SpyCast

“The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence” with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich


Listen Later

Summary

Rory Cormac (X) and Richard Aldrich join Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss intelligence and the British Monarchy. The links between the royals and espionage prove the Crown to be far more than just a figurehead.  


What You’ll LearnIntelligence
  • Prince William’s internship with British Intelligence
  • How Elizabeth II knew perhaps more secrets that anyone else in history
  • King Charles' love of intelligence  
  • Queen Victoria as Spymaster
  • MI5, MI6, and the Diana conspiracies
  • Reflections
    • Secrets within secrets 
    • Power and knowledge
    • And much, much more …
      Quotes of the Week

       ”What struck me the most was how much access Queen Elizabeth II had, how much she knew … And I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that she probably knew more state secrets than any human being who has ever walked the history of the earth, because she had access to everything for 70 odd years.” – Rory Cormac 


      Resources SURFACE SKIM*Spotlight Resource*
      Crown, Cloak, and Dagger: The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence from Victoria to Elizabeth II, R. Cormac & R. J. Aldrich (Georgetown University Press, 2023) *SpyCasts*
      • Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024)
      • British Defence Attaché, U.S.A. with Rear Admiral Tim Woods (2023)
      • St. Ermin’s Hotel, London: The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023) 
      • Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
        *Beginner Resources*
        • UK Royal Family: What does the King do? Jennifer Clarke, BBC (2024) [Short article]
        • An Average Day in the Life of Queen Elizabeth II, The Infographics Show, YouTube (2020) [9 min. video]
        • Kings and Queens of England & Britain, Ben Johnson, Historic UK (n.d.) [Brief bios of all Monarchs]
          DEEPER DIVEPrimary Sources 
          • Operation Paget Report (2006)
          • CIA Confirms Official Met With LaRouche (1984)
          • Anthony Blunt, 75, Dies; Was Soviet Spy in Britain (1983)
          • More Cloak Than Dagger – An 18th Century Spy (1965)
          • The Queen Delivering her speech to the House of Lords (1838)
          • Popay the Spy Political Cartoon (1833) 
            *Wildcard Resource*
            • Have a sweet tooth? So did many queens. Several delectable desserts have been named by or for British royals. Try these recipes: 
            • Victoria Sponge, named for Queen Victoria’s favorite afternoon tea accompaniment
            • Charlotte Cake, supposedly named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
            • Queen Elizabeth Cake, first published in the 1953 Coronation Cook Book and served at Elizabeth II’s coronation 

              Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

              ...more
              View all episodesView all episodes
              Download on the App Store

              SpyCastBy SpyCast

              • 4.4
              • 4.4
              • 4.4
              • 4.4
              • 4.4

              4.4

              1,474 ratings


              More shows like SpyCast

              View all
              War on the Rocks by Ryan Evans

              War on the Rocks

              1,078 Listeners

              Modern War Institute by Modern War Institute at West Point

              Modern War Institute

              767 Listeners

              Secrets and Spies Podcast: Current Affairs | Geopolitics | Intelligence by Secrets & Spies

              Secrets and Spies Podcast: Current Affairs | Geopolitics | Intelligence

              269 Listeners

              Click Here by Recorded Future News

              Click Here

              405 Listeners

              Darknet Diaries by Jack Rhysider

              Darknet Diaries

              7,957 Listeners

              Cold War Conversations by Ian Sanders

              Cold War Conversations

              457 Listeners

              The Team House by dee takos

              The Team House

              1,665 Listeners

              True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics by SPYSCAPE

              True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics

              1,955 Listeners

              Irregular Warfare Podcast by Irregular Warfare Initiative

              Irregular Warfare Podcast

              394 Listeners

              SpyTalk by SpyTalk, Jeff Stein

              SpyTalk

              206 Listeners

              Global Security Briefing by The Royal United Services Institute

              Global Security Briefing

              20 Listeners

              SPYCRAFT 101 by Justin Black

              SPYCRAFT 101

              329 Listeners

              School of War by Nebulous Media

              School of War

              411 Listeners

              NatSec Matters by Beacon Global Strategies LLC

              NatSec Matters

              256 Listeners

              The Spy Who by Wondery

              The Spy Who

              512 Listeners