Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things

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Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things is the Daily Mail's unmissable podcast that promises listeners a weekly dose of royal history and intrigue by unpacking a different royal scandal each week.  Hosted by Daily Mail columnist and royal biographer Robert Hardman and historian Professor Kate Williams, each episode delves into the juiciest parts of royal history from eras past, and present... but mainly past.  New episodes out every Wednesday, wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @queenskingspod, and email us at @dastardlythings@mailonline.co.uk Presenters: Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams Producer: Rich Jarman  Production Manager: Victoria Cecchini  Executive Producer: Bella Soames  Thanks to Dr. Fern Riddell  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our first episode, the Mail on Sunday's Royal Correspondent Natasha Livingstone and Royal Biographer and Mail Columnist Robert Hardman sit back, luxuriate and pontificate on Episode 1 of The Crown's final season - Persona Non Grata. As we join the Windsors & Co in 1997, can it possibly live up to expectation? How will the producers portray one of the defining news stories of modern times? As fans of the show, this podcast is looking to separate fact from fiction and by speaking to Royal experts, determine where the series is spot on - and where creative license has been used. If you enjoy this episode - please do hit the follow button and leave a positive comment. The Crown is available to watch on Netflix. Season 6 is being released in two chunks: Episodes 1-4 on November 16th, episodes 5-10 on December 14th. For incredible Royal coverage, please visit Mailonline. Presented by Natasha Livingstone & Robert Hardman. Produced by Rich Jarman. This is a Mail Metro Media Audio production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman discuss the events of episode 2 Season 6 of The Crown, plus they’re joined by special guest Richard Kay who joins the show to discuss his experience of attending Prince Charles’ iconic Balmoral photoshoot in the summer of 1997. Make sure you’re following The Crown: Fact or Fiction so you don’t miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction your views and opinions on Whatsapp: 07796657512 Include the words “The Crown”, “Fact or Fiction” or “FOF” so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman along with special guest, journalist and author, Petronella Wyatt, discuss the events of episode 3 Season 6 of The Crown. Petronella gives her opinion on how accurate The Crown's depictions of Diana and Dodi are. She also talks about the Diana she knew, of meeting Dodi and of being shown Mohamed Al-Fayed's taste in home decor, first hand. You can read Petronella's article referenced in the podcast here:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12736515/Crown-depicts-Diana-love-Dodi-PETRONELLA-WYATT-reveals-startling-confidence.html Make sure you’re following The Crown: Fact or Fiction so you don’t miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction your views and opinions on Whatsapp: 07796657512 Include the words “The Crown”, “Fact or Fiction” or “FOF” so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction, Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman discuss the events of episode 4 season 6 of The Crown, the last of the first batch of episodes to be released as part of season 6.  This episode focuses on the aftermath of the deaths of Diana and Dodi and we take a look at the way the Queen and the Royal Family's response to the tragedy are depicted in The Crown, the protocols that were followed, as well as some finer details that might only be perceptible to those with first hand knowledge and insight. Richard Kay joins the podcast to share his recollections of how the news broke, both from the perspective of a journalist covering the story, but also as a friend of Diana.  Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.   https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction your views and opinions on Whatsapp: 07796657512 Include the words “The Crown”, “Fact or Fiction” or “FOF” so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction, Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman discuss the events of episode 5, season 6 of The Crown: "Willsmania." The episode finds a teenage Prince William coming to terms with the loss of his mother, struggling with a strained relationship with his father, Prince Charles, and new found celebrity as a pin up for teenage girls around the world. Robert Hardman describes what it was like when Willsmania hit, with first hand experience of the famous Royal visit to Vancouver that saw teenage pandemonium take hold, huge crowds and even interruptions to the biggest television shows of the time. But did the Crown get it right? Natasha Livingstone sheds some light on the accuracy of The Crown's depiction of the teenage Prince William and shares a story about a practical joke played upon him by his mother that would be almost impossible for anyone but Diana, Princess of Wales. Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.   https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction your views and opinions on Whatsapp: 07796657512 Include the words “The Crown”, “Fact or Fiction” or “FOF” so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction, Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman discuss the events of Season 6, Episode 6 of The Crown: "Ruritania."   The episode depicts Tony Blair at the height of his powers, having won a landslide election, riding the wave of "Cool Britannia" and leading Nato in a just war. By contrast the Royal Family find their appeal waning, questioning if they are being left behind by the world and debating if modernisation is needed.  Robert Hardman explains some of the more esoteric roles that are employed by the Crown and explores the relationships between the monarch and their closest advisors.  Natasha Livingstone fact checks the events and timeline of the episode and gives additional detail on one of Tony Blair's lesser known but most heartfelt honours from the time. Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.    We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction your views and opinions on Whatsapp: 07796657512 Include the words “The Crown”, “Fact or Fiction” or “FOF” so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on! https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Crown: Fact or Fiction, Natasha Livingstone, Robert Hardman and special guest, Rebecca English, the Mail’s Royal Editor, take a look at Alma Mater - Episode 7 of Season 6 of The Crown. This episode of the Crown focusses on William’s time at St Andrews and the beginnings of his relationship with his future wife, Kate Middleton.  