GreeceHistory

What happened to the Greek monarchy?

Greece is a democratic republic that carefully balances a history that dates back to the 12th century BC and a push for modernisation. But if we take a look back about 55 years, we would see a much different picture. Following the tragedy that was World War II, Greece experienced a civil war that saw the communists being banned and would ultimately lead to the 1967 military…
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Belgium

Belgian royals celebrate King's Day

King Albert, Queen Paola and Prince Laurent took part in a Te Deum (or Thanksgiving Service) in St Michael and Gudule Cathedral in Brussels. The service is held every year on the 15th of November in the main church in Brussels to celebrate King’s Day. The…
European RoyalsHistory

What happened to the Italian monarchy?

Up until 1861, when the peninsula was reunited to include more or less its current territory, Italy was home to three major states: the centre was under the rule of the Vatican, the south was called the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and the north was under the domain of the Savoy dynasty.  Ultimately, the latter prevailed, and the Italian peninsula was reunified under King Victor Emmanuel II of…
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FeaturesHistoryHistoryInterests

Diane de Poitiers - the older mistress as an unofficial adviser

There have been countless French royal mistresses throughout the centuries, but some are better known than others. Diane de Poitiers was brought back into the spotlight in teen drama Reign in 2013 but has largely been forgotten in favour of later mistresses. This sixteenth-century noblewoman was not only a loyal companion to the king but established in her own right.  Diane was born on 9…
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FeaturesHistoryInterests

Lady Jane Grey - The Nine Days Queen

Lady Jane Grey, or Lady Jane Dudley, was proclaimed Queen on this day in 1553. She has been commonly referred to as The Nine Days Queen. She was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII through his daughter Mary, Queen of France. From 10 July to the 19 July, she was the de facto monarch of England and Ireland. It has been reported that she was born in October of 1537. However, more recent research…
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