Join us as we review the Royal comings and goings of September 2025.
From the sad death of the Duchess of Kent to the bells and whistles of Trump's state visits, September was saturated with Royal news. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were back in the headlines. Toward the end of the month, the Duchess of York saw any credibility she had managed to claw back crumble as unfortunate emails came back to haunt her.
In this month's "history corner" we speak to Dr Elizabeth Norton, author of "Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 years of female monarchy.
In the final part of our series on the Abdication crisis of 1936, we answer your questions.
With Royal History Geeks creator, Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator, James Taylor.
The reign of King Edward VIII is over. Now, the newly created Duke of Windsor begins his exile. Painfully for Edward, he must wait several long months before he can make Wallis his Duchess. This episode briefly explores the aftermath of the Abdication crisis.
During this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor explore:
After six weeks of build up, it is finally time to explore the actual Abdication of Edward VIII - the only truly voluntary surrendering of the throne in history.
It this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator, James Taylor explore:
Although Edward has now left the throne, this is not the end of the series. Next week we shall explore the aftermath.
In this episode we pause the continuity of the crisis to take a look at how the events of 1936 affected members of the Royal family.
Despite it having huge repercussions on their lives, Britain's premier pedigree were not major players in the crisis (apart from the King, of course). However, this is a ROYAL history podcast so we wanted to take a moment to look at events from the family's vantage point.
In this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor discuss:
This episode also features comments by Elizabeth Basford, author of "Princess Mary: The First Modern Princess."
When the story of the King's relationship with the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson broke in the British press, Edward VIII believed his abdication was inevitable. But for a brief moment on the 4th and 5th of December, it looked as if a flicker of public support might light a path for his survival.
In the latest episode of "Royal Revolutions", RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor discuss:
We are again joined by historian Adrian Phillips who helps us make sense of the so-called "King's Party".
As Wallis Simpson awaits her divorce hearing, the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, pleads with Edward VIII to change course. From that moment, the relationship between the King and Mrs Simpson becomes an official issue of government business and the event can truly be called a constitutional crisis.
In the latest episode of our series on the abdication crisis, James Taylor and Gareth Streeter discuss:
We were also joined by historian Adrian Phillips to learn more about Stanley Baldwin and his attitude toward the crisis.
What are your burning Royal history questions? Over twixmas, Gareth will do his best to answer them...
As the events of 1936 heat up, the King abandons the traditional Balmoral summer for a pleasure cruise of the Balkans. The world media goes crazy for pictures of the King and Mrs Simpson. The pressure begins to get too much for Wallis.
In this episode, Royal commentator James Taylor joins RHG founder, Gareth Streeter to discuss:
Gareth also embarks on a rant about Edward acting like a rebel within the system, rather than the head of the system with real agency to make change if only he had the courage to confront.
The second part in our series on the Abdication crisis of 1936.
Edward VIII ascends the throne and immediately begins a subtle but determined campaign to position Wallis Simpson as his consort.
But even without the dangers posed by Wallis, Edward soon begins to ruffle feathers. Among government, fears abound around the new King's reliability, capability and political instincts.
This episode again sees Royal commentator James Taylor team up with RHG founder, Gareth Streeter to discuss the unfolding crisis. It also features a guest interview with Adrian Phillips, author of "The King who had to go".
We discuss:
Unfortunately, there are a few moments in this episode where there is bit of feedback sound. RHG apologies for this but wants to reassure you that such distractions only crop up a few times and last for just a few seconds.
This episode was originally part of the "Royal Revolutions" series, broadcast in December 2024.
The love affair between Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson could never have been a truly private matter. But when their relationship began in 1934 few could have predicted that it would lead to Britain's most recent Royal Revolution.
Royal commentator James Taylor once again joins RHG founder, Gareth Streeter. They discuss:
- The upbringing and early life of Edward and Wallis
- Life in the early twentieth century Royal family
- George V and Queen Mary's parenting skills
- The character, personality and limits of the dashing but dangerous Edward, Prince of Wales
- The Prince's love affairs with Freda Dudley Ward and Thelma Furness
- Wallis and Edward's meeting and early relationship
- The King and Queen's reactions
- Wallis and her husband Ernest's motivations for tangling with the Prince
Today marks the paperback release of “Spare” – the tell all biography written by the Duke of Sussex.
