The Royals

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: GettyProducer: Robert WallaceExecutive Producer: Priyanka DeladiaRead more: King Charles is ready for Trump, but would Elizabeth have cancelled? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next week, The Royals podcast is on the ground in Washington D.C. as the King and Queen begin a historic—and highly delicate—state visit. The royal editors of The Times and The Sunday Times, Kate Mansey and Roya Nikkhah, are in the capital, asking whether the monarchy can still help heal the 'special relationship' at a time of immense transatlantic tension. From the shadow of the Middle East conflict and the legacy of Epstein, to the tightrope diplomacy of the King’s meeting with President Trump, this visit faces unprecedented challenges. Subscribe to The Royals wherever you get your podcasts. 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: theroyals@thetimes.co.ukImage: GettyProducer: Robert WallaceExecutive 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: theroyals@thetimes.co.ukImage: GettyProducer: Robert WallaceExecutive Producer: Priyanka Deladia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.