InterestsPalaces & Buildings

Royal ghost stories: Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is infamous as the setting for the tragic stories of Henry VIII’s six wives, so it’s no surprise that people have been reporting ghostly sightings there for hundreds of years. Postcards with double-exposed photographs supposedly depicting the famous ghosts of Hampton Court were a trendy collector’s item in the early 1900s, and today (or at least…
Read more
BhutanRoyal Weddings

King and Queen of Bhutan mark ten years of marriage

The King met Jetsun Pema, who comes from the country’s elite, when she was around seven-years-old, and he was 17. Years later, they fell in love and became engaged. He announced his upcoming marriage during the opening of Parliament in 2011. His Majesty then described his bride: “Now, many will have their own idea of what a Queen should be like—that she should be uniquely…
Read more
FeaturesHistoryInterestsState & Ceremonial

How many sapphires are there in the Imperial State Crown?

The Imperial State Crown is one of the most popular royal crowns, not only in Britain but across the globe. Given that September’s birthstone is September, it is the perfect time to look at the two historic sapphires set in the Imperial State Crown. St. Edward’s Sapphire is one of the notable sapphires in the State Crown. It is an octagonal, rose-cut sapphire and sits in the cross at…
Read more