This two-part series is all about Isabella I of Castile – one of the most powerful female rulers in European history. In part one, Isabella went from pawn to queen by outsmarting her brother and scooping up the crown. Now, she has to step up her game if she wants to remain queen and turn Castile into a Spanish empire. But the road to global dominance comes with a high price – one that history will never forget. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, a...
Dec 09, 2024•46 min•Ep. 53
Before there was Queen Elizabeth or Catherine the Great, there was Isabella I of Castile, a 15th century queen who changed the course of history – and created the Spain we know today. Isabella was a princess who was never destined to be queen. But when she realizes that she can do the job better than the men around her, she takes matters into her own hands and fights for the throne. After gaining power, she spends the rest of her life proving that it may take a king to make an heir – but it...
Dec 02, 2024•44 min•Ep. 52
While we work on some brand-new episodes of Even the Royals, we're bringing back one of our first episodes, with some new updates. Martha Louise was born a princess of Norway, but she never truly felt like one. She spends years looking for a place where she can belong. And in true modern fashion, this place includes angels, a controversial celebrity shaman and a whole lot of bad press. This is the story of a clairvoyant princess who never felt truly at home in a castle, so she create...
Nov 25, 2024•48 min•Ep. 51
We’re taking a pause from scandal, beheadings and teen betrothals to get excited for the holiday season! It's no secret that the UK loves Christmas. British Vogue contributor Rebecca Cope joins Brooke and Aricia to dish on the most entertaining, hilarious and scrumptious British royal holiday traditions. From joke gifts to six-course dinners, Christmas with the Windsors will not disappoint. Later on, Brooke and Aricia will test some classic British holiday treats to see if mince pies a...
Nov 18, 2024•37 min•Ep. 50
In part one, George Villiers joins King James’ Royal Bedchamber and quickly becomes the king’s Favorite – and his lover. But George is desperate to prove that he’s more than just a pretty face, so he starts a new career in politics. In the end, he’ll have to make some hard choices – and decide if being a history-maker is worth giving up the love of the King. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. J...
Nov 11, 2024•43 min•Ep. 49
George Villiers is a noble nobody who wants to be a royal somebody. He spots an opportunity for greatness by becoming one of King James’s Gentlemen of the Bedchamber, AKA the group of men who are bestowed with titles, cash…and sometimes the honor of being the king’s lover. But getting into James’ bed is easier said than done – especially when James’ current lover is a jealous, power-hungry Earl who has no intention of giving up the top spot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...
Nov 04, 2024•42 min•Ep. 48
In part one, Sophia Duleep Singh’s British it-girl existence came crashing down after a trip to India revealed that her picture-perfect life was a facade. Now, Sophia is back in London, but she’s through with dog shows and tea parties. She’s ready to join a group of women fighting for their right to be heard – the suffragettes. But power players in London are set on keeping these women silent, including the Crown. Sophia will have to put her elite life, and actual life, on the line in order to m...
Oct 28, 2024•43 min•Ep. 47
Sophia Duleep Singh was a Punjabi princess who grew up in England at the turn of the 20th century. She spends her teen years proving to the English elite that she belongs. But her reality shatters when she visits India for the first time and realizes just how much her life in England’s posh circles was a lie. In her search for a place to belong, Sophia ends up connecting with a group that’s ready to raise hell - and make some royal enemies along the way. Listen to Even The Royals on th...
Oct 21, 2024•38 min•Ep. 46
This two part series is all about Napoleon Bonaparte, the scrappy outsider who just wanted to belong. In part one, Napoleon worked hard to prove himself in the French army after he was booted out of his homeland of Corsica. He used his brilliant mind to rise through the ranks and help the revolutionaries secure an independent France. But after a disastrous military campaign in Egypt, he returns to France to find all of his hard work undone. Now, Napoleon has a new mission – achieving political p...
Oct 14, 2024•47 min•Ep. 45
Napoleon Bonaparte is notorious for being a power-hungry, vertically-challenged French emperor who conquered, and then pissed off, much of Europe in the 19th century. But Napoleon wasn’t that short, wasn’t born in France, and actually wanted to be a writer. He was an upstart from Corsica who started out as a bullied outcast just looking for some respect. But he quickly learns that men like him aren’t just handed respect. They have to take it for themselves. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wonde...
