Quiz Trail question of the week - where in Kent was the Queen of Romania raised?

The Queen of Romania was raised in Ashford – really!

Princess Marie of Edinburgh, later Queen Marie of Romania, was born at Eastwell Park near Ashford on 29 October 1875. Her parents, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (Queen Victoria’s son), and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia, were tenants of the estate from 1874 to 1893. Marie spent her early years exploring the grand grey mansion and its sweeping parkland – scenes she fondly recalled in her memoirs.

On 10 January 1893, Marie married Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania. Although the early years of their marriage were reportedly unhappy, they went on to have six children and rule together. Marie once said to Ferdinand, "It is such a shame that we had to waste so many years of our youth just to learn how to live together!"

When World War One broke out in 1914, Romania joined the Allies and sided with England. Marie, influenced by her British upbringing, became known as Romania’s "Soldier Queen," nursing wounded soldiers and later playing a key diplomatic role at the Paris Peace Conference.

King Ferdinand died in Marie’s arms on 20 July 1927. Marie herself passed away on 18 July 1938, aged 62.

You can explore this hidden piece of Kent history with the Ashford Quiz Trail & Town Souvenir, available from www.QuizTrail.co.uk. Created by a mum and her two (adult) daughters, these trails are a brilliant way to get outdoors, have fun, and learn something new.

Are you ready to be the clue-solving champion of your friends and family? Grab your trail today and step into a world of adventure – history with mystery!