Wondery
Even The Royals
Admit it: you’re obsessed with royal families – watching them, gossiping about them, wanting to be them. It’s the stuff of fantasy. But for real life royals, the crown jewels can be more like shiny handcuffs. There are expectations and rules – and if you break them, the consequences are big, and very public. And no, we’re not just talking about Harry and Meghan. There are royal families and wild royal tales from around the world and throughout history that you have never heard before. From Wondery comes the latest from Even the Rich co-hosts Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams. Even t...
Where to listen?
Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soonPodcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts
Episodes
Queen Charlotte Part 1: Mad About You | 26 17.06.2024 40:48
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is a C-list princess from a tiny province who plans on living a lowkey life. But when the King of England asks for her hand, 17-year-old Charlotte finds herself thrust into the spotlight. Lucky for her, she and George III fall madly in love. But their fairy tale marriage is threatened when George falls prey to a mysterious illness. Shy Charlotte suddenly finds her...
Seretse Khama of Bechuanaland Part 2: The Long Way Home | 22 10.06.2024 43:05
In part one, Seretse Khama of Bechuanaland convinced his people to accept his white, British wife Ruth, only to discover that Britain and South Africa had other ideas. Now, these world powers are trying to prevent him from ever becoming king. But Seretse refuses to accept it. He’s determined to find a way to keep his wife and rule his people….even if he has to make a lot of good trouble along the...
Seretse Khama of Bechuanaland Part 1: King of Hearts | 21 03.06.2024 43:37
Prince Seretse Khama was supposed to become the next king of the Bangwato tribe (in present day Botswana). But when, in the 1940s, he falls in love with a white British woman, their relationship sparks an international scandal. Powerful nations jump in to tear the couple apart and the crisis threatens Seretse’s crown. But he’s determined to be with the woman he loves and become the...
Richard III Part 2: Rumor Has It | 24 27.05.2024 46:22
This two-part series is all about Richard III, a Medieval family man who finds himself navigating England’s real-life Game of Thrones. In part one, Richard grew up in the shadow of his big brother and learned how to tear it up on the battlefield. Now, he’s in a battle with his in-laws to lead the Kingdom. But the more Richard fights for his rightful place, the closer he’ll get to his ultimate demi...
Richard III Part 1: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? | 23 20.05.2024 44:56
Richard III has gone down in history as the hunchback king who killed his own family for the throne, thanks to William Shakespeare. But Shakespeare got a lot wrong. The English king’s life was a lot more like Game of Thrones than Shakespeare’s play. Like Ned Stark, Richard battles rumors and all kinds of backstabbing to protect his family’s throne. But the more he tries to hold on to power, t...
Princess Ubolratana of Thailand: Royal Regrets | 25 13.05.2024 44:03
Ubolratana of Thailand’s story is the classic tale of a princess who wants to throw her crown away and live happily ever after with a commoner. Except…Ubolratana’s story doesn’t end with happily ever after. Because this princess decides she made a mistake. But she’ll soon find out that putting the crown back on her head will be a lot harder than taking it off. Listen to Even The Royals on the...
Caroline of Brunswick Part 2: Eat, Pray, Loathe | 20 06.05.2024 42:27
In Part One, Caroline of Brunswick escaped her controlling parents only to wind up in a worse situation – married to Prince George IV of England, a serial cheater who despises her. Luckily, the English people hate the Prince just as much as she does. And that’s gonna come in handy because George is about to become king – and will use his newfound power to try to get rid of Caroline, agai...
Caroline of Brunswick Part 1: Sex, Lies & Letters | 19 29.04.2024 44:06
Over a hundred years before Princess Diana and Prince Charles, there was another doomed British royal couple: Queen Caroline and King George IV. Caroline and George’s hatred for each other runs so deep that it leads to a war that snowballs into a full blown tabloid circus. (Imagine Johnny Depp and Amber Heard-level drama, but set in Jane Austen’s era.) Their fighting eventually ends in a...
Prince Felix Yusopov: How to Get Away with (Rasputin’s) Murder | 18 22.04.2024 44:17
Grigori Rasputin has gone down in history as the famous Russian peasant who used his mystical skills to rise to the height of power at the turn of the 20th century. But do you know the man who murdered him? Meet Prince Felix Yusupov, the handsome and rich Russian royal desperate to make a name for himself. But Felix is about to find out that plotting the magic man’s murder is way easier than getti...
Rasputin Part 2: The Long Fall from Grace | 17 15.04.2024 39:31
In part one, Grigori Rasputin went from a powerless peasant to the spiritual advisor of the Tsar and Tsarina, the most powerful couple in Russia. Now, Rasputin’s “healing abilities” have been put to the test. If he saves their son, Alexei, he can solidify his place of power. If he doesn’t, he’s gone for good. Unfortunately for Rasputin, whatever the outcome, he’s already made enemies who are schem...
