Features

This is the longest reigning monarch in history and how he managed to stay in power so long surprised me

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28th August 2025
While Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was an impressive 70 years and 214 days, there is one sovereign monarch in history whose reign is even longer- King Louis XIV, the Sun King. Louis XIV of France reigned for 72 years and 110 years. The epitome of an absolute monarch, you can still see the impact of his reign physically in Paris and across France. The son of King Louis XIII and…
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History

Final countdown to re-opening of Notre-Dame

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14th November 2024
After a tragic fire in April 2019, Notre-Dame de Paris will finally be reopening to visitors. The Paris cathedral will be officially reopening to the public on 8 December 2024 after five years of intensive restoration work following a fire on 15 April 2019. There…
History

The Affair of the Diamond Necklace: a damning scandal

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30th October 2024
Marie Antoinette is without a doubt one of the most tragic figures in royal history. And part of her downfall was due to a diamond necklace that she never owned. King Louis XV commissioned a diamond necklace for his beloved mistress, Madame du Barry. He chose two jewellers from Paris, Charles Auguste Boehmer and Paul Bassenge, to create the 2,000,000 livre necklace which was meant to…
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Features

Marie Antoinette, last Queen of France?

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27th September 2023
Marie Antoinette’s whole life was lived in the spotlight and her story continues to fascinate. While other women later took on the role of Empress of the French, Marie Antoinette has a special place in the country’s royal history. Here, Royal Central looks at the…
European RoyalsFeaturesHistory

Murdered royals: Prince Louis, Duke of Orleans

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11th July 2020
Prince Louis de Valois, Duke of Orleans was born 13 March 1372 as the second-born son of the French monarch, King Charles V. Louis de Valois had a close relationship with his older brother, who had become the King of France by the age of twelve. Louis was intelligent and relatively well educated and thrived in the shadow of his brother. In 1374, Louis was betrothed to Catherine, heir…
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HistoryHistory

#OTD 1785: Louis XVII of France is born

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27th March 2020
On this day, March 27, in 1785, His Majesty King Louis XVII was borne in France. He was born prince of France and Duke of Normandy and was the son of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. When his older brother, Louis Joseph, died in June 1789, he became the heir to the French throne. Some have suggested that the Swedish noble man Axel von Fersen, who was romantically linked with Marie…
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