Welcome to the Royal Universe
The Royal Universe is an online reference about contemporary and historical royalty. It consists of a website, a blog, and a collection of articles. The information on royal families and houses is divided into sections on current monarchies, former monarchies (monarchies and royal houses of existing republics that used to be monarchies), and historical monarchies (monarchies of countries and empires that no longer exist); there is also a section on the traditions and trappings of monarchy such as ceremonies, protocol, jewellery, and royal residences. Last but not least is The Royal Universe Forum, a comprehensive discussion forum with topics divided into the same categories as the website; we hope to see you there!
This website is a work in progress, and we welcome feedback and suggestions for new topics. You can contact us by clicking Contact at the bottom of the page.
Our page of information about the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton is here.
All William and Kate’s children to be Princes and Princesses
On 9 January, the 31st birthday of the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, it was announced from Buckingham Palace that the Queen had issued Letters Patent on 31 December 2012, extending the number of members of the royal family entitled to the style of Royal Highness and the prefix Prince or Princess. This change is very specific, affecting only the children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and is consistent with the new legislation introducing equal primogeniture.
The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast
The tradition of the Christmas broadcast by the British sovereign started 80 years ago in 1932, when John Reith, Director General of the BBC, persuaded George V to make a Christmas Day broadcast to the people of the Empire via the new BBC Empire Service (precursor to the BBC World Service). Although George V was famously conservative and suspicious of anything new, he saw the advantage of being able to speak directly to his people around the world.
Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant, succession laws to change soon
Speculation in the press about the Duchess of Cambridge being pregnant has increased in recent weeks, and on 3 December that speculation was finally laid to rest by an announcement from Clarence House that she was pregnant but suffering from severe morning sickness and was being hospitalised for a few days. According to the announcement, Kate is in the very early stages of pregnancy, meaning that the baby is probably due to be born next summer. Although many people were hoping for a Jubilee Year baby, we did at least get a Jubilee Year announcement!
Wedding of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy were married in a civil ceremony on 19 October 2012, and a religious ceremony on 20 October 2012.