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Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by historical facts and archaeology. I think humans perceive the past as a series of events; something like a movie that we can’t really feel or touch. I believe the things that bring us closer to the past are those that truly humanize us - the bodies from Pompeii, the perfectly preserved Inca mummies, the personal objects of long-gone historical figures, and more.

I’ve always thought how incredible it would be to see historical events and the famous people the way they actually happened and the way they actually looked. I started Royalty Now in February of 2019, simply as a way for me to see my favorite historical figure, Anne Boleyn, as a woman of modern times. I wanted to know if she could come to life from the few pale, flat portraits we have of her. I started the account to satisfy my own curiosity about what those interesting people of the past would look like if they were standing right in front of me. I’m incredibly thankful for the support and interest the account has received, and can’t wait to see what happens next with other historical people.

More info: Instagram

#1

Nefertiti

Nefertiti

"This bust of Nefertiti (believed to have been sculpted during her lifetime) is famous for its grace and beauty. Nefertiti lived from approximately 1370 - 1330 BC. She was an Egyptian queen and the wife of Akhenaten, an Egyptian Pharaoh. Akhenaten is famous for his attempt to transition Egypt into a monotheistic society (worshipping only the sun god, Aten), instead of a polytheistic one."

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#4

Alexander The Great

Alexander The Great

"I did some research on his looks and it is recorded that he had curly golden hair and heterochromia (one eye blue and one eye brown or a combo of both), so he was definitely a striking figure."

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#5

Agrippina The Younger

Agrippina The Younger

"Agrippina the Younger is someone I only recently learned more about but she had a crazy life. She was the sister of Emperor Caligula and the mother of Emperor Nero. I highly recommend giving her a search if you’re interested in that era of Roman history!"

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ju Hel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her (I think 3rd) husband changed her birthplace, a small village, into a roman city in her name. The oppidum ubiorum became Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, CCAA. Today known as Cologne (Köln)

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#8

Mary, Queen Of Scots

Mary, Queen Of Scots

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Lauren Moss
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love that you can see the resemblence between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth I!

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#9

Madame De Pompadour

Madame De Pompadour

"Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, better known as Madame de Pompadour. She first caught the eye of Louis XV at a masked ball in 1745 (it was said that she was dressed as a domino, and he was dressed as a plant) and was his chief mistress thereafter until 1751. Even after she was no longer Louis' mistress, she was a trusted friend, confidante, and advisor, essentially becoming one of the most powerful women at the French court until her death in 1764."

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#10

Empress Elisabeth Of Austria

Empress Elisabeth Of Austria

"During her life, Elisabeth (known as Sisi), was known for being beautiful, smart, rebellious and passionate. Definitely worth some digging into if you are interested in late 1800s Europe."

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#12

Katherine Of Aragon

Katherine Of Aragon

"This portrait of Katherine of Aragon, wife of King Henry VIII and Queen of England from 1509-1533, has always been my favorite. There are several portraits of her that all range in looks, so it’s hard to tell her true likeness. I think this one captures her piety, meekness, and obedience as documented by historians."

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#13

Louis XV

Louis XV

"Louis XV is lesser known than his predecessor the Sun King and his heir, Louis XVI, but he was the second-longest reigning monarch in French history. I have always known him by his famous mistresses, Madame De Pompadour and Madame du Barry."

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Seabeast
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He loved working with his hands, apparently. He'd probably have been a mechanic, carpenter, or worked at some other trade in modern times. Maybe a mechanical engineer, if he did go white collar.

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#14

Catherine Parr

Catherine Parr

"She was the only wife to outlive the king, who was tyrannical in his last years."

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Viviane
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anne of Cleves outlived him as well. She got the best deal: Henry VIII annulled the marriage within a year, gave her some nice properties, a title, and honorary membership to the family as "the King's Beloved Sister" (invitations to court without the hassle of being married to someone toxic).

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#17

Queen Isabella Of Castile

Queen Isabella Of Castile

"Queen Isabella of Castile, partner to Ferdinand II of Aragon and the queen who sent Columbus on his way to the “new world” in 1492. "

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#18

Emperor Augustus

Emperor Augustus

"Emperor Augustus (born Octavius, the great-nephew of Julius Caesar) was the first emperor of Rome, ending 500 years of republic. He’s an incredibly controversial figure, especially due to the smart and ruthless way he came to power, but he ruled over a time of relative peace in the Roman empire."

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#19

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

"Abe Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. He preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy."

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#20

Christina Of Denmark

Christina Of Denmark

"Christina of Denmark, seen here in an original Hans Holbein portrait, lived from 1521 - 1590. Christina was considered as a possible bride for King Henry VIII of England. Christina was not fond of the English King's reputation, given that he had divorced his first wife and beheaded his second wife. The originator of one of the greatest quotes about King Henry in history, Christina famously said: "If I had two heads, one should be at the King of England's disposal." What an amazing denial to a marriage proposal."

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#21

Katherine Howard

Katherine Howard

"Katherine Howard (c. 1523 – 13 February 1542) was Queen of England for only 16 months as the fifth wife of Henry VIII. Katherine was actually the cousin of Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn. When they married, he was 49 and she only 16 or 17. Katherine was accused of adultery and executed by the King, ending her short reign as the Queen of England."

