Palaces & Buildings

Memorable moments in Buckingham Palace’s history

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14th July 2017
Since 1837, Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence and ‘office’ of Great Britain’s sovereigns. In the spotlight for nearly 180 years, the palace is one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions and has had its fair share of historic moments. The palace that stands alongside Green Park and overlooking The Mall today started its life in 1703 as Buckingham House – the…
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History

The Royal Coat of Arms Explained

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15th May 2017
The Royal Coat of Arms acts as the official coat of arms for the British monarch. The Royal Coat of Arms features a shield divided into four quarters. The quarters represent the symbols of Ireland, England, and Scotland. Wales does not play a role in the Royal Coat of Arms…
European RoyalsFeatures

The influence of the House of Habsburg

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1st March 2017
One of the most influential and powerful royal houses of Europe, to this day many people (even those not familiar with Austrian history or royalty in general) are aware of the House of Habsburg and its significant impact on the development of Europe from the medieval ages through to the present day. Throughout its vast history, the family has ruled over nearly all of the continent of Europe at…
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FeaturesHistory

The end of the House of Bonaparte

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12th February 2017
In order to know how a story ends, it is indispensable to understand the essence of how it began. The years leading up to the French Revolution were tumultuous. Deep in a financial crisis, King Louis XVI and his advisors attempted to implement a taxation system, which was highly ostracised. This, coupled with the American Revolutionary War, the Seven Years’ War, and years of bad harvest, the…
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FeaturesHistory

The end of the House of Tudor

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25th January 2017
On 24 March 1603 Queen Elizabeth I breathed her last and – left with no legitimate heir – the House of Tudor came to an end after more than 100 years on the English throne. Beginnings The House of Tudor was founded in 1485 when Henry Tudor defeated King Richard III in…
FeaturesHistory

The end of the Romanovs

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9th January 2017
On 17 July 1918, after three centuries in power, the Romanov dynasty came to a tragic end with the brutal execution of Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, Empress Alexandra and their five children. Background Tsar Nicholas II became Emperor of Russia on 1 November 1894 following the death of his father, Alexander III. Nicholas came to the throne at the age of twenty-six, significantly underprepared for…
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