October 2022 - History of Royal Women

Salome – The Princess’s infamous dance of death

October 31, 2022 Lauralee Jacks 0

Salome was one of the Bible’s most notorious femmes fatale and has often been depicted as luring men to their deaths.[1] Her infamous seductive dance for her stepfather, Herod Antipas, led to the death of John the Baptist. Yet, did Salome deserve her vile reputation? The Salome in historical accounts is very different from the Salome [read more]

Royal Jewels – Taking a look at Dame Margaret Greville (Part two)

October 29, 2022 Moniek Bloks 0

Read part one here. By 1913, Margaret was almost 50 years old and a wealthy, childless widow. However, she would not retire to the country as was perhaps expected of her. In an attempt to think ahead, she wrote to King George V that she intended to leave Polesden Lacey to someone in the royal [read more]

Royal Jewels – Taking a look at Dame Margaret Greville (Part one)

October 28, 2022 Moniek Bloks 0

Her name is forever linked to the vast jewellery collection that she left to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. But who was Margaret Greville, and why did she leave her jewels to the British royals? She was born Margaret Helen Anderson on 20 December 1863 as the daughter of William McEwan and his mistress, Helen [read more]

Lady Huarui – The Royal Consort who was loved by two Emperors

October 26, 2022 Lauralee Jacks 0

Lady Huarui (also known as Madame Huarui and Consort Xu) was one of China’s most beautiful women.[1] Yet, it is sometimes said that beauty is a curse rather than a blessing. [2] Unfortunately, this phrase happened to be true for Lady Huarui. Because of her beauty, Lady Huarui was loved by two Emperors. However, her [read more]

Review: Royals & Trains exhibition at Trainworld

October 24, 2022 Moniek Bloks 0

*press visit* Trainworld in Schaarbeek, Belgium, is a unique site with plenty of history. You can find it right in front of Schaarbeek station in the Brussels region, making it highly accessible by public transport. In addition to its usual trains and train memorabilia, they currently have the Royals & Trains exhibition, which features five [read more]

Book News November 2022

October 22, 2022 Moniek Bloks 0

*contains affiliate links* Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: 1926–2022: A Celebration of Her Life and Reign Hardcover – 29 November 2022 (US) & 25 October 2022 (UK) Long did she reign, and peacefully may she rest: this beautiful and thoughtful tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the life of a remarkable woman whose [read more]