Royal History Geeks

The King and Queen make an historic visit to the Vatican with the King, head of the Church of England praying publicly with the Bishop of Rome.  William gives a controversial - and unexpected -  interview to Eugene Levy and hints at changes to come under his watch.  Join us as we review the Royal month that was October.

We also spoke to Royal historian Gareth Russell about the North America release of his groundbreaking book: "The Six loves of James I".

In order to prevent this month being dominated by the fall of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, we have released a separate podcast exploring that topic.

Join us as we review the Royal comings and goings of September 2025.

From the sad death of the Duchess of Kent to the bells and whistles of Trump's state visits, September was saturated with Royal news.  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were back in the headlines.  Toward the end of the month, the Duchess of York saw any credibility she had managed to claw back crumble as unfortunate emails came back to haunt her.

In this month's "history corner" we speak to Dr Elizabeth Norton, author of "Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 years of female monarchy.

In the final part of our series on the Abdication crisis of 1936, we answer your questions.

With Royal History Geeks creator, Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator, James Taylor.

The reign of King Edward VIII is over.  Now, the newly created Duke of Windsor begins his exile.  Painfully for Edward, he must wait several long months before he can make Wallis his Duchess.  This episode briefly explores the aftermath of the Abdication crisis. 

During this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor explore: 

• The immediate 'logistics' around the Duke's relocation
•  A glimpse of happiness at the end of the worst year of Queen Mary's life
• The controversy around the Windsor's wedding, the date and the lack of Royal attendance
• The (questionably legal) decision to deny Wallis the HRH style
• The Duke and Duchess's Nazi links and role in the war
• The "snub" to the Windsor's at Princess Elizabeth's wedding
• The ultimate death of the Duke and later the Duchess

After six weeks of build up, it is finally time to explore the actual Abdication of Edward VIII - the only truly voluntary surrendering of the throne in history.

It this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator, James Taylor explore:

• The "last supper" where the Prime Minister tries to convince the King to stay but is denied a bed for the night
• The Duke of York and his last-minute preparations for the crown
• The Cabinet's rush to prepare the legislation for Abdication
• Baldwin's surprisingly spectacular Commons performance and the beginnings of the romantic myth of the crisis
• Queen Mary's subtle sign of support for the government
• The arrangements for Edward's future including title and income
• Edward's master piece of a broadcast to the nation

Although Edward has now left the throne, this is not the end of the series.  Next week we shall explore the aftermath.

In this episode we pause the continuity of the crisis to take a look at how the events of 1936 affected members of the Royal family.
Despite it having huge repercussions on their lives, Britain's premier pedigree were not major players in the crisis (apart from the King, of course).  However, this is a ROYAL history podcast so we wanted to take a moment to look at events from the family's vantage point.

In this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor discuss:

• Queen Mary, her background and reaction to the crisis
• The Duke and Duchess of York's fears as they prepare to assume power
• The beginnings of the Duchess of York's (later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother) feud with Wallis Simpson
• The closeness between Edward VIII and Princess Mary, the Princess Royal
• The wayward Duke of Kent and how some thought he should be King
• The cool relationship between Henry, Duke of Gloucester and his eldest brother

This episode also features comments by Elizabeth Basford, author of "Princess Mary: The First Modern Princess."

When the story of the King's relationship with the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson broke in the British press, Edward VIII believed his abdication was inevitable.  But for a brief moment on the 4th and 5th of December, it looked as if a flicker of public support might light a path for his survival.

In the latest episode of "Royal Revolutions", RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor discuss:

• Wallis's tumultuous escape from Britain to France
• The motivations of the King's supporters
• The media reaction and hints of public support for the King
• Why Harry Enfield ruined a teenage Gareth's life back in the 90s
• Wallis's latest attempts to break it off with the King
• The King's planned broadcast appeal that never aired
• Baldwin's fears of the constitutional settlement being overturned
• Winston Churchill's outspoken role in the crisis
• Concerns about the legality of Wallis's divorce

We are again joined by historian Adrian Phillips who helps us make sense of the so-called "King's Party".

As Wallis Simpson awaits her divorce hearing, the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, pleads with Edward VIII to change course.  From that moment, the relationship between the King and Mrs Simpson becomes an official issue of government business and the event can truly be called a constitutional crisis.

In the latest episode of our series on the abdication crisis, James Taylor and Gareth Streeter discuss:

• The King’s attitude toward the Prime Minister and the government
• Wallis’s divorce and the fallout
• The King’s dinner with Queen Mary, when he broke the news that he intended to marry Mrs Simpson
• The idea of a morganatic marriage and the attempts to find a compromise
• A controversial speech by an obscure Bishop
• The breaking of the story in the press

We were also joined by historian Adrian Phillips to learn more about Stanley Baldwin and his attitude toward the crisis.

What are your burning Royal history questions?  Over twixmas, Gareth will do his best to answer them...

As the events of 1936 heat up, the King abandons the traditional Balmoral summer for a pleasure cruise of the Balkans.  The world media goes crazy for pictures of the King and Mrs Simpson.  The pressure begins to get too much for Wallis.
 

In this episode, Royal commentator James Taylor joins RHG founder, Gareth Streeter to discuss: 

• Churchill's "failure" to tell the King and Wallis what they want to hear
• Edward's "sulky" attitude toward his duties
• Why someone, please, in the name of mercy, needs to think of the poor debutantes
• Whether Wallis was intelligent
• Observations of Edward and Wallis's behaviour on the Balkan trip, based on eye-witness testimony
• Wallis's attempt to break it all off
• The King abandoning his duties to collect Wallis from Aberdeen station

Gareth also embarks on a rant about Edward acting like a rebel within the system, rather than the head of the system with real agency to make change if only he had the courage to confront.