A study of the books owned by someone can
open a window into their interests, and a royal personage no less
so. In so doing, the reading material of the last Empress of
Russia, Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918) charts important events in
her life and tells us a lot about what she saw as significant to
keep, or take with her to Russia; her books crucially incorporated
her old life into the new…
It’s the cake that keeps on giving. The
flower strewn bake that took centre stage at the wedding of the
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on April 29th 2011 still makes its
presence felt with slices of it popping up at auction with what
seems like an almost metronomic…
The Duke & Duchess of Gloucester's apartment under refurbishment for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
7th May 2018
With less than two weeks remaining until
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s anticipated wedding, work remains
underway on the couple’s new family residence at Kensington Palace.
Nottingham Cottage has been Prince Harry’s long-time bachelor
residence…
The relationship of Henry VIII to the
death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth of York, raises possible
interesting psychological theories about his behaviour towards the
six women he later married. These are fascinating to suggest, but
will only ever remain speculative, especially because on this
subject, the King himself was silent. Although his mother died when
Henry was just a child, the death of…
The singer Sir Paul McCartney has been
made a Companion of Honour by The Queen at Buckingham Palace
for his lasting contribution to music in the UK and Worldwide.
He previously received a knighthood from The Queen more than 20
years ago. He also received an MBE in 1965 when…
Arise Dame Darcey Bussell! The Strictly Come Dancing judge and ballerina is knighted by The Queen
4th May 2018
The Strictly Come Dancing judge and
world-renowned ballerina, Darcey Bussell, received her
knighthood at Buckingham Palace on Friday morning. The 49-year-old
was knighted by The Queen at the palace after being named in the
New Year Honours List for services to…
Like other small and private buildings
that exist in the grounds of Queen Victoria’s residences, such as
the Garden Cottage at Balmoral, each is unique, enabling us to gain
a personal glimpse into the Queen’s domestic world, her daily
pursuits and interests. Another such building is the Gothic Ruin at
Frogmore, used by Queen Victoria, but which in contrast to the
others, was not in fact built…
The Queen has been pleased to approve the
appointment of Sajid Javid as Her Majesty’s Principal Secretary of
State for the Home Department. Mr Javid was appointed to the role
of Home Secretary on Monday morning following the resignation of
Amber Rudd on Sunday…
A chance glance upon an entry in an
exhibition catalogue from 2004 immediately attracted my interest
because it related to samples of wallpaper for the Alexander
Palace, the private residence of Tsar Nicholas II and his family,
in Tsarskoe Selo. I knew the last Tsarina had…
White Lodge is a former royal residence,
situated deep within Richmond Park. But its location can
momentarily confuse. Richmond Palace was, of course, one of the
most important palaces of the Tudor dynasty and is consequently far
better known; although the building was not within Richmond Park
itself, nor even adjacent to it, being roughly a mile away.
Richmond Palace was rebuilt by Henry VII on…
