History

Queen Elizabeth May Face Legal Action Over Koh-i-noor Diamond

A group of Indians have recently announced their intention to take legal action against The Queen in a bid to reclaim the Koh-i-noor Diamond that is presently a part of the Crown Jewels. The Koh-i-noor, which means “mountain of light,” was mined in India around 800 years ago. The 105-carat stone was once the largest cut diamond in the world and passed from one dynasty to another before…
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Looking at the birth of Marie Antoinette

Born as the last of the children of Empress Maria Theresia and the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis Stephen, the future Queen of France Marie Antoinette, was also the imperial couple’s fifteenth child and eleventh daughter. She was born on November 2 1755, the Feast of the Dead…
History

The Fifteen Princesses of Orange: Anna of Saxony

The second Princess of Orange, and also William the Silent’s second wife, is probably the most scandalous of them all. She was born on 23 December 1544 in Dresden as the daughter of Maurice, Elector of Saxony and Agnes of Hesse. She would be their only surviving child…
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A Royal Christmas at Osborne

Queen Victoria’s beloved residence at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, is to open its doors to the public again this winter, so that visitors can experience a truly Victorian Christmas, in what was formerly a private royal and very family, home. Built in the style of an Italianate villa, Osborne House was purchased in March 1845 and was bought together with its estate of approximately 1,000…
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History

Red roses and white: A brief history of the Tudor Rose

One of the most distinctive and unmistakable flowers in England is the Tudor Rose. This specific type of rose is both red (around the outside) and white (in the centre), and has been in use as the country’s plant emblem since the Tudor Era. But there is more to the…
History

Lord Mountbatten: The man behind Prince Charles

Growing up in the Royal Family is an experience quite unlike the childhood many (if not all) of us had. Although Prince Charles was lucky enough to have both his parents in his life, they were both quite absent from his upbringing. This was both due to the fact mummy and…
History

The Fifteen Princesses of Orange: Anna of Egmont

Anna of Egmont was born around March 1533 as the daughter of Maximilian van Egmont and Françoise de Lannoy. She would turn out to be their only child and thus heiress to her father’s estates. Her father was an ally of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and he was often away on campaign. Anna grew up in the world that was centered around the Brussels Court of the Regent Mary of Hungary. She…
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Monarchy Rules: A look at King Henry VIII

One of Britain’s most colourful King’s and is easily most well known- but not for his heart-warming personality. Henry VIII most extraordinary claim to fame would be six wives and their unfortunate fates. Henry accomplished a lot more in his time as King, like…
History

Tales of the Tower: Lady Jane Grey

She is more popularly known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’ though is also remembered for her untimely demise within the walls of the Tower of London. Lady Jane Grey short-lived reign began on 10th July 1553 following the death of King Edward VI, who had personally named Lady Jane Grey as his successor in the ‘Devise for the Succession’. Though Jane became Queen, the widespread support of Mary…
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