Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years and lent her name to the era of political and social change, but it began with a ‘botched’ coronation ceremony.
When Victoria was crowned on 22 June 1838, it was the third coronation ceremony of the century; and she followed two uncles to the throne: George IV, unpopular for his spending and his ego; and William IV, unpopular due to the Reform…
Victoria was the monarch who invented jubilees as we know them. The celebrations of 1887 and 1897 are among the most famous events of royal history and helped shape her legacy. But our modern minds assume there must also have been a silver version, for that is the pattern we…
Princess Martha Louise of Norway has announced her engagement to her partner, Durek Verrett. Their decision to marry wasn’t that much of a surprise with both having spoken of their hopes to wed previously. But the ring that they showed off during that most modern of…
Britain's royal railways - the stations and lines with regal connections
9th May 2022
It’s three and a half years late but the Elizabeth Line will open in May 2022, just in time for the Jubilee!
It is hoped The queen will participate in the opening as she becomes the latest royal to have a railway line named after her. In 2016, she helped with the unveiling of the new Crossrail route which is now the Elizabeth Line.
The Queen’s first experience on the Underground happened…
Five-tier wedding cake of Queen Victoria's granddaughter is recreated
27th April 2022
It’s been more than a century since restaurateur and caterer Searcys created the extravaganza that was Princess Maud of Wales’s wedding cake. It was such a big occasion that it brought the company’s founder, John Searcy, out of retirement. Now, the company…
We know that sometimes monarchs choose a different regnal name than the one they have gone by throughout their life—King George VI is a famous example of this, having gone by Bertie (or Albert, his given name) until he became King – but what about those who go by…
Seventy years ago, on February 6 1952, a young Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the British throne. She was crowned on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London. And amongst the timeless jewels worn that day, was a necklace that has its own place in history.
The Queen wore the Coronation Necklace, a diamond necklace with large collet set diamonds. The necklace was originally created for Victoria…
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…
On 9 January 1982, Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading would be the birthplace of one of the world’s most recognised faces and the future Queen consort, the Duchess of Cambridge. As the Duchess celebrates her 40th birthday, Royal Central is looking at the history behind…
Victoria, Albert, Elizabeth and Philip to take their places in historic line up
18th November 2021
The Royal Albert Hall has commissioned life-size sculptures of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations.
The Royal Albert Hall announced that the new sculptures have been commissioned by artists who were supported by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, which supports British craftsman.
“As well as…
