Two Centuries Of Royal Weddings

With the echo of regal church bells still ringing in the ears of royalists and well-wishers worldwide, Fiona Macdonald take a look at the quirky, odd and downright bizarre circumstances surrounding the weddings of the kings, queens, princes and princesses of Britain. One must leave one's sense of decorum at the palace gates as the author tells the wacky stories surrounding the preparations, dresses, ceremonies and national moods that went with the excitement of a royal wedding, from England's resident marriage addict Henry VIII, through Anne Hyde, the 'commoner' who birthed two queens, right up to Prince Charles, Princess Diana and their son and daughter-in-law to be. Featuring facts, figures and family trees, Royal Weddings, A Very Peculiar History is sure to keep one in the spirit of things, even after the last fleck of confetti has touched the ground.

An illustrated history of royal weddings, from Henry I to Prince William and Kate Middleton. Royal nuptials are always a cause for excitement both at home and abroad, and never more so than when the couple in question are young, glamorous and bathed in the glow of genuine romance. But the meaning invested in royal weddings, and the manner in which they are conducted, have changed dramatically as ideals have shifted about the monarchy and about marriage itself. This book charts almost a thousand years of British royal weddings, from Henry I – whose bride was believed by many to be a runaway nun – through Henry VIII's six attempts at matrimony, to the highly public weddings of recent years including that of Prince William and Kate Middleton as well as the engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It explores the traditions, symbols and rituals of the ceremonies themselves as well as the popular festivities and commemorative wares that have become a central means of marking the event.

From the author of American Princess: The Love Story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry comes a funny and delightful history of the royal weddings and marriages of Europe’s most famous—and infamous—monarchs. This edition includes bonus chapters! “An irresistible combination of People magazine and the History Channel.”—Chicago Tribune Since time immemorial, royal marriages have had little to do with love—and almost everything to do with diplomacy and dynasty. Clashing personalities have joined in unholy matrimony to form such infamous couples as Russia’s Peter II and Catherine the Great, and France's Henri II and Catherine de Medici—all with the purpose of begetting a male heir. But with tensions high and silverware flying, kings like England’s Henry II have fled to the beds of their nubile mistresses, while queens such as Eleanor of Aquitaine have plotted their revenge... Full of the juicy gossip and bad behavior that characterized Royal Affairs, this book chronicles the love-hate marriages of the crowned heads of Europe—from the Angevins to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry—and ponders how dynasties ever survived at all.

Experience the fairytale romance and historic wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in this volume of more than 200 spectacular photographs. Few events capture the worlds heart and imagination like a British royal wedding. Through more than two hundred photographs—including 80 pages of their wedding alone—William & Catherine recounts the couple’s wildly different childhoods, their romance and engagement, the events leading up to the wedding, and the grand affair itself. Here are the massive crowds lining the parade route, the sparkling celebrities at Westminster Abbey, the brides spectacular gown, “The Kisses” on the Buckingham Palace balcony, and the worldwide celebrations. Also included is a brief pictorial history of British royal weddings from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 to Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1981. With informative and fascinating captions, as well as a foreword by renowned royal watcher Robert Jobson, this book magnificently illustrates the pomp, the pageantry, the history and enchantment of the romance that charmed the world.

From Henry VIII and his numerous wives to Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, every major royal wedding is covered in this unique pictorial book.

The Historical Dictionary of the British Monarchy provides a chronology starting with the year 495 and continuing to the present day, an introductory essay, an extensive bibliography, and over 600 cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant persons, places, events, institutions, and other aspects of British culture, society, economy, and politics. This book is a must for anyone interested in the British monarchy.