Royal History Geeks: interviews

Interview with Jason Loch, constitutional experts, on the quirks of Royal titles

Royal History Geeks — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 13:17:48 +0000

The King's decision to strip Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of all Royal accolades has raised serious questions about the way styles and titles work in Britain. We had the pleasure of catching up with Jason Loch, an expert on the British constitution, to discuss the intricacies and history of the title system.

Unfortunately the interview is a little quiet, so put your volume up when you listen.

You can read Jason's work at his blog: https://venerablepuzzle.wordpress.com/

Jason was also kind enough to send links to the various docs we discussed:

https://cbaionline.org/corpus/items/show/488 (1864 Letters Patent declaring styles and titles of the Royal Family)
https://cbaionline.org/corpus/items/show/487 (1917 Letters Patent declaring styles and titles of Princes and Princesses)
https://cbaionline.org/corpus/items/show/374 (1957 Letters Patent conferring the title of Prince on the Duke of Edinburgh)
https://cbaionline.org/corpus/items/show/359 (1996 Letters Patent declaring that a Prince's former wife loses HRH)
https://cbaionline.org/corpus/items/show/358 (2012 Letters Patent granting princely status to children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales)
https://cbaionline.org/corpus/items/show/486 (2025 Letters Patent removing Andrew's style of Royal Highness and title of Prince)
https://cbaionline.org/corpus/items/show/485 (2025 Royal Warrant directing the Secretary of State to remove Andrew from the Roll of the Peerage)

Talking Queen Mother with Gareth Russell

Royal History Geeks — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 19:39:09 +0100

In Gareth's new book "Do Let's Have Another Drink" the late Queen Mother steps forth as a figure of fun, a staunch defender of tradition and a woman you did not want to make an enemy of.

RHG caught up with Gareth to learn more about his new book and the life of Elizabeth Bowes Lyon: Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

If you enjoy what Gareth has to say, consider buying "Do Let’s Have Another Drink: The Singular Wit and Double Measures of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother".

This interview was originally broadcast on YouTube on 6/3/23

The Gareth Russell interview

Royal History Geeks — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 19:22:59 +0100

Gareth Russell is emerging as one of the strongest narrative historians of a generation. He has penned books on Catherine Howard, the history of English Kings and the sinking of the Titanic.

In this interview, Royal History Geeks asked Gareth about his research on Catherine Howard, his thoughts on the Crown season four and his obsession with Anne Boleyn.

This interview was originally broadcast on YouTube on 22/3/2021.

Owen Emmerson - the history of Hever Castle

Royal History Geeks — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 19:06:50 +0100

Royal History Geeks caught up with Dr Owen Emmerson, residents historian and castle supervisor at Hever Castle.

The magnificent Hever Castle was the home of Anne Boleyn. We spoke to Owen about the huge role it has played in history and its importance in the lives of legendary figures.

We also talked about Hever's vast collection of portraiture and explored the elusive question of what Anne Boleyn may have actually looked like.

Originally broadcast on YouTube in September 2020.

The real Margaret Beaufort with Nicola Tallis and Nathen Amin

Royal History Geeks — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 17:22:28 +0100

Lady Margaret Beaufort was the mother of Henry VII. She played a vital role in establishing the Tudor dynasty on the throne of England. In recent years, she has been much maligned in popular fiction.

I am joined by two authors and experts to discuss the real Margaret Beaufort. How accurate are the depictions we see in fiction? What were her real qualities? What is her legacy?

Nicola Tallis is the author of ‘Uncrowned Queen’, a recent full-length biography on Margaret. You can buy Nicola’s wonderful book here - https://www.waterstones.com/book/uncr...

Nathen Amin is the founder of the Henry Tudor Society and author of ‘The House of Beaufort.’ Check out his amazing biography of Margaret’s family - https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Beaufo...

The Alison Weir interview

Royal History Geeks — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 16:26:55 +0100

It was an immense privilege to sit down with historian and novelist, Alison Weir.

Alison is responsible for some of the best researched 'narrative history' on the Tudor and Plantagenet periods. She has written novels as well as history books. At the time of the interview, she had just released her 5th book in the 'Six Tudor Queens' fictional series: Katherine Howard, the Tainted Queen (Scandalous Queen in the USA).

Please visit Alison's website and consider buying her books from a local bookstore or online.