The Grimaldi family has ruled over the tiny but beautiful and wealthy nation of Monaco since 1297. And for just as long they have been shockingly unlucky in love. Since the dynasty was supposedly cursed by a witch in the 14th century they have endured far more than their fair share of terrible mismatches, mistresses, an affair with King Louis XIV, abandonmen ... Show More
Jan 27
The Astors – America's "Royal" Families
The Astors... Chances are you’ve hear the name of this prominent and obscenely wealthy dynasty of gilded age America. You may have been to a hotel, library, subway station or town that bares their name; vaguely remember that one of them went down with the Titanic, or recall seein ... Show More
31m 58s
Jan 13
Lucrezia Borgia - The Pope’s Poison Princess?
For 500 years Lucrezia Borgia has been the focus of operas, novels, movies, and televisions shows. She was one of the inspirations for Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones. Nearly all of these works further her reputation as a femme fatale and one of the most evil women in history ... Show More
32m 40s
May 2017
Catherine of Aragon part 1
Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded survived. The wives of Henry VIII, king of England are all famous, but sometimes his first queen, Catherine of Aragon can be overlooked. She was born in Spain in 1485 and was the daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who had u ... Show More
57m 10s
Aug 2023
Anne Boleyn part 1 for Tudor Week!
Who's that girl? It's Anne! Anne Boleyn is one of the most infamous figures in British history. Her short life is often defined by her marriage to King Henry VIII, her role in the English Reformation, and ultimately, her execution. However, in this episode (part of our Tudor Week ... Show More
58m 36s
Apr 2022
Memory 7 - The Women of Kinnaird Castle
In these ‘Memories’ episodes, Emma has selected some of her most treasured memories from the Duchess podcast. This time we are revisiting Kinnaird Castle, where the Duchess met Caroline Fife, Duchess of Fife, to talk about the history of empowering women at the estate. In the ful ... Show More
3m 52s
Jul 2022
L’affaire du collier de la Reine, la pire escroquerie de l’Histoire de France
C'est l’une des plus grandes affaires d’escroquerie du XVIIIème siècle. Celle d’un bijou d’une valeur exorbitante qui a terni pour de bon la réputation de Marie-Antoinette et a précipité la Révolution française. Diamants, fausses lettres, rendez-vous galant et manipulation… Autan ... Show More
15 m