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Showing posts with the label United Kingdom

The royal history of Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey is more than just a historic church—it is a timeless symbol of British tradition, royal pageantry, and national identity. For over a thousand years, this iconic Gothic masterpiece has witnessed coronations, weddings, funerals, and moments of profound historical importance. Whether you're a fan of royal history, architecture, or sacred heritage, Westminster Abbey has stories to tell that are both grand and deeply human. As on May 8th. 2025, Westminster Abbey was the place to be to mark the VE 80 celebrations with members of the Royal Family it's time to take a closer look at 10 fascinating facts that make Westminster Abbey one of the most treasured royal landmarks in the world: 1. Coronation since 1066 Every English and later British monarch—starting with William the Conqueror—has been crowned at Westminster Abbey, with only a few exceptions. The Coronation Chair, made in 1300, is still used today. 2. Royal wedding favorite In 2011, Prince William and Catherine...

10 must knows about King Charles III

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On May 6th. 2023 the Coronation of King Charles III took place at Westminster Abbey in London in the United Kingdom. Here are 10 absolute must knows about King Charles III. A historic name for a historic role Born Charles Philip Arthur George on November 14, 1948, His Majesty became King Charles III following the passing of his beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022. He is now sovereign of the United Kingdom and several other nations within the Commonwealth Realm. The wait of a lifetime King Charles holds a unique record — he was the longest-serving heir apparent in British history, preparing for over 70 years to take the throne. His patience and dedication to duty are now defining his early reign. A royal champion for nature Long before climate change was a global concern, Charles was already advocating for the planet. Since the 1970s, he has promoted organic farming, biodiversity, and sustainable architecture, often ahead of his time — a true eco-conscious royal. Th...

Royal Event: Remembrance Sunday in London 2024

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Remembrance Sunday is held in the United Kingdom as a day to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. It is held on the second Sunday in November (the Sunday nearest to 11 November, Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of hostilities in World War I in 1918). This Remembrance Sunday took place at the London Cenotaph. In 2024, royal  photographer and friend, Bjorn Hoex had a wonderful place in front of the London Cenotaph. And there he made some lovely pictures for us. King Charles III at the Remembrance Sunday own picture of the Cenotaph taken in London in July 2024 The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh The Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh   The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester Duke of Kent and Timothy Laurence, husband of The Princess Royal Thank you for your amazing photo report Bjorn! Source pictures: ...

Royal Events: Trooping the Colour 2024

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Bjorn Hoex, royal photographer and friend is in the United Kingdom and especially in London to attend some wonderful royal events such as Trooping the Colour. What is Trooping the Colour? In the United Kingdom, Trooping the Colour is also known as the "King's Birthday Parade" ("Queen's Birthday Parade" when the monarch is female).  First performed during the reign of King Charles II (1660–1685), in 1748 it was decided that the parade of Trooping the Colour should mark the official birthday of the Sovereign.  In 1760, after the accession of King George III, it became an annual event. Seamus, an Irish wolfhound, is the mascot of the Irish Guards.  Some history Edward VII kept Trooping the Colour in May or June, because of the vagaries of British weather (his actual birthday being in November). It coincides with publication of the Birthday Honours List, and usually takes place at Horse Guards Parade by St James's Park, London. It ...

Princess Margarita of Greece and Denmark

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The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg, Margarita was born at the Royal Palace in Athens on 18 April 1905.  Family Through her mother, Margarita was the eldest great-great grandchild of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom . Contrary to the custom of the time, her father attended her birth because her grandmother, Queen Olga, believed that "it is only justice that men see the suffering they cause to their wives, and from which they completely escape". She also was a great-great grandchild of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia ,trough her father. With their mother, Margarita and her sisters communicated in English, but they also used French, German, and Greek in the presence of their relatives and governesses. The princesses were formally educated in English and Greek. Balkan War Between 1912 and 1913, Greece engaged in the Balkan Wars, which put the country in opposition to the Ottoman Empire a...

Charlotte, Princess of Wales

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Charlotte, the Princess of Wales was born on January 7th. 1796 at Carlton House in London.  own picture taken in 2023 Family She was the daughter of the later King George IV. In 1811 he became regent. Her mother was Caroline of Brunswick. Her paternal grandparents were King George III and Queen Charlotte. Yes Bridgerton :-)  Her maternal grandparents were Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick and Princess Augusta of Great Britain. Wellington called her father the worst man he had ever met in his whole life, the most, selfish, the most false ... almost with no extenuating circumstances."  💡 Princess Charlotte was a member of the royal famil of Hanover.  own picture taken in the royal palace of Brussels in 2017 Childhood Charlotte Augusta wasn't exactly lovingly raised. Her parents, who live together as husband and wife for no more than three weeks, separated shortly after she was born. They also did nothing to keep up appeara...

Duchess Maria Dorothea of Württemberg, mother of a queen

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1 November 1797 marks the birth of Duchess Maria Dorothea of Württemberg. This took place in Pokoj, a village nowadays located in southern Poland. Family Duchess Maria Dorothea of Württemberg was the eldest daughter of Duke Louis of Württemberg (1756–1817) and Princess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg (1780–1857). She was a member of the House of Württemberg . Her brother Alexander was the grandfather of Mary of Teck , the future queen consort of George V of the United Kingdom. Due to her family and her marriage she had some lovely family ties. Love and marriage She was the third wife of Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary, to whom she was married on 24 August 1819. They had following children: - Archduchess Franziska Marie - Archduke Alexander - Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska - Archduke Joseph Karl - Marie Henriette , who was due to her marriage Queen of the Belgians  Death She dies on March 30th. 1855 in Pest, Hungary. 

The Tower of London and its royal connection

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One of the main historic castles in London is the Tower of London located on the north bank of the River Thames.  It is not only a tourist vistor place but the Tower of London also has a great royal history. Royal History Between 1066 and 1087, William the Conqueror established 36 castles, although references in the Domesday Book indicate that many more were founded by his subordinates. The Normans undertook what has been described as "the most extensive and concentrated programme of castle-building in the whole history of feudal Europe". William sent an advance party to prepare the city for his entrance, to celebrate his victory and found a castle; in the words of William's biographer, William of Poitiers, "certain fortifications were completed in the city against the restlessness of the huge and brutal populace.  At the time, London was the largest town in England; the foundation of Westminster Abbey and the old Palace of Westmin...