Support for monarchy is at all time high

Tags

British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen visits the Chelsea Flower Show (22 May 2012)

A new poll shows that 80 % of Britons want to remain subjects of the Queen, with just 13 % in favour of living in a republic, the lowest proportion for at least 20 years. More than 1,000 British adults polled last weekend were asked: “Would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy?” Support for the monarchy is highest among the over-55s, at 88 %, but even in the 18-24 age group 73 % favour the current system, with just 17 per cent wanting a republic and 10 % undecided. Conservative supporters are most likely to be monarchists – 96% prefer Britain to have a monarch rather than become a republic compared to three quarters (74%) of Labour supporters and 84% of Liberal Democrats.

A spokesman of Ipsos MORI said: “Since the Royal wedding the publicity the Royal family has received has been phenomenal, particularly for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge”.

Source Ipsos MORI ©

Monarchs Galore!

Tags

British Royal Family, Diamond Jubilee, European royal families, King Michael of Romania, Queen Elizabeth II, South-East European Monarchs

King Michael of Romania, a relative of Queen Elizabeth sits immediately to her right, while on her left is King Simeon of Bulgaria.

King George V Jubilee Paper Mache Crown, 1935

Tags

British Royal Family, European royal families, George V, King George V Silver Jubilee, Royal ceremonies

Jubilee paper mache panels of all designs and sizes were made at Pytram’s factory at New Malden in rediness for the Jubilee celebrations. One of the huge crowns, in paper mache, shown in its finished state.

The Queen’s address to Parliament, 20 March 2012

Tags

British Monarchy, Diamond Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II

History links monarchs and Parliament, a connecting thread from one period to the next. So, in an era when the regular, worthy rhythm of life is less eye-catching than doing something extraordinary, I am reassured that I am merely the second Sovereign to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee.

As today, it was my privilege to address you during my Silver and Golden Jubilees. Many of you were present ten years ago and some of you will recall the occasion in 1977. Since my Accession, I have been a regular visitor to the Palace of Westminster and, at the last count, have had the pleasurable duty of treating with twelve Prime Ministers.

Over such a period, one can observe that the experience of venerable old age can be a mighty guide but not a prerequisite for success in public office. I am therefore very pleased to be addressing many younger Parliamentarians and also those bringing such a wide range of background and experience to your vital, national work.

read more

The Crown Jewels: Symbols of the British monarchy

Tags

British Monarchy, Crown Jewels, Diamond Jubilee

On 29 March 2012, a new display of the crown jewels will be revealed at the Tower of London to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. This year’s display will feature new lighting and film footage to showcase the Crown Jewels in their full glory.

Queen Elizabeth II Attends Services at St. Paul’s Cathedral

Tags

Order of the British Empire, Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were attending a service of dedication and thanks for the Order of the British Empire, at which 2,000 of those holding the honour were present.

Queen Elizabeth II leaves Service for the Order of the British Empire held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in her cape and crown. (Photos: Getty Images)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

New Book: Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith

Tags

British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth II

From the moment of her ascension to the throne in 1952 at the age of twenty-five, Queen Elizabeth II has been the object of unparalleled scrutiny. But through the fog of glamour and gossip, how well do we really know the world’s most famous monarch? Drawing on numerous interviews and never-before-revealed documents, acclaimed biographer Sally Bedell Smith pulls back the curtain to show in intimate detail the public and private lives of Queen Elizabeth II, who has led her country and Commonwealth through the wars and upheavals of the last sixty years with unparalleled composure, intelligence, and grace.

In Elizabeth the Queen, we meet the young girl who suddenly becomes “heiress presumptive” when her uncle abdicates the throne. We meet the thirteen-year-old Lilibet as she falls in love with a young navy cadet named Philip and becomes determined to marry him, even though her parents prefer wealthier English aristocrats. We see the teenage Lilibet repairing army trucks during World War II and standing with Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on V-E Day. We see the young Queen struggling to balance the demands of her job with her role as the mother of two young children. Sally Bedell Smith brings us inside the palace doors and into the Queen’s daily routines—the “red boxes” of documents she reviews each day, the weekly meetings she has had with twelve prime ministers, her physically demanding tours abroad, and the constant scrutiny of the press—as well as her personal relationships: with Prince Philip, her husband of sixty-four years and the love of her life; her children and their often-disastrous marriages; her grandchildren and friends.

