History

A German Princess's memories of Queen Victoria

To Queen Victoria, she was ‘dear Marie Erbach’. That was what the Queen called Princess Marie of Battenberg, later Princess zu Erbach-Schönberg, whose memoirs first appeared in English in 1925, printed by London publishers George Allen & Unwin. Princess Marie Karoline of Battenberg was born in 1852 and married in 1871 Gustav Ernst, Count, later Prince zu Erbach-Schönberg (1840-1908). She…
Read more
HistoryInsight

Finding Queen Victoria's perfume

Queen Victoria’s use of perfume is a subject of interest because of what it reveals about both her personal toilette and tastes. An equivalent in scent perhaps, of that distinctive signature we know so well on paper, adding an ‘I’ for ‘Imperatrix’ after she was…
History

A gift from Imperial Russia?

In the German spa town of Bad Nauheim in Hesse, hangs a present – by tradition – from Imperial Russia. It is to be found within the solemnly beautiful church, the Reinhardskirche, in the old town quarter, built between 1732/33. Like many baroque churches whose outer exterior is plain and its interior lavish with decorative detail, the simplicity of its sacred architecture from the…
Read more
History

Royal burial site 'UK's answer to Tutankhamun's tomb'

A royal burial site from over 1,400 years ago found near a supermarket in Essex is being called England’s answer to the tomb of Tutankhamun. And experts now believe they know which Anglo Saxon royal was laid to rest here as they prepare to display some of the artefacts…
History

Royal Windowpanes

The regal tradition of scratching signatures in windowpanes is long established and well known. The windows – particularly when in rooms of royal residences – formed a kind of living ‘guestbook’, often accompanied by the date the visit or signature, was made. These…
History

Queen Victoria's sapphire and diamond coronet to be put on display

Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond coronet will be on permanent display this year at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, as part of the museum’s 2019 bicentenary celebration to mark the births of both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, to whom of course, the museum owes its name. Displayed in the V&A Museum’s Jewellery Galleries, this magnificent coronet is among those pieces of…
Read more
British RoyalsHistoryThe Sussexes

May 6th: a right royal date

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have welcomed a son. Their baby boy was born at 5.26am on May 6th 2019 and now all expectations and adds another royal chapter to a day already filled with regal landmarks. Here’s a look at the royal milestones of May 6th. A very modern wedding London came to a standstill on May 6th 1960 when the Queen’s sister (and Baby Sussex’s great great aunt)…
Read more