State & Ceremonial

Arise Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Dame Olivia Newton-John & Sir Sam Mendes - 2020 New Year Honours revealed

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27th December 2019
Former Conservative Party Leader Iain Duncan Smith, singer & actress Olivia Newton-John and film director Sam Mendes are among those being recognised by The Queen in the 2020 New Year Honours list. Sir Iain Duncan Smith is being knighted for political and public service. The 65-year-old has been the Member of Parliament for Chingford since 1992 and has held many Cabinet positions, most…
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HistoryInterests

Lucy Worsley hosts Tudor Christmas special

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20th December 2019
Carols, mulled wine, a Christmas feast, and piles of gifts … no, it’s not a scene from your favourite festive movie, but from the court of Henry VIII. If you’ve ever wondered how the Tudors celebrated Christmas, join royal historian Lucy Worsley as she hosts A Merry Tudor Christmas with Lucy Worsley airing on BBC Two at 9 p.m. tonight and premiering Christmas Day on PBS in…
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State & Ceremonial

The Queen takes Conservative MP hostage for the second time this year

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19th December 2019
The Queen has once again taken a Conservative Member of Parliament as hostage at Buckingham Palace whilst she delivers her speech at the Palace of Westminster. Stuart Andrew, MP for Pudsey, is being ‘held captive’ at the Palace and will be released once the Monarch has been safely returned from the State Opening of Parliament. Mr Andrew arrived at Buckingham Palace before The Queen…
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BelgiumFeaturesHistoryRoyal Weddings

Royal Wedding Dresses: Queen Mathilde of the Belgians

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4th December 2019
All royal wedding dresses are keenly anticipated but there is always slightly more interest and slightly more pressure when the gown on show belongs to a queen in waiting. On December 4th 1999, Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz walked into the Town Hall of Brussels for the start of her marriage celebrations to the heir to the throne of Belgium, Philippe. Mathilde’s marriage turned her…
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