Find out: Have the Crown got it right about William and Kate’s first meet?  What do we really know about William’s time at St Andrews? Is there more than meets the eye when it comes to the Crown’s depiction of William’s first university girlfriend? Was William hounded by reporters and photographers while at University?  Did the Crown depict the Middleton family accurately and fairly? All this and more, in this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction.  Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction your views and opinions on Whatsapp: 07796657512 Include the words “The Crown”, “Fact or Fiction” or “FOF” so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on, or even leave us a voice note! https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Crown: Fact or Fiction, Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman take a look at Ritz - Episode 8 of Season 6 of The Crown. This episode of the Crown splits its attention between the end of Princess Margaret's life and the story of the Queen and Princess Margaret's celebration in London on VE day. We answer the questions: What do we know about the Queen and Princess Margaret's celebration of the end of the second world war? Has the Crown got it right with their characterisation of Princess Margaret? Did The Ritz have a secret club hidden from the sight of its genteel patrons? Did the Duke of Edinburgh miss Princess Margaret's birthday celebrations? What drove Princess Margaret's decision to have a very different kind of funeral to other royals? All this and more, in this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction.  Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction your views and opinions on Whatsapp: 07796657512 Include the words “The Crown”, “Fact or Fiction” or “FOF” so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on, or even leave us a voice note! https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman take a look at the penultimate episode of Season 6 of The Crown, Hope Street. Special guest Gary Goldsmith joins the show to talk about what it's like seeing his sister, Carole Middleton, and his niece Catherine, Princess of Wales, represented onscreen in The Crown, how he feels about his sister's portrayal and how accurate he feels the show is in general. Plus, Find out: Why did Mohamed Al-Fayed refer to the British royals a "Dracula family"? Did The Crown get the details about the inquiry into Diana's death right? What happened at the St Andrew's fashion show where William and Kate's romance began? In an episode packed with events and storylines, has The Crown got its dates right? Did William hurriedly leave the Middletons' jubilee celebration to support the Queen? All this and more, in this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction.  We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction a voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 and start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on. Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman take a look at the final episode of Season 6 of The Crown, Sleep, Dearie, Sleep. This episode finds the Queen planning her funeral and questioning her role while Harry makes the headlines in fancy dress and Charles and Camilla get engaged and marry. Find out: Was The Queen's funeral under review as Charles planned to marry Camilla? Did Charles have to ask the Queen permission to marry Camilla? Was there a request to confess "Past Wickedness"? Was The Queen planning to abdicate, as per The Crown? Why would The Crown's Piper fail to have woken the Queen? Did The Crown get The Queen's speech notes right? All this and more, in this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction.  Robert Hardman's latest book, Charles III, can be ordered here: https://books.mailshop.co.uk/charles-iii-9781035027415 We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction a voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 and start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on. Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Series 6 over and no more episodes of The Crown expected, Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman have stepped in to imagine what Series 7 could look like if a new series were commissioned.   On this episode, find out which major events would be guaranteed to make an appearance in a future series of The Crown.   Find out: How has the Queen's role in politics changed over the years? Why is a hung parliament a headache for a monarch? What happened when the Queen made headlines on her state visit to Ireland? Find out what it was like to attend William and Kate's wedding. How do we think The Crown would represent key scenes, including William's proposal?   All this and more, in this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction.    We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction a voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 and start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on.   Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Robert Hardman's latest book, Charles III, can be ordered here: https://books.mailshop.co.uk/charles-iii-9781035027415 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Series 6 over and no more episodes of The Crown expected, Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman have stepped in to imagine what Series 7 could look like if a new series were commissioned.   In this podcast, find out which major events would be guaranteed to make an appearance in a future series of The Crown. This episode focuses on the events of 2012 - The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, The London Olympics and Prince Harry's return to active duty in Afghanistan.    Find out: How did the Queen's appearance at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony come about? Why did Prince Harry's first tour of duty in Afghanistan come to an abrupt end? What happened on the day of the Queen's Diamond Jubillee Flotilla?  How well does Season 6's vision of The Queen match up to the Queen in 2012? All this and more, in this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction.    We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction a voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 and start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on.   Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Robert Hardman's latest book, Charles III, can be ordered here: https://books.mailshop.co.uk/charles-iii-9781035027415 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Series 6 over and no more episodes of The Crown expected, Natasha Livingstone and Robert Hardman have stepped in to imagine what Series 7 could look like if a new series were commissioned and explain which events would be guaranteed to be covered along with some insights and trivia that might not make it to an adaptation.   