Royal History

In the late 17th century, England was experiencing a revolution - the Glorious Revolution, in fact. The English monarch at the time was James II of England, a Catholic who was disliked for his religious tolerance and close ties to France (well, that's certainly understandable!).

King James II's 25 year old daughter, Mary, was the heir presumptive until the King's son was born in 1688. James Francis Edward Stuart was born in June of that year, surpassing the Protestant Mary in the line of succession. Now, because Catholics are obviously evil, the politicians of the time decided that a Roman Catholic dynasty was simply not acceptable.

Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia, Duchess of Brunswick (Victoria Louise Adelaide Matilda Charlotte; German: Viktoria Luise Adelheid Mathilde Charlotte; 13 September 1892 11 December 1980) was the only daughter and the seventh child of William II, German Emperor and Empress Augusta Victoria. She was their last surviving child. Princess Victoria Louise is the maternal grandmother of Queen Sophie of Spain and the former King Constantine II of the Hellenes.

In the dominant male society of medieval China, Wu Zetian, a woman, broke all boundaries by declaring herself Emperor of China and ruler of the Zhao dynasty. To this day, Wu remains the only female Emperor of China. She is one of the most controversial yet intreguing rulers in China's vast history. From Concubine to Emperor, this is social climbing at its most extreme.

A snapshot to the past and a Coronation at Last.

On January 22, 1901 Queen Victoria died paving the way for the heir apparent, King Edward VII, to begin his auspicious reign.