The A-Z of the Windsor 2018

The old year is almost done with us but as we prepare to say goodbye to 2018, there is just enough time to look back and cherish some of the standout moments of the past twelve months. And for the House of Windsor it really has been a major year. From weddings to babies and all kinds of engagements in between, 2018 will go down in the history books as a special one. As the clock ticks down to midnight, here's the Windsor A-Z of 2018...

The A-Z of Europe's Royal 2018

It's been a busy royal year and as 2018 draws to an end, it's time to look back at the major moments that marked the regal calendar across Europe. From babies to weddings and the sad loss of familiar faces, it's been a packed twelve months. Here's Europe's royal A-Z for 2018.

The Royal Family's Best Loved Photo of 2018....

...is....Harry and Meghan's official wedding portrait. The image of the couple, taken by Alexi Lubomirski, topped the likes list on the Kensington Palace Instagram account and across all royal social media channels for 2018. And the final rundown of the Windsor winners provides an interesting insight into what royalty means today.

The Queen tops the TV ratings

The Queen's Christmas speech has topped the TV ratings for 2018. HM's message of goodwill was watched by 6.4 million people on the big day itself when audiences on BBC, ITV and Sky (which produced this year's speech) were combined.

Another Royal Wedding for St. George's, Windsor

The ancient royal chapel of St. George's at Windsor is to host its third wedding in twelve months. It's just been announced that Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, will marry there in 2019.

The Palace the Queen Leaves Behind...

Here it is, in all its winter glory, the palace the Queen is leaving behind. For Christmas, that is. The festive period is well and truly on its way as HM has hopped on the train on her way to Sandringham.

All the Queen's Christmas Trees: Buckingham Palace

The Christmas decorations are well and truly sparkling at Buckingham Palace as the final countdown to Christmas gets under way. The trees are trimmed, the baubles are up and the most famous royal residence around is ready for its festive close up.

All the Queen's Christmas Trees: Windsor Castle

It's the star of all the royal Christmas trees, the one to really marvel at. The tree at Windsor Castle shines and sparkles like no other and this year is no exception. Welcome to the most glittering of all the Queen's Christmas trees.

All the Queen's Christmas Trees: Kensington Palace

It might be more closely associated with other members of her Royal Family right now, but Kensington Palace can still lay claim to links with the Queen. And to keep in the spirit of the festive trees and garlands decking her other regal homes, the tree at KP is well and truly sparkling.

All the Queen's Christmas Trees: Holyroodhouse Palace

Regal red dominates this year's Christmas decorations at Holyroodhouse Palace. The Queen's official home in Scotland has been decked with trees and garlands dominated by scarlet as the festive season gets under way.

Royal Wedding Spotlight: Mathilde of the Belgians' bridal bouquet

When Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz married Philippe of Belgium on December 4th 1999, she didn't just bag herself a king in waiting, she also set a new world record for biggest ever bridal bouquet. It still stands. This isn't a posy, it's a forest and the poor woman must have had biceps to die for after spending a day lugging that thing about.

A Queen's Christmas: Eleanor's special day

Christmas 1166 was one to celebrate for one of England's most celebrated queens. Eleanor of Aquitaine was at the height of her powers, one of the most important people in Europe with political influence and cultural kudos that few could match. And as the festive season got under way, she also had a very personal reason to celebrate. For on Christmas Eve 1166, Eleanor gave birth to a son.

December's Royal Brides

Queen Mathilde of the Belgians was a December royal bride

Let's face it, December is a tricky one for weddings. While it's all very well dreaming of adding the festive red to the dreamy white of a wedding or entertaining guests to a party in front of an open log fire, the fact is that Christmas just well and truly gets in the way. Not only have you got to contend with the big day itself, there are all the Christmas parties, family visits and last minute shopping trips that are likely to mean getting your guests to commit to a date in December is going to be a big ask and then some. So it's perhaps no surprise that of the three modern royal brides who have said 'I do' in December, two of them were going for the low key approach. The other was the star of the last major royal wedding of the 20th century. Clearly, the save the date cards went out early on that one. Here are three royal brides for December.

A Queen's Christmas: the first televised speech

The countdown to Christmas is under way. The bells are jingling, the tinsel is tinseling and it's time to get festive. Yes, there will be sparkle and season's greetings and plenty of royal Christmas trees here over the coming weeks but there's also going to be a December special. I called this blog 'Queens of England' because I am totally fascinated by the amazing women who have held that role. So in the run up to Christmas, every day will focus on a festive season that was special or stand out for a Queen of England. And first of all, it's the present Queen and the day she made history by broadcasting to the nation on TV.

George H. W. Bush: a President and the Windsors

George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States of America, has died. He was 94. President Bush was in charge of the White House between 1989 and 1993 and also served as Vice President to Ronald Reagan between 1981 and 1989. And during his time in office, as you would expect, he had plenty of brushes with royalty. The man now being remembered for his diplomacy, strength of character and determination spent years at the highest levels of power and during that time, entertained the Queen and her family several times. Here's a look back at some of President Bush Senior's most famous meetings with the House of Windsor.

December's Royal Birthdays

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me thirteen cards for royal birthdays on eleven separate dates with two heirs to the throne among them and a queen consort celebrating too. December is a busy month for royal birthdays so if you're in the mood for baking (non Christmas cakes) and blowing out (non festive) candles, the next four weeks will be a dream. Here are 11  dates for December when royals mark their birthdays.....