The tradition of myrtle being used in a bridal bouquet is long established and largely European, although its associations with marriage has its origins in both ancient Greek mythology, as well as in Roman ritual, the myrtle being “dear” to Venus, as it had once been considered “sacred” to the goddess Aphrodite. Jewish liturgy also incorporated it occasionally in the form of branches…
We’ve just weeks, possibly days, to go until Royal Baby Cambridge Number Three makes their debut. The hospital is ready, the overnight bag is no doubt by the door at Kensington Palace and as if we needed another indication that the new fifth in line to the throne is…
The Jerusalem Chamber at Westminster Abbey is part of what is the oldest surviving medieval house in London. Its history is significant, but the room itself little seen, because it is not open to the general public. It is part of what is known as Cheneygates, the ancient…
Royal Baby Cambridge Number 3 is due imminently and the bookies have already made their minds up as to the new fifth in line to the throne. They’re confident Prince George and Princess Charlotte are getting a baby sister and she’s going to be called Mary. It’s been hot favourite for the royal baby for several weeks so as we wait to find out if they’ve called this one…
The flowers chosen by Diana, Princess of Wales for her wedding day are among the most memorable of royal bouquets. The tumbling, trailing mix of cream, green and yellow blooms that the bride carried into St. Paul’s Cathedral on July 29th 1981 for her marriage to the Prince…
The year 2018 marked the 200th anniversary of the death of the German-born British Queen Charlotte, consort of George III (1744-1818). Her life will be celebrated at Kew Palace, where she died on 18 November 1818, with a new exhibition that explores her marriage to the King…
In addition to the six Tudor royal burials at Westminster Abbey, there are several more whose location is either unknown or well-hidden to the immediate eye. These royal children, whilst (almost) invisible in terms of a lack of memorial or a monument that is at best, unseen, we tend quite naturally to only look for those tombs which we know can be found.
All of the (legitimate) children of Henry…
She was the first of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s children to marry and her big day set the template for the royal celebrations that would follow in its wake. Princess Anne’s wedding to Mark Phillips, on 14 November 1973, was a huge state occasion with a massive…
Queen Victoria is inextricably linked with Windsor Castle, but these associations, whilst deep-rooted, are in fact not always visible. A statue of her is within the first section of the State Apartments at Windsor Castle and her throne and footstool – presented to her in…
Amongst the splendid suite of jewels commissioned for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert, features in the permanent exhibition Victoria Revealed at Kensington Palace, when it re-opened in full on 30 March 2018, two magnificent tiaras which were formerly owned by Louise, Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife, one of which will go on long-term loan to Kensington Palace for the exhibition, from the estate…
