2025 tested the Royal Family like few years before it. As Andrew’s long-running crisis reached its decisive moment, the monarchy also faced illness at the top, family fractures and global diplomacy. In this end-of-year special, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey look back on a year that reshaped the Crown forever.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributors: Andrew Lownie; George Greenwood, investigations reporter at The Times; Kaya Burgess, religious affairs correspondent at The Times; Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent for The Times; Max Foster, anchor and correspondent at CNN; Mark Landler, London bureau chief at The New York Times; Chiara Brown, commissioning editor at The Times Luxx

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: Getty Images

Clips: Extracts from 'The Reluctant Traveller', an Apple Original series, courtesy of Apple TV

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As Britain prepares to hear the King’s Christmas Broadcast, we ask what the monarch’s message can - and can’t - achieve after one of the most difficult years the institution has faced in decades. With the Andrew and Epstein link deepening scrutiny of the Crown, and public support for the monarchy at a historic low, how does the King speak to a world that is changing fast? Kate and Roya are joined by The Sunday Times Europe editor Peter Conradi to explore royal crises past and present, the power of the Christmas message, and what Charles needs to say, or carefully avoid, in his most important speech to date.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributor: Peter Conradi, Europe editor of The Sunday Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: X.com / @RoyalFamily

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In a poignant visit to a homeless charity, Prince William this week introduced his son Prince George to the family business by taking him to one of Diana’s most cherished charities. So what does this mean for the way in which the two future Kings are shaping the monarchy? In a year marked by illness, family strain and intense scrutiny, the institution is under more pressure than ever before. But there’s good news for the Windsors, too. King Charles gave a rare health update confirming his cancer treatment will be reduced in the New Year. Roya and Kate are joined by The Times health editor Eleanor Hayward to examine what these parallel moments reveal about leadership, inheritance, and how the future of the Crown is being shaped in real time.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributor: Eleanor Hayward, health editor of The Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: Getty Images

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In a year marked by scandal and uncertainty, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has emerged as a figure of quiet resolve and renewed influence within the Royal Family. Roya and Kate unpack the year - from remission to the royal spotlight - and what it all reveals about the Queen she will become. Plus, Prince Harry’s UK security faces fresh review, and Meghan reconnects with her estranged father in a week of highly personal Sussex headlines.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: Getty Images

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This week, King Charles hosts German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a diplomatically significant state visit at Windsor Castle, reaffirming ties between the UK and Europe. But as the pageantry unfolded, Parliament announced a formal inquiry into the Crown Estate. Following revelations over Andrew’s lease deal at Royal Lodge, other royal properties are now under a new level of scrutiny. Kate and Roya are joined by Times reporter Tom Witherow and German royal expert Annelie Malun to unpack a week of ceremony, soft power and hard questions.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributors: Tom Witherow, senior news reporter at The Times, and Annelie Malun, royal expert for ARD

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: Getty Images

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This week, three royal stories converge in America. Andrew’s ties to Epstein reach Congress, King Charles is reportedly planning a high-profile state visit, and Prince Harry is already there - recasting his role from Montecito. President Trump has signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but has the monarchy’s handling of Andrew emboldened American lawmakers? And is the British royal family still America’s favourite foreign soap opera? Roya Nikkhah is joined by Mark Landler of The New York Times, and Chiara Brown of The Times.

Presenter: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for the Sunday Times

Contributors: Mark Landler, London bureau chief of The New York Times; Chiara Brown, commissioning editor at The Times Luxx.

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Photo: Getty Images

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After one of the most turbulent months for the monarchy in generations, Roya and Kate step back from the noise to ask a bigger question; what is the Royal family for? As headlines rage, the Windsors keep going: Catherine returned to public life; William promoted his climate agenda in Brazil; and Princess Anne powered through a demanding schedule in Australia and Singapore. And the Court Circular never missed a beat. They are joined by Michael Binyon, former foreign correspondent for The Times and longtime Leader writer, to explore how the monarchy weathers crises, how it projects British influence abroad and what lies behind the real purpose of the Crown?

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributor: Michael Binyon, Leader writer for The Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Photo: Getty Images

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It is thirty years since Diana, Princess of Wales' interview with Panorama, and its legacy continues even now as the BBC faces questions over its editorial standards on covering President Trump. Journalist, Andy Webb, is the author of a new book, Dianarama, which explores in detail how that interview happened and the consequences for all involved. Twenty five years later the BBC was forced to commission what they describe as a 'robust independent inquiry' from Lord Dyson. His report said the reporter Martin Bashir was 'deceitful' and that the BBC had covered up what they knew. Kate and Roya are joined by Andy to discuss the legacy of Diana's interview for the royal family and the BBC. 

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times.

