Royal history

The centre of Greenwich for hundreds of years, the beautiful Queen's House has also been at the heart of royal life

This blog explores the history of various large artefacts in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum and one in Greenwich Park

Come face to face with Kings and Queens, and discover 500 years of royal portraits at the Queen's House in Greenwich

Find out about the Dutch artists’ time in the Queen’s House

Find out more about Her Majesty The Queen's visits to Royal Museums Greenwich

The Duke of Edinburgh had a long and very committed involvement with Royal Museums Greenwich.

Lying on its side within the historic Greenwich Park is Queen Elizabeth's Oak. Myths and legends surround the tree as thoroughly as the foliage which now covers it. We can only imagine what it has seen in its long past...

Situated beside the River Thames, Greenwich had been a popular royal residence for centuries

Find out who the Queen's House was built for, and learn more about the female rulers who left their mark on Greenwich's royal villa

In February 2020, the three surviving Armada portraits of Queen Elizabeth I went on display together for the first time in their history. As the National Portrait Gallery’s portrait leaves Greenwich, we reflect on what we learned from bringing the three paintings together.

Lying on its side within the historic Greenwich Park is Queen Elizabeth's Oak. Myths and legends surround the tree as thoroughly as the foliage which now covers it. We can only imagine what it has seen in its long past...

How did Elizabeth I use gendered symbolism in the Armada Portrait? Dr Kit Heyam explores.

Find out more about the Tudor symbols used in portraits of Queen Elizabeth I and discover what they mean

Situated beside the River Thames, Greenwich had been a popular royal residence for centuries

The Armada Portrait is one of the most famous portraits of Elizabeth I – but did you know there are multiple versions of the same painting?

Henry VII is known for being the first Tudor King, and for being the father of King Henry VIII. A shrewd king, he gathered huge wealth for the Crown

John Dee (1527-1609) was a philosopher and scholar whose work during the Tudor period has been overshadowed by his alleged sorcerous and occultist activities. He is best known for having conversations with angels through his scryer Edward Kelley's interests in astrology, alchemy, calendar reform and suggesting the date for Queen Elizabeth's coronation. What John Dee may not be as well known for is his influence on English navigation and being the first person to coin the term 'British Empire'.

All sorts of incredible actors have taken on the role from Glenda Jackson to Judi Dench and now, with the release of Mary, Queen of Scots, Margot Robbie. But how exactly do these films represent her?

Uncover the relationship between the influential courtier and the Stuart monarch

This month we look at The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, the first English attempt at a comprehensive survey of these islands, created by John Speed for James VI & I in 1611

Disputes, disaster and destruction: uncover the events that led to the wrecking of the 17th century warship

Learn about the origins of Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night, and find out more about the history of the Gunpowder Plot.

Wife to King Charles I and Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland, Henrietta Maria was a patron of the arts who oversaw Inigo Jones's completion of the Queen's House in 1635

A cultural pioneer and art collector — uncover the life of the Stuart monarch who commissioned the Queen's House in Greenwich

Discover the romantic marriage and brave life of the 'Winter Queen', daughter of James I, and hidden figure of British history

Curator Kristian Martin looks at the notorious sex life of the famous diarist Samuel Pepys.

He was certainly mercurial and brilliant, and quite possibly lustful and in the grip of dark and foreign powers. King Charles II was, however, one of the nation's most interesting and beguiling rulers.