#royal

[world-of-wales]

The Princess of Wales' sketch of her youngest son Louis

Prince Louis' drawing of his mother Catherine

Princess Charlotte's drawing of her mother Catherine

Prince George's drawing of his mother Catherine

Kensington Palace released portraits created by The Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George of each other using the Shaping Us Framework as a way to make connections by spending time together and supporting young children in developing social and emotional skills | 17 FEBRUARY 2025

[livesunique]

King Édouard VII's Royal Train Smoking Room

[heartsoftruth]

[heritagebrowser]

The crypt of the Basilica-Cathedral of Saint-Denis, north of Paris serves as the birthplace of the divine light of gothic stained glass windows and is the main necropolis of French royalty.

This medieval crypt has the remains among many others from Louis XIV and Marie-Antoinette.

[zegalba]

Hassan Ragab: Recycled Plastic Art Nouveau Facade Chairs (2023)

[mochiwei]

Day 7: Royal (ballet) 🩰

Print available here!

[umi-no-onnanoko]

[shpepyao]

I've got an idea to make mothmen based on sins

[ancientsstudies]

Château de Versailles by michaelthecanadian.

[inky-duchess]

Fantasy Guide to the Death of Monarchs

(no, unfortunately this is not a how to guide. Special Branch can now unhitch from outside my house)

To quote The Lion King... The Circle of Life. Monarchs are born, they live, they die. But what exactly happens when a monarch dies?

Dying

The monarch is on their deathbed. Their family, their friends, their advisers (their bit on the side sometimes) are lingering in the room or in the corridor. But of course, death isn't always expected. Usually, if the death is sudden, such as during a military campaign or an assassination, there is a scramble to preserve the news of the death for a time in order to make the necessary arrangements.

Causes of Death

"... Let us sit upon the ground. And tell sad stories of the death of kings; How some have been deposed; some slain in war, Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed; Some poison'd by their wives: some sleeping kill'd; All murder'd," - William Shakespeare, Richard II.

Monarchs die like everybody else. They can die from anything. Disease (Alexander the Great), death at war (Richard I), assassination (Philip III of Macedonia), old age (Elizabeth II), starvation (Richard II), misuse of a hot poker (Edward II), murder at the hands of family (Edward V), childbirth (Jadwiga of Poland), accident (William of Orange... Pussy) , poison (Emperor Claudius) or on the toilet (George II). The death of a monarch is something at will be contested sometimes. If the body is not seen, there may be a belief that they live on. If the monarch dies suddenly, there may be rumours of foul play. No matter how a monarch dies, it will lead to uneasiness.

After Death

The steps after the monarch dies, usually include securing the next heir, proclaiming them to the people, and then working toward a clean succession. This time is delicate, it can be the breeding ground of coups and treacheries. Any claim other than the designated heir must be silenced by the proclaimation of the next sovereign as soon as possible. Child monarchs are extremely at risk during this period as the adults around them will seek to take custody of them. They who hold the monarch hold the power. It is imperative that the heir be notified at once so the stability of the kingdom can be assured.

The X is dead, Long Live the Next Guy

Once they breathe their last, all attention will turn to the next monarch or the scramble to find one. Be it by succession by blood or an election, the designated successor will immediately (even in the absence of a coronation) become the next monarch. Likely they will have been near their predecessor, either at their bedside or at least in shouting distance. But if they are away, they will quickly return to claim their throne. Without delay. Elizabeth II was actually on royal tour when she recieved news her father had died, leading to a hasty scramble back home.

When things don't go according to plan

The monarch passes away. There are tears. Sometimes. There are sometimes coups as I mentioned. Young would be monarchs could be kidnapped, eg. Edward V. Another heir claims the throne instead of the designated heir, eg Lady Jane Grey and King Stephen. Monarchs who die on battlefields can have their bodies stolen (James IV of Scotland) or thrown into a ditch with their crown snatched (Richard III). The death of a monarch is a delicate time and dangerous for all royal family members. In some instances, it would lead to murder. If a son of a previous Ottoman Sultan wished to be the next Sultan, they would order the mass murder of their brothers upon their father's death - usually death by strangulation.

Funeral

The funeral of the monarch is something that is usually planned from day one. There would be some sort of plan in place for the funeral, the when, the where and the how. The monarch might know these plans but the upper rank of courtier and aides would know. Funerals would follow a certain pattern, likely adapting from previous funerals. They would be a public, a lavish ceremony that would see to the closure of businesses, entertainment venues, the arrival of foreign dignitaries and a long procession of the body surrounded by military forces, watched over by the grieving public. If they actually liked the monarch. Some deaths of Kings were met without any sadness such as George IV. There might also be lavish games thrown in the monarch's honour.

Mourning

Mourning is the period of time that the country, the court and royal family grieves publicly. It can last a week or so, like today. Or up to a year. In China, sometimes mourning lasted 3 years or more. Mourning period often came with strict rules about what one could do or dress in. In Edwardian times, there were stages in mourning. Full mourning could last up to a year, with women wearing black with very little ornament and widows covering their hair with bonnets of veils. Second mourning (6-9 months), women's clothes could be adorned with trimming and finally half mourning is the 3-6 month period where colour started to be reintroduced, restricted at first to greys and mauves. There would be no balls, no parties, no sporting during the deepest part of mourning.

[world-of-wales]

Sketches by The Princess of Wales released over the years | 2017 - PRESENT

2017 - Sketch of St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire on the Order of Service for Pippa & James's wedding

2021 - Sketch of St Andrews by Catherine made during her time at university in 2002

2025 - Chalk portrait of her youngest baby, Prince Louis

[livesunique]

Herrenchiemsee, Herreninsel, Chiemsee lake, Bavaria, Germany

[catherinetheprincessofwales]

Prince Louis enjoys the music alongside The Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and The Duchess of Edinburgh. Trooping the Colour, 15 June 2024.

[nomiinoveltii]

I really wanted to draw them in some fancy royal regalia. Just a quick thing, but I think it turned out pretty good if I say so myself

Extra :

[holierkiss]