Pod Save The Queen

The sun shone at Windsor as the royal family united to grieve the death of Prince Philip. The funeral procession and service designed by the Duke of Edinburgh was a grand display - but also an opportunity for the 30 mourners able to attend to say their goodbyes. And the conversation between Princes William and Harry as they made their way back to Windsor Castle raised hopes for the beginning of a reconciliation. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to reflect on a unique and fitting farewell. They also discuss what comes next for the royal family - and how Prince William has already heeded the Battle Stations rallying cry which ended the service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Duke of Edinburgh passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle at the age of 99 on Friday - leaving a huge void for the Queen. Their bond over 73 years of marriage, and his presence as her “strength and stay” have been a huge part of the Queen’s reign. And the whole royal family will feel the absence of a unique character who was head of the family, just as the Queen is head of The Firm.Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers and the Mirror’s online features editor Zoe Forsey to reflect on the emotional impact of Prince Philip’s death, the tributes paid by royals, his funeral and his extraordinary life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince Charles and the Queen were reunited in the garden of Frogmore House in photos released by the palace at Easter.And on the west coast of California, Prince Harry was pictured playing with his dog on the beach. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss the stories behind the pictures, and a poll that highlights differing attitudes to whether Charles, William or even Harry should succeed the Queen. They also talk about the latest royal engagements, whether Charles and Camilla’s trip to Greece was worthwhile given the Covid crisis as well as how Piers Morgan and Tom Bradby have been caught up in the breakdown of Harry and William’s relationship and the fallout from the Oprah interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Princess Mary was the daughter of a king, sister to two more and the aunt of Queen Elizabeth II. She was also a hard-working Princess Royal who had to navigate many of the same challenges experienced today by royals who will never take the throne themselves. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Elisabeth Basford, author of Princess Mary: The First Modern Princess, to discuss Mary’s life, how she changed the job description for a princess and her lasting impact on other women who have been born or married into the royal family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Tindall shared the happy news of baby Lucas Philip’s rapid arrival - with Zara giving birth on their bathroom floor. It was happy news for the royal family amid the ongoing fallout from Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview, and in a week where they led the UK as the country paused to remember those lost to coronavirus. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to catch up on a busy two weeks of royal news, including the Cambridges’ special way of marking Mothering Sunday, Kate’s pilgrimage to Clapham Common and return to Westminster Abbey with William. They also talk about Prince Philip's recovery, Prince Harry’s new jobs, changes at Archewell and how things stand after the Sussexes’ tell-all interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is it really like to live and work at Kensington Palace?Tom Quinn, author of Kensington Palace: An Intimate Memoir from Queen Mary to Meghan Markle, joins Pod Save the Queen host Ann Gripper to discuss the royal residence and its famous residents. In an interview recorded before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s permanent departure from their senior royal roles was confirmed, they discuss what life is like for the royals who live there now, during Princess Diana’s time and earlier. Tom also shares the recollections of staff who worked there. Kensington Palace: An Intimate Memoir from Queen Mary to Meghan Markle is out now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trailers had built the tension - but Meghan Markle's interview with chat show Queen Oprah Winfrey was even more dramatic than anticipated.The Duchess of Sussex shared her truth on her experience since becoming a royal, and raised difficult questions for the Firm on race and mental health, while Harry his dad had stopped taking his calls.Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the Queen.So where are we now, and what happens next? And what did we take away from the interview? Pod Save the Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers and Mirror fashionista Sarah Bradbury to discuss the interview - and the fallout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tensions were already running high ahead of Meghan and Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, with the dramatic music barely needed to build the hype. Then claims by former staff about the Duchess of Sussex’s behaviour exploded in The Times, sparking a new war of words with the Palace. Pod Save the Queen host Ann Gripper and Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers discuss the claims and counter claims, and what we can expect from Meghan’s big moment in Oprah’s hotseat. They also look back on Prince Harry’s appearance with James Corden on the Late Late Show, update on Prince Philip’s health and the Queen taking on anti-vaccers. And Zoe Cripps makes a cameo appearance to talk Meghan’s look for Oprah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a year of trial separation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s divorce from the royal family is complete. But the departure, which included their royal patronages being returned to the Queen, sparked a debate about the nature of public service. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss their exit, who might get their patronages and how the Sussexes have or haven’t achieved their wishes. They also catch up on the latest on Prince Philip, Eugenie and Jack’s baby picture and Prince William’s new staffer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever since Meghan and Harry quit as senior royals and upped sticks to the other side of the Atlantic, a major TV interview has been mooted. Now they have a confirmed date with chat show Queen Oprah Winfrey - and a broadcast sure to be watched by millions, including a very nervous royal household. The announcement came hot on the heels of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announcing they are expecting a little brother or sister for Archie - and Meghan’s win in her privacy case against the Mail on Sunday. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper and Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers discuss the big week of Sussex news, as well as Prince Philip’s latest hospital stay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank announced the arrival of their new baby boy with a textbook celebrity Instagram announcement. And Princess Anne gave us a peak into what goes on at home when the royal family shared a photo of her watching the rugby with her husband. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss the new royal arrival and the epic game of ‘I spy’ sparked by the Princess Royal. They also talk about Prince Charles getting vaccinated and Camilla's book club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince Harry’s military roles are the one part of royal life he appears desperate to hold onto - but does he really need to? His honorary positions are expected to be a key part of the review one year on from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex leaving their roles as senior royals, and he was this week awarded damages over "baseless, false and defamatory" claims he had turned his back on the Royal Marines. Those damages were donated to the Invictus Games. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper and Daily Mirror royal editor discuss whether there is a way for Prince Harry’s honorary roles to be redefined - or whether he has already done that himself through Invictus. They also discuss the row over Meghan’s name on Archie’s birth certificate and discuss how the Sussexes’ new relationship with the media work. They also talk Joe Biden’s royal invitations, the Cambridges’ involvement in children’s mental health week and speaking out against racism in football, and they pay their respects to Captain Sir Tom Moore. Learn mor

