The Royals

This episode comes from The Story , The Times’ daily news podcast. The British royal family isn't the only European monarchy in turmoil. In Norway the Epstein files have revealed intimate conversations between the Crown Princess and future Queen, Mette-Marit , and the paedophile after he was convicted. Meanwhile, her son, Marius Borg Høiby, is on trial facing charges on thirty-eight offences, incl...

After a major release of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice, pressure is mounting on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to give evidence to US lawmakers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged him to cooperate in the interests of Epstein’s victims, a move that pushes the controversy far beyond the Palace and into the heart of Westminster.  Andrew has now also moved out of Royal Lodge, the g...

Donald Trump has backtracked on his criticism of UK troops in the Afghan war. The US president’s change of tone came after concerns raised by King Charles through diplomatic channels – a move seen as a win for Britain’s soft power. Roya and Kate ask Katy Balls whether the monarchy is Britain’s way of staying at the diplomatic table, and what it could mean for the "special relationship" ahead of a...

Prince Harry has been in the High Court this week in a major privacy case against Associated Newspapers Ltd, the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday . Roya reports from court as Harry gives evidence and the paper’s lawyers push back on claims of unlawful information gathering. Meanwhile, Kate has been in Scotland with the rest of the royal family, as the working monarchy keeps its dista...

Next week, Prince Harry returns to Britain at a critical moment. Roya and Kate unpack the significance of his return — including a major High Court case, a long-running security review, and the impact both could have on family reconciliation and future visits to the UK. Could this be a turning point for Harry and the monarchy? Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

As a new year begins, the monarchy faces fresh tests. Roya and Kate, joined by Jeremy Griffin, look at what lies ahead – from the latest Epstein file revelations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and scrutiny of royal finances, to a possible US state visit and Prince Harry’s return to the UK courts. So, how will the final weeks of last year shape the Crown’s challenges in the months ahead? Guests:&...

2025 tested the Royal Family like few years before it. As Andrew’s long-running crisis reached its decisive moment, the monarchy also faced illness at the top, family fractures and global diplomacy. In this end-of-year special, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey look back on a year that reshaped the Crown forever. Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor...

As Britain prepares to hear the King’s Christmas Broadcast, we ask what the monarch’s message can - and can’t - achieve after one of the most difficult years the institution has faced in decades. With the Andrew and Epstein link deepening scrutiny of the Crown, and public support for the monarchy at a historic low, how does the King speak to a world that is changing fast? Kate and Roya are joined...

In a poignant visit to a homeless charity, Prince William this week introduced his son Prince George to the family business by taking him to one of Diana’s most cherished charities. So what does this mean for the way in which the two future Kings are shaping the monarchy? In a year marked by illness, family strain and intense scrutiny, the institution is under more pressure than ever before. But t...

In a year marked by scandal and uncertainty, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has emerged as a figure of quiet resolve and renewed influence within the Royal Family. Roya and Kate unpack the year - from remission to the royal spotlight - and what it all reveals about the Queen she will become. Plus, Prince Harry’s UK security faces fresh review, and Meghan reconnects with her estranged father in a we...

This week, King Charles hosts German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a diplomatically significant state visit at Windsor Castle, reaffirming ties between the UK and Europe. But as the pageantry unfolded, Parliament announced a formal inquiry into the Crown Estate. Following revelations over Andrew’s lease deal at Royal Lodge, other royal properties are now under a new level of scrutiny. Kate...

This week, three royal stories converge in America. Andrew’s ties to Epstein reach Congress, King Charles is reportedly planning a high-profile state visit, and Prince Harry is already there - recasting his role from Montecito. President Trump has signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but has the monarchy’s handling of Andrew emboldened American lawmakers? And is the British royal family stil...

After one of the most turbulent months for the monarchy in generations, Roya and Kate step back from the noise to ask a bigger question; what is the Royal family for? As headlines rage, the Windsors keep going: Catherine returned to public life; William promoted his climate agenda in Brazil; and Princess Anne powered through a demanding schedule in Australia and Singapore. And the Court Circular n...

It is thirty years since Diana, Princess of Wales' interview with Panorama, and its legacy continues even now as the BBC faces questions over its editorial standards on covering President Trump. Journalist, Andy Webb, is the author of a new book, Dianarama, which explores in detail how that interview happened and the consequences for all involved. Twenty five years later the BBC was forced to comm...

As the fallout from the ‘Andrew problem’ rolls on, William is in Brazil to present the Earthshot Prize and represent the King and government at the environment summit, COP30, as he attempts to steer the agenda towards green innovation. But can William also shift the royal narrative? And will the Andrew story require a bigger break from the past for the royals? Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal edito...

He will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The man formerly known as Prince Andrew is being stripped of his titles and removed from his mansion, Royal Lodge, on the Windsor estate. Last month The Times obtained a copy of the leasehold agreement for Royal Lodge which showed that while the prince paid £1 million for the lease plus at least £7.5 million for refurbishments completed in...

This week, after Prince Andrew was forced to give up his Duke of York title, full details of the life of Prince Andrew’s accuser were revealed. Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir ‘Nobody’s Girl’ is a harrowing read. Its publication came in the same week the King made an historic State Visit to the Vatican, with the King and the Pope praying together for the first time in five centuries. As...

Virginia Giuffre's memoir - 'Nobody's Girl' - claims Prince Andrew felt ‘sex with me was his birthright’. He has denied all allegations that he had sex with the then 17 year old, but do the Epstein links again threaten the wider reputation of the monarchy? Andrew has already been stripped of any meaningful official role. He no longer receives public funds, and holds no royal patronages. He has had...

Sunday Times chief foreign correspondent Christina Lamb joins The Royals to discuss the Duchess of Edinburgh’s high risk visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman or a girl. The conversation explores how members of the royal family are using their positions to engage with some of the most challenging issues of our time from conflict and...

The interview that will reshape the monarchy. In an extraordinary series of interviews with Eugene Levy, Prince William reveals that he wants to bring “change”. But what does that look like? Roya and Kate dissect the messaging behind his tour of Windsor Castle with Eugene Levy, host of Apple TV's The Reluctant Traveller. Opening up about deeply personal family challenges, it's also his c...

After emails emerged this week showing that the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson was still in touch with paedophile financier, Jeffrey Epstein after she had publicly denounced him, the charities she once supported have disowned her. Before this latest episode it had looked as if the palace would restore some links with the Duchess, but the King’s faith in Ferguson now seems misguided. So what happe...

President Trump swept into Windsor with helicopters and fanfares but what did we learn about the future of the special relationship, not just between the US and the UK but between the White House and the royals themselves? Roya and Kate separate the pageantry from the politics with CNN’s royal correspondent, Max Foster and speak to Chief Scout Dwayne Fields to find out what really went on when the...

It finally happened: Prince Harry’s “homecoming” brought a long-awaited reunion with his father, King Charles - their first meeting in 19 months. But while father and son reconnected, has the “permafrost” between Harry and Prince William shown any sign of thawing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the new book Power and the Palace, journalist and author Valentine Low reveals details of the hidden world where monarchy meets government: From Queen Elizabeth II’s stance on Brexit to Camilla’s assault as a teenage schoolgirl, we uncover the secrets of royal power from King Charles’s clashes with ministers to William’s growing influence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

Welcome to The Royals where this week Kate Mansey is exploring State Visits past and present. Pomp, pageantry and sumptuous banquets await Donald Trump, but what really goes on behind the scenes to ensure a successful State Visit? And what can the politically astute King Charles learn from his late mother’s achievements? Kate talks to royal historian and author Robert Hardman to explain the p...