In 2008, Nepal's monarchy was ousted from power, turned out of their palaces, and so the country began a new era as a republic. The civil war had lasted a decade and cost more than 13,000 lives. The transformation from kingdom to republic was swift, dramatic, and begs the questions of what will h...

The relationship between the Japanese people and the Monarchy was irrevocably changed after the end of WWII, when it had its 'divine' nature stripped in penance for the Emperor's war crimes. What is Japan's future, however, if every tradition is deemed changeable except the law that no woman may ...

King Sihanouk 'retired' in 2004, giving way to his son, Sihamoni - a ballet dancer. Unlike many monarchies, Cambodia's is not hereditary - rather the next monarch is chosen by the National Assembly from a pool of eligible candidates. When Sihamoni was chosen, what sort of monarch were they hoping...

Brunei may be one of the richest nations in the world, due to its huge resources of oil, but financial problems have beset even their royal house. The sultan is one of the world's few remaining absolute monarchs and is also the supreme commander of the armed forces. He has been absolute ruler of ...

After Bhutan's soon-to-be governing party pledged to follow the policies of the absolute monarchy it was replacing, Bhutan became possibly the first country in history where a King had to convince his people that democracy was a good idea. But, in a country that counts the nation's health by a Gr...

The King, his wife, his lover and a spectacular fall from grace.
Once the young hero who reclaimed the Spanish monarchy and won the hearts of his people, Juan Carlos was forced to relinquish his throne in 2014 and leave his own country in 2020 followed by allegations of money-laundering, corrupt...

Julius Caesar is the most famous Roman of them all: brutal conqueror, dictator and victim of a gruesome assassination on the Ides of March 44 BC.

How true are the extraordinary stories told about Caligula: The Tyrant of Rome?

A great grand-daughter to Queen Victoria, Prince Philip's mother was born at Windsor Castle before her lifetime struggling with deafness, schizophrenia and exile.

A profile of the young woman who was to change the course of the Royal family. Was she the scheming seductress or a clever, well-meaning woman who was simply unlucky in love?

Philip was born into Greek royalty: the son of a playboy father and a troubled mother whose lives were destroyed when their throne was overthrown.

The colourful story of the woman for whom Charles risked everything but what of the early life of the Queen consort?

On this week's The Royal Beat, Host Kate Thornton is joined by Royal Correspondent Wesley Kerr, Executive Editor of The Sun Dan Wootton and Former Royal Director of OK! Chrissie Reeves. They discuss The Queen's move from Scotland to Sandringham as she returns to work, plus has Prince Harry put ca...

Series 1, Episode 3: Hosted by Kate Thornton, the show goes back in time to the years before World War II and looks at Edward VIII's abdication in 1936, his marriage to Wallis Simpson and his dealings with Nazi Germany. To unpack all the scandals are historians Alexander Larman, Dr Tessa Dunlop a...

07/21/23

Kate Thornton leads the panel in a discussion of what have been a busy few weeks for the royals, as they begin to look towards the future, and forge the way ahead.

From Queen Camilla's low-key birthday celebrations, to Prince William taking charge of the Duchy of Cornwall and consider...

07/07/23

Kate Thornton and the panel reflect on the special service held in Scotland this week to mark the King's coronation, as well as reviewing the Waleses' incredibly busy work schedules and asking: what is the secret to their success?

Plus, with reports having emerged of some powerful staf...

02/17/2023

Kate Thornton and the panel discuss the significance of HM the King's meeting with the Ukrainian President, as well as Queen Camilla's case of Covid, and Princess Catherine's controversial new addition to her staff.

Plus, an update on the Sussexes as they face a burgeoning legal cas...

12/02/2021 - On this week's episode of the Royal Beat, we discuss the complex 'deal' at the centre of the relationship between the royal family and the press. We also take a deep dive into the glamourous world of the King and Queen of Jordan, and cover Prince of Wales's historic visit to Barbados...

11/04/2021 - On this episode of The Royal Beat, we look at the Queen's recent health scare, and how her Army service in WW2 has shaped her reign. We also get updates on Prince Andrew's civil case, and look at the Japanese princess whose marriage to a 'commoner' has sparked headlines around the wo...

(12/08/2023)

On this week's show we explore how a new royal book has been raising questions and eyebrows and unearthing old rifts. The release of 'Endgame', the latest book by Sussex biographer Omid Scobie has questioned if the royal family have what it takes to save the monarchy?

And, this w...