Features

The Laws of Succession....in Spain

While the House of Bourbon, a branch of which rules over Spain, has a vey ancient origin, the history of the current Spanish Monarchy is very recent. Spain’s modern history has been troubled to say the least, and the country is still trying to recover from some very deep wounds inflicted on it by events; specifically, the issue of regional identity and independence resurged prominently…
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HistorySpain

New details on the incident that led King Juan Carlos to shoot his younger brother

The Easter of 1956 was a nightmare for the Spanish Royal Family. Maundy Thursday in 1956 was the day when 18-year-old Juan Carlos, later King Juan Carlos of Spain, shot and killed his younger brother Alfonso de Borbon. Alfonso was the youngest child of Don Juan Carlos de Borbon and Princess Maria de las Mercedes and was called Alfonsito by family and friends. He was only 14 years old. At the…
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FeaturesKing Charles III

The secrets behind Charles III first coin portrait

With the royal mourning period following the death of Queen Elizabeth II over, the United Kingdom is transitioning into the reign of King Charles III. Amid that transition is the distribution of currency featuring His Majesty The King. The Royal Mint has released a memorial coin collection to honour Her Late Majesty. These coins are the first to feature The King’s official coinage…
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Features

Why British monarchs don't wear crowns on coins

As the United Kingdom prepares to start issuing coins with His Majesty King Charles III, one might notice a key feature you think would be a staple: the monarch wearing a crown. This isn’t the first time a monarch hasn’t worn a crown on a coin. Previous…
BelgiumEuropean RoyalsFeatures

The Laws of Succession in...Belgium

King Philippe is nearing the end of his first decade as King of the Belgians, and the line of succession to the throne includes Belgium’s first queen regnant. The laws of succession are very straightforward in Belgium. The country introduced absolute primogeniture—the first-born child, regardless of sex, inherits the throne—in 1991, towards the end of King Baudouin’s reign. The…
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