Episodes

A new idea for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s life in Britain is emerging: “private royals plus,” with the Sussexes remaining non-working royals while potentially joining King Charles and the family for occasions such as Christmas at Sandringham. But Prince William and Princess Catherine may present the biggest obstacle. Royal insiders also warn that Harry and Meghan’s UK appearances will now require greater coordination with Buckingham Palace, while critics demand strict boundaries preventing...

Prince William is reportedly deeply unsettled by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to Britain, with sources claiming he sought assurances from King Charles that the Sussexes will not resume royal duties. Andrew Morton says Harry’s physical presence in Britain puts new pressure on William to reconcile, while Royal Insider Deep Crown argues Harry has suddenly acquired a new kind of power simply by being back on royal territory. Plus, claims Charles may benefit from the Sussex headlines distr...

It’s a strange day in royal news. King Charles is losing Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson — the famously photogenic senior equerry once declared “exceedingly handsome” by Martha Stewart — as he prepares to leave royal and military service. Prince William gets an equally unusual honor when Robert Irwin names a twelve-foot Australian crocodile after him, while Queen Camilla nearly lands a cameo on Only Murders in the Building. Plus, Harry and Meghan sharply deny reports they’ll attend an upcoming...

Reports say Prince William and Princess Catherine are determined to focus on their family, public roles and the future rather than Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain. Plus, Catherine could join William for the Earthshot Prize in India, commentators debate whether Kate could ever trust Meghan again, fresh anonymous-source claims suggest tensions between William and King Charles over Harry and Andrew, Jennie Bond says any reconciliation ultimately depends on William, Camilla is suddenly said to ...

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly staying indefinitely at a wealthy friend’s property while searching for a permanent British home, with Meghan said to want nine bedrooms and studio space and Harry prioritizing privacy and extensive grounds. Friends describe the move as “Finding Freedom 2” and say Archie and Lilibet’s education and a more outdoors-focused childhood are central to the decision. But reports also claim Harry still expects an apology from the Royal Family and remains ang...

Norway’s new King Haakon the Eighth leads the Royal Family in mourning following the death of his father, King Harald the Fifth, at age eighty-nine. We have the full plans for King Harald’s September ninth state funeral at Oslo Cathedral, the procession through Oslo and his burial at Akershus Fortress alongside his father and grandfather. Queen Mette-Marit misses a memorial service as she continues recovering from her lung transplant, while European royals prepare to travel to Norway for the fun...

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is reportedly relieved that Harry and Meghan’s return has shifted attention away from his own troubles, while a new film prepares to dramatize the scandal surrounding him. Plus, Sarah Ferguson is said to be returning to Britain and considering a major television interview, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie face fresh speculation over whether they should give up their titles, critics question Eugenie’s tribute to Queen Elizabeth in her new baby’s name, and we revis...

A new claim says King Charles wanted Prince William to join his July reconciliation meeting with Prince Harry at Highgrove, but William refused — despite reportedly being only twenty minutes away. Plus, Harry and Meghan spend their final California weekend with friends and family before returning to Britain, reports suggest billionaire Ian Wace may be helping with the move, the Sussexes are said to be avoiding any clash with Prince George’s first day at Eton, television insiders pour cold water ...

Could Meghan Markle and Kim Kardashian be competing for a role in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen? Is Meghan genuinely returning to acting—or are both sides using the media to influence negotiations as the Netflix series launches its second season? Reports suggest Harry and Meghan may also be considering projects with the BBC and other British broadcasters. Could Prince Harry build his own television career? Richard Osman proposes putting him on The Wheel or creating a feel-good series called Harry...

Is Meghan Markle truly moving back to Britain—or has she agreed only to a six-month experiment with an exit strategy? Harry and Meghan’s representatives acknowledge that the Sussexes do not know whether their UK stay will last six months, one year or longer. We examine a new assessment of their California years: Which Sussex projects succeeded? Why did nothing match the enormous audience for Harry & Meghan? What happened to their Netflix, Spotify and As Ever partnerships—and how much money might...

Who is Norway’s new king, and what happens to the Royal Family after the death of King Harald V? Crown Prince Haakon has become King Haakon VIII—but Norway will not hold a British-style coronation. Could the new king instead have a consecration ceremony at Nidaros Cathedral, and what royal traditions will mark the beginning of his reign? Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, is now Crown Princess and heir apparent. Could she become Norway’s first reigning queen in more than 600 years? Why is she ahead...

HARRY AND MEGHAN ARE HOME — AND THE WEEK EVERYONE TRIED TO SELL A PIECE OF DIANA Mark Francis on the week the rumour became a runway. The Sussexes flew privately into Birmingham before midday Wednesday with Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, and their dogs;...

