Historic Royal Palaces Podcast

The lives of the Duleep Singh sisters were deeply impacted by Queen Victoria's Empire in India, and their father's displacement as the last Maharaja of the Punjab, yet they lived a life of privilege as aristocrats in Victorian Britain. Join Curators Dr Mishka Sinha and Polly Putnam, alongside Dr Priya Atwal, to explore the early lives of Princesses Sophia, Catherine and Bamba. How did Empire impact their childhoods, and who were the women who shaped them, from Queen Victoria to their Grandmother Maharani Jind Kaur. Read about Queen Victoria role in the British Empire. Find out more about The Last Princesses of Punjab and book tickets to our exhibition at Kensington Palace.

Hampton Court is a palace of two halves and countless stories. But which side is best? The Tudor half displays all the court intrigue of the dynasty it's named for, and yet the Baroque side is no less dramatic, holding the stories of the Restoration, Glorious Revolution, and Georgians within its decorative walls. Join Tracy Borman and Gareth Russell on a private tour of this palace of two halves, as they each make their case for which side is best. The Tudor, or the Baroque? Find out more about the story of Hampton Court Palace.

Mary of Modena and Mary II are two Queens whose lives have been lost in the story of the 'Glorious Revolution'. Yet they were fundamental to the machinations of the turbulent late 1600s, where heightened religious tension made for dangerous politics at the Stuart court. So for today's episode, we're bringing them back into the centre of the story. Chief Historian Tracy Borman is joined by Assistant Research Curator Holly Marsden and Dr Breeze Barrington to reveal the women behind the 'Glorious Revolution.'

Margaret Beaufort was a leading figure in the tumultuous Wars of the Roses and would go on to become the matriarch of the Tudor Dynasty. Mother to Henry VII and a key player in bringing the Tudors to the throne, was Margaret a manipulative schemer as she has sometimes been portrayed, or instead a resilient survivor of trauma and decades of civil conflict? To better understand Margaret in the context of her time, Curator Charles Farris is joined by historians Dr Joanna Laynesmith and Lauren Johnson, as they explore the power and perception of this 15th century matriarch.

On the 1st of Janurary, 1604, Hampton Court Palace hosted a performance by William Shakespeare's acting troupe, The King's Men. They were booked to perform for the new King of England, James VI of Scotland, and one of the plays that they chose was 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. What did it mean to be part of 'The King's Men'? How did Shakespeare's relationship with James VI and I shape his life and his plays? In this episode, Curator Brett Dolman welcomes Dr Will Tosh to the Great Hall at Hampton Court, one of few surviving places where we can tread in Shakespeare's footsteps, to discuss the nature and impact of royal patronage on Jacobean theatre. Read more about Shakespeare at Hampton Court Palace on our website. Dive into the history of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' with blogs from The Globe. Buy Will Tosh's book 'Straight Acting: The Many Queer Lives of William Shakespeare' here.

Empress Matilda wielded an extraordinary amount of power during the period known as the Anarchy in the 12th century, yet she just missed out on being crowned the first queen regnant in England. Originally chosen as heir for her abilities as a ruler, Matilda was determined to fight her cause when her throne was usurped by her cousin Stephen. But how was she viewed by contemporaries, and what is the legacy she left behind? Join Curator Charles Farris, alongside Professors Louise Wilkinson and Elisabeth Van Houts, for an in depth look into how Matilda pushed the limits and possibilities of female power. Who was her counter-part – Queen Matilda, and how did these women conform to, or disrupt medieval expectations of Queenship?

