Caroline Reuss of Greiz

Schloss Bückeburg – A most unhappy marriage

While doing research for my next book, I stumbled upon a wedding that took place at Schloss Bückeburg, between Princess Caroline Reuss of Greiz and Wilhelm Ernst, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Their wedding took place there as the young woman’s parents had passed and she was under the guardianship of her maternal uncle, Georg, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe, who happened [read more]
The Royal Women

The Dutch succession crisis of the early 20th century

Upon the death of King William III his only surviving child, Princess Wilhelmina became Queen at the age of 10. As she had no siblings, her potential successor at that time was her aunt Sophie, Grand Duchess of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Her father’s other siblings had all died without leaving issue. Queen Wilhelmina married Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on  7 February [read more]
Amélie of Leuchtenberg

Lost Kingdoms – Kingdom of Portugal

The Kingdom of Portugal began its life in 1139 when Afonso Henriques, Count of Portugal, was acclaimed King of the Portuguese. House of Burgundy His wife was Matilda or Mafalda of Savoy, who was thus the first Queen of Portugal. They had seven children together, including his successor the future King Sancho I of Portugal. Sancho succeeded his [read more]
Book Reviews

Book News September 2018

Elizabeth Revealed: 500 Facts about the Queen and Her World Hardcover – 26 September 2018 (UK) & 31 October 2018 (US) Elizabeth Revealed is a lively and affectionate celebration of The Queen’s long and eventful life. This gorgeously illustrated book blends personal and public, frivolous and factual in a tribute to an extraordinary woman and the sweeping [read more]