About Royal Revolutions, a Royal History Geeks podcast
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.
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.
4 Feb 2025
"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 around the Windsor's wedding, the date and the lack of Royal attendance
The (questionably legal) decision to deny Wallis the HRH style
The Duke and Duchess's Nazi links and role in the war
The "snub" to the Windsor's at Princess Elizabeth's wedding
The ultimate death of the Duke and later the Duchess
28 Jan 2025
"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 surprisingly spectacular Commons performance and the beginnings of the romantic myth of the crisis
Queen Mary's subtle sign of support for the government
The arrangements for Edward's future including title and income
Edward's master piece of a broadcast to the nation
Although Edward has now left the throne, this is not the end of the series. Next week we shall explore the aftermath.
21 Jan 2025
"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 Mary, her background and reaction to the crisis
The Duke and Duchess of York's fears as they prepare to assume power
The beginnings of the Duchess of York's (later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother) feud with Wallis Simpson
The closeness between Edward VIII and Princess Mary, the Princess Royal
The wayward Duke of Kent and how some thought he should be King
The cool relationship between Henry, Duke of Gloucester and his eldest brother
This episode also features comments by Elizabeth Basford, author of "Princess Mary: The First Modern Princess."
14 Jan 2025
"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 supporters
The media reaction and hints of public support for the King
Why Harry Enfield ruined a teenage Gareth's life back in the 90s
Wallis's latest attempts to break it off with the King
The King's planned broadcast appeal that never aired
Baldwin's fears of the constitutional settlement being overturned
Winston Churchill's outspoken role in the crisis
Concerns about the legality of Wallis's divorce
We are again joined by historian Adrian Phillips who helps us make sense of what the so-called "King's Party" was.
8 Jan 2025
"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 fallout
The King’s dinner with Queen Mary, when he broke the news that he intended to marry Mrs Simpson
The idea of a morganatic marriage and the attempts to find a compromise
A controversial speech by an obscure Bishop
The breaking of the story in the press
We were also joined by historian Adrian Phillips to learn more about Stanley Baldwin and his attitude toward the crisis.
24 Dec 2024
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 think of the poor debutantes
Whether Wallis was intelligent
Observations of Edward and Wallis's behaviour on the Balkan trip, based on eye-witness testimony
Wallis's attempt to break it all off
The King abandoning his duties to collect Wallis from Aberdeen station
Gareth also embarks on a rant about Edward acting like a rebel within the system, rather than the head of the system with real agency to make change if only he had the courage to confront.
17 Dec 2024
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 unfolding crisis. It also features a guest interview with Adrian Phillips, author of "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.
11 Dec 2024
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.
11 Dec 2024
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 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
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
24
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Royal Revolutions, a Royal History Geeks podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Royal Revolutions, a Royal History Geeks podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
