State & Ceremonial

Billy Mott hangs up his bearskin after 13 years as Garrison Sergeant Major

The man responsible for organising London’s military parades and ceremonies, Garrison Sergeant Major Billy Mott, attends his final parade today as he prepares to leave the Armed Forces, having served in the post for the past 13 years. Garrison Sergeant Major Billy Mott Following the Queen’s Birthday Parade today, WO1 Billy Mott will hang up his bearskin for the last time as his successor…
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History

Could Henry I be the next car-park King?

The world has just witnessed the last Plantagenet King, Richard III, be reburied at Leicester Cathedral and now researchers believe that a second Monarch could be buried under a car-park in Reading. That Monarch is none other than the youngest son of William the Conqueror…
History

The French government intervenes in planned sale of historic royal items

The monarchy in France has been confined to the history books for many years now but that hasn’t stopped the country’s government intervening to stop artefacts linked to its royal past being auctioned and possibly ending up overseas. The French Culture Minister has ensured that three items due to be sold by descendants of the former ruling house of France can’t now go under the hammer…
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State & Ceremonial

Bill to allow women to succeed to titles given second chance in Parliament

The Succession to Peerages bill, introduced in the last session of Parliament, will make a return in this first of the new Parliament, with renewed hopes that the long-contested changes to the rules governing succession to hereditary titles in the UK are changed to allow female succession. The bill – introduced by Lord Trefgarne – seeks to create a blanket rule to allow hereditary titles to…
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Palaces & Buildings

Dragons to return to The Great Pagoda at Kew after a 200 year absence

Take a step back in time and imagine Georgian London. The year is 1762 and a building unlike no other becomes the talk of the town. Many marvelled at its beauty; others thought it would not last. Artist’s impressions of what the Pagoda will look like once restoration is finished. Photo Courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces. The Great Pagoda at Kew, designed and constructed during Chinoiserie craze…
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