"Ever wonder how your favorite Tudor queens prevented wrinkles? Or whether they’d be cool with using a beef tallow moisturizer? Early modern historian Erin Griffey is here to answer all of our questions about Tudor beauty trends. It’s time to find out once and for all if that white face powder seen in all those portraits was actually poisoning everyone…or if that’s just a royal myth. Inspired by the looks (and the drama) on Wolf Hall Season 2, now streaming on Prime Video with the PBS Masterpiec...
Apr 14, 2025•36 min•Ep. 72
After getting back on the throne, Charles II quickly discovers that being king isn't as fun as he’d hoped – it’s a lot more pressure than partying. When his marriage to Catherine of Portugal fails to produce an heir, he finds comfort - and chaos - in the arms of powerful mistresses. But when England faces war, plague, and a financial crisis, Charles will finally be forced to choose between politics and pleasure. EXCITING NEWS: Even the Royals was nominated for a Webby Award for Best History Podc...
Apr 07, 2025•42 min•Ep. 71
Charles II was known as the Merry Monarch – but his childhood was nothing to laugh about. When his father, the king, was executed and the English monarchy was dissolved, Charles went from pampered Prince to fugitive on the fun. During his teenage years, he discovers his two greatest talents – survival and seduction. But as Charles fights to restore the monarchy, he’ll find that his appetite for pleasure might derail his path to the throne. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...
Mar 31, 2025•38 min•Ep. 70
This two-part series is all about Grace O’Malley – a 16th century Irish pirate queen. In part one, Grace defied norms and became a plundering, swashbuckling pirate – and clan leader. She built an empire so powerful that it made her a threat to the invading English. Now, Sir Richard Bingham is dead-set on sinking her empire. But Grace has never turned away from a fight. She’s ready to plot, pillage and kill to remain free. But as Richard steps up his pressure, she’ll have to choose between her ri...
Mar 24, 2025•38 min•Ep. 69
You’ve probably heard about famous pirates like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. But over a century before these bad boys roamed the seas, a kickass pirate queen reigned over Ireland’s coast for six decades. Grace O’Malley was told women should lead quiet, domestic lives, locked away in their castles. But she refused this fate and instead, fought tooth, nail, and cannonball for a life where she could sail and pillage like any good pirate. But when her home is threatened by an English invasion, she’l...
Mar 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 68
In part one, Theodora escaped poverty and exploitation and rose through the ranks of Byzantine society. When she marries the love of her life, Justinian, and he gets the bump to Emperor, she rises even higher – to co-ruler – and uses her newfound power to fight for women’s rights. Theodora has everything she’s ever wanted – status, love, and the ability to make change. But when riots threaten to topple her reign, she’ll resort to ruthless measures to hold on to her new life. Be the first to know...
Mar 10, 2025•40 min•Ep. 67
Empress Theodora was a true rags to riches story. She rose from humble circus performer all the way to the top of the royal food chain through wit, charm, and sheer gutsiness. As a child, she dreams of a more glamorous life – but climbing the ladder is tough, particularly during the Byzantine era. And the higher she goes, the more people try to knock her down. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mar 03, 2025•40 min•Ep. 66
We'll be back next week with an all-new episode of Even the Royals. In the meantime, we're returning to one of our favorite episodes on Grace Kelly's daughter, Stephanie, Princess of Monaco. When Grace Kelly died tragically in 1982 she left behind a legacy as an actress, philanthropist, and fashion icon. But she also left behind a 17-year-old daughter who was in the car crash that took Grace’s life. Princess Stephanie of Monaco is born into royal fame and fortune, but almost immediately wants to...
Feb 24, 2025•47 min•Ep. 65
We’re throwing it back to high school and dishing out some superlatives — with a royal twist of course. Who’s the most rebellious royal? Which couple gets the sweetest love story? And who will be crowned our most devious schemer? Brooke and Aricia are joined on the yearbook committee by Katy Hearne-Church and Nathan Foster, hosts of Queens Podcast, where they talk about the royals you may or may not have heard about in history class. The four hosts will share their Royal insights, hot takes, and...
Feb 17, 2025•36 min•Ep. 64
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re bringing you three stories of modern royals who, against the odds, found their OTL. There’s Aussie Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark, whose unlikely love story hinges on the approval of the Danish people accepting a foreigner as their future queen. Then American college-grad Ariana, who meets a mystery man at a nightclub, only to find out months into their relationship that the man she’s fallen in love with is an Ethiopian prince. And finally, small-town...
