The Royals

Four years into his reign, is King Charles setting the royal agenda — or being forced to react to the people and problems around him?

Earl Spencer has renewed his attack on the King’s character and accused Buckingham Palace of responding “very aggressively” to his memoir. Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain continues to test the boundaries between family reconciliation and royal authority. And Andrew remains the most serious institutional threat, with the police investigation into him ongoing. He denies any wrongdoing.

Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey examine how Charles has handled these pressures — and whether his palace’s increasingly interventionist approach is a sign of confidence or defensiveness. With the King’s public approval at a record high for his reign, is the monarchy proving more resilient than the headlines suggest?

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Is Charles a King under siege, or does the monarch remain resilient? Get in touch: [email protected]

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Read more: Earl Spencer's memory is no way to judge the King

Further listening: Inside the search for King Charles's most powerful aide

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty

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Did King Charles really tell Earl Spencer that Diana would soon be forgotten? In his new memoir, Swan Song, Diana’s brother makes a series of explosive claims about the King’s behaviour following her death — prompting a swift and unusually personal response from Buckingham Palace.

Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Andrew Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story, to examine Spencer’s disputed account and ask whether the Palace scored a “colossal own goal” by responding. He also reveals where Spencer’s version conflicts with Diana's own account, and explains why he believes the memoir is an attempt to take control of her story ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death.

They also discuss William’s reported “multigenerational fury”, Harry’s relationship with the Spencer family and whether the book honours Earl Spencer’s pledge to protect Diana’s sons — or risks them reliving their grief.

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Who should have the final say over Diana’s story? Get in touch: [email protected]

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Read more: Hypocrite Spencer is peddling Diana's privacy, say King's allies

Further listening: Catherine, Meghan, Camilla, Diana — the price of marrying a prince

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty

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Why have Harry and Meghan moved Archie and Lilibet from their new school after just two days? Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey reveal what prompted the decision, how security concerns are disrupting the Sussexes’ new life in Britain, and whether the upheaval could strengthen Prince Harry’s case for greater protection.

They also examine Harry’s packed programme of public appearances, Meghan’s plans to renew her charitable work, and whether the couple are building a rival public operation to the royal family. Plus, they discuss the extraordinary Palace letter clarifying that the Sussexes do not represent the King — and the remarkable intervention over Uganda’s withdrawal from the Invictus Games.

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Can Harry and Meghan remain prominent “public figures” without coming into conflict with the royal family? Get in touch: [email protected]

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Read more: Harry and Meghan change Archie and Lilibet's school over security concerns

Further listening: Can Harry and Meghan really be 'private' royals in the UK?

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Tim Walklate

Image: Getty

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Prince George started at Eton College this week, following in his father's footsteps at Britain's most prestigious school. But what will his new life as a 13-year-old boarding pupil be like? Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Melanie Sanderson, managing editor at The Good Schools Guide, to understand what the future king can expect - from the Eton terms he’ll have to learn, the mobile phone ban currently in place, and the people he will meet from different walks of life.

They discuss how royal educations have evolved over the generations - from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s home schooling, to King Charles’s tough experience at Gordonstoun School - as well as how likely we are to see a future king or queen attend a state school.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app. Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Natalie Ktena

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Dan Box

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Read more: Prince George arrives for first day at Eton College

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Harry and Meghan have returned to Britain with Archie and Lilibet, but their new life remains remarkably undefined. How long will they stay, what will they do here — and can two of the world’s most recognisable royals truly live as private citizens?

Back together after the summer break, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey discuss Meghan’s possible acting comeback, the narrative changing on Harry’s security, and palace fears of a rival royal court. They also look at the public response, the appetite for reconciliation with Prince William and what success might look like for the Sussexes in Britain.

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Harry and Meghan are back in Britain. What do you want to know? Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

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Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan's return could be short-lived

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Diana, Camilla, Catherine and Meghan each made the life-changing choice to marry into the House of Windsor. On the surface, it looks like a fairy tale. But what is the true cost of becoming a royal wife? And why have some adapted to life behind palace walls more easily than others?

