State & Ceremonial

Heartbreak after the horse that led Queen Elizabeth II's funeral procession dies aged 13

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11th February 2024
Aurora, a retired police horse that led Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession through Windsor, has died at the age of 13. Known to officers by her stable name ‘Doris’, the grey mare retired in September 2022, with her final public duty leading the late Queen’s state funeral procession. Aurora was well known to The Royal Family, having also escorted them at Royal…
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State & Ceremonial

Rachel Riley honoured by The King with an MBE at Windsor Castle

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11th July 2023
Television presenter and broadcaster Rachel Riley has been honoured by The King during a ceremony at Windsor Castle. Ms Riley has received an MBE for her work in raising awareness of the Holocaust and combating antisemitism. The 37-year-old Countdown presenter was named in the 2023 New Year Honours list – the first honours list of the reign of King Charles III. Speaking at the time…
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InterestsKing Charles IIIState & CeremonialThe Coronation

The Crown of Scotland

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29th April 2023
Those in Westminster Abbey and watching across the globe will see several pieces of regalia used at King Charles III’s coronation on 6 May. However, those regalia have historically come from England – not Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. A separate Crown of Scotland was present for King James I’s coronation in 1603, King Charles I’s coronation in 1626, and King Charles II’s…
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King Charles IIIState & Ceremonial

Coronation Jewels: The Stuart Sapphire

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12th April 2023
The Imperial State Crown features several notable jewels, including the Black Prince’s Ruby, the Cullinan II Diamond, and St. Edward’s Sapphire. The Stuart Sapphire also has a prominent place in the Imperial State Crown but has a somewhat murkier past than the other jewels. This large, oval-shaped sapphire is roughly 104 carats and 3.8 cm by 2.5 cm. It is believed that it most likely…
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