Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
How Henry VII used his Welsh ancestry to secure the English Crown
27 February 2026
The Tudors are England's most famous royal dynasty, but their origins begin far from the centres of English power. They begin in rural Wales.
Njinga Mbande and Elizabeth I: two extraordinary queens
23 February 2026
Queen Njinga Mbande and Elizabeth I of England were both highly competent rulers, devoted to their people, and they remain profoundly impactful. But there was one big difference between them.
How did Henry VIII and his family say 'I do'?
09 February 2026
Tracy Borman explores some notable Tudor royal weddings and their traditions, from private nighttime ceremonies to grand celebrations.
How Bill Clinton helped broker the Northern Ireland Peace Process
26 January 2026
Over the last 70 years, Hillsborough Castle has hosted three US Presidents. But it was the USA's 42nd President, Bill Clinton, who had the greatest influence on Northern Ireland's political destiny.
The truth behind Elizabeth I and the 'Bisley Boy' myth
12 January 2026
Tracy Borman explores the real story behind the infamous ‘Bisley Boy’ myth – one of the more outlandish theories about Elizabeth I.
Christmas in the Tudor royal court
22 December 2025
Tracy Borman heads back to the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I for a Christmas like no other.
Hillary Clinton and the 'Vital Voices' of Northern Ireland's women
11 December 2025
Hillary Clinton's speech at Hillsborough Castle in 2023 marked a 30-year relationship with the women of Northern Ireland, which started over tea in South Belfast.
Famous ghost stories of the Tower of London
24 November 2025
Take a walk through the Tower of London’s shadowy corridors, to uncover the chilling tales of its most famous ghosts and paranormal activity.
'Castles of the air': Defending the Tower of London during the Second World War
10 November 2025
When London faced the fury of the Blitz during the Second World War, the Tower of London found a new way to protect the city from the sky – a huge hydrogen-filled 'barrage balloon'.