Kate Mansey and Roya Nikkhah are joined by Simon Vigar, royal correspondent for 5 News and author of the new book, The Four Wives of Windsor, to examine the sacrifices, scrutiny and rivalries that come with marrying a prince.

Why did Diana’s star power become a threat? How did Camilla transform her public image? And why did Meghan’s time in the institution unravel so quickly? They also discuss the importance of love, laughter, and why playing the long game in the royal family matters most.

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What do you think: which royal wife adapted best to life inside the House of Windsor? Get in touch: [email protected]

Simon’s book, The Four Wives of Windsor: Rivalries, Influence and the True Power Behind the Crown, is available now. You can buy a copy from The Times Bookshop, with a special discount for Times+ members.

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace, Shabnam Grewal

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Read more: How Queen Camilla became the boldest royal of the bunch

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Harry and Meghan are reportedly moving back to Britain with Archie and Lilibet, more than six years after leaving royal life for California. But why now — and how will their return work in practice?

Roya Nikkhah is joined by Rosamund Urwin, chief news correspondent of The Sunday Times, to discuss the Sussexes’ shock decision, the King’s reaction and what it could mean for Prince William.

They also examine Harry’s security concerns, the couple’s life in America and whether their return risks creating an alternative royal court — blurring the “half-in, half-out” boundaries established at Sandringham six years ago .

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

What do you want to know about Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK? Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

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Read more: How Prince Harry's return complicates the royal balance of power

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Prince Harry is expected to return to Britain in September, amid signs of a thaw in his relationship with King Charles. But where does that leave Prince William? And can the King rebuild ties with his younger son while keeping his heir on side?

Roya Nikkhah is joined by journalist Catherine Mayer, author of Divide and Rule: Royal Women and Their Battles, and The Times columnist Hilary Rose to ask whether the Highgrove reunion marked a genuine turning point. Why does William remain unable to forgive Harry? Has his silence protected his dignity, or allowed his brother’s account to dominate? And could Harry’s growing presence in Britain force the royal family to confront their estrangement?

They also discuss the role of Camilla and Catherine in managing the family conflict, the significance of Harry potentially staying at Buckingham Palace, and why next year’s Invictus Games could present Charles and William with a difficult choice.

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What do you think: can Charles rebuild his relationship with Harry while keeping William on side? Get in touch: [email protected]

Catherine’s book, Divide and Rule: Royal Women and Their Battles is available now. You can buy a copy from The Times Bookshop, with a special discount for Times+ members.

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

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Read more: Harry and Meghan’s photos show a perfect summer. Why aren’t they happy?

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Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s most senior aide, is preparing to step down after 20 years at Charles and Camilla’s side. But who will replace him as King Charles’s new right-hand man?

Kate Mansey is joined by Queen Elizabeth II’s former communications secretary Simon Lewis and royal biographer Robert Hardman to enter the hidden world of royal courtiers. What do the palace’s so-called “men in grey suits” actually do? How much influence do they wield over the royal family? And what happens when their advice is ignored?

Simon reveals what life was really like inside Buckingham Palace, from driving the Queen at Balmoral to advising the sovereign behind closed doors. They also discuss Prince Harry’s clashes with Sir Clive, how Andrew circumvented palace officials, and the qualities the King will need in his next principal private secretary.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

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Read more: Wanted: skilled diplomat who knows how to make the King laugh

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Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants lost every claim in their privacy case against Associated Newspapers. Now the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday is seeking almost £10 million upfront towards a £34.5 million legal bill.

Kate Mansey and Roya Nikkhah are joined by The Times legal editor Jonathan Ames to examine who could ultimately pay — and whether Harry’s description of the judgment as a “complete and obvious whitewash” could make matters worse.

They also discuss the palace’s alarm over his attack on the courts, outgoing courtier Sir Clive Alderton’s role in Harry’s battles with the press, and whether this defeat will finally bring his long-running campaign against the British press to an end.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Watch on YouTube.

Read more: Plot to destroy the press: the real story of Harry's hacking trial

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