Admit it: you’re obsessed with royal families – watching them, gossiping about them, wanting to be them. It’s the stuff of fantasy. But for real life royals, the crown jewels can be more like shiny handcuffs. There are expectations and rules – and if you break them, the consequences are big, and very public. And no, we’re not just talking about Harry and Meghan. There are royal families and wild royal tales from around the world and throughout history that you have never heard before. From Wondery comes the latest from Even the Rich co-hosts Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams. Even the Royals takes us inside the cloistered world of royal families, past and present, where wealth and status often come at the expense of your freedom – and maybe even your life. In these stories, very human emotions, like jealousy, love, disgust, have the power to reshape the world.
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Dr. John Schneider rode into town like a character out of a Western: an outsider on a Harley-Davidson, in trademark cowboy boots. He promised relief to patients suffering in Wyoming and Montana. He seemed like the hero they needed. But when surgeries go wrong and a strange letter exposes a bitter feud, medical professionals and government officials search for the truth about this cowboy doctor. They discover claims of broken bodies, bullying, fraud, and lawsuits. From Audible, the fifth season o...
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In this funny, fascinating, and scandal-filled podcast, Jameela Jamil and historian Dr Kate Lister pore over the stories of six astonishing “other women”. Women who have been shamed, disparaged and underestimated. Some have been cheated out of the history books altogether. Now Jameela and Kate are placing their stories in the spotlight – to see what history looks like through the eyes of the so-called side-chick. Jameela and Kate are also joined by Katie Kennedy, aka The History Gossip, to drop ...
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We'll be back next week with a brand-new episode of Even the Royals. But since we've been talking a lot about royal spares recently, we wanted to bring you a three-part series we did for our other show, Even the Rich, on the infamous Prince Harry.Being a Prince might seem like a dreamy fantasy life. After all, who doesn’t love gilded tea trays, sparkly tiaras and corgis? But as Prince Harry is about to learn, the royals are hiding some big problems, and some even nastier secrets. Be the first to...
Behind every royal heir is a “spare” — but while the heir gets the crown, the spare often steals the spotlight. These backup royals may be second in line, but their lives are anything but second-rate. From sibling rivalries and scandalous headlines to unexpected twists of fate, today we’re unpacking all the drama, intrigue, and chaos that come with being royal… but not the royal. Brooke and Aricia are joined by fellow royals-obsessed duo, Amanda Matta (@matta_of_fact) and Meredith Constant (@mer...
In Part One, Philippe tried to repress his love for men and play the role of traditional husband to please his family. But after learning about his wife’s betrayals, Philippe decides to embrace who he really is… and who he really loves. He fights to live his life authentically, but every act of independence comes with a price. Because when you cross the Sun King, you’re likely to get burned. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at h...
As Louis XIV’s younger brother, Philippe longs to live life on his own terms and separate himself from his famous sibling, the self-titled Sun King. But that’s easier said than done when your brother sees you as a threat from the day you’re born. Pair that with loving men and you’ve got a recipe for life being a constant uphill battle. Philippe tries everything he can to carve out his own identity – while his family does everything they can to keep him from embracing his true self. Be the first ...
Princess Mako spent her whole life trying to meet the strict expectations set for 21st century Japanese royals. But when she falls in love and ghosts from her fiancé's past go viral, she realizes she can follow the rules – or follow her heart. But this scandal will stir up a public scrutiny so intense that it threatens her relationship, her family’s reputation, and her sanity. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery....
In Part 1, Yoshiko Kawashima moved to Japan and worked to reclaim her home by supporting the push for an independent Manchuria. But her growing fame as a Japanese spy gets her into hot water when she tries to switch sides during World War II. After fleeing to China, Yoshiko is arrested and put on trial for treason – where her own exaggerated stories are used as evidence against her. Her trial will determine whether history remembers her as a cunning spy, a shameless traitor….or revolutionary who...
Yoshiko Kawashima was more than just a Manchu princess – she was also one of history’s most notorious spies. After being torn from her family at age 8 and forced to navigate between Chinese and Japanese identities, Yoshiko refuses to be held back by society’s expectations of women. She dresses like a man, becomes a staple of Shanghai nightlife, and has affairs with both men and women. But living large can be dangerous. And Yoshiko’s inability to stay in the shadows might just prove to be her fat...
In part one, Nur Jahan charmed her way out of the harem and onto the throne by becoming the emperor’s favorite wife. When her husband’s health takes a sharp turn, she steps into an even bigger role: co-sovereign. But this kind of authority is a threat to noble men everywhere. Even her own flesh and blood. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wher...
This two-part series is all about Empress Nur Jahan, who rose from Persian refugee to become the most powerful woman in the Mughal Empire. As a girl, Nur Jahan wanted nothing more than to forge her own fate. But as she gets older, she finds herself trapped inside the emperor’s harem. To gain her freedom, she’ll have to charm the emperor with her wits and political savvy. But the more power she gains, the more her enemies at court want to see her gone. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest ...
This two-part series is all about Lili'uokalani, the first and last queen of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. In part one, Lili'uokalani came of age in the Hawaiian court and supported her brother when he became king. But when powerful foreigners forced through a new constitution that stripped rights from the Hawaiian people, Lili’uokalani refused to stay silent. Now, as queen, she’s set on becoming the ruler that Hawaiians really need – while she fights the men trying to steal her home, and her crown. S...
This episode explores the early life of Queen Liliuokalani, the last queen of Hawaii, her struggles with foreign influence, and the events leading up to her ascension to the throne amidst political turmoil and the growing power of sugar barons. It details her education, marriage, and the challenges she faced as regent, highlighting her dedication to protecting her people and culture. The episode culminates with the death of her brother, King Kalakaua, and her forced oath to the Bayonet Constitution.
