The Royals

It’s been a week since King Charles’ high-stakes state visit to the US ended in diplomatic triumph. After months of difficult headlines for the royals and the US-UK relationship, many applauded the King for steadying the ship. But what does this moment tell us about the current state of the special relationship? And how does it compare to historical ups and downs?

In a final dispatch from Washington, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Susan Page, Washington bureau chief of USA Today and author of the new book, The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History. Queen Elizabeth II met with thirteen sitting US presidents, more than any other head of state in history. Page talks us through the highs and lows of the special relationship during her reign, and discusses the role a monarch can play to keep important relationships on side.

Susan Page's book, The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace, Natalie Ktena

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Read more: King Charles flattered and chided Trump. The president loved it.
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From a White House welcome to the Congress speech and the state dinner, this was supposed to be the day King Charles showed royal symbolism can still carry real diplomatic weight in America. But it didn't quite turn out that way.

After a big day of pageantry in Washington, the visit took an extraordinary turn at the banquet, when President Donald Trump appeared to suggest that the King backed him on Iran — a remark that's triggered headlines around the world. In response to Trump's comments, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King is "naturally mindful of his government's long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation".

In the immediate aftermath, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by The Times’s assistant US editor David Charter for post-match analysis on the spectacle, the tensions and the question now hanging over the visit: did royal diplomacy win the day, or has Trump seized the final word?

Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Read more: King Charles’ speech to Congress: praise, warnings and 12 standing ovations
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the King lands in Washington for a high-stakes US state visit, former US National Security Adviser John Bolton joins Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey to examine the real state of the 'special relationship'. He reveals why Donald Trump is drawn to the royal family, describing his UK visits as some of the happiest moments of his presidency, and explains why that personal connection could matter more than traditional diplomacy. So, can the King can influence Trump? Or does the monarchy risk being pulled into political controversy at a particularly tense moment.

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Read more: King Charles is ready for Trump, but would Elizabeth have cancelled?
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Virginia Giuffre made headlines worldwide after speaking out about the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as well as his former friend, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

One year after her death, Virginia’s brother, Sky Roberts, and sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, join Roya Nikkhah to discuss her life and their loss.

The anniversary comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the monarchy. In just a few days’ time, the King and Queen will travel to the United States for a state visit, with Virginia’s family now calling on the royal couple to meet with Epstein’s survivors.

Should the King and Queen meet Epstein survivors during their US visit? Get in touch: [email protected]

Image: Getty

Producer: Robert Wallace

Executive Producer: Dan Box

Read more: What really happened to Virginia Giuffre?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next week, The Royals podcast is on the ground in Washington D.C. as the King and Queen begin a historic—and highly delicate—state visit. The royal editors of The Times and The Sunday Times, Kate Mansey and Roya Nikkhah, are in the capital, asking whether the monarchy can still help heal the 'special relationship' at a time of immense transatlantic tension. From the shadow of the Middle East conflict and the legacy of Epstein, to the tightrope diplomacy of the King’s meeting with President Trump, this visit faces unprecedented challenges. Subscribe to The Royals wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.