Features

How Britain's first jubilee hid personal royal sadness

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29th August 2024
The long reign of Elizabeth II provided so many jubilees that it’s easy to think of these royal celebrations as an integral part of the fabric of monarchy. In reality, Britain has celebrated just a handful of royal jubilees and the tradition of big, public events for milestones in a reign only started two hundred years ago.George III was just the fourth king in English history to reach…
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Features

A royal love story: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

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19th February 2024
Their love is perhaps one of the strongest in royal history, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. His early death impacted the rest of her reign as a depressed widow who took every opportunity to pay tribute to her late husband.Albert was Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha…
History

Queen Victoria's Buckingham Palace

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12th August 2023
Buckingham Palace is one of the most recognised buildings in the world and a symbol of the British Royal Family. If it wasn’t for Queen Victoria’s accession, the palace may have never become the principal royal residence as it did in 1837.Queen Victoria was the first monarch to reside at the famous London landmark. Her predecessor, William IV had died before the palace was…
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Coronation

The only horses allowed to draw the Gold State Coach

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1st May 2023
The Gold State Coach is unique: it’s over 200 years old, solid wood, and so large it can only go at a walking pace. Leading that walking pace are eight Windsor Grey Horses, the only horses allowed to pull the Gold State Coach.Windsor Greys are not a specific breed…
Features

The weighty reminder of power that will be placed in the hands of King Charles III

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20th April 2023
It’s one of the oldest and storied item in the Crown Jewels, the Sovereign’s Orb.Created in 1661 by Sir Robert Vyner for Charles II’s coronation, the orb is a hollow gold sphere with a cross on top. It symbolizes the monarch’s Christian sovereignty and their position as head of the Church of England.The orb weighs 1.32 kg (3lbs.) and is bejeweled with bands of nine emeralds, 18…
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British RoyalsHistory

Queen Victoria's Coronation Dress

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4th April 2023
Queen Victoria’s reign is notable for its length, for its innovations and revolutions, and for her steadfastness in navigating the Crown through to modern times. Her fashion was legendary both contemporarily—she helped popularise white wedding dresses—and today as a…
British RoyalsFeaturesHistory

The ring that went wrong at Queen Victoria's coronation

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15th March 2023
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…
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