Feb 10, 2025•48 min•Ep. 63
This two-part series is all about Sundiata Keita of Mali – the founder of one of West Africa’s largest empires. In part one, Sundiata battled scheming family members, fled his home in Niani, and found a new life in the Kingdom of Mema. But now that Niani is in danger, it’s time for Sundiata to return home and fulfill the prophecy of his birth. But first he’ll have to unite dozens of warring kingdoms – and then take on a seemingly invincible enemy. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podc...
Feb 03, 2025•39 min•Ep. 62
Centuries before Pumbaa and Timon taught Simba the meaning of hakuna matata in The Lion King, a real-life lion king founded the Mali Empire in the 13th-century. Sundiata Keita was destined to be a great ruler from birth – a prophecy even promised he’d be the next Alexander the Great. But after his father dies, his scheming stepmother steals his throne for her own son, and banishes Sundiata. So Sundiata heads out on an epic quest to reclaim his kingdom, and prove that his reign truly is written i...
Jan 27, 2025•41 min•Ep. 61
In Part Two, Catherine the Great launched a coup and kicked her good-for-nothing husband to the curb. But turning her bold new vision for Russia into a reality is easier said than done. Catherine has to abandon some of her Enlightenment ideals and embrace her ruthless side – all while balancing her professional life and her love life. And in the end, she’ll have to decide what matters more – love, or country. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more...
Jan 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 60
In Part One, Catherine the Great transformed from an eager-to-please princess into an ambitious leader focused on bringing Russia out of the dark ages. But when it becomes clear that her husband Peter isn’t going to step up and help, Catherine decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands. With the support of her newest lover, Catherine stages a coup and takes over. But once she’s in the top spot, she realizes that maintaining her ideals is easier said than done – and that she’ll have to ...
Jan 13, 2025•39 min•Ep. 59
They don’t call her The Great for nothing. There’s a reason Catherine the Great is the star of TV series, movies, and an overall pop culture icon. Bold, ambitious, and famous for her double digits list of lovers, Catherine seized control of Russia and ruled the country longer than any woman in history. But her career didn’t start off without a hitch. At first, she was just a shy princess from a no-name duchy. But when her new husband Peter rejects her, Cat has to forge new paths to power…and lov...
Jan 06, 2025•41 min•Ep. 58
In part one, Grace Kelly fought her way from aspiring actress to onscreen queen. Now she has an even bigger role on the horizon: European princess. Grace is about to catch the attention of Prince Rainier of Monaco, but marrying into a royal family will come with a whole lot more than she bargained for. Princess of Monaco will be her hardest role yet – and will eventually cost Grace her career, her happiness, and her freedom.Next week, we'll be back with a brand-new Even the Royals episode. Be th...
Dec 31, 2024•46 min•Ep. 57
While we work on some brand-new episodes of Even the Royals, we’re bringing back one of our first - and one of our favorite - Royals. Grace Kelly was a Hollywood icon in the 1950s. She worked with legends like Clark Gable and Alfred Hitchcock and only left when it was time to marry a real-life prince. She seemed to live the ultimately fairy tale life, but it came at a price – she fit herself into the box of perfection only to find herself trapped there. In part one of this two-part series Grace ...
Dec 30, 2024•46 min•Ep. 56
On this special episode of Even the Royals, we’re going to tune into one of our favorite forms of entertainment – holiday rom coms! Join Brooke and Aricia for a rewatch of “The Princess Switch,” the Netflix classic about a Duchess and a Chicago baker who swap places to experience each other’s lives. It’s a royal twist on a Hallmark Christmas flick featuring Vanessa Hudgens’ being a total queen and a couple of steaming hot co-stars. Brooke and Aricia will make connections between the characters a...
Dec 23, 2024•34 min•Ep. 55
On Christmas day in 1950, twenty-five-year-old Scotsman Ian Hamilton and his friends embark on the heist of the century. The Stone of Destiny, an ancient Scottish artifact, was stolen by the British in the thirteenth century and moved to Westminster Abbey. And now Ian decides it’s high time to steal it back. But busting out an ancient artifact from a national landmark is easier said than done. This holiday caper has it all – sneaky stakeouts, buried treasure, last minute freak outs, and a reveng...
Dec 16, 2024•42 min•Ep. 54
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, and mo...
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 take...
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 created her own ki...
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 and Christm...
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+. Join Wondery+...
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 and Ca...
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 the Wondery ...
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 podcasts. ...
Sep 30, 2024•43 min•Ep. 43
