While Lu Zhi never proclaimed herself Empress, many historians recognise her as the first reigning Empress of China.[1] She was the empress consort to Gaozu, the founder of the Han dynasty. When Emperor Gaozu died, she became Empress Regent for her son, Emperor Hui. Because her son was weak, Lu Zhi reigned China in his stead. [read more]
From our funniest writer, a portrait of our most talked-about royal She made John Lennon blush and Marlon Brando clam up. She cold-shouldered Princess Diana and humiliated Elizabeth Taylor. Andy Warhol photographed her. Jack Nicholson offered her cocaine. Gore Vidal revered her. John Fowles hoped to keep her as his sex-slave. Dudley Moore propositioned her. [read more]
Nurbanu Sultan was one of the most powerful figures in the Ottoman Empire. She was the favourite concubine and eventual wife of Selim II, the son of Suleyman and Roxelana. However, her power increased when she became the queen mother of Murad III. Nurbanu would reign as queen mother until her death. Like her mother [read more]
Villandry is perhaps the least royalty related in this series about my trip to France. Before the current château was built there stood a fortress on this site where the Paix de Colombier was signed in 1189. The current château was built in 1536 by Jean le Breton, who was a finance minister under King [read more]
Roxelana was an unlikely candidate to have made a mark in history. She was a young girl who was captured by slave traders and became a concubine in Suleiman’s harem. However, Roxelana overcame great odds and became Suleiman’s wife. She would bear the Sultan five sons – one of whom would become the next Sultan [read more]
Louise Juliana of Nassau was born in Dordrecht on 31 March 1576 as the first of six daughters born to William the Silent by his third wife Charlotte of Bourbon. She was the first to be born in the Netherlands. Louise Juliana was just six years old when her mother died from exhaustion after caring [read more]
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