The Scandal That Shaped Partition: The House of Mountbatten

The Scandal That Shaped Partition: The House of Mountbatten

May 12, 2026 · 5 min

About this episode

Anita and Alex Von Tunzelmann discuss the unconventional marriage and affairs of the last Viceroy of India, Louis Mountbatten, and his wife Edwina, exploring their impact on the partition of India.

Who was the last Viceroy of India and why was his marriage so unconventional? How many affairs did Edwina Mountbatten have? Why was Lord Mountbatten known as the “Master of Disaster” by senior Navy officials? In Episode 2 of Empire’s first members’ miniseries, Anita is joined once again by Alex Von Tunzelmann to discuss the origin story of the remaining two characters in the love triangle that shaped partition: Louis and Edwina Mountbatten. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Imogen Marriott Social Producer: Charlie Johnson Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Anita

Guest: Alex Von Tunzelmann

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Goalhanger, Navy

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