must read Archives - History of Royal Women

The reduction of the Japanese Imperial Family during the American occupation

Monday, 14 April 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Following Japan’s surrender after the Second World War, there were calls for Emperor Hirohito to step down and be tried as a war criminal. Others feared unrest in Japan if this happened, and so a middle ground was sought. The Americans occupied Japan from its surrender on 2 September 1945 until the Treaty of San [read more]

Queen Alexandra’s coronation dress goes on display

Friday, 11 April 2025, 15:05 Moniek Bloks 0

Queen Alexandra’s coronation dress is going on display for the first time in 30 years. The coronation dress will go on display today with more than 300 other items at The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace as part of the new exhibition The Edwardians: Age of Elegance. The exhibition focuses on two royal couples – [read more]

The Pearl Poiré Tiara

Friday, 11 April 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The Pearl Poiré tiara belongs to the Danish royal family and made its way from Prussia and the Netherlands. The tiara was a wedding gift to Princess Louise of Prussia when she married Prince Frederick of the Netherlands in 1825. The tiara was thus likely made in Germany, and it was accompanied by a diamond [read more]

Taking a look at Princess Ariane

Thursday, 10 April 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Princess Ariane of the Netherlands was born on 10 April 2007 as the youngest daughter of the future King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. Embed from Getty Images A few days later, her father registered her birth with the name Ariane Wilhelmina Máxima Ines. At the time of her birth, she was fourth in the line [read more]

Royal Wedding Recollections: Amalia of Solms-Braunfels & Frederick Henry, future Prince of Orange

Friday, 4 April 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 4

The wedding ceremony that took place on 4 April 1625 was quite austere as the groom’s brother lay dying. Nevertheless, he had made his brother promise to marry. The bride and groom were Amalia of Solms-Braunfels and Frederick Henry, soon-to-be Prince of Orange. His brother Maurice had regretted not marrying and fathering heirs himself, and [read more]

Sinaitakala Fakafanua – Crown Princess of Tonga

Thursday, 20 March 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The future Crown Princess of Tonga, Sinaitakala Fakafanua, was born on 20 March 1987 as the daughter of Kinikinilau Tūtoatasi Fakafānua, 7th Lord Fakafānua and Princess Sinaitakala ‘Ofeina-‘e-he-Langi Fakafānua. Her father died in 2006, and her brother, Fatafehi Fakafanua, became the 8th Lord Fakafānua. She also had another brother named Fakaola mei Langi ʻItafuaʻatonga Tūtoatasi [read more]