This episode focuses on the events that followed after 2012 - the birth of Prince George, the Queen relying on the support of Prince Charles at international and latterly local events and the special relationship and love that the Queen had with countries within the commonwealth.   Find out: How did the Queen gradually reduce her duties? Where were the Queen's last international trips and what did she do while travelling? How did the world react to Prince George's birth? And... What is a CHOGM? We love reading your reviews and comments, leave one and we might read it on the next episode! Send The Crown: Fact Or Fiction a voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 and start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on.   Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Robert Hardman's latest book, Charles III, can be ordered here: https://books.mailshop.co.uk/charles-iii-9781035027415 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the last of our imagined episodes of The Crown - our next episodes will be a return to analysing real episodes of The Crown!  This episode focuses on the "second sons" - Prince Harry and Prince Andrew.  Find out What happened when Prince Harry married Meghan and Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank. What happened after Oprah interviewed Meghan and Harry What happened after Andrew was interviewed by Emily Maitliss.  And how would The Crown have tackled them? Tell us which episodes of The Crown are your favourites and we might give them the Fact or Fiction treatment on the next episode of the podcast. Email us at  FactOrFiction@mailonline.co.uk or send us a message or voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 (start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on.) Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Robert Hardman's latest book, Charles III, can be ordered here: https://books.mailshop.co.uk/charles-iii-9781035027415 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Robert Hardman and Natasha Livingstone for an analysis of "Paterfamilias" Season 2 Episode 9 of The Crown.  In this episode find out the truth of the circumstances that led to Prince Phillip's sister taking a tragic flight in 1937.  How did the Queen and Prince Phillip decide which school to send their children to?  Did The Crown get it right when depicting the "Gordonstoun Challenge?" Plus much more.  Tell us which episodes of The Crown are your favourites and we might give them the Fact or Fiction treatment on the next episode of the podcast! Email us at  FactOrFiction@mailonline.co.uk or send us a message or voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 (start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re giving your opinion on.) Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Robert Hardman's latest book, Charles III, can be ordered here: https://books.mailshop.co.uk/charles-iii-9781035027415 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Robert Hardman and Natasha Livingstone for an analysis of "48:1" season 4, episode 8 of The Crown. Find out: Did the Queen ask that Margaret Thatcher agree to trade sanctions on South Africa? Did the Queen really ask that her opinion of Margaret Thatcher be leaked to the press? What do we really know about the Queen's relationship with Margaret Thatcher? Plus much more.  Tell us which episodes of The Crown are your favourites and we might give them the Fact or Fiction treatment on the next episode of the podcast! Email us at  FactOrFiction@mailonline.co.uk or send us a message or voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 (start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re getting in touch with.) Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Robert Hardman and Natasha Livingstone for an analysis of "Gelignite" season 1, episode 6 of The Crown. Thanks to The episode focusses on Princess Margaret's relationship with Peter Townsend, our thanks to Nicole, one of our Canadian listeners who suggested this episode. If you'd like us to analyse a favourite episode, get in touch at FactOrFiction@mailonline.co.uk. Find out in this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction: Did a journalist from The People uncover the relationship, and how did the newspaper report the story initially? How did Prime Minister Winston Churchill react to the relationship and how did his wife influence him on this matter? What's the significance of the phone number 4832? What was the fallout for the Queen? ...And what is an Equerry?! Plus much more.  Tell us which episodes of The Crown are your favourites and we might give them the Fact or Fiction treatment on the next episode of the podcast! Email us at  FactOrFiction@mailonline.co.uk or send us a message or voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 (start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re getting in touch with.) Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Robert Hardman and Natasha Livingstone for an analysis of "Bubbikins" season 3, episode 4 of The Crown. The episode focusses on the BBC filming the Royal Family while Prince Phillip's mother, Princess Alice, moves into Buckingham Palace in the late 1960s. Our thanks to Paul Schlotthauer who suggested this episode. If you'd like us to analyse a favourite episode, get in touch at FactOrFiction@mailonline.co.uk. Find out in this episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction: Did Prince Phillip tell American TV that the Royal family were going to go "into the red"? Did the Royals agree to a documentary to prove their worth to the nation as the Crown portrays, or was the aim something different? Was the BBC’s film a hit or a flop? What happened to the proceeds from the BBC’s film? Did the Queen send a private secretary to rescue Princess Alice?  Did a Guardian journalist opportunistically secure an interview with Princess Alice after being stood up by Princess Anne?  Plus much more.  Tell us which episodes of The Crown are your favourites and we might give them the Fact or Fiction treatment on the next episode of the podcast! Email us at  FactOrFiction@mailonline.co.uk or send us a message or voicenote on Whatsapp: 07796657512 (start your message with "The Crown" so we know which show you’re getting in touch with.) Make sure you're following The Crown: Fact Or Fiction so you don't miss an episode.  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crown-fact-or-fiction/id1714259572 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices