Palaces & Buildings

A brief history of Birkhall - one of The King's favourite royal residences

Where is it located? Birkhall is one of the Scottish residences of the British Royal Family which is located on the Balmoral Estate in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire. When was it built,and when was it used as a royal residence? Birkhall was built in 1715 and was originally owned by the Farquharson family, before being acquired by the Gordon family. Queen Victoria and Prince…
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Interests

The unhappy princess who links Monaco to the British Crown

The connection between the House of Windsor and the House of Grimaldi begins in the 19th century when Albert I, Prince of Monaco, married a beautiful and willful British aristocrat called Lady Mary Victoria Hamilton.  Her father was the 11th Duke of Hamilton and her mother was a German princess, Marie of Baden. Marie provides the first link between the Grimaldis and Elizabeth II. Marie…
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History

The royal reason a Christmas tree stands in London's Trafalgar Square

Every year since 1947, a 20-metre tall tree has been donated to the British as a thank-you from Norway. Now, that tree shines in London’s Trafalgar Square every holiday season. The tree was given to thank the British for their support during World War II. In April 1940, Germany invaded Norway and attempted to capture King Haakon VII, the royal family, and other members of the Norwegian…
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British RoyalsInterestsPalaces & Buildings

Windsor Castle halls are decked for Christmas

The holiday season is slowly starting for the Royal Family. The Christmas decorations are now up at Windsor Castle for visitors to enjoy over the next six weeks.  The staff at Windsor have been busy over the last week getting the castle ready for Christmas. The castle is open for visitors who will be able to see several historic rooms including the Crimson Drawing Room, St. George’s Hall…
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