It’s now been some years since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step back as working members of the Royal family. Now that the dust – to at least some extent – has settled – it’s possible to review that decision, and the controversies that followed with an open mind and a level head. During this two-part podcast, this is what we have tried to do.
In part 2, Royal commentator James Taylor and history writer Gareth Streeter discuss:
Today marks the paperback release of “Spare” – the tell all biography written by the Duke of Sussex.
It’s now been some years since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step back as working members of the Royal family. Now that the dust – to at least some extent – has settled – it’s possible to review that decision, and the controversies that followed with an open mind and a level head. In this two-part podcast, this is what we have tried to do.
During this podcast, Royal commentator James Taylor and history writer Gareth Streeter discuss:
A year ago, the world was rocked by the release of the “missing Princes project” interim findings. A new book and TV documentary on the “Princes in the Tower” followed hot on the heels. The epic Philippa Langley was the driving force behind all three.
Okay, so it may have been a relatively niche portion of the world that was “rocked” by this release. But we Royal history geeks were curiously captivated.
In this video, history writer Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor discuss the books strengths and weaknesses.
We cover:
· The background and merits of the "missing Princes project"
· The positives of the book and corresponding TV show
· The problem with biases in historical research
· Our big issues with the book's approach to source criticism
· The opportunities for the future of the project
· Our fears that the quest to prove Richard III’s innocence will undermine the genuine historical value of the project
· Whether the bones supposedly belonging to Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York should be subject to DNA examinations
Please note that this episode was recorded several months before broadcast. As such, some topical references will be out of date.
Welcome to the Royal History Geeks podcast. This is a "catch all" channel where we post content from all our other series. That said, there will be some original content here.
If you prefer to listen to a series as a discrete unit, go to Royalhistorygeeks/podcasts to check out what we do...
Gone but never forgotten.
It's been one year since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Royal commentator, James Taylor and history writer, Gareth Streeter reflect on the late Queen's passing, her reign and her legacy.
As well as discussing news of Elizabeth's death and the public reaction, the discussion explores crucial moments from the Queen's reign.
This episode was originally broadcast on September 8 2023
A special bonus episode in the "Coronation catastrophes" podcast.
Royal commentator, James Taylor and history writer, Gareth Streeter, discuss the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
This episode was originally broadcast on June 20 2023
In 1838, Britain was in the midst of a new dawn. Following the years of George III’s mental illness and the debauchery of his sons, a new, young Queen had come to the throne the previous year.
While other coronation ceremonies may have been beset with problems ahead of the event but were alright on the night, Victoria’s coronation didn’t live up to that adage.
There was much confusion about the form of service, she was made to wait around an interminable amount of time, an elderly peer was almost injured paying homage and the Queen left the abbey with a very painful finger.
In this episode, we look at the events of this tumultuous ceremony and, using the Queen’s own words, we explore some of the familial relations within the Royal Family itself at the time.
This episode was originally broadcast on May 8 2023
The marriage between George IV and Caroline of Brunswick was doomed from the start. Their mutual dislike - which festered from their first meeting - was about the only thing they could agree on.
Estranged within two years, George eventually managed to exile his hated wife to the continent. But when he eventually ascended the throne, Caroline returned to claim her place as Queen.
Initially, Caroline rode a wave of public support rendering the King unable to secure a divorce. So when he decided to bar her from the coronation, she tried and force her way in.
In this episode, we explore the history of the unhappy couple, the accusations that were levied against Caroline and the surge in popularity she enjoyed as the public rallied to the cause of a wronged woman.
This episode was originally broadcast on May 8 2023
When Henry VIII ascended the throne in 1509 he was weeks shy of his 18th birthday. Most would have assumed that the young King would be crowned alone.
However, shortly after taking the throne, Henry announced that he was to marry the resident Spanish Princess, Katherine of Aragon. The Infanta was the widow of Henry's brother Arthur and had once been betrothed to the new King himself.
The marriage would not end well. But for Katherine, Henry's decision to marry her was more than a grand romantic gesture. It rescued her from seven years of obscurity, isolation and genteel poverty.
This episode explores the history of the couple from their first meeting in 1501 to their eventual nuptials and speculates as to why Henry was in such a rush to take a wife.
This episode was originally broadcast on May 3 2023