The Duchess of Cambridge stood out in tartan for the royals’ Burns’ Night celebrations - and took part in an emotional video call to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. And she and William have also been spotted in new rooms for their video calls, thanks to the Queen. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to catch up on the latest royal news, including major changes in the Cambridges’ and Clarence House staff - and Prince Andrew’s.And the Mirror’s online travel editor and resident bookworm Julie Delahaye talks Camilla’s choice of books for her Duchess of Cornwall Reading Room project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Princess Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles looked like a fairytale - but she would go on to describe it as the worst day of her life. She made that confession in interviews recorded with a friend for Andrew Morton’s famous biography Diana: Her True Story. Extracts of those tapes were released after her death - but it would be another 20 years before Morton was persuaded to release fuller extracts for a documentary, and another three years before The Crown: Season 4 really brought that film, Diana: In Her Own Words, to viewers’ attention. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by filmmaker Tom Jennings to discuss what Diana had to say, and how Tom came to retell her story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Queen and Prince Philip’s vaccinations are signs of hope on coronavirus - but it is Sarah Ferguson’s book deal that is really bringing joy this week. The Duchess of York dressed up and threw herself into a video promoting her Mills and Boon debut Her Heart For A Compass. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by tea-fuelled Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to talk about the week’s royal headlines. They cover the latest fallout from William and Kate’s train tour, Prince Charles’ new environmental initiative, hopes for Trooping the Colour and why Princess Eugenie moved out of Frogmore Cottage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! Rather a lot like last year, so far… The new lockdown means Prince Harry will not be returning for a face-to-face chat with the Queen for the one year review of his departure from his role as a senior role, along with wife Meghan. The Sussexes have laid a lot of groundwork for what comes next, though, launching their new podcast and website over the holiday period. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss the new launches and what needs discussing at the review. They also look back on the Queen’s Christmas message and the royals’ celebrations, cancelled garden parties and Camilla’s new project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, that was a year, wasn’t it? An extraordinary year for everyone - and the royal family were no exception. They must have thought Harry and Meghan’s departure would be the toughest thing they would have to negotiate, but then coronavirus turned the world upside down, challenged everyone and left millions worldwide mourning loved ones. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror editor Russell Myers and Mirror fashionista Sarah Bradbury to look back on a year like no other - and ahead to 2021. And listeners share their highlights and hopes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Queen Elizabeth II is head of the Commonwealth, an organisation of 54 countries, and is head of state in 16 Commonwealth realms. The Commonwealth has been something she has cherished and championed during her reign, and Meghan Markle celebrated it with the embroidery in her wedding veil. But where the Queen is head of state, in some cases the ties are loosening - with Barbados this year stating its intention to have an elected head of state. Pod Save the Queen host Ann Gripper gets two different perspectives on this - first on Barbados’s relationship with the royal family, and then on the past importance and future possibilities of the Commonwealth. First she talks to Corey Lane of the Nature Fun Ranch, visited by Prince Harry on his 2016 tour of the Caribbean, about Barbados’s relationship with the royal family and why replacing the Queen is a positive thing. They also talk about Harry’s memorable visit and the legacy it has inspired, as well as the value of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. And Professor Phil

After William and Kate’s royal train tour, the whole Cambridge family headed to the West End for a special pantomime performance. George, Charlotte and Louis walked the red carpet with their mum and dad then Santa and his elves worked some magic for the children of key workers. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers as they get in festive spirit. Ann is also joined by some of the children in Year 1 at Lowther School in Barnes, South West London who were very excited to get a letter from the Queen.Ann and Russell also discuss Meghan and Harry’s new Archewell Audio project, royal Christmas cards, the delay to the Queen’s Christmas message and the latest on Prince Andrew. Pod Save The Queen continues over the holiday season with two special interviews next week, and a review of the year the week after. Merry Christmas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge toured Scotland, Wales and England on the royal train to lift spirits and thank people making a difference. And they returned to Windsor Castle for a special reunion with the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla, Princess Anne, and Edward and Sophie Wessex, captured in a striking photo which sets out the New Firm. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, who joined the Cardiff leg of the royal train tour, to discuss William and Kate’s adventure and the Queen’s Magnificent Seven. They also get excited about another royal baby, Camilla’s dog and the Queen’s Zoom diplomacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices