News

William and Kate Expecting Their Third Child

Yes, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced today that they're expecting their third child. "The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," according to the Kensington Palace Twitter account.

Tributes to Princess Diana, Gone Twenty Years, at Kensington Palace

At the gates of Kensington Palace today, mourners left flowers, photos and messages of love for the late Princess Diana, killed twenty years ago on August 31, 1997. "I'm here for a special day. We all know why we're here. We all feel the same. We all miss her," says Terry from Camden, dressed up in a suit patterned with Union Jacks and a sign around his neck that declares the late princess of Wales a "True Inspiration" in large print. With an issue of The Mirror from 1997 under her arm, Jacqueline from London tells BHT that she was here, at the same palace gates, with her son twenty years ago, the day after Diana was killed. "We turned the telly on and came straight here to leave her flowers. There's a picture of me here in this paper with my boy. He was only 2 and now he's 22. William and Harry didn't have their mommy, but my little George did. It's very strange to be back here."

Imagining Diana

British Heritage contributing editor Diane Clehane has written the perfect book to celebrate the memory of Diana--gone, unbelievably, for two decades now. On sale now, this "alternative history novel" provides a well-researched fantasy of what might have happened had the princess of Wales survived that fatal car crash on August 31, 1997.

Video: An 18th-Century Woman’s Dressing Routine

And you thought your morning was exhausting! Check out this short video by The National Museums Liverpool and you’ll be shocked at just how many layers and accessories an 18th-century lady needed to don to make herself presentable.

The Downton Abbey Movie May Start Filming in 2018

Rejoice, Downton fans! It sounds like the Crawley family and their friends (including their servants) are all—finally—coming to the big screen!

The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Comes Home

The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry, a unique international community artwork chronicling the impact of Scots throughout the world, has returned to the UK following a global tour during which its panels doubled in number to over 300. It is now being exhibited in its entirety for the first time in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament, London from 20 March to 29 April 2017.

God Save the Queen!: Netflix's The Crown Trailer Is Here

Grab your corgis and prepare to binge watch this November 4th!

Prince George Does Not High-Five: Video

Sorry, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau! You may currently be the youngest and best-looking world leader, sure, but that does mean anything to Prince George. The little guy flat-out rejected the prime minister's attempts to win him over. First, George refused to give Trudeau a high-five, then he similarly denied him a low-five. In a futile attempt to save face, Trudeau tried to settle for a simple handshake. George wouldn't even touch the man's hand! Kate and William's eldest child was poised and self-possessed in his refusal. He shook his head no and walked away--as is his royal right!

Maggie Smith Wins Her Third Downton Emmy

Congrats to Maggie Smith for her win at the Emmy awards last night! Her portrayal of the Dowager Countess on Downton Abbey’s final season earned her yet another Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series award—her third for the part! Sadly, not everyone could be happy for Dame Maggie, who was unable to attend the ceremony; the night’s host, Jimmy Kimmel, referred to her as “Downton absent.” After it was announced that Smith won, Kimmel grabbed the statue away from presenter Minnie Driver and announced, “No, no, no! We're not mailing this to her!” Speaking to the camera, he said, “'Maggie, if you want this, it will be in the lost and found.'

Across the Pond: Parliament is Falling Down!

Across the Pond: The Royal Roommates Edition

Autumn begins just as we were finally starting to experience some ‘summery’ weather over here in the UK. We Britons are being urged by the government to spend our last few days of the season traveling the country in order to help the economy and quell any post-Brexit blues. Even our new prime minister Theresa May recently encouraged Brits to enjoy “staycations" (after she and her husband returned from a nice walking vacation in the Swiss Alps). Yet fears about the economy seem to have lessened as of late. Opinions, as always, vary depending on what side of the political fence you stand, but housing prices in the UK actually rose—0.6% to £206,145—between July and August. Not a bad sign, at least.