The Crown Chronicles has a dedicated team to bring you news, history and explanations regarding the Royal Family today, and from years gone by. Meet the team!
Fancy joining us? We’re open to new recruits! Email editor@thecrownchronicles.co.uk
The Reporters:
Victoria Howard – founder and editor
Having always had a passion for history, my fascination with the Royal Family began with that wedding in 2011. Following my step into the royal-sphere, I became an advocate for Constitutional Monarchy, the Royal Family’s incredible work, and the British Monarchist Society & Foundation’s spokesperson.
I continued to focus upon my penchant for the Early Modern era (with a specific emphasis on the 17th and 18th centuries) with a masters degree in the subject at the University of York, which I completed in December 2018; I very much enjoy social history, and especially women’s history.
My bookshelves are almost as full as my wardrobe, but there is always room for more, whether that be the newest biography of a figure from the Stuart or Georgian court, or a piece inspired by any of the royal ladies and their elegant style.
Olivia Moran – assistant editor: (joined June 2017)
Having grown up with a grandmother who has a display of china plates depicting the Royal Family, it was inevitable that I would end up a Royalist. After the Cambridges’ fairytale wedding, the first time I had ever seen such pageantry and pomp, I was hooked!
I’m a keen reader, with my books of choice being any historical fiction I can find. My main interest lies in the Tudor period, particularly Henry VIII, with the drama that ensued as he hopped from bride to bride.
I currently study International Business Management and Spanish at Heriot Watt University, which has also led to a keen interest in the Spanish Monarchy, especially the glamorous Queen Letizia.
Olivia’s articles; Olivia also contributes to our sister site focussed on royal fashion, Replicate Royalty
Daniel Devane – reporter: (joined August 2016)
I currently study Politics with International Relations at Aston University. I am very interested in current affairs and have a passion for our Monarchy and British history. World War II is a very interesting area of study for me.
I strongly believe that the United Kingdom benefits from Constitutional Monarchy, to protect the unwritten constitution that we have. I would class myself as a traditional person and I enjoy reading historical books. Furthermore, I enjoy flying as aviation is another passion of mine. I also enjoy travel, especially spending time in quintessential English villages.
Stephen Taylor – reporter: (joined June 2017)
After spending most of my career in business, I am now taking a different direction and starting my own venture dealing in antiques as well as vintage and retro collectables.
Writing about the Royals has stemmed from my lifelong passion for British History. Periods of particular interest to me are the Tudors and from the reign of Queen Victoria, through the two World Wars, to the middle of the 20th century. For me, these eras in particular helped define Great Britain as a nation, both at home and internationally.
I am an ardent Royalist and supporter of our armed forces who, well into the 21st century, are still defining the tone for our great nation, and are as important and relevant to us now as they ever have been.
Ilana Cohen – reporter: (joined April 2018)
In my study, I have a bookshelf specifically dedicated to books on the Royal Family! My interest in Royalty began with A-Level History when studying the fall of the Romanovs, and the impact that had on Europe at the time.
Having studied International Relations to Masters level, and currently studying the GDL at the University of Law, I understand the importance of Monarchy on the global stage. The constitutional areas of law have given me a passion to pursue my interest in the Monarchy further, including the relationship between the Monarch and Government, European history and the Royal Family tree.
Dianne Dunn – reporter: (joined April 2018)
My obsession with all things British began with the glorious wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. I have become quite the Royalist since then and spend my free time indulging in historical non-fiction, pertaining especially to the Tudor period as well as the current Monarchy.
I studied English and Sociology at Northern Arizona University with an emphasis on British literature. The novels of Jane Austen are particular favourites of mine and transport me back to a period in history that I have come to truly love. A perfect day for me would also include an exhibition on royal gowns as well as a stroll around any castle that I could find!
I have been married for 23 years and have two daughters. I am hoping that my love for all things royal and British has rubbed off on them!
Tiffany Swanson – reporter: (joined May 2019)
My interest in the British Royal Family can be traced back to the early eighties when, as a ten year old, I decided Princess Diana should be my BFF. As I matured, so did my interest in all things royal – particularly the Elizabethan period, Mary, Queen of Scots, and the role contemporary literature played in shaping the images of Elizabeth I and the doomed Mary. Current academic interests focused on the power dynamic among women in royal households.
Today I enjoy following the younger Royals as they carve out their roles and lay foundations for the future. It is increasingly apparent they have much in common with their subjects and their international audience, such as mental health challenges, young parenthood, and balancing personal lives and professional duties.
I live outside of Washington, D.C. My own balancing act involves being a wife, mother of two, a middle school teacher, and the owner of a surly, overweight cat. For fun I enjoy reading, traveling, and solitude.
Katie Balfe – reporter: (joined May 2019)
With a mother who simply loved Diana, Princess of Wales, and shared that love with me, there was no way that I would not become an avid royal watcher and fan. When I’m not keeping up to date on the latest royal news, you can find me reading books about them or about historical figures.
I am currently studying journalism and am delighted that I get to combine my love of writing with my love for the Royals and my love of history all on here and share it with you all.
Hayley Todd – reporter: (joined May 2019)
The History team:
[Victoria also writes history articles as an early modern historian]
Ryan Hunter (joined November 2015)
Bethanie Henderson-Bryan (joined September 2017)
My name is Bethanie and I am an avid history geek (have been since a child). I am a full time Speech and Language Therapist but will never turn down an opportunity to learn about history in my free time. My favourite era in history is the Tudors because it’s so dramatic and still has such an impact on our lives today, for example, the Church of England, beautiful architecture and the evolution of laws.
One of my favourite days out would be at a history museum and I hope I can help with other people’s journeys to discover as much history as possible.
Thom Hall (joined April 2018)
Almost since I learned to read I’ve been obsessed with history, in particular the history of Royalty. Foremost of course being our own Royal Family and the reigns which lead up to our own Queen Elizabeth. I’ve managed to amass an enormous collection of royal literature and spent longer than I like to admit inside the various royal palaces and castles; so writing about it all seemed a logical step!
I had an opportunity to focus on history more widely at the University of Aberystwyth where I studied international history and politics, and I have continued to study world history and the impact monarchs have had on shaping the world we live in. While I enjoy all areas of British history I have a particular interest in the Saxon and Medieval period, as well as the imperial period later.
In my spare time I enjoy archaeology and exploring new cities and places, hopefully with the added bonus of discovering some new history!
Nicholas Fuqua (joined April 2018)
My first ‘royal’ memory was watching the wedding of Prince Andrew to Fergie (the original one!) in 1987 whilst I was growing up in Virginia in America. I was hooked! I subsequently wrote ‘fan’ letters to H.M the Queen and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and to my astonishment I received replies! I began avidly reading magazines like Royalty Monthly and Majesty, and as many books as I could on the royal family and its history, especially about their homes and palaces.
In the summer of 1994 I took my first trip to London and toured Buckingham Palace (I still have the commemorative mug I bought in the gift shop, a collection of which has steadily grown over the years!) So, it was perhaps inevitable that I would end up living in Britain one day.
I am currently completing a PhD in history at the University of Liverpool. My interest is in architectural history and the expression of monarchy through art and design.
Former writers:
2 comments
Well-educated lot you are!
wE LEARN TO MUCH ABOUT HISTORY AND THE BEST WAY ABOUT BEHAVIER: WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG-IT´S VERY IMPORTANT IN OUR DAYS