Rasputin Part 1: How to Catch a Tsarina | 16 08.04.2024 43:25
Pop culture has painted Grigori Rasputin as a power-mad mystic who rose from the dead and destroyed the Russian dynasty. But the truth about Rasputin is a lot more complex. In this two-part series, we follow the story of a peasant who dreams of rising to the top of society and a Russian Tsarina desperate for a miracle. But the higher Rasputin climbs, the more his enemies want him gone –...
Catherine de Medici of France Part 3: Boys & Betrayals | 15 01.04.2024 42:45
In parts one and two, Catherine fought for security in the French royal court, using all the tools available to her: negotiation, edicts ... and a little murder. But as Catherine’s reign nears its end, her legacy is in danger. She only has three sons left, and none of them are predicted to survive. And if they die, her line of power will end. Catherine will do everything she can to rewri...
Catherine de Medici of France Part 2: Prophecies, Princes & Protestants | 14 25.03.2024 40:45
In part one, Catherine de Medici married into French royalty and secured her spot in court by having a bajillion kids. But now her husband is dead, and his rivals are out to usurp Catherine’s power. If Catherine is going to keep control, she'll have to get creative – and maybe get her hands a little bloody. But the clock is ticking, because if her astrologer is right, her line of power i...
Rich and Daily: Kate-Gate Part 3,418 20.03.2024 15:09
When it comes to what’s going on with Catherine Middleton, it’s another day, another conspiracy theory. Or three. First up, a video was released on Monday showing someone who looked a lot like Kate at a British farm stand with someone who looked a lot like her hubby, Prince William. But many people - including Bravo king Andy Cohen - don’t buy that it’s actually Kate. They think it’s a body double...
Catherine de Medici of France Part 1: Weddings & Witchcraft | 13 18.03.2024 41:57
Catherine de Medici was Queen of France for nearly 30 years, during a time that was so volatile it makes the French Revolution feel like a street fair. In part one of this three-part series, Catherine is an Italian orphan who marries into French royalty. But keeping her new cushy life won’t be easy. Catherine’s new hubby has a side piece and if Catherine can’t figure out how to compete with her, t...
Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawai’i Part 2: Paradise Lost | 12 11.03.2024 42:30
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...
Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawai’i Part 1: Girls Just Want to Have Political Autonomy | 11 04.03.2024 41:29
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. In part one of this two-part series, Lili’uokalani is named as heir to the throne – and all of the problems that come with it. When foreigners...
King Ludwig II of Bavaria Part 2: Unhappily Ever After | 10 26.02.2024 44:48
In part one, Ludwig II reluctantly became king when his father died. But instead of leading his country, he poured his money and time into the operas of Richard Wagner. Now, members of the king’s own government are plotting his demise. But this only makes Ludwig dive deeper into his next flight of fantasy: building giant castles. As the bills rack up, so does reality. Ludwig’s obsession with...
King Ludwig II of Bavaria Part 1: The Fairytale King | 9 19.02.2024 45:56
You might not know his name but you probably know his legacy. King Ludwig II of Bavaria was known as the “Fairy Tale King” due to his extreme love of the arts. He funded famous operas and built extravagant castles – including one that inspired Walt Disney. But he also ignored his duties and refused to lead, choices that eventually cost him his crown…and his life. In part one of our...
Princess Stephanie of Monaco: The Wild Child | 8 12.02.2024 46:20
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’s life. Princess Stephanie of Monaco is born into royal fame and fortune, but almost immediately wants to trade in her tiara for a t-shirt. She spends her life searching for somethi...
Grace Kelly Part 2: Princess Interrupted | 7 05.02.2024 46:15
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 c...
Grace Kelly Part 1: Fire and Ice | 6 29.01.2024 44:41
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 the box of perfection only to find herself trapped there. In part one of this two-part series Grace is a young girl in...
Empress Dowager Cixi of China Part 2: Villain Era | 5 22.01.2024 44:50
In Part One, Cixi went from concubine to all-powerful Regent, thanks to her bestie and a savvy political coup. But while she was wielding her new found power, Cixi’s enemies were plotting her demise. Now that they’ve executed the man she loved, Cixi wants to even the score… and then some. But she’ll find out the hard way that revenge, and power, come at a cost. See Privacy Policy at htt...
Empress Dowager Cixi of China Part 1: Coup There It Is | 4 15.01.2024 44:36
Empress Dowager Cixi wasn’t born into power – she took it. After participating in a 19th century version of The Bachelor, Cixi was chosen as one of the Emperor’s concubines. In part one of this two-part series, Cixi uses her cunning, wit, and scrappy attitude to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming one of the most powerful Chinese empresses of all time. But getting power is one thing – keep...
Martha Louise of Norway: The Clairvoyant Princess | 3 08.01.2024 45:00
Martha Louise was born a princess of Norway, but she never truly felt like one. She spends years looking for a place where she can belong. And in true 2023 fashion, this place includes angels, a controversial celebrity shaman and a whole lot of bad press. This is the story of a clairvoyant princess who never felt truly at home in a castle, so she created her own kingdom. See Privacy Policy at...
Similar podcasts
Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.