The Royals

Following the King’s diplomatic success during his state visit to the US, the Princess of Wales stepped back onto the international stage with a visit to the Italian city of Reggio Emilia. Four years on from her last official overseas visit, aides say the Princess is “taking it up a gear” as she resumes foreign travel following her cancer treatment. Kate Mansey and Roya Nikkhah are in Italy with the latest from the Princess’ milestone trip. What does her star power abroad reveal about the royal family’s enduring international appeal? And what more can we expect from the Princess on the world stage in the year ahead?

They also speak to Trudi Seneviratne, a consultant psychiatrist who has worked alongside the Princess on her Early Years initiative since 2017 to find out the inspiration behind Catherine’s passion for the project and what the Princess is really like to work with behind the scenes.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Natalie Ktena

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

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It’s been a week since King Charles’ high-stakes state visit to the US ended in diplomatic triumph. After months of difficult headlines for the royals and the US-UK relationship, many applauded the King for steadying the ship. But what does this moment tell us about the current state of the special relationship? And how does it compare to historical ups and downs? 

In a final dispatch from Washington, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Susan Page, Washington bureau chief of USA Today and author of the new book, The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History. Queen Elizabeth II met with thirteen sitting US presidents, more than any other head of state in history. Page talks us through the highs and lows of the special relationship during her reign, and discusses the role a monarch can play to keep important relationships on side. 

Susan Page's book, The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace, Natalie Ktena

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Read more: King Charles flattered and chided Trump. The president loved it.

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From a White House welcome to the Congress speech and the state dinner, this was supposed to be the day King Charles showed royal symbolism can still carry real diplomatic weight in America. But it didn't quite turn out that way.

After a big day of pageantry in Washington, the visit took an extraordinary turn at the banquet, when President Donald Trump appeared to suggest that the King backed him on Iran — a remark that's triggered headlines around the world. In response to Trump's comments, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King is "naturally mindful of his government's long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation".

In the immediate aftermath, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by The Times’s assistant US editor David Charter for post-match analysis on the spectacle, the tensions and the question now hanging over the visit: did royal diplomacy win the day, or has Trump seized the final word?

Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Read more: King Charles’ speech to Congress: praise, warnings and 12 standing ovations

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As the King lands in Washington for a high-stakes US state visit, former US National Security Adviser John Bolton joins Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey to examine the real state of the 'special relationship'. He reveals why Donald Trump is drawn to the royal family, describing his UK visits as some of the happiest moments of his presidency, and explains why that personal connection could matter more than traditional diplomacy. So, can the King can influence Trump? Or does the monarchy risk being pulled into political controversy at a particularly tense moment.

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Read more: King Charles is ready for Trump, but would Elizabeth have cancelled?

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Virginia Giuffre made headlines worldwide after speaking out about the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as well as his former friend, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

One year after her death, Virginia’s brother, Sky Roberts, and sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, join Roya Nikkhah to discuss her life and their loss. 

The anniversary comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the monarchy. In just a few days’ time, the King and Queen will travel to the United States for a state visit, with Virginia’s family now calling on the royal couple to meet with Epstein’s survivors.

Should the King and Queen meet Epstein survivors during their US visit? Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Dan Box

Read more: What really happened to Virginia Giuffre?

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

On what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday, we look back at the life and legacy of a monarch who came to define an age.

Beloved by millions but a century after her birth, harder questions are being asked: about the institution she led, the problems left unresolved at the end of her reign, and how history should judge her.

Roya Nikkhah is joined by The Times's executive editor Jeremy Griffin, and Lord Robin Janvrin, the late queen’s former private secretary and chair of her memorial committee, about the public sovereign and the private woman behind the Crown.

The US state visit is next week. Can the King help repair the 'special relationship' with President Trump? Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Daniel Box

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

Why are Harry and Meghan in Australia and why now? Their four-day trip has all the hallmarks of a traditional royal tour but it has also raised questions – is this philanthropy or personal branding? Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Australian royal correspondent Juliet Rieden to discuss how the visit is landing locally and what it reveals about their role on the global stage. 

We also turn to the mounting pressures facing Prince Harry back in Britain, including an extraordinary legal battle with his own former charity. So is this trip a show of strength or a distraction from the challenges closing in? And what does it all mean for a possible family return to the UK this summer.

Queen Elizabeth II would have turned 100 next week — but how should she be remembered? And has her legacy changed in the three years since her death? Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

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

Will the King’s upcoming US state visit be overshadowed by the Epstein scandal? US Congressman Ro Khanna, who co-authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, tells Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey why he believes King Charles should use his address to Congress to acknowledge the scandal and meet survivors. Plus, The Times chief US reporter Josie Ensor explains why the Epstein story risks following the Royal Family’s diplomatic work in America.

Do you think the King should meet Epstein survivors? And can the King help repair the 'special relationship' with President Trump? Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

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

Buckingham Palace has appointed a royal correspondent as the King’s new press secretary – what does this reveal about how King Charles wants to run his media operation? Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by former palace press secretary Ailsa Anderson to explore what Rhiannon Mills' hire says about Palace communications at a moment of intense scrutiny, faster news cycles and growing pressure.

So, what should a modern media approach for the monarchy look like? And does the late Queen's “never complain, never explain” mantra still work?

The US state visit has been confirmed. What issues do you think the King should discuss with President Trump? Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

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