It's Reigning Men

• King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan

  Nestled in between India and China is the Kingdom of Bhutan, one of the world’s newest monarchies.Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the country’s fifth king and when he became head of state in 2006 he was the world’s youngest monarch. The King oversees a nation that measures its success with happiness of a population and is being credited with innovative ways to ensure younger people don’t emigrate. Guests:Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of BhutanHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Emperor Naruhito of Japan

  Japan claims to have the oldest continuing monarchy in the world with an unbroken line from the same family for more than 2600 years.But there's a succession problem in the current Japanese imperial family as Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako only have one child, Princess Aiko, and Japan forbids women from inheriting the throne.The United Nations has suggested officials look at changing the law to make it more equal. Up until 1947 the Emperor of Japan was seen as a divine figure on Earth and worshipped by many, but a constitution change formally declared the emperor to be human.After Japan surrendered in World War II the role of the head of state was changed and the image the imperial household presents to the country is still struggling with traditional values versus a modern society.Guests:Alice Tseng, Professor of Japanese Art & Architecture at the University of BostonHirohito Tsuji, Specialist in the Imperial Family of JapanHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Pope Francis of The Vatican City

  This episode contains some discussion around sexual abuse in the second half of the episode, which may not be appropriate for all.As head of state of The Vatican City, Pope Francis is also a monarch.He is one of a handful of elected monarchs in the world, which also include Cambodia, Malayisa and United Arab Emirates.In this episode we look at the the Pope's role as a monarch, as well as leader of the Catholic church, and discuss the influence he has with other world leaders.We look at how a Pope is elected in a conclave and explore the changes he's brought to the church.This episode was recorded while Pope Francis is in hospital.Guests:Colleen Dulle, Inside the Vatican podcast hostCharles Collins, Managing Editor at Crux'Inside The Vatican' podcast can be listened to here: https://www.americamagazine.org/voices/inside-vaticanHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• King Harald V of Norway

  This episode contains some discussion around sexual assault allegations in the second half of the episode, which may not be appropriate for all.The King of Norway is one of the most-popular figures in the country but recent scandals surrounding the royal family suggest support is weakening.His daughter, Princess Märtha Louise, controversially married a self-styled shaman last year who has peddled conspiracy theories and faced a string of criminal accusations, which he denies.Late last year Marius Borg Høiby, the step-son of Crown Prince Haakon through his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was arrested following an allegation of rape, which he denies.In this episode we look at the impact those two huge stories in Norway have had on the monarchy, and discuss a 2016 speech King Harald gave that made headlines around the world.Plus we look at Norway's answer to The Crown, as Harold and Sonja - or The Commoner - is released on Amazon Prime, telling the story of how the now King and Queen were prevented from marrying for nearly a decade.Guests:Sindre Strand Offerdal, actor playing Crown Prince HaroldOle-Jorgen Schulsrud-Hansen, historian and TV2 royal commentatorHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] trailer for Harald and Sonja is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdvp1uKk114------------------Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg

  This year Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg should be marking 25 years on the throne but he's announced his intention to abdicate just one day before that milestone in October.In this episode we look at how one of the smallest, and richest, countries in the world views its monarchy and royal family.There have been two big tests for him as head of state.The first caused a constitutional crisis when he attempted to use his veto powers in 2008 against a euthanasia bill passed by parliament.The second was only five years ago when a government commissioned report said the monarchy's functioning must be reformed, in terms of staff management at the Palace.Much was made in Luxembourg of Henri's wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, who was responsible for much of the hiring and firing in the palace.Has Henri managed to keep the monarchy relevant to hand down to his son Prince Guillaume in October 2025?Guests:Sonja Kmec, Associate professor at University of LuxembourgInes Kurschat, Editor-in-chief of Luxemburger WortHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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