Even The Royals

In part one, Nur Jahan charmed her way out of the harem and onto the throne by becoming the emperor’s favorite wife. When her husband’s health takes a sharp turn, she steps into an even bigger role: co-sovereign. But this kind of authority is a threat to noble men everywhere. Even her own flesh and blood. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign...

This two-part series is all about Empress Nur Jahan, who rose from Persian refugee to become the most powerful woman in the Mughal Empire. As a girl, Nur Jahan wanted nothing more than to forge her own fate. But as she gets older, she finds herself trapped inside the emperor’s harem. To gain her freedom, she’ll have to charm the emperor with her wits and political savvy. But the more power she gai...

This two-part series is all about Lili'uokalani, the first and last queen of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. In part one, Lili'uokalani came of age in the Hawaiian court and supported her brother when he became king. But when powerful foreigners forced through a new constitution that stripped rights from the Hawaiian people, Lili’uokalani refused to stay silent. Now, as queen, she’s set on...

We'll be back next week with an all-new episode of Even the Royals. In the meantime, we're returning to another one of the first queens we covered. Before Hawai’i was a state, it was an independent kingdom ruled by a series of monarchs – including one queen. Queen Lili’uokalani was a writer, composer, and philanthropist who gave everything she had to protect her homeland and her people. ...

"Ever wonder how your favorite Tudor queens prevented wrinkles? Or whether they’d be cool with using a beef tallow moisturizer? Early modern historian Erin Griffey is here to answer all of our questions about Tudor beauty trends. It’s time to find out once and for all if that white face powder seen in all those portraits was actually poisoning everyone…or if that’s just a royal myth. Inspired by t...

After getting back on the throne, Charles II quickly discovers that being king isn't as fun as he’d hoped – it’s a lot more pressure than partying. When his marriage to Catherine of Portugal fails to produce an heir, he finds comfort - and chaos - in the arms of powerful mistresses. But when England faces war, plague, and a financial crisis, Charles will finally be forced to choose between politic...

Charles II was known as the Merry Monarch – but his childhood was nothing to laugh about. When his father, the king, was executed and the English monarchy was dissolved, Charles went from pampered Prince to fugitive on the fun. During his teenage years, he discovers his two greatest talents – survival and seduction. But as Charles fights to restore the monarchy, he’ll find that his appetite for pl...

This two-part series is all about Grace O’Malley – a 16th century Irish pirate queen. In part one, Grace defied norms and became a plundering, swashbuckling pirate – and clan leader. She built an empire so powerful that it made her a threat to the invading English. Now, Sir Richard Bingham is dead-set on sinking her empire. But Grace has never turned away from a fight. She’s ready to plot, pillage...

You’ve probably heard about famous pirates like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. But over a century before these bad boys roamed the seas, a kickass pirate queen reigned over Ireland’s coast for six decades. Grace O’Malley was told women should lead quiet, domestic lives, locked away in their castles. But she refused this fate and instead, fought tooth, nail, and cannonball for a life where she could...

In part one, Theodora escaped poverty and exploitation and rose through the ranks of Byzantine society. When she marries the love of her life, Justinian, and he gets the bump to Emperor, she rises even higher – to co-ruler – and uses her newfound power to fight for women’s rights. Theodora has everything she’s ever wanted – status, love, and the ability to make change. But when riots threaten to t...

Empress Theodora was a true rags to riches story. She rose from humble circus performer all the way to the top of the royal food chain through wit, charm, and sheer gutsiness. As a child, she dreams of a more glamorous life – but climbing the ladder is tough, particularly during the Byzantine era. And the higher she goes, the more people try to knock her down.  See Privacy Policy at https://a...

We'll be back next week with an all-new episode of Even the Royals. In the meantime, we're returning to one of our favorite episodes on Grace Kelly's daughter, Stephanie, Princess of Monaco. When Grace Kelly died tragically in 1982 she left behind a legacy as an actress, philanthropist, and fashion icon. But she also left behind a 17-year-old daughter who was in the car crash that took Grace’...

