The Palace Papers: Part One

Embed from Getty Images

Back in 2007, Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Tatler, Vanity Fair, and the New Yorker, wrote what I consider to be the definitive biography on Diana, Princess of Wales. The Palace Papers, released on Tuesday, is essentially its sequel. It picks up where Diana’s life ended, in the late 90s, but it spends the first few chapters strategically weaving around to cover the Diana-adjacent figures and relationships that are informing the current House of Windsor.

So far, I’m only about 150 pages in, but I would say the focus of the attention thus far is on capturing the broad trajectories, relationships, and emotional realities of two rather important royal women today: Queen Elizabeth and her daughter-in-law, The Duchess of Cornwall. There’s also a solid dash of Princess Margaret, the Queen’s late sister, and The Earl and Countess of Wessex (Edward and Sophie). I don’t have a precise agenda for how I’m going to cover this book, but for the purposes of this post, I want to capture the quotes and tidbits that I’ve found the most informative.

Continue reading “The Palace Papers: Part One”

BRF Attends Duke of Edinburgh Memorial at Westminster

Embed from Getty Images

This morning saw the British Royal Family turn out for a service of thanksgiving honoring the late Duke of Edinburgh. Held at Westminster Abbey, the event not only saw a full array of Windsors, but several visiting representatives of Europe’s royal families as well. With the ceremony lasting roughly 40 minutes, Queen Elizabeth then returned to Windsor Castle.

Continue reading “BRF Attends Duke of Edinburgh Memorial at Westminster”

Royal Roundup: Keep Calm & Carry On

Embed from Getty Images

Let’s not talk about Sussexit. Instead, let’s catch up on literally everyone else in the Royal Family, because surprisingly there’s been a fair bit going on. Most of what follows is from the last week, with a few tidbits that date back a little earlier but were lost in the Christmas shuffle.

Continue reading “Royal Roundup: Keep Calm & Carry On”

Royal Roundup: The Queen’s Speech, Philip’s Hospitalization, & Beatrice’s Engagement Party

Embed from Getty Images

Happy Saturday 🙂 Let’s catch up on some odds and ends from the week, starting with yesterday’s news that the Duke of Edinburgh is in hospital. There was some speculation earlier in the week when he was seemingly absent from the Queen’s luncheon at Buckingham Palace (given that he largely lives in Norfolk now, he, too, would have been seen arriving at some point), but now we know: he’s apparently been under the weather for a few weeks.

Continue reading “Royal Roundup: The Queen’s Speech, Philip’s Hospitalization, & Beatrice’s Engagement Party”

Will the Queen Implement the Regency Act in Two Years?

Embed from Getty Images

Royal author and journalist Phil Dampier told Yahoo this week that there’s “talk” the Queen will turn over the reins of power to the Prince of Wales in two years, when she turns 95. The move wouldn’t be an abdication, but would rather bring the Regency Act into effect – the Queen would still be queen, and Charles would take over the  majority of the work.

Continue reading “Will the Queen Implement the Regency Act in Two Years?”

It’s Not a Good Week For Andrew

Embed from Getty Images

I tend to stay away from the York family, and for good reason. With the exception of Princess Eugenie’s wedding last year, all too often the stories swarming around them are pretty negative. This week is no different in light of news that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was arrested, bringing back into the spotlight his longstanding relationship with the Queen’s second son, the Duke of York.

Continue reading “It’s Not a Good Week For Andrew”

The Royal Family at Ascot Over the Years

George IV

I thought about covering subsequent days this week of the Royal Family at Ascot, but then thought…nah, let’s go back in time. Honestly, so many of the shots of today’s RF on Tuesday looked like stills from a period film, that I thought it would be fun to go back and actually see everyone over the years. So, a random sampling and a touch of history below…

Continue reading “The Royal Family at Ascot Over the Years”

Lady Gabriella Windsor Marries at Windsor

Embed from Getty Images

Members of the Royal Family gathered today at St George’s Chapel, Windsor for the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston. The bride is the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, whose grandfather, Prince George, Duke of Kent, was a son of King George V. You can read more about the family here.

Continue reading “Lady Gabriella Windsor Marries at Windsor”

William & Kate Launch The King’s Cup Regatta (+ a Quick Roundup of Everyone Else)

Embed from Getty Images

Twenty-four hours later after the birth of Baby Boy Sussex and the House of Windsor was back at it. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today carried out an engagement in London (that I completely forgot about, tbh) to launch The King’s Cup Regatta, while the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrived in Berlin and the Duke of Edinburgh made a rare appearance alongside the Queen.

Continue reading “William & Kate Launch The King’s Cup Regatta (+ a Quick Roundup of Everyone Else)”

Princess Eugenie Ties the (Windsor) Knot

Embed from Getty Images

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are officially married! The Royal Family – and a slew of high-profile British guests – turned up in their wedding best for a ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor this morning. The bride wore Peter Pilotto, the Duke of York walked her down the aisle, Andrea Boccelli sang Ave Maria, Prince George was a ham and Princess Beatrice gave a reading from The Great Gatsby of all things.

Continue reading “Princess Eugenie Ties the (Windsor) Knot”