Five Facts about Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, has been part of the Royal Family for over 150 years now.

It is famously known for being the countryside retreat for Queen Elizabeth II, which she visited every year with Prince Philip during their marriage. As a result of his passing in April, 2021 marked the first year that the Queen visited the grounds as a widow. So, what else is there to know about the royal residence? Here, we look at five facts you may not know.

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A Brief Look at the History of the ‘Graces’

William Wyon Her Majesty's Graces

This year, we have been influenced by William Wyons’ classical Three Graces design for the new 2022 Her Majesty’s Graces Platinum Jubilee Gold Sovereign range, celebrating the incredible Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

However, what do we actually know about the ‘Graces’ and where the inspiration for the design came from? In this blog, we will be looking back at the history of the Graces.

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The Unknown Warrior

Unknown Warrior

The Unknown Warrior was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey on 11th November 1920. Part of the inscription on his tombstone states: “They buried him among the kings, because he had done good toward God and toward his house”.

But how did the idea for this tribute come about, and how did the Unknown Warrior come to be laid at Westminster Abbey? Here, we take a look at the history of what has become one of the most visited war graves in the world.

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A Short History of the Halfcrown

halfcrown

Dating back to the reign of Henry VIII, the halfcrown has nearly a five-hundred-year history. It ceased to be legal tender on 1st January 1970 in preparation for “Decimal Day” in Britain, which happened the following year. It was equivalent to one-eighth of a pound, or two shillings and sixpence.

Here, we take a brief look back at the history of one of Britain’s last pre-decimal coins.

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