Even The Royals

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 gains, the more her enemies at court want to see her gone.

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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 becoming the ruler that Hawaiians really need – while she fights the men trying to steal her home, and her crown.

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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. 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 start to snatch pieces of the Hawaiian kingdom for themselves, she refuses to stay silent. No matter what it may cost her.

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"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 the looks (and the drama) on Wolf Hall Season 2, now streaming on Prime Video with the PBS Masterpiece add-on. 

EXCITING NEWS: Even the Royals was nominated for a Webby Award for Best History Podcast! And YOU can vote for us to win. Please go vote here: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/shows/history

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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 politics and pleasure.

EXCITING NEWS: Even the Royals was nominated for a Webby Award for Best History Podcast! And YOU can vote for us to win. Please go vote here: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/shows/history

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Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/even-the-royals/ now.

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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 pleasure might derail his path to the throne.

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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 and kill to remain free. But as Richard steps up his pressure, she’ll have to choose between her righteous cause and the people she loves most.

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Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/even-the-royals/ now.

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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 sail and pillage like any good pirate. But when her home is threatened by an English invasion, she’ll have to go from infamous pirate to feared rebel.

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Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/even-the-royals/ now.

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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 topple her reign, she’ll resort to ruthless measures to hold on to her new life.

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Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/even-the-royals/ now.

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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. 

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