Ten months after their arrival Albemarle died of what Sloane diagnosed as dropsy and the whole party returned to London, where they arrived just as William III and Mary were crowned joint English monarchs in spring 1689.

BBC: All that glisters can be gold

Small medieval differences in the absolutism of English and Spanish monarchs were amplified by historical chance.

ECONOMIST: Creating economic wealth

But he and she are as much a part of the fabric of English history as the monarchs, lawmakers and political leaders they defied.

ECONOMIST: Political rebels in England

The monarchs' lunch, with a menu that included English asparagus, lamb from Windsor and strawberries from Kent, is part of celebrations of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60 years on the throne.

CNN: SHARE THIS