Could the Spencer family provide Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with the family network they have lost within the House of Windsor? We examine Harry’s relationships with Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Diana’s extended family—and why the Spencers may represent one of the few remaining bridges between Harry and Prince William. Princess Diana’s niece Lady Eliza Spencer says she is delighted to have the Sussexes back in Britain. Could ...

When and where will King Harald V’s funeral take place? Will the service be held at Oslo Cathedral, and will Norway’s late monarch be buried in the Royal Mausoleum at Akershus Fortress? As Norway prepares to say goodbye to its king, we examine the traditions, ceremonies and royal precedents likely to shape the coming days.What is the Norwegian sprinkling-of-earth ritual? Who designed the secret $2 million joint sarcophagus for King Harald and Queen Sonja? Why has its appearance remained hidden—...

What will Earl Spencer reveal about Princess Diana in his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister? Which accepted stories does he consider untrue—and could his account reopen painful questions for King Charles III, Queen Camilla and the Royal Family? Published ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death, the book promises Charles Spencer’s personal account of his sister’s childhood, marriage, extraordinary public life and the chaotic days following her death in Paris. Former BBC royal corres...

The Villa Park photographs of a genuinely happy King go viral with overwhelming public approval. But even as William savors his successful rule-breaking, his secure phone delivers news that changes every calculation: Prince Harry is coming to London. Three days, a deliberately vague agenda, and a palace on high alert as William must decide whether to engage his brother as family or manage him as a media risk. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/palace-intrigue-h...

Did Meghan Markle borrow another lifestyle idea from Martha Stewart? Critics are comparing As Ever’s blackberry loaf and jam-infused frosting with a recent Martha Stewart recipe—but is this genuine copying or simply another round of online Meghan criticism? We examine why the disappointing performance of Cookie Queens has revived questions about the Sussexes’ commercial appeal. Can Harry and Meghan still turn enormous media attention into paying customers? Does Meghan have a visibility problem—...

Who was King Harald V of Norway, and why was he so loved by the Norwegian people? Norway’s monarch has died at 89 after more than 35 years on the throne, bringing one of the longest and most consequential reigns in modern Norwegian history to an end. His son has immediately succeeded him as King Haakon VIII, while Princess Ingrid Alexandra is now heir to the throne. We look back at Harald’s childhood exile during World War II, his nine-year fight to marry Queen Sonja, his three Olympic appearan...

How much did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s private flight back to Britain cost? What was its environmental impact—and where have the Duke and Duchess of Sussex taken Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet and their dogs after landing in Birmingham?New clues suggest the Sussexes may have settled near Chipping Norton in the northern Cotswolds, placing them close to King Charles III at Highgrove. How do local residents feel about Harry and Meghan becoming their neighbors—and could Sussex tourism create...

King Charles began his traditional Balmoral stay with a reunion with the famously unpredictable Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan, while one columnist wonders whether the Royal Family’s enormous collection of barely used properties could eventually wind up on Airbnb. Plus, newlyweds Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling make their Balmoral debut, a former royal chef recalls Prince Philip at the barbecue and Princess Anne in the kitchen, and we meet William and Harry’s rarely discussed stepsister Lau...

King Harald V of Norway is in an “extremely serious” condition at Oslo University Hospital, with Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and other members of the Norwegian Royal Family gathering at his bedside. Crown Prince Haakon is serving as regent, while Norway’s prime minister has cancelled foreign travel as concern grows over the eighty-nine-year-old monarch. We look at the latest on King Harald’s health, his fifty-eight-year marriage to Queen Sonja, his thirty-five-y...

Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle truly moving back to Britain—or could Harry spend months in the Cotswolds while Meghan remains primarily in California? How long is the Sussexes’ “extended period” in the UK, and do even they know whether it will last six months, one year or longer? We examine Harry’s determination to establish a British base, Meghan’s new friendship with Geri Halliwell-Horner, and reports that Netflix cameras could document the family’s return. Is the Sussex homecoming really...

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in the UK with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—but how long are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex planning to stay? Did their private flight from California cost as much as $300,000, and what was its environmental impact? A friend of Harry’s claims the Duke plans to remain in Britain for at least 12 to 15 years, spending his weekends watching Archie play rugby while Meghan maintains a more international career. Will Harry become a stay-at-home father?...

Meghan Markle’s latest As Ever hosting video sets off another online argument, with critics debating everything from the food on the board to the prominent appearance of Princess Diana’s Cartier watch. Plus, Prince Harry speaks warmly about his work with Scotty’s Little Soldiers, commentators question whether the Sussexes’ biggest successes still depend on royal drama, Amanda Platell casts doubt on Harry’s renewed interest in Britain, Rob Shuter says Hollywood still likes Harry more than Meghan,...