been for any cottager who might be married this afternoon”. And just like everyone who said…
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FeaturesHistory

A Pearl Earring and Imperial Russia

Displayed as part of the London Science Museum’s exhibition on the Russian Imperial Family, The Last Tsar: Blood and Revolution is a pearl earring. This extraordinarily poignant object has its own silent story to tell, concerning the fate of the Romanovs. Believed to have…
FeaturesHistory

Royal Baby Mania: the birth of a prince

If you think that royal baby mania is a new thing, think again. Seventy years ago this week, ahead of the birth of Prince Charles, the papers were filled with plenty of stories about his parents, their plans and a very regal pregnancy. As the then Princess Elizabeth prepared…
FeaturesHistory

A chandelier and the fate of the Romanovs

Currently displayed in the special exhibition at London’s Science Museum, The Last Tsar: Blood and Revolution – exploring the role of medicine in the lives of the Russian Imperial Family as well as the use of modern science involved in the investigation concerning their murder – is a chandelier, but no ordinary one. I first encountered this chandelier nearly twenty years ago, as a black…
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