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

Prick up your ears. I'm the Katherine that lost her head. For my promiscuity outside of wed. Lock up your husbands. Lock up your sons. K Howard is her and the fun's begun.

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

The fact that he had Anne killed should've been a warning to Katherine.

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

If the King wants to marry you, you say yes or die. No one just rejected the king when he had all the power.

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

She was a teenager married to a middle aged megalomaniac. Of course this wouldn't end well.

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

Who was so corpulent that he often couldn't perform. Which, of course, became her fault. And if she didn't immediately produce an heir, of course he looked for a reason to get rid of her, invented or not.

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

I think we can all agree, I'm aten amongst these threes

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

Prick up your ears im the kathrin who lost her head. For promeseguity outside of wed. Lock up your husbands lock up your sons. K HOWARD IS HERE AND THE FUNS BEGUUUUUUUN!

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

Henry was old by the day's standards (49). She was a young hot vixen. So while the king was limp, she was lusty..so can you blame her, or him?

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

Her mouth has that petulant teenage look. She looks like a “mean girl”.

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

She was a teenage girl forced to marry a dirty old man. Most girls would have the same sour expression.

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

Where did that portrait come from? I've been reading about Tudor history for 53 years, and I've never seen that portrait. Ditto the one of Katherine Parr.

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

I was going to say the same thing about Katherine Howard. There is no verified portrait of her.

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

No heir, no head. Old Harry was getting desperate (as well as fat!)

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

That’s 2 of the Howard’s gone .... Social climbers ..... What were they thinking ?? .....

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

Didn’t he harass Katherine into marrying him? She was just a lady in waiting or something and he was like “You’re gonna be my mistress and then marry me, Kay?” And you don’t exactly say no to the person who controls everything

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

She was a royal bimbo, too. Not that she deserved being killed for it. Henry should have done his research.

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A. Sherlocat
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She had a reputation for 'light' behaviour since she was young, due to an unfortunate combination of being under the guardianship of a constantly absent and neglectful Dowager Duchess, and living in a house with some older girls who took inappropriate social liberties, such as inviting guys over to entertain them at night with food, wine, and gifts. (They were only teenagers, so this would be considered highly inappropriate even in our age.) Apparently, 'light' was a euphemism for 'promiscuous' in those days... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Howard

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

Looks like Scarlett Johansson and Saoirse Ronan at the same time

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

I wonder if she died on a Friday? Somebody (besides me) should try to figure that out.

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

Wow - totally shows how she was just a teenager - & a typical selfie girl at that!

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

Well, she had been coherence into thinking having sex young was okay. Ya know, seeing as when she was about thirteen her music teacher, a thirty year old man, started a sexual relationship with her.

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

Anyone else think she resembles actress, Scarlette Johansson?

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

I believe the identification of the sitter of this portrait has always been questionable; the last I'd read is that the sitter may be a relative of either the Seymour or Cromwell family.

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

That was his stated reason. He was still looking for that male heir, and she didn't produce. I guess he thought the stork brought them!

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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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#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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#32

Anne Of Cleves

Anne Of Cleves

"Another of Henry VIII's wives (arguably the luckiest of the six), this portrait really shows the beauty of Anne of Cleves. The reputation she earned after being rejected by the King was completely unearned in my opinion."

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#33

Prince Albert

Prince Albert

"Prince Albert, shown here at age 21 and painted by John Partridge in 1840. Albert was the Prince Consort to Queen Victoria for 22 years, resulting in 9 children and a massive dynasty that would eventually extend to many of the royal houses in Europe."

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#34

Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman

"Not exactly royalty....but definitely Hollywood royalty. Academy award-winning actress Ingrid Bergman."

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

Just take a photo of Izabella Rossellino, het daughter, it looks exact like the photo on the right.

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#35

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour

"Jane Seymour was the third wife of Henry VIII, and the only one to give him a living son and heir."

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#36

Wallis Simpson

Wallis Simpson

"Wallis Simpson was the American socialite and divorcée at the heart of the Abdication Crisis that caused King Edward VIII to give up the throne. This unlikely turn of events is the reason Queen Elizabeth II rules today, as her father (George VI) stepped in to take Edward’s place as king."

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#38

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews

"Julie Andrews is a Hollywood ICON and star of one of my favorites, the Sound of Music."

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