The Royals

Questions are being raised about Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s royal titles amid renewed attention on the monarchy following the Epstein files and the arrest of their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey discuss the future of the York sisters within a slimmed-down monarchy, and whether the spotlight on their roles is unfair or an inevitable consequence.Do you think Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie should keep their royal titles? Get in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.ukImage: Getty Producer: Robert WallaceExecutive Producer: Priyanka Deladia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As King Charles and senior royals gathered for Commonwealth Day, the monarchy faced pressure on two fronts: domestic protests over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and MPs questioning whether the King’s US state visit should still go ahead amid Donald Trump’s war in Iran. Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Sir Peter Westmacott, former British ambassador to the US and former deputy private secretary to King Charles, to discuss how the Palace manages crises on the world stage and why he believes the state visit next month is “problematic” if the war is still ongoing.Image: GettyProducer: Robert WallaceExecutive Producer: Priyanka DeladiaShould the King's US state visit go ahead? Get in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fortnight on from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the crisis has shifted into constitutional territory — with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying the Government is “looking at options” on the line of succession. Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey explain why succession is a matter for both Parliament and the Palace, what “removal” would actually involve, and what it could mean for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie — as well as the precedent it could set for a future monarchy under William.Image: GettyGet in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an extraordinary break with convention, this week MPs were allowed to debate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct and his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in the Commons. A week after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, calls are growing for transparency and even changes to the line of succession. Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey ask Russell Myers, royal editor of the Daily Mirror and author of the new book about William and Catherine, what this constitutional moment means for the future of the monarchy and for William.Guest: Russell Myers, Royal Editor at The Daily Mirror & author of William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested and is being held in custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office after police were seen at the Sandringham estate on his 66th birthday. In an unprecedented move, the King issued a statement saying the “law must take its course”. As scrutiny intensifies over Andrew’s decade as UK trade envoy and what the Epstein files appear to suggest about that period, Roya Nikkhah is joined by Harry Yorke and Charlotte Alt to talk about how this moment could affect the monarchy, and whether the institution has ever faced pressure on this scale.Guest: Harry Yorke, Deputy Political Editor, The Sunday Times.Charlotte Alt, News Reporter, The Times.Producer: Robert WallaceExecutive Producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

King Charles’ lifelong commitment to the environment is in the spotlight in a new Amazon Prime documentary, Finding Harmony. Tony Juniper, the King’s long-time adviser and a contributor to the film, joins Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey to discuss how Charles’s once-mocked views have gone mainstream, what influence a monarch can really have on climate, and whether sustainability will be the defining legacy of his reign.Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince William met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Saudi Arabia while the monarchy continues to face a major crisis over the Epstein files. As police assess claims that Andrew shared confidential trade information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy, the King issued an unprecedented statement pledging Buckingham Palace’s full support for any investigation. Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Catherine Philp to discuss whether the monarchy’s soft power can survive this scandal.Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times. Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode comes from The Story, The Times’ daily news podcast.The British royal family isn't the only European monarchy in turmoil. In Norway the Epstein files have revealed intimate conversations between the Crown Princess and future Queen, Mette-Marit, and the paedophile after he was convicted. Meanwhile, her son, Marius Borg Høiby, is on trial facing charges on thirty-eight offences, including four counts of rape. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison. Could this be a fatal blow for the Norwegian royal family? And what does it tell us about the long tentacles of Jeffrey Epstein's influence in the palaces and parliaments of Europe?Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a major release of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice, pressure is mounting on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to give evidence to US lawmakers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged him to cooperate in the interests of Epstein’s victims, a move that pushes the controversy far beyond the Palace and into the heart of Westminster. Andrew has now also moved out of Royal Lodge, the grace-and-favour home he occupied for more than two decades, underscoring the scale of the fallout. As Labour peer Peter Mandelson faces the prospect of a police investigation over his past links to Epstein, long-held political conventions are being tested and pressure is building at the very top of government. What do these latest files really reveal, and how damaging could this moment be for Britain’s institutions? Caroline Wheeler joins Roya and Kate to unpack the consequences and what could come next.Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times.Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has backtracked on his criticism of UK troops in the Afghan war. The US president’s change of tone came after concerns raised by King Charles through diplomatic channels – a move seen as a win for Britain’s soft power. Roya and Kate ask Katy Balls whether the monarchy is Britain’s way of staying at the diplomatic table, and what it could mean for the "special relationship" ahead of a key US visit.Guest: Katy Balls, Washington editor for The Times & The Sunday Times.Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Harry has been in the High Court this week in a major privacy case against Associated Newspapers Ltd, the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Roya reports from court as Harry gives evidence and the paper’s lawyers push back on claims of unlawful information gathering. Meanwhile, Kate has been in Scotland with the rest of the royal family, as the working monarchy keeps its distance. Plus, royal diplomacy is back in the spotlight: Kensington Palace confirms the Prince of Wales will make his first official visit to Saudi Arabia next month, as questions swirl over the timing - and politics - of the much anticipated US state visit.Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next week, Prince Harry returns to Britain at a critical moment. Roya and Kate unpack the significance of his return — including a major High Court case, a long-running security review, and the impact both could have on family reconciliation and future visits to the UK. Could this be a turning point for Harry and the monarchy?Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a new year begins, the monarchy faces fresh tests. Roya and Kate, joined by Jeremy Griffin, look at what lies ahead – from the latest Epstein file revelations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and scrutiny of royal finances, to a possible US state visit and Prince Harry’s return to the UK courts. So, how will the final weeks of last year shape the Crown’s challenges in the months ahead?Guests: Jeremy Griffin, executive editor, The Times and Times RadioListens: Power, politics and the PalaceImage: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025 tested the Royal Family like few years before it. As Andrew’s long-running crisis reached its decisive moment, the monarchy also faced illness at the top, family fractures and global diplomacy. In this end-of-year special, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey look back on a year that reshaped the Crown forever.Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The TimesContributors: Andrew Lownie; George Greenwood, investigations reporter at The Times; Kaya Burgess, religious affairs correspondent at The Times; Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent for The Times; Max Foster, anchor and correspondent at CNN; Mark Landler, London bureau chief at The New York Times; Chiara Brown, commissioning editor at The Times LuxxProducer: Robert WallaceEditor: Stephen TitheringtonImage: Getty ImagesClips: Extracts from 'The Reluctant Traveller', an Apple Original series, courtesy of Apple TV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Britain prepares to hear the King’s Christmas Broadcast, we ask what the monarch’s message can - and can’t - achieve after one of the most difficult years the institution has faced in decades. With the Andrew and Epstein link deepening scrutiny of the Crown, and public support for the monarchy at a historic low, how does the King speak to a world that is changing fast? Kate and Roya are joined by The Sunday Times Europe editor Peter Conradi to explore royal crises past and present, the power of the Christmas message, and what Charles needs to say, or carefully avoid, in his most important speech to date.Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The TimesContributor: Peter Conradi, Europe editor of The Sunday TimesProducer: Robert WallaceEditor: Stephen TitheringtonImage: X.com / @RoyalFamily Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a poignant visit to a homeless charity, Prince William this week introduced his son Prince George to the family business by taking him to one of Diana’s most cherished charities. So what does this mean for the way in which the two future Kings are shaping the monarchy? In a year marked by illness, family strain and intense scrutiny, the institution is under more pressure than ever before. But there’s good news for the Windsors, too. King Charles gave a rare health update confirming his cancer treatment will be reduced in the New Year. Roya and Kate are joined by The Times health editor Eleanor Hayward to examine what these parallel moments reveal about leadership, inheritance, and how the future of the Crown is being shaped in real time.Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The TimesContributor: Eleanor Hayward, health editor of The TimesProducer: Robert WallaceEditor: Stephen TitheringtonImage: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a year marked by scandal and uncertainty, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has emerged as a figure of quiet resolve and renewed influence within the Royal Family. Roya and Kate unpack the year - from remission to the royal spotlight - and what it all reveals about the Queen she will become. Plus, Prince Harry’s UK security faces fresh review, and Meghan reconnects with her estranged father in a week of highly personal Sussex headlines.Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The TimesProducer: Robert WallaceEditor: Stephen TitheringtonImage: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, King Charles hosts German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a diplomatically significant state visit at Windsor Castle, reaffirming ties between the UK and Europe. But as the pageantry unfolded, Parliament announced a formal inquiry into the Crown Estate. Following revelations over Andrew’s lease deal at Royal Lodge, other royal properties are now under a new level of scrutiny. Kate and Roya are joined by Times reporter Tom Witherow and German royal expert Annelie Malun to unpack a week of ceremony, soft power and hard questions.Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The TimesContributors: Tom Witherow, senior news reporter at The Times, and Annelie Malun, royal expert for ARDProducer: Robert WallaceEditor: Stephen TitheringtonImage: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, three royal stories converge in America. Andrew’s ties to Epstein reach Congress, King Charles is reportedly planning a high-profile state visit, and Prince Harry is already there - recasting his role from Montecito. President Trump has signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but has the monarchy’s handling of Andrew emboldened American lawmakers? And is the British royal family still America’s favourite foreign soap opera? Roya Nikkhah is joined by Mark Landler of The New York Times, and Chiara Brown of The Times.Presenter: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for the Sunday TimesContributors: Mark Landler, London bureau chief of The New York Times; Chiara Brown, commissioning editor at The Times Luxx.Producer: Robert WallaceEditor: Stephen TitheringtonPhoto: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After one of the most turbulent months for the monarchy in generations, Roya and Kate step back from the noise to ask a bigger question; what is the Royal family for? As headlines rage, the Windsors keep going: Catherine returned to public life; William promoted his climate agenda in Brazil; and Princess Anne powered through a demanding schedule in Australia and Singapore. And the Court Circular never missed a beat. They are joined by Michael Binyon, former foreign correspondent for The Times and longtime Leader writer, to explore how the monarchy weathers crises, how it projects British influence abroad and what lies behind the real purpose of the Crown?Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The TimesContributor: Michael Binyon, Leader writer for The TimesProducer: Robert WallaceEditor: Stephen TitheringtonPhoto: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.