Archaeology can offer us new discoveries into the Tower of London's medieval past, as well as insights into the lives of the community that lived and worked there. In 2019, and in the summer of 2025, we undertook one of the most important excavations at the Tower for a generation, just outside the Chapel of St Peter Ad Vincula. Now for the first time ever, we have detailed information about the ordinary people who lived, worshipped, and died at the Tower, but what more can we learn from these excavations? To find out more, we join Alfred Hawkins, Curator of Historic Buildings. Read about the recent archaeological digs at the Tower of London in our blog posts: Life, death and worship in the Tower of London, Part I | Historic Royal Palaces Life, death and worship in the Tower of London, Part II | Historic Royal Palaces

What was on the table for a Tudor Christmas dinner? From the lavish feasts of Henry VIII to the sugar delicacies gifted to Elizabeth I, Christmas at court was a spectacle to behold and to taste! But for ordinary people, the preservation of meats, cheese, fruit and vegetables was essential to even last the winter. In this episode, Hampton Court Palace's Historic Kitchens Team discuss the culture and festivities of the Christmas period in 16th Century England, and share their experimental approaches to researching Tudor life through food. Watch the team recreate the traditional Boar's Head as a desert on our YouTube channel!

The lie that started the Stuart Dynasty in England, also shaped the end of the Tudor era. But how can we better understand how this fiction was created, and ultimately who it benefitted? In this final episode of our Stolen Tudor Crown series with Chef Historian Tracy Borman, we delve into the end of Elizabeth I's reign, and the manuscripts written by William Camden that document it. What is truth and what is fiction, and how would the consequences of it all turn into a bitter civil war within decades? For a signed copy of Tracy Borman's new book The Stolen Crown, visit our online shop. Read about the reign of James VI & I. Watch our YouTube video about the death of Charles I.

Today Arbella Stuart is Elizabeth I's forgotten heir, yet during her lifetime she was raised in the belief that she might one day be Queen. Her life can be viewed as tragically romantic, but is there much more to her story then that? What agency did Arbella wield, or was she completely controlled by the forces around her? In this episode, Chief Historian Tracy Borman is joined by historian Sarah Gristwood to explore the forgotten story of Arbella Stuart. Learn more about the life of Arbella Stuart.

Guy Fawkes, the man behind the iconic rhyme has just failed to light the fuse of the Gunpowder Plot, one of the most notable plots in British history. In this second episode of our two-part series, Curators Charles Farris, Brett Dolman and Alden Gregory talk through the failure of the plot and what relevance this has to us today. Why do we still celebrate it?

In November 1605, a group of religious radicals attempted to assassinate King James I, the man they deemed responsible for their oppression. Guy Fawkes was meant to light the fuse, bringing the Houses of Parliament down in a catastrophic explosion. He failed. But what drove him and the other plotters to this drastic action? In this re-released episode, hear from curators Charles Farris, Alden Gregory, and Brett Dolman, as they discuss the context of religious persecution and political discontent that led to the Gunpowder Plot. Discover more about Guys Fawkes and the Tower of London.

Who were the many uncrowned heirs to Elizabeth I, and how did their role as unnamed successors shape their lives? In this second episode of the series, we're back with Chief Curator Tracy Borman, as she follows the Tudor family tree back to Henry VII, to unpick the complicated web of successors to Elizabeth I's throne. Find out more about the claimants to the Tudor Crown. Read about the tragic story of Lady Katherine Grey. Learn more about Edward VI's nursery at Hampton Court Palace.

What is the story we think we know about the Elizabethan succession? Was it a smooth transition to the Stuarts, or was it a stolen Tudor crown? In this first episode of our four-part series, Chief Historian Tracy Borman will talk us through why Elizabeth I never named an heir, and what repercussions that had for the end of the Tudor dynasty. Find out more about Elizabeth's brush with death in 1562. Read more about the reign of Elizabeth I. For a signed copy of Tracy Borman's new book The Stolen Crown, visit our online shop.

The story of the end of the Tudor dynasty is well known. With the death of Elizabeth I, the accension of James VI & I saw the Stuarts take the English throne. But the truth behind the succession is much darker than a peacful transition, it's a tale full of treachery and deceit. In this four-part series, Chief Historian Tracy Borman will explore the Stolen Tudor Crown. Who were the front runners to win the race to the throne after Elizabeth I's death, and ultimately how did James Stuart win? What might have been different had the Tudor crown gone to another? Join us next Thursday for the first episode of The Stolen Tudor Crown series.