Guest: Andy Webb, author of Dianarama, published by Penguin Random House UK

Image: Getty

Clips: Sky News / Film Image Partner (via Getty)

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As the fallout from the ‘Andrew problem’ rolls on, William is in Brazil to present the Earthshot Prize and represent the King and government at the environment summit, COP30, as he attempts to steer the agenda towards green innovation. But can William also shift the royal narrative? And will the Andrew story require a bigger break from the past for the royals?

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times.

Producer: Robert Wallace

Photo: Getty Images

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He will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The man formerly known as Prince Andrew is being stripped of his titles and removed from his mansion, Royal Lodge, on the Windsor estate. Last month The Times obtained a copy of the leasehold agreement for Royal Lodge which showed that while the prince paid £1 million for the lease plus at least £7.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005, he has paid “one peppercorn (if demanded)” in rent per year, since 2003. Andrew's links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein brought increasing public and political demands for action. It is a seismic moment in royal history – but is it enough? Roya is joined on the podcast by Aubrey Allegretti, the paper's chief political correspondent and George Greenwood, investigations reporter for The Times.

Presenter: Roya Nikkhah

Contributors: Aubrey Allegretti, Times chief political correspondent and George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter for The Times

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Priyanka Deladia, Robert Wallace, Stephen Titherington

Photo: Getty Images

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This week, after Prince Andrew was forced to give up his Duke of York title, full details of the life of Prince Andrew’s accuser were revealed. Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir ‘Nobody’s Girl’ is a harrowing read. Its publication came in the same week the King made an historic State Visit to the Vatican, with the King and the Pope praying together for the first time in five centuries. As history was made in Rome, there were more revelations about Andrew and the "peppercorn" rent he pays for Royal Lodge, his Windsor home. Calls by politicians and the public for more action to be taken have grown louder and led to debate about the British constitution and the monarchy.

Guests: 

•Kaya Burgess, Religious Affairs Correspondent, The Times.

•George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter, The Times. 

Host: Roya Nikkhah, Royal Editor, The Sunday Times.

Producer: Robert Wallace

Photo: Getty Images

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Virginia Giuffre's memoir - 'Nobody's Girl' - claims Prince Andrew felt ‘sex with me was his birthright’. He has denied all allegations that he had sex with the then 17 year old, but do the Epstein links again threaten the wider reputation of the monarchy? Andrew has already been stripped of any meaningful official role. He no longer receives public funds, and holds no royal patronages. He has had to relinquish his honorary military titles. But what do the British public think about this ongoing and ever more upsetting saga?

Recorded live in front of an audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on 16th October 2025.

Image: Getty Images

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Sunday Times chief foreign correspondent Christina Lamb joins The Royals to discuss the Duchess of Edinburgh’s high risk visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman or a girl. The conversation explores how members of the royal family are using their positions to engage with some of the most challenging issues of our time from conflict and human rights to the environment and Britain’s place in the world and asks what meaningful impact they can have when they step onto the global stage.

This episode contains explicit discussions of rape, including the rape of children, in the context of war crimes and sexual violence in conflict zones. Listener discretion is advised.

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The interview that will reshape the monarchy. In an extraordinary series of interviews with Eugene Levy, Prince William reveals that he wants to bring “change”. But what does that look like? Roya and Kate dissect the messaging behind his tour of Windsor Castle with Eugene Levy, host of Apple TV's The Reluctant Traveller. Opening up about deeply personal family challenges, it's also his clearest statement of intent yet as he promises to test royal traditions to see if they are “fit for purpose”. William signals change is coming, but in a gentle revolution, based on learning from family history.

Image courtesy of Apple TV

Extracts from 'The Reluctant Traveller', an Apple Original series, courtesy of Apple TV

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After emails emerged this week showing that the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson was still in touch with paedophile financier, Jeffrey Epstein after she had publicly denounced him, the charities she once supported have disowned her. Before this latest episode it had looked as if the palace would restore some links with the Duchess, but the King’s faith in Ferguson now seems misguided. So what happens now?

Photograph: Credit - Karwai Tang / Getty Images

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It finally happened: Prince Harry’s “homecoming” brought a long-awaited reunion with his father, King Charles - their first meeting in 19 months. But while father and son reconnected, has the “permafrost” between Harry and Prince William shown any sign of thawing?

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Welcome to The Royals where this week Kate Mansey is exploring State Visits past and present. Pomp, pageantry and sumptuous banquets await Donald Trump, but what really goes on behind the scenes to ensure a successful State Visit? And what can the politically astute King Charles learn from his late mother’s achievements? Kate talks to royal historian and author Robert Hardman to explain the political machinations fuelling the public spectacle.

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Roya is at Royal Ascot where she was joined by a lively double act, trainer Jamie Osborne and his jockey daughter, rising star Saffie Osborne. From family business banter to riding for the royals, the Osbornes share their frank views, their humour and offer a glimpse into the highs and lows of the sport of Kings and Queens.

Recorded 17th June 2025.

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