History

First statue of Mary Queen of Scots in Scotland to go on show at Linlithgow Palace

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27th February 2015
The first ever statue in Scotland of the infamous Mary, Queen of Scots has been commissioned; it will be revealed later this spring. Despite the huge public interest in her life across the globe, only now – 400 years after her death, will a public statue be erected at Linlithgow Palace, where Mary was born in 1542. Mary’s reign was short-lived. The 7ft statue is being built at…
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State & Ceremonial

Queen to award first Victoria Cross to living recipient in a decade

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25th February 2015
The Queen is expected to hand out the first British Victoria Cross to a living recipient in a decade as it is announced today the rare (and single highest) award ‘for valour’ has been made to Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey of the Parachute Regiment for actions in Afghanistan. Corporal Leakey also becomes the first living British recipient of the Victoria Cross to receive it for actions…
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Palaces & Buildings

Hampton Court Palace celebrates its 500th birthday with brilliant bespoke cake

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12th February 2015
One does not turn 500 every day, so how do you celebrate such a milestone? You channel your inner Henry VIII and commission a massive cake that would make even one of Hampton Court’s famous residents proud.This year will mark 500 years since Cardinal Wolsey leased Hampton Court and began a massive refurbishment transforming Hampton Court into an extravagant palace. A palace eventually…
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Palaces & Buildings

Banqueting House to Go 'Under Wraps'

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11th February 2015
Banqueting House will soon have a new look. The major conservation project will soon be underway, with the property covered top to bottom in a wrap ‘telling’ passerby the unique history of this remarkable building. Built in 1619 by Inigo Jones for James 1…
State & Ceremonial

Why have the royal succession changes still not been brought into effect?

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10th February 2015
Four years ago, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Australia, an agreement was made between those 16 countries who retain The Queen as their Head of State that there would be changes to the royal succession laws. Specifically in order that women would be given equal rights to succeed to the throne as men. Four years on and despite an Act of Parliament being passed in the…
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