Oct 07, 2024•44 min•Ep. 44
In part one, Christina rejected gender norms and was raised as a prince in order to prepare for the throne. But parting with tradition eventually meant parting with her crown. So Christina bids goodbye to Sweden and heads off to a new, exciting life in Rome. But life without a crown will turn out to be a lot tougher than she imagined. Eventually, she decides her only option is to find a new one – no matter the cost. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your ...
Sep 30, 2024•43 min•Ep. 43
Christina of Sweden was a 17th century royal who rebelled against gender norms from the day she was born – when she was wrongly misgendered as a boy! Even after the air was cleared, Christina rejected the life of a classic femme royal by learning swordplay, riding horses, and having an affair with her lady-in-waiting. But when Christina comes up against the one duty she can’t escape – marrying and providing an heir – she risks her crown to stay true to herself. Listen to Even The Roy...
Sep 23, 2024•44 min•Ep. 42
Esther Kamatari is a Burundian princess – and one of France’s first Black supermodels. She was raised to be a devoted princess to her people, but when the monarchy falls and her family is blacklisted, Esther flees to Paris. She embraces her new life and makes history on the Parisian catwalks. But Esther can’t outrun her past. And eventually, she has to figure out if she can be both a world-class supermodel and a people’s princess. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App...
Sep 16, 2024•44 min•Ep. 41
Jack and Jackie have turned over a new leaf. He’s not sleeping around (as much), and Jackie’s expecting a new addition to the family. But just as they’re finally learning to live together, another tragedy tears them apart. Listen to Even The Rich on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by ...
Sep 09, 2024•40 min•Ep. 40
Now that they’re married, Jackie can’t wait to build a home with her new husband Jack. But the chronically ill politician has other ideas in mind. Convinced he’ll die young, Jack says yes to every opportunity that comes his way – and every woman. The stress of Jack’s disrespect takes a physical toll on Jackie and pushes their marriage to the breaking point. But with the White House on the horizon, they’ll have to team up to make it through. Listen to Even The Rich on the Wondery App or wherever ...
Sep 02, 2024•45 min•Ep. 39
We'll be back in two weeks with all-new Even the Royals episodes, but in the meantime, we’re bringing you a story about American Royalty. It’s a series from our sister show, Even the Rich, all about the tumultuous love story between John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onassis.Without a guaranteed inheritance, Jackie’s future depends on marrying well. But none of the men in her social set excite her. She’s brilliant, cultured, and endlessly curious – and they just want an adoring housewife. Ent...
Sep 02, 2024•44 min•Ep. 38
In part one, Katherine worked hard to be the perfect wife for her first two husbands. She never thought husband #3 would be the King. But Katherine thrives as Henry’s sixth wife and starts using her platform as queen to promote her passion for religious reform. She thought she had Henry’s full support – until she spots an arrest warrant with her name on it, signed by the King himself. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad...
Aug 26, 2024•44 min•Ep. 37
Katherine Parr was Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife and is known for being the one who survived. But she almost didn’t survive marriage to Henry, and for a way different reason than any of his other wives. Katherine was forced to give up her dream of marrying for love when Henry chose her as his next wife. She decides to turn lemons into lemonade and make the most of her new-found power and status as queen. But ambition is the fastest way to make enemies at court – and Katherine will learn the ...
Aug 19, 2024•42 min•Ep. 36
All her life, Catherine Howard had to fight for agency in a world of men who tried to control her. When she becomes Queen number five, she’s given her first dose of power – and she’s finally able to make some of her own choices…including choosing a lover she’s actually into. But there’s no such thing as privacy in Tudor England. And when you’re sneaking around on Henry VIII, you’re risking more than just true love. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podca...
Aug 12, 2024•44 min•Ep. 35
Anne of Cleves was planning on living a nice, quiet life in her small German province. But when Henry VIII proposes after seeing her portrait, her whole world gets turned upside down. Things become extra complicated when Anne and Henry finally meet in person. Henry decides he’s not attracted to her – and tells anyone who will listen that she catfished him. Anne will have to find a way to stay out of the line of fire – or risk Henry trying to get rid of her by any means necessary. Listen to Even ...
