Pod Save The Queen

The King returned to public duties with a visit to a cancer centre this week - with the Queen by his side, just as she was in the photo released to announce his return.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss the milestone moment and a busy royal week.  They also chat about Princess Charlotte’s birthday picture and William and Kate’s anniversary photo, plus Sophie’s visit to Ukraine and Harry’s upcoming Invictus adventures.   And the Mirror’s royal features editor Jennifer Newton joins to share what happened when Prince William visited her home town of Seaham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With some royal engagements, great photos and cute moments, it has been an almost normal royal week.  But the release of Prince Louis’s birthday photo and the Duchess of Edinburgh’s Beatles moment both felt different in the current royal circumstances.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror royal features writer Jennifer Newton to talk about Louis and Sophie’s eye-catching moments, and Camilla’s extremely striking look.  They also reflect on Prince William’s return to work, some new honours with old-fashioned titles and where Prince Harry calls home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Queen Camilla returned to work after her Easter break by hosting a round table conversation with young Changemakers working with domestic abuse charity Safe Lives.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, who was at Buckingham Palace for the event and shares the sights, sounds and discussions.  They also discuss the Sussexes’ jam and polo adventures, the King and Kate’s recoveries, Prince William’s days out and the 88-year-old Duke of Kent handing over his role as colonel of the Scots Guards after 50 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edward VIII caused a constitutional crisis with his abdication, dismay with his wartime associations and an ongoing headache to the royal family.   Today, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry’s very different exits from their roles as working royals provide their own ongoing challenges. Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by historian and author Alexander Larman to reflect on the echoes between then and now - including a powerful video message and royal memoirs that made uncomfortable reading.  Power and Glory: Elizabeth II and the Rebirth of Royalty by Alexander Larman is out now, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

King Charles was reunited with the public on Easter Sunday as he followed the traditional Windsor service with a walkabout.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to look back on the royals’ Easter outing while the Princess of Wales continues to recuperate privately with her family.  They also reflect on Harry and Meghan’s latest appearances, the Prince Andrew Netflix drama and whether both the Sussex and York camps have learned some important lessons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Princess of Wales decided to tell the world why she had been missing from public view - and that she would need to take longer away from the spotlight - she chose to do it in person.  Kate shared the news of her cancer diagnosis in a recorded video message she had written herself.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss the unprecedented announcement and its impact.  They also reflect on reaction to the news, Camilla’s continued composure as she leads the line for the royals and Charles’s return for the Easter Sunday service.   Add your message for Kate to our map of good wishes from around the world at www.goodluckkate.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “madness of social media” over Kate’s extended absence from the public eye has reached new levels of insanity. Sharing a sweet Mother’s Day photo of Kate and the children taken by Prince William should have been a reassuring moment - instead the edited image represented a PR disaster and sent the rumour mill into a whole new spiral.  Since then there has been video of the Prince and Princess of Wales at a Windsor farm shop and an investigation into an alleged breach of Kate’s medical records - while the royals attempt to Keep Calm and Carry On.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, who broke the story of the medical records investigation, to try to make sense of it all - and what happens next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles was the longest serving royal apprentice in British history as his mother reigned for 70 years.  Their relationship was not always easy, but they shared a unique bond.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty Magazine and hugely respected royal writer and biographer whose latest book My Mother and I focuses on the King and late Queen’s relationship. They also discuss what the King learned about parenting, how daughters-in-law have brought them both challenges and what the Queen would made of Charles’s reign so far. Plus Ingrid answers listeners’ questions - and there is a new question of the week.  My Mother and I: The Inside Story of the King and our late Queen, by Ingrid Seward - published by Simon & Schuster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Princess of Wales is continuing her recovery from abdominal surgery - but social media has gone into hyperdrive during her absence from royal duties and the public eye.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror online features editor Zoe Forsey to discuss Kensington Palace’s decision to speak out as wild rumours spiralled and a Trooping the Colour announcement added to the confusion.  They also reflect on the King’s continuing official duties, Prince William’s ongoing inability to pull a pint and the early stages of Kate’s uncle Gary Goldsmith’s time in the Celebrity Big Brother house.  Plus listeners give their views on Prince Harry’s security arrangements, Zoe shares what she made of the royals during her time in New York and there is a new question of the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince William’s latest engagement with the Middle East crisis came with a visit to London’s Western Marble Arch synagogue - where he told people “anti-Semitism has no place in society”. Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss William's work on the Middle East and share readers’ verdicts.  They also discuss the royals’ ongoing commitment to Ukraine, as Olena Zelenska met Queen Camilla, and the court verdict on Prince Harry’s security provision.  