Tag archives: royalty
‘The glory of my crown’: royal quotations past and present
With the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee in full swing, it is perhaps a good moment to look back at some other long-serving monarchs of the British Isles. Inevitably, those who rule for a long time come to the throne early: Queen Victoria was 18 at her accession, and was described by Thomas [...]
Monarchs, royal language, and coronation chicken: an interactive jubilee image
To celebrate the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II this weekend, we’re exploring the world of royalty, from the life and family of Elizabeth II to the names of monarchs, and even the origin of coronation chicken. We’re also delving into the influence of royalty on the English language, from margherita pizza to corduroy trousers. [...]
Sobriquets for scholars
Back to school As September begins, campus quads around the world once again teem with bewildered freshmen, a word first used of a university student at Cambridge over 500 years ago. In the half millennium since, the number of terms for university and college students has proliferated like a new student’s Facebook friends, and [...]
Rulers and monarchs in ancient and modern times
The second Saturday in June sees the birthday parade of Queen Elizabeth II. This annual display of pomp and pageantry on London’s Horse Guards Parade is known as trooping the colour, and marks Her Majesty’s official birthday – while her real birthday is on 21 April. The Queen’s official birthday is celebrated in many Commonwealth [...]
Quotations for every occasion
One of the most interesting aspects of working with quotations is seeing how words from one occasion are applicable to another. The recent controversy over the sale of Forestry Commission land brought to mind the words of the poet William Blake, writing over 200 years ago: ‘The tree which moves some to tears of [...]
An interactive guide to Prince William’s ancestry
Prince William, or to give him his full name, William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor, is the eldest son of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, and is second in line to the British throne, after his father. William was born on 21 June 1982 and met Catherine Elizabeth (‘Kate’) Middleton (born 9 January 1982), his bride-to-be, while studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. [...]
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