Royal Revolutions, a Royal History Geeks podcast

Royal History Geeks

The British monarchy presents a paradox. It is one of the most stable institutions in history. Yet it has rarely been free from crisis. Royal Revolutions explores crucial moments of trial, tension and change in British Royal history. The first season is devoted to Britain's most recent Royal Revolution - the Abdication crisis of 1936.

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Episodes

Abdication crisis Q&A

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.

Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 9

"Why is he so weak?" Part 8 of our series on the Abdication crisis

The reign of King Edward VIII is over. Now, the newly created Duke of Windsor begins his exile. And painfully for him, 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: The immediate 'logistics' around the Duke's relocation A glimpse of happiness at the end of the worst year of Queen Mary's life The controversy ar...

Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 8

"Impossible to carry" - part 7 of our series on the Abdication crisis

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: The "last supper" where the Prime Minister tries to convince the King to stay but is denied a bed for the night The Duke of York and his last-minute preparations for the crown The Cabinet's rush to prepare the legislation for Abdication Baldwin's s...

Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 7

"A pretty kettle of fish" - part 6 of our Abdication crisis series

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: Queen...

Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 6

"The King's Party" - part 5 of our series on the Abdication crisis

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: Wallis's tumultuous escape from Britain to France The motivations of the King's sup...

Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 5

"No, Prime Minister..." - part 4 of our Abdication crisis series

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: The King’s attitude toward the Prime Minister and the government Wallis’s divorce and the fallo...

Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 4

The summer of love - part 3 of our series on the Abdication crisis

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: Churchill's "failure" to tell the King and Wallis what they want to hear Edward's "sulky" attitude toward his duties Why someone, please, in the name of mercy, needs to ...

Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 3

Long live the King! Part 2 of our series on the Abdication crisis (featuring Adrian Phillips)

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 unfoldi...

Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 2

Royal Revolutions - BTS with Catherine Ibbotson

Royal Revolutions is the brand new podcast from Royal History Geeks. Season 1 focuses on the Abdication Crisis of 1936. In this bonus episode, Catherine Ibbotson - the "Historical Collaborator" - goes behind the scenes with Gareth and James (the show creators) to hear more about the background to the show and why they wanted to jump straight in to the drama of the 1930s.

Dec 11, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 1

The libertine and the lotus - the meeting of Edward and Wallis

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. This is the first episode of our series on the Abdication crisis of 1936. It forms season one of our "Royal Revolutions" podcast. Royal commentator James Taylor once again joins RHG founder, Gareth Streeter. They discuss: - The upbringing and early life of Edward and Walli...

Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 1

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