Behind the Crown: THE INFLUENTIAL MOTHERS AND WIVES OF MONARCHS

VICTORIA HOWARD INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS, 7 TH AUGUST 2017 Victoria Howard . Founder of The Crown Chronicles & Replicate Royalty, and CEO of London Reign Communications Ltd.

. Former deputy editor of Royal Central; featured in ‘Harry at 30’

. Press secretary and spokeswoman for the British Monarchist Society

. Following the Royal Family’s activities since 2010; Early Modern specialism Margaret Beaufort

.1443-1509

.Great-great-granddaughter of Edward III, through illegitimate line

. Almost solely responsible for bringing Henry VII to the throne

Margaret Beaufort

. Mother of Henry VII, grandmother to Henry VIII . Lancastrian (red rose) . Four marriages by the age of 29: John de la Pole, Edmund Tudor, Henry Stafford, Thomas Stanley . Pregnancy and labour as a teen left her infertile . Known as a good organiser with a long memory; a practical woman, independent and shrewd; intelligent . Plotting while others sat on the throne . With Henry VII on the throne, she was the most influential woman at court. Tension? . Affectionate relationship with her son

Caroline of Ansbach

. 1683-1737 . Consort to George II . Noted for her intelligence, good character and looks . Married George Augustus, heir to Electorate of Hanover & throne of Great Britain . Moved to Great Britain in 1714 as Princess of Wales . Political work: attempted to reconcile King and son; had Walpole & George’s ears . Patron of Arts and Science; court full of intellectuals “I must say that despite all her titles and crowns, this princess was born to encourage the arts and the well-being of mankind; even on the throne she is a benevolent philosopher; and she has never lost an opportunity to learn or to manifest her generosity.” Voltaire Victoria, Duchess of Kent

. 1786 – 1861

. Mother of Queen Victoria

. Provided an heir in a time of constitutional crisis

. A chancer – placed her bets on daughter’s accession

. Kensington System: strict upbringing for daughter under the controlling influence of John Conroy

. Regency hopes

. Estranged relationship until her daughter had children Liked that? Try one of my other talks

The home of Royalty: Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace. A peek into the homes of The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William. 12.15pm 10th August, Theatre

Henry VIII - man or monster? Look into the life of the Tudor King and the changes in his personality that created an enduring legend. 10am, 11th August, Theatre

Further suggested reading: • Margaret Beaufort: Mother of the Tudor Dynasty – Elizabeth Norton, 2011 • King George II and Queen Caroline – John Van der Kiste, 2013 • Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman who Ruled an Empire – Julia Baird, 2016 •The Reign Of Queen Victoria – Hector Bolitho, 1949 Thanks for joining me

Victoria Howard