The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace is a melting pot of architectural styles from across history, reflecting the era-spanning life of the palace itself. But step away from the grandeur of the Chapel's interior, and this amazing space holds hidden evidence of how the Tudors would have experienced it, and how the palace has been renovated into what we see today. In this re-released episode from series two of A Space I Love, join Head of Historic Buildings Dan Jackson to take a closer look at a piece of history many of our visitors might never notice. Have you enjoyed this series of A Space I Love? Which historic places are you longing to be transported to? Let us know by leaving us a comment or review. Take a virtual tour of the Chapel Royal and other amazing Tudor spaces on Google Arts & Culture.

The Byward Tower at the Tower of London holds some of the oldest surviving treasures of the fortress, including a unique medieval masterpiece – the wall painting known as the Byward Angel. In this episode of A Space I Love, enter past the Tower's formidable defenses, and follow Curator Alfred Hawkins on an exclusive tour of this remarkable space, which is usually closed to visitors. Explore the Byward Angel at the Tower of London — Google Arts & Culture Find out more about the Tower of London's Story

George III's Great Pagoda in Kew Gardens is the tallest building Historic Royal Palaces looks after. With its Chinese-inspired design and fierce dragons, it is an eye-catching example of the Georgian fascination with architecture from around the world. Welcome back to the new series of A Space I Love, the mini-series that transports you to history where it happened. Join curator Lee Prosser on a dizzying climb to the top, and uncover the secrets that informed the restoration of this unique historic building. Learn more about George III. Visit the Pagoda at Kew Gardens.

Step inside the Drawing Room of the official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland. Inspired by the Queen Mother, full of contemporary art, and surprisingly cozy, this is a room unlike any other across our palaces. Welcome to a new series of A Space I Love, the mini-series that transports you to history where it happened. In this first episode, Castle Host Carol McMullan takes us on an intimate tour of a place where state and family life have merged for generations of the royals, and where the history of Northern Ireland has been shaped by momentous negotiations. Discover more about Hillsborough Castle Gardens on our website.

The Private Tudor Gardens of Hampton Court were lost when they were replaced by later additions. Yet small glimpses remain to us of these Privy Gardens, revealing an intriguing snapshot into the private lives of the Tudor monarchs and the people who worked for them. Alexandra Stevenson is Curator of Archaeology and Historic Buildings. She shares with us her latest research exploring Elizabeth I's garden sanctuary - where herbs were grown, sweet-smelling waters were distilled, and where the Tudor queen may have bathed and relaxed away from the eyes of the court. Travel back to the Lost Tudor Gardens at Hampton Court and see the Wijngaerde Panorama of the Gardens from 1558.

Hans Holbein's Tudor masterpiece known as the Ambassadors was painted in 1533, the year when Henry VIII changed the course of history. Religious turmoil sweeps through Europe and Anne Boleyn is Queen of England. Two Ambassadors choose to capture this pivotal moment of religious and political upheaval, but who were they and what did they want this painting to convey? In today's episode we join Tracy Borman, Chief Historian, as she explores the painting known as The Ambassadors, by Hans Holbein. You can view The Ambassadors in high resolution here. Thank you to the National Gallery for letting us record in front of the painting.

The Gardens of Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are the perfect place to walk and enjoy the sounds and feelings of being in nature. So for today's episode, we're collaborating with sound artist and musician Alice Boyd, who is going to lead us into these tranquil gardens to meet Claire Woods who is Head Gardener at Hillsborough Castle. We want you to be immersed by this episode, so take a moment to focus in on the lovely sounds and enjoy an escape to the Gardens of Hillsborough Castle. Find out more about the Gardens of Hillsborough Castle.

