British Royals

The tiara of a future queen that's just been seen for the first time in nearly a century

A tiara that began as a wedding present from devoted parents to a daughter about to marry a king’s son has made a surprise appearance after almost nine decades tucked away in the royal vaults. The Princess of Wales chose the Strathmore Rose tiara for the State Banquet given in honour of the President of South Korea at Buckingham Palace at the end of the first day of his State Visit to the…
Read more
British Royals

The wedding dress of Queen Elizabeth II

After the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at 11:30 am in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947, the bridal gifts given to Princess Elizabeth were exhibited at St James’s Palace, numbering over 2,500. Like the gifts, Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress, designed by the leading British couturier, Sir Norman Hartnell, was also put on display. It had been made up…
Read more
Prince & Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales to host Christmas carol concert with focus on the youngest in society

The Princess of Wales will host a carol service at Westminster Abbey as Advent gets under way with a focus on celebrating those who look after babies and young children. The Princess will welcome special guests from across the UK to the Abbey for the event, the third year in a row that this Christmas celebration has taken place. The concert will once again be broadcast on Christmas Eve…
Read more
British Royals

The diamonds given on the eve of one reign that were worn at the start of another

It was well hidden from view until the official Coronation photographs appeared but the necklace worn by the Princess of Wales on the day King Charles III was crowned provided a rather special touch to this historic event. The sparkling set of diamonds, often referred to as the King George VI Festoon Necklace, was a gift from a father to a daughter, from a king to an heir and it became a…
Read more