Aug 05, 2024•39 min•Ep. 34
Jane Seymour was a seemingly unremarkable woman destined to live on the fringes of other people's great lives – until she catches the eye of the king. Now that she has a better future in sight, Jane will use everything she’s learned at court to ensure that she becomes Henry’s third queen. But marrying Henry will turn out to be the easy part. After Anne Boleyn is beheaded, it’s clear to Jane that there are no happily ever after guarantees with King Henry VIII. Listen to Even The Royals ...
Jul 29, 2024•44 min•Ep. 33
In Part One, Anne climbed the ranks and became Henry’s second wife. Now she has to make up where the last queen failed and give Henry a male heir. But when that proves easier said than done, Henry’s eyes start to wander…right over to Anne’s new lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour. Anne wants to stop history from repeating itself. But she has no idea how low her enemies will go to get her out of the way. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen earl...
Jul 22, 2024•39 min•Ep. 31
Anne Boleyn has been painted by history as a woman-hating vixen who weaseled her way into being Queen number two. But the real story is way more complicated. Anne started out as a pious lady-in-waiting who garnered the King’s attention. When Henry’s interest grows into a full-blown obsession, Anne decides she wants to be more than just another mistress. But first she’ll have to convince him to leave his first wife – which means changing the religion of an entire country. NBD. Listen t...
Jul 15, 2024•42 min•Ep. 30
In part one, Catherine’s once ideal marriage to Henry VIII started to sour when she didn't provide a son to inherit the throne. And now that he has a younger girlfriend, Henry is ready to do whatever it takes to replace and erase Catherine – and make Anne his new queen. But two decades on the throne have turned Catherine into a formidable opponent. And she’s determined to hold on to her crown – no matter how ugly the fight gets. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever ...
Jul 08, 2024•44 min•Ep. 29
We mostly remember Henry VIII’s six wives because of their fate at the hands of history’s most notorious ex. But there’s so much more to them than divorce, death and beheadings. Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was a Spanish princess who grew up believing that being Queen of England was her destiny and God-given right. But getting–and staying–on the throne turns out to be a lot more complicated than she thought. When she isn’t able to have a healthy son and heir to the throne, Henr...
Jul 01, 2024•44 min•Ep. 28
Lady Jane Grey ruled London for just nine days in 1553 before getting royally screwed by a power hungry Queen Mary I. But the creators of the new Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane are reclaiming Jane’s narrative, and building a world where Jane not only survives, but thrives. Brooke and Aricia sit down with the creator and showrunners of My Lady Jane , Gemma Burgess and Meredith Glynn, to find out what it took to bring this story to the screen. Later, the show’s breakout star Emily Bader joins th...
Jun 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 32
In part one, Queen Charlotte and King George III fell into the kind of love story you usually only see in movies. But when George's health takes a mysterious turn, Charlotte finds herself with more questions than answers. Now, George’s rivals – including his own son – are plotting to force him off the throne. Charlotte has to find the strength to take on these enemies and pull the love of her life back from the brink. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts...
Jun 24, 2024•38 min•Ep. 27
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is a C-list princess from a tiny province who plans on living a lowkey life. But when the King of England asks for her hand, 17-year-old Charlotte finds herself thrust into the spotlight. Lucky for her, she and George III fall madly in love. But their fairy tale marriage is threatened when George falls prey to a mysterious illness. Shy Charlotte suddenly finds herself having to step up to the big leagues and play a political game – all to protect the love of her...
Jun 17, 2024•41 min•Ep. 26
In part one, Seretse Khama of Bechuanaland convinced his people to accept his white, British wife Ruth, only to discover that Britain and South Africa had other ideas. Now, these world powers are trying to prevent him from ever becoming king. But Seretse refuses to accept it. He’s determined to find a way to keep his wife and rule his people….even if he has to make a lot of good trouble along the way. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen ...
Jun 10, 2024•43 min•Ep. 22
Prince Seretse Khama was supposed to become the next king of the Bangwato tribe (in present day Botswana). But when, in the 1940s, he falls in love with a white British woman, their relationship sparks an international scandal. Powerful nations jump in to tear the couple apart and the crisis threatens Seretse’s crown. But he’s determined to be with the woman he loves and become the leader he was born to be – no matter how hard his enemies fight to bring him down. Listen to Even Th...
Jun 03, 2024•44 min•Ep. 21