LGBTQ+ people have always existed in the history of our palaces, yet the stories of this community have often been obscured or misunderstood. When we explore queer histories, we gain a much fuller picture of societies in the past, from when our palaces were first built, right on through to their more recent history. In this week's episode, Curator Matthew Storey is joined by Assistant Research Curator Holly Marsden, and Dr Kit Heyam, to discuss some queer stories connected to our palaces, and how best to understand them in their historic context. A transcript of this episode is available on the Historic Royal Palaces website. Explore more LGBTQ+ histories from our palaces on our website. Read Matthew's article about Kathleen Woodhouse. Read Molly McClain's article on Stuart women. Find Kit Heyam's books on their website. In this episode we use a range of different gender pronouns to discuss historical people, including those used in the original sources and those used by historians today. Content warnings: Homophobia, including the murder of queer people Transphobia Non-consensual medical examination Suicide

There are two Queens Consort particularly connected to the history of the Medieval Palace at the Tower of London; Eleanor of Provence and Eleanor of Castile. Although less famous than other queens, these women are emblematic of how medieval queenship could perform and embody power in the 13th century. To find out more, Curator Charles Farris is joined by Professor Louise Wilkinson. Today marks the third and final episode in a mini-series to celebrate the reopening of the Medieval Palace at the Tower of London. Read more about the life of Eleanor of Provence.

The history of the Jewish community in Medieval England is complex and fascinating, but it hasn't received as much attention as it deserves when it comes to our understanding of the Tower of London. In this bonus episode as part of our mini-series, curator Charles Farris is joined by Dr Rory MacLellan and Professor Miri Rubin to discuss how the Jewish community interacted with the Crown and the Tower of London during the Middle Ages. This episode is a re-release of the episode on the same topic from 2023, to add context to our reopening of the Medieval Palace. Read more about the Jewish community and the Tower of London. Jewish Medieval History at the Tower | Tower of London | Historic Royal Palaces Rory's research can be found on our website. The Jewish History of the Medieval Tower of London | Historic Royal Palaces Visit the medieval palace. Medieval Palace | Tower of London | Historic Royal Palaces Content warnings: This episode discusses prejudice against Jewish people, including: Blaming Jewish people for the death of Christ Blood libel Accusations of greed and financial crimes Imprisonment Mob violence Execution Forced conversion Expulsion

The Medieval Palace at the Tower of London formed a significant part of the Tower's large-scale expansion in the 13th Century, turning the castle into a strong defensive fortress. In this episode, Curator Charles Farris explores the Medieval Palace that survives today, to find out what place the Tower held in medieval society. How was it used by the kings and queens who lived here, and what can it reveal about the communities who worked within its walls? Explore the Tower of London's Medieval Palace.

In this new three-part series Curator Charles Farris will be exploring what the Tower of London was like in the medieval times. We'll step into the Medieval Palace, walking in the footsteps of the kings, queens, and communities who built these walls. In the 13th century, the Tower was expanded into the fortress we recognise today, but what can we learn from it, and how was it used by the people who lived and worked in its shadow? Join us next Thursday for our first episode on the Medieval Palace at the Tower of London.

When the Mary Rose was raised in the 1980s, she brought to light a treasure trove of objects that can reveal so much about life in Tudor England and beyond. In this second episode of our two-part series, Chief Historian Tracy Borman is shown the preciously conserved history of the Mary Rose by Dr Alex Hildred, Head of Research at the musuem. Find out more about visiting and supporting the Mary Rose Museum, and discover the largest collection of Tudor objects in the world.

The story of the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's favourite ship, is one that is closely connected to the reign of the iconic Tudor monarch, but it is the history of her demise that remains a mystery to this day. When she sank in 1545, she lost almost her entire crew, but this tragedy would preserve for posterity a remarkable time capsule of Tudor England and beyond. In this first episode of our mini-series, Chief Historian Tracy Borman takes us on a trip to the Mary Rose Museum to meet Head of Research Dr Alex Hildred. Together they will explore the life of the Mary Rose. Visit the Mary Rose Museum and discover the largest collection of Tudor objects in the world. Visit the Tudor World Exhibition at Hampton Court, and see the oldest rooms of the Tudor palace, once lived in by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.