Happy Birthday, Duchess of Cambridge!

Tags

British Royal Family, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, European royal families, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince William Duke of Cambridge

The Duchess of Cambridge celebrates her 30th birthday today, 9 January 2012. HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, CATHERINE, Duchess of Cambridge!

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the premiere of Steven Spielberg's film 'War Horse', 8 January 2012

“Dearest Missy” nominated ‘Book of the Month’ in Majesty magazine

Tags

"Dearest Missy" by Diana Mandache, Diana Mandache, Duchess of Edinburgh, Majesty Magazine, Princess Marie of Edinburgh

My book “Dearest Missy”in Majesty magazine,  Book of the Month, January 2012

The extensive correspondence between Marie Alexandrovna, Grand Duchess of  Russia, Duchess of Edinburgh and of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and her daughter, Marie, Crown Princess of Romania, covering the period 1879-1900.
These lively and detailed epistles, sent from places across the length and breadth of Europe, are first-hand historical documents detailing the daily life, social events, dramas and transformations taking place at the royal courts during the latter part of the Victorian era.

Queen Elizabeth II opens new High Court building

Tags

British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II greets High Court judges as she officially opens the Rolls Building, the latest addition to the Royal Courts of Justice, 7 December 2011.

The visit of Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip at Admiralty House

Tags

Admiralty House, British Royal Family, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope (2L) and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, are shown a map detailing current naval deployments by Admiral Sir Trevor Soar (R) during a visit to the Admiralty Board and Admiralty House on 23 November, 2011 in London, England. The Duke of Edinburgh was inaugurated as Lord High Admiral as well as formally receiving the Letters Patent, followed by a lunch given by the First Sea Lord at Admiralty House.

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Turkish President

Tags

British Royal Family, Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II and Dr Abdullah Gul the President of the Republic of Turkey arrive in the Royal Carriage as they arrive at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2011 in London, England. The President of Turkey is on a five day State visit to the UK.

Queen Elizabeth II and President of Turkey Abdullah Gul (L) attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, on November 22, 2011. President Abdullah is on a three day state visit to the UK and was formally welcomed by Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh today.

Queen Elizabeth II and President of Turkey Abdullah Gul (L) attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, on November 22, 2011

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY at the CENOTAPH, 13 November 2011

Tags

British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph in London, 13 November 2011. Politicians and Royalty joined the rest of the county in honouring the war dead by gathering at the iconic memorial to lay wreaths and observe two minutes silence.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge sings during the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph in London.

Queen Elizabeth at the British Library

Tags

British Library, British Monarchy, British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth II

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Queen Elizabeth II visits the British Library to open an exhibition entitled “Royal Manuscripts: the Genius of Illumination”.

_____

Royal Manuscripts: The Genius of Illumination/ 11 November 2011- 13 March 2012

Royal Manuscripts: The Genius of Illumination is the British Library’s first major exhibition to bring together the Library’s Royal collection, a treasure trove of illuminated manuscripts collected by the kings and queens of England between the 9th and 16th centuries. This dazzling exhibition will debunk the myth that these were ‘the Dark Ages’ by showcasing beautiful artistic artefacts.

A splendid selection of Romanian Royal Jewels

Tags

Cotroceni Palace, Diana Mandache, Marie Alexandrovna, Queen Marie of Romania, Romanian Royal Jewels, Romanov jewels, Royal jewels

Marie of Romania at her residence, the Cotroceni Palace. She wears a circle diamond tiara, a gift from her mother Marie Alexandrovna, Duchess of Edinburgh and of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

Courtesy of the Romanian National Museum of History (Diana Mandache's weblog Royal History)

Above are two photomontages showing Crown Princess Marie’s exquisite jewellery possesions: the big silver chain belt with amethysts and moon stones  and the chain with two Maltese Crosses set in diamonds and  amethysts. Some of these jewels are now exhibited for the public at the Romanian National History Museum in Bucharest.  Diana Mandache