Palaces & Buildings

Hampton Court Palace seeking actors to celebrate its 500th anniversary

As Hampton Court Palace celebrates 500 years of history this year, the search has begun for young actors who can bring history to life during the year-long festivities. The Palace is looking for 70 actors between the ages of 16 and 20, to be a part of the TimeQuake event at the end of May and perform live in front of the thousands of visitors that the Palace will attract this year. Henry VIII…
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History

Henry VIII's gardening manual 'unearthed'

Buckingham Palace curators may have dug deep (pun intended) to find out Henry VIII may have had interest in gardening and referred to the world’s first gardening manual for inspiration. Front page of the gardening manual, c. 1490-5, showing inscription by Richard Rawson, the king’s chaplain, and an inventory number for Henry VIII’s library. Royal Collection Trust / copyright Her…
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History

Notable Names: John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough

John Churchill circa 1685-1690. John Churchill was born at Ashe House in Devon on 26th May 1650. His father, Winston, became impoverished after supporting the Royalist cause during the English Civil Wars. Despite these humble beginnings, John Churchill would come to serve…
History

Henry VIII's hat finds a home at Hampton Court Palace

The year was 1544, and, after many gruelling months, the Frenchmen in the coastal town of Boulogne had surrendered to the English.When he heard news of the surrender, a victorious King Henry VIII triumphantly flung his hat into the air. Hat linked to Henry VIII…
Palaces & Buildings

Monarchy Monday: Buckingham Palace by numbers

Buckingham Palace, The Queen’s official London residence, is a sight to behold. Have you ever thought about how many rooms it has? Or how many windows? While maths was never my strong suit, these are some numbers I can get behind! So let’s breakdown Buckingham Palace in numbers. There is a total of 775 rooms in the palace. 52 of those rooms are Royal and guest bedrooms, 19 are…
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History

Queen Victoria's court book to go on display at Osborne House

A journal filled with gossip and some handwritten notes from Queen Victoria’s court are set to go on display at Osborne House after being bought for nearly £4,000 on Monday. Osborne House – Queen Victoria’s residence on the Isle of Wight The ‘court…
State & Ceremonial

Welsh Guards celebrate 100 years since founding

This year, 2015, commemorates the centenary of the Welsh Guards. Royal Central takes a look at the history of the Guards as well as some of the upcoming events celebrating their 100th anniversary. The Guard of Honour stand outside St Paul’s Cathedral for the Ceremonial Funeral of Baroness Thatcher, a Guard of Honourof the Welsh Guards from the Queen’s Household Regiments.The…
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