Dress codes can tell us so much about historic court fashion and the rules and regulations of royal clothing. But they can also relate to the way we think about, and express who we are today, as much as in the past. To celebrate the opening of our new exhibition at Kensington Palace, Caterina Berni speaks to Curator Matthew Story and bespoke period tailor Zack Pinsent of Pinsent Tailoring; to explore the Dress Codes we follow every single day. Decode the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection in our Dress Codes exhibition at Kensington Palace. See the Royal Wardrobe and items from the exhibition up close in our online collaboration with Google Arts & Culture. See the garments discussed in this episode: 18th century court suit with silver thread 1920s Court Dress Vivienne Westwood's Investiture dress Mourning Dress with white and mauve flowers. Japanese Diplomatic Court Suit Gold Wedding Dress Duke of Windsor's Tartan suit Fancy Dress gown worn gown worn to Queen Victoria's costume ball

Matilda of Flanders is the formidable consort of William the Conqueror, yet she is relatively unknown in the story of the 1066 conquest of England. Chief Historian Tracy Borman makes her pitch for the pivotal role Matilda played as a champion for female sovereignty, and for her contribution to arguably the most successful dynasty in medieval Europe, the Normans. Read more about Matilda of Flanders, William the Conqueror at the building of the Tower of London.

We're all familiar with the iconic queens who have lived at the palaces, but what about the women who haven't made it into the history books? What are their stories, and what are some of the obstacles to studying women's history? In this episode, Chief Historian Tracy Borman celebrates International Women's Day by asking four of our curators and researchers to tell us about their favourite lesser-known women from our palaces. Perhaps we can even learn something from them today... To take part in our survey and be in for a chance to win a £100 voucher, visit: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HRPPodcastSurvey/ Please be aware this episode contains themes of sexism, racism, and violence against women that some listeners may find distressing.

Understanding the love life of James VI & I can give us a better picture of the man himself in his entirety, and not simply through the lens of his kingship, or the politics of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. So in this episode, Chief Historian Tracy Borman is once again in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace, joined by Gareth Russell to discuss the subject of his latest book 'Queen James; the life and loves of Britain's first King'. To take part in our survey and be in for a chance to win a £100 voucher, visit: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HRPPodcastSurvey/ Please be aware this episode contains themes of homophobia, grooming, and child abuse, that some listeners may find distressing.

The Tower of London is almost synonymous with the idea of torture, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries. When we think of this iconic historic site, the history of violence is one of the first things to come to mind, yet to what extent is this a fabrication of history? In this episode, Dr Catherine Jenkinson from the University of Oxford talks us through one of the latest research projects at Historic Royal Palaces, the question of how the history of torture is, and should be told at the Tower of London. To take part in our survey and be in for a chance to win a £100 voucher, visit here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HRPPodcastSurvey/

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, PhD student Ellis Huddart joins Lucy Worsley to explore the history of the Royal Yacht. Ellis' PhD hopes to examine how Royal Yachts existed as places outside of the usual rules and conventions of both royal palaces and royalty. They can therefore reveal a lot about the material culture of British Imperialism in the Victorian era, and the changing image of royalty. This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces. Explore more about research at Historic Royal Palaces.

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, PhD student Gabrielle Fields joins Lucy Worsley to explore the life of Queen Victoria through the books she read. Gabrielle's PhD introduces a new lens through which to examine Queen Victoria through her reading materials. It ultimately aims to reveal Queen Victoria's efforts to educate herself politically, her attempts at self-improvement, and crucially the way she chose to present herself to the world. This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces. Read more about Queen Victoria's early biography.

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, Dr Holly Marsden joins Lucy Worsley to explore the many identities of Mary II, disentangling her story from that of her husband and co-ruler William III. The product of four years of research, Holly's PhD ultimately aims to disrupt the perception that Mary did not have political agency. This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces. Explore more about research at Historic Royal Palaces.