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#22

Eleanor Of Toledo

Eleanor Of Toledo

"Eleanor of Toledo was an astonishing woman. Originally from Toledo, Spain, she was a bride to a famous member of the Medici Family, Cosimo I de Medici. Her husband regularly consulted with her on matters of politics, and she even served as consort during his time away from Florence."

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#23

Madame Du Barry

Madame Du Barry

"This is Madame du Barry - the official mistress of Louis XV after his first love, Madame de Pompadour’s death."

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#24

Caligula

Caligula

"Caligula, infamous brat and Roman Emperor."

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Christoph Lindemann
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could have just postet a picture of Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones). They look pretty much alike.

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#25

Napoleon

Napoleon

"Did you know that Napoleon was most likely 5'7"? That's taller than King Louis XIV. Some say his perceived smaller stature was due to him looking small in comparison to his huge accomplishments. Others say there was an error when translating his true height from French to English. Who do you think he looks like here?"

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Amanda Hunter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would imagine that back then the artist would have idealized the subject.

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Julie Gates
Community Member
4 years ago

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Jon S.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been led to believe the rumours of his small stature come from British cartoons that regularly mocked him as tiny angry clown. Similar to the way south park portrays Kim Jong Un.

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Karen Klinck
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All his personal guard were 6'5" or taller. Of course he looked short, and of course the British cartoonists took advantage of that.

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Frank Biekart
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give him command of the US or Russia and tomorrow he'd be conquoring the world. Theres no military or political mind like his before or since. One tough Corsican

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Kade MacNeill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The modern-day version looks like the director from night at the museum

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Murray Gewirtz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why did you make Napoleon's ear altogether different than the one in the painting?!

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Jim Ellington
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, the troops he was usually surrounded by were exceptionally tall for their day.

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Victoria Buckley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a collection of his and his courts clothes at a gallery a few years ago. They were all tiny

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Jewels Julianna Johansson
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know what they say: big ears, big ____. Imparting a subtle hint to having a larger than average, hmm _appetite?

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Shelley Adams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actor Tobey McGuire (“Spider-Man” and “Seabiscuit”) but Napoleon has a GREAT nose! Better than his. Appears to have been broken at some time in his life.

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devin clary
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is also described as swarthy, a little darker. - as depicted on the left. He supposedly looked like a little chubby Italian man

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Bri Bee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he's almost as tall as jojo siwa, so thats pretty cool

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Jessica Elizalde
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If reincarnated, Napoleon would be one of those 40 year olds still wearing an Adidas track suit and thinking they're a bogan

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Karen Klinck
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was small compared to his personal guard, all of who were 6'5" or taller, and then they wore those ridiculous hats (kinda like the wooly things some British soldiers wear.)

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mande.b
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It˙s not wool at all! Those tall hats, that Britts Queen Guard are wearing are made from bears skin!

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Tom Adam
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just me, or does that modern rendering make him look like Ted Cruz?

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Adrian Johnson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He looks like Dominic Cummings in a wig. Dominic Cummings acts like him. They would have liked each other.

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Sarah Storm
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he looks like Dwight Schrute from the Office US. Might just be me though. I mean, the haircut is different, but the face structure is similar.

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Robby
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli, who coincidentally is 5’7”. He the guy that price fixed life saving medication by jacking up the price.

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Nick McPherran
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His height, and body weight prob gave the illusion of shorter. His round face, and thick neck didn't translate well into newer photo.

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Marc Phlip
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was definitly not short at all, this is story created by his enemy to try to belittle him, I that time this is the only thing they could do against him

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Barbara Gilman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The lack of color translation throws me--the portraits are much healthier looking with their spray tan than the "modern" portraits. People were pretty short in those days.... diet . . . so 2" would be a biggie but short is short. That's why George Washington's height was such a huge shock in his time

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Mel S
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like John Delancie, back in his Q days, to me!

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Kristin Webb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cross between a young Michael Douglas and Paul Newman, perhaps?

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Nemanja Marić
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actualy, he was wery young when he became corporal, so they called him "little corporal". ;-)

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Russian Otaku
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The stupid as f**k him being short s**t is long lasting propaganda that idiots to this day don't stop spreading

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Stephen Matthews
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The point made about British propaganda, especially, is correct. Also, his Imperial Guard were all 6' plus without their tall bearskin hats. He was above average height.

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#26

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

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#28

King Henry VII

King Henry VII

"Here we are with Henry VII, the first tudor monarch, a frequent request from you all. Henry was the last king of England to attain the throne in battle after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485."

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Sunny Hernandez
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank God for Princess Di and Kate Middleton. Inbreeding leads to so much ugliness. 😁

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#29

Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa

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Patrick O'Brien
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Close, but if I met the likeness, I'm not sure the first thing I would think of is Mona Lisa. The shape of the face is not quite right and her expression lacks the subtlety of the original.

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#30

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly

"Grace Kelly, American film actress and Princess of Monaco."

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Jim Kang
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look, she doesn't need you to "improve" her look. She was, and still is stunning.

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Note: this post originally had 39 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.