British RoyalsQueen Elizabeth IIState & Ceremonial

Why the royal standard would never reveal clues to “emergency” Buckingham Palace meeting

While #BuckinghamPalace trended on Twitter and the world waited in a frenzied state for news about the “emergency” meeting called on Thursday, many people turned their eyes to the flag flying over the palace. Though they may have hoped it would reveal a clue as to the nature of the meeting they would be disappointed because even if a monarch were to pass away, the Royal Standard would never be…
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FeaturesHistoryInsight

The King who was killed by a monkey

Throughout history, many royals have died in brutal and bizarre ways. Royals have been killed in attacks, by illness and by accident. However, only one European royal has ever been murdered by a monkey. That is the Greek King Alexander, who died at 27-years-old in…
State & Ceremonial

La Reyne le veult - why are Acts of Parliament confirmed in Norman French rather than English?

As part of the prorogation of Parliament, the giving of Royal Assent takes place for bills that have been passed by both houses. This is because prorogation signals the end of all parliamentary business, meaning if a bill isn’t passed into law by this point, it may not be carried on into the next Parliament. Once Black Rod has summoned the House of Commons to the bar of the House of Lords…
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British RoyalsFeaturesHistory

Looking back at the wedding of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

The future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth married on 26 April 1923 in Westminster Abbey. Prince Albert, Duke of York, was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary, while Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was the youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. They initially met as children before a dance in 1920 brought them together again as adults. Elizabeth was…
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Prince & Princess of WalesState & Ceremonial

Jessica Ennis-Hill receives Damehood at Buckingham Palace

Former gold medal winning Olympian, Jessica Ennis-Hill, collected her Damehood from the Duke of Cambridge today in a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace. Dame Jessica was named in the 2017 New Year Honours list for her services to athletics. The 31-year-old retired from the heptathlon last September following the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where she won a silver medal. Four years earlier, she won…
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