From Tudor and Medieval Christmas tide celebrations, to Queen Victoria and Albert's newer traditions, we're re-releasing our Christmas episode to reveal the history of Christmas at our palaces. Curator Charles Farris is joined by Historic Kitchens Manager Richard Fitch, and Curator Lee Prosser, as they begin the holiday season with some festive tomfoolery. Make our Victorian Christmas pudding recipe with mashed potatoes. Explore what's on in our Palaces this Christmas from Ice Skating at Hampton Court Palace to Queen Victoria's Childhood Christmas at Kensington Palace.

Elizabeth I's propaganda images of Gloriana and the Virgin Queen have hugely impacted her reputation as the last Tudor Monarch. Yet the twilight years of her reign were both personally and politically difficult. In this final episode in our series, Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman is joined by renowned historian Dr Helen Castor. Together they contemplate which female relationships shaped this time, and ultimately, how Elizabeth I's gender has shaped her historic image. This is the final Episode in our Elizabeth I series where we explore the women who shaped a queen. Read about Elizabeth I's life as the last Tudor.

Elizabeth I's relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps the most pivotal of her entire life, and yet they never met. In this second episode in our series, Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman is joined by Dr Andrea Clarke, to discuss how as confidantes and rival queens, Elizabeth and Mary's relationship would shape the image that Elizabeth would adopt for herself, that of Gloriana. Read about Elizabeth's brush with death at Hampton Court, the crisis that magnified the succession question. This is the second Episode in our Elizabeth series where we explore the women who shaped a queen.

Elizabeth I was profoundly shaped by the women around her, and this series will explore these pivotal relationships throughout her life. Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman opens our series with Dr Nicola Tallis, and together they explore the young Elizabeth, before she came to the throne. The formative relationships she experienced during this time shaped the queen she would become; her mother Anne Boleyn, her stepmother Katherine Parr, and her sister Mary I. Read about Elizabeth's Summer with Katherine Parr at Hampton Court, and see the book Elizabeth embroidered as a gift for her stepmother. This is the first episode in our Elizabeth series where we explore the women who shaped a queen.

This new three-part series on the Historic Royal Palaces Podcast will explore Elizabeth I, and the women who shaped a queen. Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman will take us on a journey from Elizabeth's early life, right the way through to the challenging final years of her reign. We'll learn which pivotal female relationships made her the queen we know today, and how these nurturing and often challenging relationships, can reveal the most about the real Elizabeth I?

When James VI of Scotland ascended the English throne as James I, he sparked the English witch hunts into a fire. They would become one of the largest miscarriages of justice against women in the 17th century, but what prompted them, and why did James become such a ruthless champion of this war on women? For this Halloween Episode, we join Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman and historian Gareth Russell, as they explore the witch hunts under James I. Please be aware that this episode contains themes of sexual violence and torture that some listeners may find distressing.

In this final episode of our A Space I Love Series, we join Deputy Chief Curator Sebastian Edwards in the Queen's staircase at Hampton Court Palace. The stairs are the hub of the palace, and they represent a surprisingly unique space with a lot to say. Once the main thoroughfare to the queen's private apartments, but largely unused after Henry VIII's time, the grand staircase has remained unchanged since the last monarchs left the palace in the 18th century. To view the Queen's stairs, take our virtual tour with Google Arts & Culture Take a look at Honthorst's painting of Apollo and Diana.

This week is the third part of our mini-series on spaces we love. We'll be joining Assistant Curator Alfred Hawkins, who has chosen to take us into the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, at the Tower of London. As the most important space in the White Tower, the Chapel Royal holds huge historic significance in representing the Norman Conquest's power, control and religious dominance. Alfred explores how a recent project will protect this space of immeasurable importance, for generations to come. To view inside the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, take our Virtual Tour with Google Arts & Culture.

This week we're continuing our mini-series on treasured spaces with a trip to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Northern Ireland. We'll follow Research and Interpretation Producer Emma Lawthers, into the magnificent state dining room – a space that represents the political history of Northern Ireland, with a curious and unexpected connection to the birth of the United States of America. Find out more about the history of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/history-and-stories/the-story-of-hillsborough-castle-and-gardens/