Plus they reflect on the Princess of Wales’ ongoing absence and William’s short notice cancellation, the King’s get well messages and Prince Andrew’s prominent memorial appearance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince Harry and Meghan hit the slopes in Whistler, Canada, to mark a year to go until the first winter Invictus Games. An interview with Good Morning America and reports he would be willing to return to royal duties - at least on a temporary basis - shed new light on the current state of his relationship with his family.  In the UK, Prince William hit the BAFTA red carpet but also took a major step forward in his mission to tackle homelessness - and issued a powerful statement on the situation in Gaza.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss the estranged brothers’ weeks, update on the King’s health as he continues his cancer treatment and share listeners’ creative suggestions for Ann and Russell’s coats of arms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The King shared a message of thanks and gave a big wave to Sandringham visitors at the weekend as he adjusts to life as a cancer patient.  But Prince Harry and Meghan are in the spotlight too after launching their new Sussex.com website.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers - fresh from an engagement with Queen Camilla.  They discuss the King’s progress, the Waleses’ Sandringham stay and the Sussexes’ very royal rebrand, as well as sharing listeners’ assessments of the prospect of Harry reconciling with his family. *** Pod Save the King is a Reach production for the Mirror. It is presented by Ann Gripper, and edited by Daniel J. McLaughlin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles III’s has begun treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer - and has seen Prince Harry in person for the first time in months. Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss the impact of the shock news, the choreography behind the scenes ahead of the announcement and what happens next.  They also reflect on the Duke of Sussex’s brief visit, Prince William’s return to work as Kate continues her recovery and how Camilla, Anne and the royals are pulling together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The King and the Princess of Wales are safely home from their hospital stays to continue their rest and recovery. With William supporting Kate and the children, that has put Camilla in the solo spotlight like never before - and she is thriving.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss how the recovering royals are getting on and the way the Queen is coming into her own. They also reflect on Sophie’s frank conversation about periods and share listeners’ views on what the main role of the royal family should be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Queen has been keeping the royal show on the road as the Princess of Wales continues her recovery from surgery while Prince William runs things at home, and the King awaits treatment of his own. But the royal family are missing three of their four major players - and will be for some time to come.  And this week Sarah Ferguson revealed the latest blow to her own health.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to reflect on events so far - and the longer term impact of the key royals' enforced time out.  They also discuss changes to the family members who could stand in for the King, and Prince Edward’s big but low key trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Princess of Wales and King Charles shared major health updates on the same day - with the news Kate will require lengthy recuperation after major abdominal surgery a particular shock.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror royal features writer Jennifer Newton to discuss the impact of the news, praise for Charles’ openness about treatment for an enlarged prostate and what it means for the Firm as Prince William also steps back from royal duties to care for his family.  They also discuss the revelations in Robert Hardman’s new book on the King and the handing over of the throne in Denmark, as Queen Margrethe abdicated in favour of Frederik X. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a New Year but the same old problems for the royal family - as unsealed court papers return the Jeffrey Epstein case and Prince Andrew to the headlines.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss where the latest round of revelations leave the Duke of York and the Firm.  They also reflect on the first episode of the Queen’s Reading Room podcast and celebrate the Princess of Wales’s birthday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The royal family were out in force at Sandringham on Christmas Day on a joyful outing to church, with Mia Tindall and the Wales children stealing the show.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to look back on the festive season’s royal highlights.  They reflect on King Charles’ powerful Christmas message, royal TV highlights and what the family’s New Year messages told us about the Firm. Plus they get their teeth into the discussion of the royal family’s ‘main’ role and whether Empire has any place in Britain’s honours system today. And they look further afield with the surprise abdication of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe. Wishing our listeners all the best for 2024.  * Send us your thoughts on the show @podsave on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first full year of the Carolean era is (nearly) complete. The history books will remember the sparkle and fanfare of the coronation - but right now the rift with the Sussexes which has dominated the beginning and end of the year casts a heavy shadow.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers and his boss, Mirror editor Alison Phillips, to discuss a rollercoaster year. They reflect on the state of the family, their work and their relationships, pick their Royal of the year - and share their hopes and expectations for the Firm in 2024. *** Pod Save the King is a Reach production. It is presented by Ann Gripper, and edited by Daniel J. McLaughlin. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The royal family gathered for its annual pre-Christmas lunch this week - but at Windsor Castle rather than Buckingham Palace.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror Online royal features writer Jennifer Newton to discuss the royals’ festive celebrations so far, the traditions to come at Christmas and Kate’s family throwback photo.  They also look ahead to the BBC documentary on Charles’ coronation year, enjoy Camilla’s sword-wielding outing and Meghan Markle's extra moment, and reflect on Prince William’s last minute trip. Merry Christmas to all our listeners - don’t miss Pod Save the King’s review of the year, out next Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices