The Prince of Wales has been made the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. The appointment was confirmed by Buckingham Palace in a statement on 23 April with several new honours for members of the Royal Family. The Royal Order of the Bath is a military order dates back to the eighteenth century; King George I created the order on 18 May 1725. The name references the ritual bath that members would take prior to being knighted. Previously the Knights of the Bath were created in 1399 and again in 1661; this was most likely George’s inspiration for the Order of the Bath. The Orde ..read more

Queen Silvia of Sweden pulled out a historic tiara for a State Dinner in Stockholm. King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia are hosting the Finnish President for a State Visit, and Queen Silvia chose a notable piece. She wore the Nine-Prong Tiara, also commonly referred to as Queen Sofia’s Tiara. This tiara features 580 diamonds and has nine prongs to top off burst and floral elements. Other gems can be swapped in but diamonds were worn for this latest appearance. The tiara originally belonged to Queen Sofia, originally Princess Sofia of Nassau. She was the wife of King Oscar II, and had the piece m ..read more

Queen Sofia of Spain has gone back to royal duties just days after being released from hospital. The queen, now 85 years old, headed to Poland to take part in the annual global Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference which is being held in Krakow. Sofia spent several days in hospital earlier this month after developing a urinary tract infection. She was allowed home again ten days ago. She looked well and happy as she made her return to duties. Her first public appearance since her treatment came at an event focused on an issue close to her heart. The Alzheimer’s Disease International Con ..read more

Lady Gabriella Windsor has moved into Kensington Palace two months after the tragic death of her husband, Thomas Kingston. The 43-year-old previously shared a house with Mr Kingston in Notting Hill, however, she has now moved back in with her parents, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. The Prince and Princess live in an apartment in Kensington Palace, and are supporting their daughter at the residence. Thomas Kingston died in late February from a gunshot to the head. A Coroner has opened an inquest into his death, with there being no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement. A gun ..read more

Lady Marina Windsor has opened up about her relationship with her grandfather, the Duke of Kent, in a new interview. Speaking to Hello!, Lady Marina described her 88-year-old grandfather as an “amazing man”. The 31-year-old socialite said: “I love my grandpa. He’s an amazing man and he’s definitely inspired me.” Lady Marina is the daughter of the Earl and Countess of St Andrews, and the granddaughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. She was named after her great-grandmother, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. Along with her elder brother, Lord Downpatrick, Marina forfeited her place in the ..read more

The Duchess of Gloucester has been named as a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by King Charles III. It is a reflection of the ongoing senior role within the Royal Family that the Duchess has. In the announcement, Buckingham Palace noted that Her Royal Highness has links with over dozens of organisations covering a wide range of areas including sport, the arts and health and welfare. In recent months, the role played by the Duchess has been notable and she has been at the side of Queen Camilla for many high profile events as King Charles continues his cancer treatment. It’s put ..read more

The King has made the Princess of Wales a Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour. The Order was founded in 1917 by King George V and recognises contributions to public service as well as to the arts, medicine and science. It is the first time a member of the Royal Family has been appointed to the Order in its history. Buckingham Palace announced the honour on St. George’s Day as it was also revealed that the Duchess of Gloucester has been made a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. The Duchess is one of four new appointments to the oldest order of chivalry in Bri ..read more

The Princess of Wales has just made history by becoming the first member of the Royal Family to be appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour. The Order of the Companions of Honour is an order, awarded by The King as Sovereign of the Order. It is given to deserving individuals, who become Companions of Honour (who can then use the post-nominal letters CH) who have made significant contributions to the arts, science, medicine or public service over an extended period of time. The order was founded by King George V in 1917, in addition to the Order of the British Empire, to recognis ..read more

The Duchess of Gloucester has been named as a Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. The King appointed her to the Order on April 23rd 2024, St. George’s Day, the traditional time for appointments to the oldest order of chivalry in Britain. The appointment is in the gift of His Majesty. In its announcement, Buckingham Palace said that the Duchess ”takes great pride in the work which she undertakes for her many charities and organisations, as well as her duties in support of the Monarch.” It cites her work with over sixty organisations involved in the arts, sport and health ..read more

Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Church of England and the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The present structure was built between 1070 and 1077 replacing an earlier structure that had been destroyed by fire. The Cathedral and the nearby St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church which both date from the 6th century are a part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. St Augustine arrived in Kent in 597 to bring the Christian faith to the Anglo-Saxons. He converted King Ethelbert of Kent who became the first Anglo-Saxon king to be baptise ..read more