Welcome to the ultimate rogues gallery - those thieves who’ve grabbed the crown jewels! Listen to find out more.

In the first of two episodes, Royal historians Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams explore the story of Colonel Blood who hammered down a royal crown so that he could slip it into his trousers. 

And discover royal secrets: how Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation crown had to be enlarged to fit the head of King Charles III, and how George VI wore his crown while gardening!

Hosts also explore the early jewel heists, like that of King John in 1216, which remains shrouded in mystery, with suspicions that the King staged the loss of his crown to cover financial misdeeds. And then there's the more definitive case of Richard of Pudlicott in 1303 who pilfered royal treasures from Westminster Abbey, leading to a medieval black market for royal gems.

Hosts: Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams

Series Producer: Ben Devlin

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Executive Producer: Bella Soames

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts: Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams

Series Producer: Ben Devlin

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Executive Producer: Bella Soames

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Sign up to Palace Confidential, the FREE royals newsletter from the Mail's top experts. Delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday, it's the smartest way to stay in the royal inner circle. Just head to dailymail.co.uk/palaceconfidential to sign up today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.