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Palace of Westminster in London UK

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One of the most beautiful royal destinations of the world certainly is the Palace of Westminster in London, United Kingdom. It must be no surprise that this wonderful place is mentioned on the Unesco World Heritage List. It is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Westminster Palace really has a beautiful location on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster in central London. Palace of Westminster, London, United Kingdom Nowadays the Palace of Westminster has a rather political function but it has an amazing Royal History. Some royal history The palace of Westminster site was strategically important in the Middle Ages, due to its location on the banks of the River Thames. The site was possibly first used for a royal residence by Canute the Great during his reign from 1016 till 1035. The oldest existing part of the Palace of Westminster dates from the reig...

Westminster Hall, a very royal destination with lots of history

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In August 2023 we finally could see the Westminster Palace and especially the Westminster Hall. A place full of history. We booked a tour with a splendid guide called Ralph. We were able to enter Westminster Hall and to take pictures there. In other parts of the Palace we were not allowed to take pictures.  Our suprise was big because of course we recognized the Westminster Hall immediately due to the Lying-in-State of the Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which took place from September 14th. 2022 till September 19th. 2022 in Westminster Hall.However its history dates back from long ago.  Some history The oldest existing part of the Palace (Westminster Hall) dates from the reign of William I's successor, King William II (r. 1087–1100). Source picture: Wikipedia On 16 October 1834, a fire broke out in the Palace after an overheated stove used to destroy the Exchequer's stockpile of tally sticks set fire to the House of Lords Chamb...

The Coronation of Queen Victoria

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On 28 June 1838, the coronation of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom  took place at Westminster Abbey in London. The planning Queen Victoria succeeded her uncle King William IV on 20 June 1837. Her first prime minister was Lord Melbourne, with whom she developed a close personal friendship.  Until 1867, the Demise of the Crown automatically triggered the dissolution of parliament: voting in the subsequent general election took place between 24 July and 18 August. The result was a victory for Melbourne, whose Whig Party government was returned to power for another four years. Their majority over the opposition Conservative (formerly Tory) Party was reduced from 112 seats to 30. Melbourne was the leading player in the planning, preparation and implementation of Victoria's coronation. The crowd Prior to 1838, only the peerage had taken part in a coronation. The day's ceremonies would have begun in Westminster Hall, (now attache...

Royal Jewelry: Imperial State Crown

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The crown of the crowns ...  During the covid pandemic, I really missed the bling moments of the royal families.  I started reading books about royal jewelry and I began to interest me in the   history of this famous pieces. So, I hope you'll enjoy next blog post about the  Imperial State Crown. Escpecially during this year of the Platinum Jubilee of The Queen, I hope to catch up with some special jewelry posts.   St Edward's Crown, used to crown English monarchs, was considered to be a holy relic, kept in the saint's shrine at Westminster Abbey and therefore not worn by monarchs at any other time. Instead, a "great crown" with crosses and fleurs-de-lis, but without arches (an open crown), was a king's usual headgear at state occasions until the time of Henry V, who is depicted wearing an imperial crown of state with gold arches (a closed crown). Arches were a symbol of sovereignty, and by this point in history, the k...

A statement from Buckingham Palace

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Published 8 September 2022  Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral. Charles, Prince of Wales, Duchess Camilla of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge are traveling to Balmoral. The Duke of Suxxex also will  travel to Balmoral just as the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the  Duke of York.  New issue: The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. Belgium Canada Denmark Jordan Luxembourg Norway Sweden On the occasion of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, high guard soldiers of the Skaraborg regiment hoisted the three-toned flag on Kungl this morning. The castle is half-masted, by decree of HM the King. The Netherlands There also were many tributes from all over the world....

The Coronation of King George VI and Elizabeth

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On May 12th. 1937, the coronation of King George VI and Elizabeth took place at Westminster Abbey in London. George VI ascended the throne upon the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, on 11 December 1936, three days before his 41st birthday. Edward's coronation had been planned for 12 May and it was decided to continue with his brother and sister-in-law's coronation on the same date. Ceremony The coronation service itself began once the procession into the abbey was over and the King and Queen were seated. Beginning with the recognition, the King then took an oath and was anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, before being crowned king. As a remnant of the coronation ceremony's feudal origins, the King then received homage from the peers and peeresses of the realm in attendance. The King was conducted by the Garter King of Arms to St Edward's Chair, and the Archbishop, as tradition dictates, asked: "Sirs, I here present unto you King G...

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...