It's Reigning Men

Delphine is not your typical princess. She wasn’t born into royalty, nor did she marry a prince. For most of her life, she was known simply as Delphine Boël, a Belgian artist living in London. When Delphine was around 18 years old her Mum told her her father wasn’t the man her mum was married to. Her father was the King.  Albert II, King of the Belgians, had a near 20-year affair with Delphin...

Delphine is not your typical princess. She wasn’t born into royalty, nor did she marry a prince. For most of her life, she was known simply as Delphine Boël, a Belgian artist living in London. When Delphine was around 18 years old her Mum told her her father wasn’t the man her mum was married to. Her father was the King.  Albert II, King of the Belgians, had a near 20-year affair with Delphin...

The Vatican has announced Pope Francis has died, aged 88. This episode of It's Reigning Men was first published in February 2025 and contains some discussion around sexual abuse in the second half of the episode, which may not be appropriate for all. As head of state of The Vatican City, Pope Francis was also a monarch. The Pope is one of a handful of elected monarchs in the world, which also incl...

The newest country in Western Europe has its seventh king on the throne, after he took over from his father Albert II in 2013. King Philippe of the Belgians became head of state at a time when controversy was circling the royal family because of a daughter Albert had fathered during an affair. In the past 12 years Philippe has steadied the ship and become a figure of stability in the country, ofte...

As well as being King of the United Kingdom, Charles III is also monarch of 14 other realms - including Canada. Since he inherited the throne in 2022 there has been much discussion around the King's relationship with the other realms and territories where he's head of state. In recent weeks that conversation has been happening in Canada as the president of its neighbour, the United States, has exp...

Nestled in between India and China is the Kingdom of Bhutan, one of the world’s newest monarchies. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the country’s fifth king and when he became head of state in 2006 he was the world’s youngest monarch. The King oversees a nation that measures its success with happiness of a population and is being credited with innovative ways to ensure younger people don’t emigra...

Japan claims to have the oldest continuing monarchy in the world with an unbroken line from the same family for more than 2600 years. But there's a succession problem in the current Japanese imperial family as Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako only have one child, Princess Aiko, and Japan forbids women from inheriting the throne. The United Nations has suggested officials look at changing the la...

This episode contains some discussion around sexual abuse in the second half of the episode, which may not be appropriate for all. As head of state of The Vatican City, Pope Francis is also a monarch. He is one of a handful of elected monarchs in the world, which also include Cambodia, Malayisa and United Arab Emirates. In this episode we look at the the Pope's role as a monarch, as well as leader...

This episode contains some discussion around sexual assault allegations in the second half of the episode, which may not be appropriate for all. The King of Norway is one of the most-popular figures in the country but recent scandals surrounding the royal family suggest support is weakening. His daughter, Princess Märtha Louise, controversially married a self-styled shaman last year who has peddle...

This year Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg should be marking 25 years on the throne but he's announced his intention to abdicate just one day before that milestone in October. In this episode we look at how one of the smallest, and richest, countries in the world views its monarchy and royal family. There have been two big tests for him as head of state. The first caused a constitutional crisis when...

Most monarchs are groomed from birth as an heir but not for the Jordanian king who only discovered his fate two weeks before he inherited the throne. Situated in "a tough neighbourhood", Jordan is not just an important player in the middle-east region - it's also essential for the West that it remains stable. Since returning to the White House Donald Trump is demanding the country takes in more Pa...

Europe's longest-reigning monarch has seen the world change over the course of his reign. A constant figure since 1973, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden lost his remaining political power within a year or so of becoming monarch. Has he been successful in remaining relevant as a ceremonial figure? We look at the data over 30 years to see what shape the Swedish royal family is in now. Plus we find out...

How did the first year of King Frederik X of Denmark's reign go? We go back to look at his mother's shock abdication, learn how he's struggled with public speaking, and discuss if he can play a role in talks over Greenland - an autonomous territory of Denmark - which Donald Trump wants to buy. Guests: Silla Bakalus, B.T. journalist Lars Hovbakke Sørensen, Associate Professor at Absalon University...

Subscribe to It’s Reigning Men now, and join us as Daniel Rosney uncovers the power, the privilege and the politics of modern monarchs. Interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces? This is the new podcast for you as we delve deeper into the men who reign over more than 40 countries. Released weekly, with some bonus episodes along the way, join in as we explore who these men are. If you want to...