We’re throwing it back to high school and dishing out some superlatives — with a royal twist of course. Who’s the most rebellious royal? Which couple gets the sweetest love story? And who will be crowned our most devious schemer? Brooke and Aricia are joined on the yearbook committee by Katy Hearne-Church and Nathan Foster, hosts of Queens Podcast, where they talk about the royals you may or may n...

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re bringing you three stories of modern royals who, against the odds, found their OTL. There’s Aussie Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark, whose unlikely love story hinges on the approval of the Danish people accepting a foreigner as their future queen. Then American college-grad Ariana, who meets a mystery man at a nightclub, only to find out months into their...

This two-part series is all about Sundiata Keita of Mali – the founder of one of West Africa’s largest empires. In part one, Sundiata battled scheming family members, fled his home in Niani, and found a new life in the Kingdom of Mema. But now that Niani is in danger, it’s time for Sundiata to return home and fulfill the prophecy of his birth. But first he’ll have to unite dozens of warring kingdo...

Centuries before Pumbaa and Timon taught Simba the meaning of hakuna matata in The Lion King, a real-life lion king founded the Mali Empire in the 13th-century. Sundiata Keita was destined to be a great ruler from birth – a prophecy even promised he’d be the next Alexander the Great. But after his father dies, his scheming stepmother steals his throne for her own son, and banishes Sundiata. So Sun...

In Part Two, Catherine the Great launched a coup and kicked her good-for-nothing husband to the curb. But turning her bold new vision for Russia into a reality is easier said than done. Catherine has to abandon some of her Enlightenment ideals and embrace her ruthless side – all while balancing her professional life and her love life. And in the end, she’ll have to decide what matters more – love,...

In Part One, Catherine the Great transformed from an eager-to-please princess into an ambitious leader focused on bringing Russia out of the dark ages. But when it becomes clear that her husband Peter isn’t going to step up and help, Catherine decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands. With the support of her newest lover, Catherine stages a coup and takes over. But once she’s in the to...

They don’t call her The Great for nothing. There’s a reason Catherine the Great is the star of TV series, movies, and an overall pop culture icon. Bold, ambitious, and famous for her double digits list of lovers, Catherine seized control of Russia and ruled the country longer than any woman in history. But her career didn’t start off without a hitch. At first, she was just a shy princess from a no...

In part one, Grace Kelly fought her way from aspiring actress to onscreen queen. Now she has an even bigger role on the horizon: European princess. Grace is about to catch the attention of Prince Rainier of Monaco, but marrying into a royal family will come with a whole lot more than she bargained for. Princess of Monaco will be her hardest role yet – and will eventually cost Grace her career, her...

While we work on some brand-new episodes of Even the Royals, we’re bringing back one of our first - and one of our favorite - Royals. Grace Kelly was a Hollywood icon in the 1950s. She worked with legends like Clark Gable and Alfred Hitchcock and only left when it was time to marry a real-life prince. She seemed to live the ultimately fairy tale life, but it came at a price – she fit herself into...

On this special episode of Even the Royals, we’re going to tune into one of our favorite forms of entertainment – holiday rom coms! Join Brooke and Aricia for a rewatch of “The Princess Switch,” the Netflix classic about a Duchess and a Chicago baker who swap places to experience each other’s lives. It’s a royal twist on a Hallmark Christmas flick featuring Vanessa Hudgens’ being a total queen and...

On Christmas day in 1950, twenty-five-year-old Scotsman Ian Hamilton and his friends embark on the heist of the century. The Stone of Destiny, an ancient Scottish artifact, was stolen by the British in the thirteenth century and moved to Westminster Abbey. And now Ian decides it’s high time to steal it back. But busting out an ancient artifact from a national landmark is easier said than done. Thi...

This two-part series is all about Isabella I of Castile – one of the most powerful female rulers in European history. In part one, Isabella went from pawn to queen by outsmarting her brother and scooping up the crown. Now, she has to step up her game if she wants to remain queen and turn Castile into a Spanish empire. But the road to global dominance comes with a high price – one that history...

Before there was Queen Elizabeth or Catherine the Great, there was Isabella I of Castile, a 15th century queen who changed the course of history – and created the Spain we know today. Isabella was a princess who was never destined to be queen. But when she realizes that she can do the job better than the men around her, she takes matters into her own hands and fights for the throne. After gai...