FeaturesInsight

'Within the Commonwealth Realm' - Introduction

The United Kingdom does not stand alone as being proud to call Queen Elizabeth II their Queen. The Commonwealth realm was created through the Statute of Westminster in 1931 to give former dominions of the UK legislative freedom. Today, this includes a total of sixteen countries who view Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state. They comprise of the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica…
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Features

The Royal Household: Pages of the Backstairs

The Pages were thought highly of and were not considered in the same category of the other domestic staff. In fact they were paid what was a a hefty amount back then, an estimated £100. The Queen employs four Pages of the Backstairs. They are a senior servant of the Royal…
FeaturesInsight

The Royal Household: Page of the Chambers

The Page is also responsible for serving arrangements at cocktail parties and other events. He supports the Palace Steward in the Master of the Household Department. The Page of the Chambers oversees the Pages of Presence and if required the Pages of the Backstairs. The position was created in 1842 with the first holder, John Henry Heller. Heller was a courier to Prince Albert. The Page of the…
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FeaturesHistory

History Rewind: Death of Queen Mary I

On the 17th November 1558 the first English Queen Regnant, Queen Mary I, died at St James’ Palace. At her funeral service, the Bishop of Winchester summed up her life quite aptly: “She was a King’s daughter, she was a King’s sister, she was a King’s wife. She was a Queen and by the same title a King also”. Some may argue that Mary’s legacy was only one of evil and violence…
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FeaturesHistoryInsight

The Royal W: Scarlet Rod

The Title ‘Scarlet Rod’ is from the characteristic insignia of the office which is a long silver gilt rod. The shaft is covered with scarlet enamel that signifies the mantles of the Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order. The holders of the office have been senior…
FeaturesHistory

The Wives of the Georgian Kings: Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen

William and Adelaide’s marriage proved to be a happy one. Both King and Queen were popular with the British public, and Adelaide even more so, for her modesty and charitable nature. Curiously, Adelaide was the only Georgian Queen to survive her husband, and, as Dowager Queen, she lived well into the reign of Queen Victoria. Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen was born on 13th August 1792, and was the…
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