Queen Elizabeth II wore some of the most famous royal jewels in royal history but one set had a very special meaning for her and were well used at some of the most important moments of her historic reign. One of those times was her Platinum Jubilee where she sparkled with a gem that paid tribute to her beloved father, King George VI.
On the eve of the day she became the only British Monarch to…
The Coronation of King Charles III: what Is The Supertunica?
18th April 2023
King Charles III’s coronation will be a blend of modern and traditional.
The Supertunica he will wear is firmly in the “traditional” column. In fact, it dates back to medieval coronations and is one of the items mentioned in the ‘Liber Regalis,’ which is…
Some may have heard of Sir Allan Frederick “Tommy” Lascelles, or some may have not. Perhaps you know him as just Tommy. He was a British courtier and civil servant who would come to have a long-lasting bond with the royal family.
Born 11 April 1887 in the…
Windsor Castle: from retirement home to heart of a dynasty
16th March 2022
During the reign of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Windsor Castle was made their primary royal residence despite the Queen complaining early on in her reign that the castle was “prison-like” and “dull and tiresome.” She would often prefer Osborne and Balmoral as holiday residences.
The growth of the British Empire and the Queen’s dynastic ties to Europe would…
Within the harsh confines of royal life, there exists a cruel trend that nicknames the second child the ‘spare’ to their sibling, the heir. While the life of the heir to the throne is mapped out meticulously from beginning to end, the spare is expected to find their own…
Royal Residences: A brief history of Birkhall
5th January 2021
Royal Central is continuing its series which takes a look at the history of several royal residences. Read on to learn more about the Scottish home where Prince Charles had to self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic.
Where is it located?
Birkhall is one of the…
Royal Pictures from History: George VI and War
3rd September 2019
”There may be dark days ahead…but we can only do the right as we see the right”
The words of King George VI, spoken on this day in 1939, still hold a resonance. They were part of his historic broadcast made as Britain went to war with Nazi Germany. His calm and measured speech was beamed around the world by radio. But one image was released of the king preparing to face the…
Royal Pictures from History: the final farewell of a king
31st January 2019
Royalty has always been the subject of imagery but some moments stick in the mind and take on an historical resonance all of their own. In this occasional series, Royal Central takes a look at some of the most famous images in royal history, beginning with a poignant picture…
The history of Her Majesty's Blue Sapphire Jubilee
6th February 2017
God save our gracious King…This famous anthem has potential to invoke trips down memory lane and possibly create aristocratic fantasies in the minds of those that sing it with pride. However, one of the greatest Monarchs in British history is not someone who had the dream…
The Imperial War Museum is putting letters from two future kings on display for first time, one of which describes how the future Edward VIII felt he had not earned his military cross.
King Edward VIII, then the Prince of Wales was award the gallantry medal in 1916 for his frequent morale-boosting trips to the trenches. The medal is intended for “acts of exemplary gallantry during active…