ROYALTY

8 of History’s Greatest Love Affairs

History is full of sweeping love affairs, from Antony and Cleopatra to Catherine the Great and Grigory Potemkin and many more. Discover some of the most passionate here.

This giraffe was a gift to King Charles X.

9 of the Strangest Royal Pets in History

Exotic beasts functioned as both diplomatic envoys and as symbols of a monarchy’s far reaching influence.

8 Royals Who Renounced Their Titles

King Edward VIII is far from the only monarch to reject their rule.

A gold coin depicting Mithradates VI Eupator.

10 Facts About Mithradates VI, the “Poison King” of Ancient Pontus

The 1st century BCE king of Pontus, a kingdom on the Black Sea coast, earned his nickname by creating poisons and antidotes—and testing them on himself.

6 of History’s Worst In-Laws

From Ivan the Terrible to Herod the Great, these historical figures weren’t the best relatives.

Watch Queen Elizabeth II Deliver the First Televised Christmas Broadcast

The transition from radio to a televised broadcast marked a new era for the monarchy.

The Tower of London as seen from the River Thames.

7 Formidable Facts About the Tower of London

The Tower of London inspires awe, fear, and intrigue. Here are seven facts you may not know about the iconic British fortress.

This scene depicts several Christmas traditions with long histories.

The Origins of 12 Christmas Traditions

From expecting Santa to fill socks with gifts to eating cake that looks like tree bark, some holiday traditions are downright odd. But we can explain!

A detail of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I painted to commemorate the defeat of the Spanish Armada (depicted in the background).

15 Amazing Facts About Queen Elizabeth I

She spoke multiple languages, defeated Spain’s powerful navy, and never accepted a marriage proposal. Discover more fascinating facts about Queen Elizabeth I and her reign.

Was King George IV the real “Georgie Porgie”?

‘Georgie Porgie’: The Royal Origins of the British Nursery Rhyme 

“Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie / Kissed the girls and made them cry.”

The History—and Value—of the Princess Diana Beanie Baby

Trying to sell your Princess Diana Beanie Baby? She probably isn’t worth as much as you hope—here’s why.

Jack Sprat could refer to two historical royals.

The Possibly Royal Origins of the ‘Jack Sprat’ Nursery Rhyme

Although “Jack Sprat” may not be in the nursery rhyme limelight, the two theories behind its meaning—both of which involve royalty—are just as interesting as the origins of better-known rhymes.

The preserved hull of the Tudor warship ‘Mary Rose.’

12 Facts About the ‘Mary Rose,’ Henry VIII’s Legendary Warship

King Henry VIII built the English Royal Navy around his favorite warship, the ‘Mary Rose,’ which sank under mysterious circumstances in 1545.

Queen Elizabeth II sometimes went by Sharon.

11 Royal Code Names

When she was trying to fly under the radar, Queen Elizabeth II went by the name ‘Sharon.’

When George Washington Nearly Kidnapped a British Prince

During the Revolutionary War, George Washington approved a plan to kidnap Prince William Henry, a son of King George III.

Charlemagne gazes at his cathedral at Aachen, wondering how he’s going to divvy up his kingdom among 20 kids.

The Royal Rundown on Charlemagne’s 20 Children

Charlemagne, the 7th-century king of the Franks, had about 20 children who went on to establish Europe’s royal houses and populate most of Europe.

What happened in these deaths is far from clear.

25 of the Most Mysterious Deaths in History

Explorers who vanished off the face of the earth. Conquerors, composers, and scientists who expired from strange illnesses. People tantalizingly close to power who wound up dead. When it comes to these deaths, we might never know what really happened.

An 1878 painting of Richard, Duke of York, and Edward V (right) by John Everett Millais.

The Princes in the Tower: British Royal History’s Most Tantalizing Murder Mystery

An heir and a spare disappeared during England's War of the Roses. Here's what happened—and how we might hope to solve the mystery today.

The royal family at Trooping the Colour in 2023.

Now Hiring: Royal Family Communications Assistant (No, Literally)

Here's your chance to work for King Charles III's private secretary.

(Left to right) Rose Hanbury, Deborah Kerr, and Ralph Fiennes.

How to Pronounce 25 Tricky British Last Names and Titles

From ‘Cholmondeley’ to ‘Wriothesley,’ here's how to pronounce Britain's least intuitive last names.

Don't believe everyone who claims to have royal blood.

8 People Who Impersonated Royals—And Almost Got Away With It

Whether driven by opportunity, coercion, or simply the desire to belong, here are the unbelievable true stories of eight people who claimed to be royal—and nearly got away with it.

The British royal family has been dogged by conspiracy theories for more than 1000 years.

10 Bizarre Royal Conspiracy Theories

From secret love children to political assassinations to accusations of vampirism, the British royal family has been the subject of many bizarre conspiracy theories over the course of its history.

Queen Marie Antoinette in 1787 with Marie Thérèse, Louis Charles, and Louis Joseph.

The Royal Rundown on Marie Antoinette's Children

Marie Antoinette had four children before her beheading in 1793. Here's what happened to them.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with five of their children,1846.

The Royal Rundown on Queen Victoria’s 9 Children

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha had nine children. Their lives were packed with enough scandal and drama to make 'The Crown' seem positively dull.