Features

The ruler who has just been overtaken by The Queen

Queen Elizabeth II has just overtaken Johann II of Liechtenstein as the third-longest verified reigning monarch in history. But who exactly is Johann II? Born 5 October 1840 in Elsgrub, Margraviate of Moravia in the Austrian Empire, Johann II was the elder son of Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein and Countess Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau. Johann II ascended to the throne shortly…
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British Royals

Special role for Gold State Coach in Platinum Jubilee Pageant

The Gold State Coach, used by The Queen at her Coronation, will take a starring role in this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Her Majesty rode through the streets of London in the coach for her Silver and Golden celebrations in 1977 and 2012 but as she marks 70 years on the throne, the carriage will convey images of her historic reign. As it makes its way through the capital…
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British Royals

Milestones of a Monarch: The Rhodesia crisis

Maybe you have heard of Rhodesia, an unrecognised state in Southern Africa from 1965 to 1979. It dissolved on 1 June 1979 and is now in the territory equivalent to modern Zimbabwe. Before all of that happened, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was Queen of the state. Rhodesia was the de facto successor state to the British colony of Southern Rhodesia, which had been self-governed since 1923, when…
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Sweden

The consorts of 1952: Queen Louise of Sweden

When Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, she had the support of the man she called her “strength and stay” in Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. In our special Jubilee series, we look at the other consorts of Europe in 1952. Queen Louise of Sweden An aunt of…
Prince & Princess of Wales

The Duchess of Cambridge steps out in style to honour The Queen at Design Museum

The Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in style as she presented The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design at London’s Design Museum. The award which was set up five years ago recognises the cultural and trade role British design and the fashion industry have played throughout The Queen’s 70-year reign. This year’s recipient is Saul Nash, a British designer, and…
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