Carolyn M Cash Freelance Journalist
Writer, History and Royalty
Joanna of Castile was declared unfit to rule by her father but many historians believe she suffered from bipolar disorder or clinical depression. She was born in Toledo, the capital of Castile, on 6 November 1479, the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand’s third child. She inherited her Trastámara ancestors’ very fair complexion, blue eyes and…
Prime Minister John Curtin believed appointing a member of the royal family would improve chances Britain maintained its commitment to Australia’s defence during World War II. Australians will be deeply appreciative of his Majesty’s action in appointing a member of the Royal Family to be Governor-General of Australia. All in the country will look forward…
The Australian Government also insisted Edward VIII abdicated rather than marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Edward VIII became King of Great Britain on 20 January 1936 when his father George V died. He was determined to marry his mistress, Mrs Wallis Simpson, and told Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin on 16 November. Baldwin was horrified. Mrs…
Prime Minister Winston Churchill appointed the Duke of Windsor as the Governor of the Bahamas to keep the former king out of Britain at all costs during World War II. The British Establishment expressed grave doubts about the Duke’s loyalty whilst the Royal Family behaved as if he ever existed! A Tremendous Welcome The Bahamas…
The Australian Government invited the Duke and Duchess of York for the opening of Parliament House, Canberra, as part of a gruelling and exhausting tour. Albert Duke of York (George VI) and the Duchess of York (Queen Elizabeth) were also representing Britain and its Empire’s trading interests, so their visit was of great importance to…
Arbella Stuart suffered from Porphyria and lived during turbulent times. She longed to marry, but she was prevented from doing so. Arbella was too close to the throne. Her grandmothers, Margaret Countess of Lennox and Bess of Hardwick, played matchmaker. Charles Stuart, Earl of Lennox, and Elizabeth Cavendish secretly married in November 1574. Elizabeth I…
Isabella and Ferdinand’s reign heralded in a golden age and marked the beginning of Spain’s modern history with the Reconquista, Christopher Columbus and the Inquisition. Their marriage on 19 October 1469 united Spain. Isabella preferred Ferdinand as she turned down all other offers including the Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III). He was handsome, a…
Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen proved a good influence on her husband William IV. The Australian capital Adelaide was founded in 1836 and named in her honour. Princess Adelheid Amalia Luisa Theresa Carolina was born at Meiningen, Thuringia, Germany on 13 August 1792. She was the eldest daughter of George I Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, and Louisa Eleanor…
Prince Felix Yusupov believed it was his patriotic duty to kill Grigori Rasputin, the malevolent ‘holy man’, and deliver Russia from her most dangerous internal enemy. Two Montenegrin princesses, Militsa and Anastasia, who married into the imperial family, introduced Grigori Rasputin to the Tsarina in 1905, as they believed he could heal the Tsarevich Alexei. Alexei…
Edward II’s coronation was a major fiasco as the nobility deplored Piers Gaveston’s organisational skills. It affected the Anglo-French alliance at the time. Edward II’s Coronation on 25 February 1308 was badly organised. The ceremony finished late and the royal favourite, Piers Gaveston, caused outrage by upstaging the nobles and even the King himself! Gaveston…
