At 75, King Charles has seen all kinds of changes within the monarchy, yet one thing has remained a constant: as Christmas approaches he will head to Sandringham, the royal residence where he has spent most of his Christmases to date. And like most families, the royals have their own traditions, which we are being … Read more
Schnebbelie, Robert Blemmell – The Old Exchequer Buildings c.1805 (Drawing) Smirke, Robert – Elevation proposed for His Majesty’s Entrance into the Houses of Parliament. The Tower and windows seen behind the Porch etc. are those of the present buildings (Wyatt’s) next Abingdon Street Drawing Macdonald, Mr William Alister – View of Westminster Bridge and the … Read more
It’s more than familiar from our coins and notes – the magnificent George IV Diadem once worn by the late Queen Elizabeth. This morning we saw it again, but this time on the head of Queen Camilla at the State Opening of Parliament – the first to be conducted by a King since the days … Read more
By Anne Ashworth Updated: 06:00 GMT, 4 November 2023 A night at one of London‘s most recently opened five-star hotels costs from £1,400. This may be beyond most people’s budgets. But it is possible to recreate one element of this cosseted experience for a lot less — a tenth of the sum, in fact. Thick and … Read more
It is often said that the late Queen Elizabeth was much influenced by her father, George VI, particularly when it came to questions of duty. The way he stuck to the task thrust upon him thanks to the feckless behaviour of his elder brother, Edward VIII, is still admired today. But when it came to … Read more
There was a time when the British royals thought it wise to keep their distance from their vast extended family of European cousins. With Victoria’s eldest grandchild, the Kaiser, declaring war on Great Britain and revolution ripping through the early 20th century, the unfortunately named Saxe-Coburg-Gothas had something of a point. But that moment has long … Read more
Most people celebrate turning 18 with their first legal drink or a night out with friends. But if you’re a future king or queen of Europe, your adulthood celebrations might be a little different. Grand galas, state addresses to parliament and documentaries about your life if much more typical for royalty. This weekend, Prince Christian … Read more
A documentary, a gala dinner, and a special radio show are all part of the preparations for Prince Christian’s 18th birthday next week. While the future king is still studying, his parents Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary are certainly preparing the teen to step up and take on royal duties, with him gradually appearing … Read more
‘Dear Kaiser Bill, may you never live to see this card’: Hate mail patriotic Brits sent to Wilhelm II during the First World War belittling him as the ‘clown prince’ are discovered a century later One Brit told the Kaiser that his lying would see the German people turn on him Some of the 30 … Read more
They are the royals who were kept at arm’s length, albeit for starkly different reasons. Katherine and Nerissa Bowes-Lyon, severely disabled cousins of the late Queen, were cared for in an asylum and listed as dead from 1963, even though they were very much alive. Prince John, the youngest child of King George V, was … Read more