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British RoyalsHistoryThe Sussexes

May 6th: a right royal date

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have welcomed a son. Their baby boy was born at 5.26am on May 6th 2019 and now all expectations and adds another royal chapter to a day already filled with regal landmarks. Here’s a look at the royal milestones of May 6th.

A very modern wedding

London came to a standstill on May 6th 1960 when the Queen’s sister (and Baby Sussex’s great great aunt), Princess Margaret, married society photographer, Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey.

A royal changing of the guard

George V ascended the throne on May 6th 1910. He became king on the death of his father, Edward VII, who passed away just before midnight on May 6th. George was proclaimed king the following day. It was a bittersweet moment – he wrote in his diary ”I have lost my best friend and the best of fathers”.

George initially ruled as part of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha but in 1917, as World War One neared its end, he changed that to the much more British House of Windsor. That dynasty is about to welcome its newest member.

Sticky History

Queen Victoria made royal history on May 6th 1840 when the Penny Black went into circulation. The first adhesive stamp in the world, it had actually been issued on May 1st 1840 but wasn’t valid for use until May 6th.

Grand Designs

Louis XIV of France moved his court to the ever opulent surroundings of the Palace of Versailles on May 6th 1682.

Random royal births

Royals who have already claimed May 6th as their own include Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor between 1014 and 1024 (born 973) and Sophie Jagellion, a Polish princess who became Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Brandenburg-Kulmbach (born 1464). Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany also arrived on May 6th, making his debut in 1769.

And now we can add another regal landmark to the date. May 6th is now the day of the birth of the Earl of Dumbarton.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.