LuxembourgRoyal Weddings

Royal Wedding Settings: the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Luxembourg

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14th February 2021
Forty years ago, on a day for lovers, a future sovereign married his consort in a cathedral filled with royal resonance. As Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary, Royal Central takes a look at the famous setting for their historic marriage. Henri, then Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Maria Teresa Mestre y Batista had told the press at…
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FeaturesHistoryRoyal Weddings

Princess Margaret's poignant nod to her father on her wedding day

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12th February 2021
The gowns worn by royal bridesmaids can often be overlooked but the creations made for the attendants at Princess Margaret’s wedding in May 1960 had a very special meaning. For they were a link between the bride and her beloved father, who had died almost a decade before her marriage. Margaret had turned to Norman Hartnell for her wedding ensemble and entrusted him with creating perfect…
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British RoyalsFeaturesHistoryHistoryInsightInterests

History of unlucky royal names: Richard

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9th February 2021
There are many names that are considered unlucky by some, and in royal circles this is something they wish to avoid at all costs. From superstitions to strange goings on during their reigns, Royal Central is taking a look at the history behind some such monikers, and why it is unlikely that we will see them re-used by any future monarchs. The name Richard has been subjected to many trials of…
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HistoryHistory

The Norwegian King banned by the Pope

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5th February 2021
King Sverre Sigurdsson is the Norwegian king who the Pope banned. Sverre was King of Norway from 1177 to 1202, and shortly after Sverre took over the throne, conflicts with the church began. The Norwegian Archbishop had been allied with Sverre’s opponent to the throne…
HistoryPalaces & Buildings

King Haakon V and his three fortresses

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2nd February 2021
King Haakon V has a special role in Norwegian history. He is known as the king who finally reunited Norway after 110 years of civil war. He unified Norwegian power and created an empire that stretched over Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and parts of today’s Britain and Sweden. What is not as well known, however, is that he strengthened his power by building more fortresses…
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