26 April 1923: The Marriage of the Duke of York and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

The future King George VI and his Queen consort, Elizabeth, were married at Westminster Abbey, London, on 26 April 1923. The second son of King George V and Queen Mary was born Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, on 14 December 1895. He was created Duke of York in 1920. He proposed to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, daughter of the 14th Earl of Strathmore, three times before she … Continue reading 26 April 1923: The Marriage of the Duke of York and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

HistorianRuby27/04/202127/04/20216 Comments

History, Women's History

The British Royal Family: Princesses of Wales

Camilla Parker-Bowles (neé Shand) married His Royal Highness Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, Prince and Great Steward of Scotland. HRH Duchess of Cornwall, [yes, I know this is contentious to some]. The highest-ranking title that Prince Charles has beneath Prince of Wales is Duke … Continue reading The British Royal Family: Princesses of Wales

HistorianRuby22/12/20191 Comment

History

A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Exhibition at Windsor Castle

So what do you do in the hinterland that is the time between Christmas and New Year? You go to a free exhibition, of course! Okay, so it wasn’t completely free, I took a train from Kingston upon Thames to Windsor but it was still cheaper than my ticket into London the day before. I paid to get into Windsor Castle the week of the … Continue reading A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Exhibition at Windsor Castle

HistorianRuby03/01/201915/09/201910 Comments

Blogmas, History

Christmas Cards: the Royal Selection

What are your family Christmas traditions? The British royals, like all families, have their own. They exchange inexpensive presents on Christmas Eve and go to church on Christmas Day morning. They then sit down to a traditional Christmas turkey dinner before watching the Queen’s speech at 3 p.m. One of the big royal family traditions that everyone looks forward to, is the release of their personal Christmas … Continue reading Christmas Cards: the Royal Selection

HistorianRuby23/12/201824/12/20189 Comments

20th Century, Blogmas, History

The Royals: Christmases Past

With only three more sleeps until Christmas Day here are some pictures of Britain’s royal family’s Christmases past. I’m loving the vintage vibe of this shot. The Queen is more in focus than Prince Philip (order of precedence anyone?) and as usual, the Queen’s hair is perfectly coiffed and she is wearing a set of her beloved pearls in her ears and around her neck. The … Continue reading The Royals: Christmases Past

HistorianRuby22/12/201822/12/20182 Comments

19th Century, History

The Victorian Christmas

Christmas was barely celebrated in the early part of the nineteenth century. It was not considered a public holiday and traditionally the giving of gifts was practised at New Year. However, come the end of the century, it was the biggest annual celebration in the British calendar. Workers had gained a two-day break (including the 26 December, Boxing Day) and the advent of the railways … Continue reading The Victorian Christmas

HistorianRuby19/12/201819/12/201819 Comments

20th Century, Blogmas, History

King George V: the First Christmas Speech

King George V gave his first Christmas speech to the nation just after 3 p.m. on Christmas Day 1932, however, the King, a reluctant speaker, had previously rejected the idea for almost 10 years! With radio being the new and exciting medium for entertainment in homes, in 1923 the King was asked by John Reith, Director of the BBC, to broadcast to the citizens of … Continue reading King George V: the First Christmas Speech

HistorianRuby08/12/201810/12/201816 Comments

18th Century, History

The Children of King George III and Queen Charlotte

King George III married Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz on 8 September 1761 at the Chapel Royal, St James’ Palace. Charlotte gave birth to fifteen children, with thirteen surviving to adulthood. George and Charlotte’s remarkable fecundity was assisted by Charlotte’s youthful age on marriage (17), which extended her married fertile years, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy. She also did not gain from the contraceptive benefits of sole … Continue reading The Children of King George III and Queen Charlotte

HistorianRuby22/11/201822/11/20184 Comments

History

Royal Memorabilia: Must Have Mementoes or Kitsch to Ignore?

A few years ago, I failed to buy a commemorative dish memorialising the death of Princess Charlotte in 1817. I’ve bemoaned my loss of this ever since. I’ve browsed for another on eBay and have almost been tempted to buy again. Some of the Princess Charlotte memorabilia is very pricey, that said it is 200-years-old! Love it or loathe it, royal memorabilia is big business. … Continue reading Royal Memorabilia: Must Have Mementoes or Kitsch to Ignore?

HistorianRuby27/10/201818/06/201918 Comments

19th Century, History

The Children of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales married Princess Alexandra of Denmark on 10 March 1863 at Windsor Castle. The Prince and Princess of Wales, Bertie and Alix, as they were known, went on to have six children, five surviving to adulthood. The nine children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert married into many European royal households and subsequently, King Edward VII was known as the uncle … Continue reading The Children of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra

HistorianRuby22/10/201809/07/202018 Comments

19th Century, History

The Children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

Victoria, Princess Royal. Married Prince Frederick William of Prussia She was born 21 November 1840 and died 5 August 1901 Her eldest son, Kaiser Willhelm II, was on the opposing side to his cousin King George V of Great Britain during World War One Albert, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII. Married Princess Alexandra of Denmark Born 9 November 1841 and died 6 May … Continue reading The Children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

HistorianRuby10/10/201810/10/201817 Comments

History

British Monarchs and Their Spouses: from the Windsors to the Tudors

Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip of Greece – 20 November 1947 King George VI married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon – 23 April 1923 King Edward VIII – abdicated the throne in December 1936 to marry twice-divorced Wallis Simpson – 3 June 1937 King George V married Princess Mary of Teck – 6 July 1893. She was originally engaged to his brother Prince Albert, who was … Continue reading British Monarchs and Their Spouses: from the Windsors to the Tudors

HistorianRuby27/09/201830/12/20185 Comments

20th Century, History, Women's History

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother: Consort of King George VI

Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was born 4 August 1900, the ninth child of Claude George Bowes-Lyon and Nina Cecilia Bowes-Lyon, Lord and Lady Glamis. The family divided its time between Glamis Castle in Scotland and homes in Hertfordshire and St James’s Square, London. When war broke out in 1914, Glamis Castle was used as a reception centre and hospital for the wounded and young Elizabeth … Continue reading Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother: Consort of King George VI

HistorianRuby18/09/201826/04/202113 Comments

20th Century, History

29 July 1981: the Marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer

Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, married Lady Diana Frances Spencer, daughter of the eighth Earl Spencer on 29 July 1981 after a short engagement that had been announced on 24 February the same year. The marriage ceremony was held at St Paul’s Cathedral rather than the more traditional Westminster Abbey as it could hold more guests. Charles, a future King of Great Britain, … Continue reading 29 July 1981: the Marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer

HistorianRuby29/07/201822/09/201814 Comments

20th Century, History, Women's History

1 July 1961: the Birth of Diana, Princess of Wales

The Honorable Diana Frances Spencer was born on 1 July 1961, the youngest daughter of John Spencer, Viscount Althorp – later Earl Spencer, and Frances Roche. She was born at Park House, near Sandringham, Norfolk and was styled Lady Diana Spencer after her father inherited the Spencer Earldom in 1975. It is well documented that she came from a broken home. Her parents divorced, and … Continue reading 1 July 1961: the Birth of Diana, Princess of Wales

HistorianRuby01/07/201830/07/20188 Comments