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 unfolding crisis.  It also features a guest interview with Adrian Phillips, author the “The King who had to go”.

We discuss:

• The circumstances of Edward’s ascension and his immediate decision to break protocol by watching his own proclamation with Wallis
• Concerns about the new King’s reliability and work ethic
• The early intervention of Cosmo Lang and Edward’s relationship with this seasoned Archbishop of Canterbury
• The politics of the 1930s and the circumstances that made Edward’s German sympathies more difficult to manage
• A potential plot to assassinate the King?
• Wallis Simpson’s first steps in divorcing her husband Ernest

Unfortunately, there are a few moments in this episode where there is bit of feedback sound.  RHG apologies for this but wants to reassure you that such distractions only crop up a few times and last for just a few seconds.

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 lives of Edward and Wallis
• Life in the early twentieth century Royal family
• George V and Queen Mary’s parenting skills
• The character, personality and limits of the dashing but dangerous Edward, Prince of Wales
• The Prince’s love affairs with Freda Dudley Ward and Thelma Furness
• Wallis and Edward’s meeting and early relationship
• The King and Queen’s reactions
• Wallis and her husband Ernest’s motivations for tangling with the Prince

Today marks the paperback release of “Spare” – the tell all biography written by the Duke of Sussex.

It’s now been some years since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step back as working members of the Royal family.  Now that the dust – to at least some extent – has settled – it’s possible to review that decision, and the controversies that followed with an open mind and a level head.  In this two-part podcast, this is what we have tried to do.

In part 1, Royal commentator James Taylor and history writer Gareth Streeter discuss:

• Harry and Meghan’s engagement and initial clash with the media
• The Royal wedding and the huge optimism that surrounded it
• The couple’s early married life as working Royals
• Their decision to step back
• The “Sandringham summit” and the Royal family’s response
• The controversial Oprah Winfrey interview
• How Royal titles work and the reason that the couple’s children were not initially a Prince and Princess

In part 2 we discuss:

• The Netflix series and the background (as far as we understand it) of the deal
• The treatment of the Duchess of Sussex in aspects of the UK media and how this compares with the way the Princess of Wales is discussed
• The importance of source criticism in dealing with any media
• The book Spare, and why Gareth got too angry to finish it
• Harry’s bravery and honesty in being vulnerable about his mental health
• The book’s strengths and weaknesses

These episodes are also available from wherever you get your podcasts.