Pod Save The Queen

The royal family’s schedule is definitely back in full swing, and the Princess of Wales is playing a big part.  Kate travelled to HMP Styal to see how mothers are supported in caring for their babies while serving their sentences. Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss a busy week of engagements for the royals.  Russell was at Buckingham Palace for the King’s meeting of interfaith leaders, and Charles has also been to Cornwall, hosted an Italian themed Highgrove dinner and got involved with American football on a visit to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, where Beyonce is playing this summer.  The team also catch up on Prince William and Camilla’s engagements plus reflect on the Edinburghs’ visit to Nepal and Princess Anne's return to the hospital where she was a patient.  And the Mirror’s Jennifer Newton provides a round-up of Harry and Meghan’s Invictus adventures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Princess of Wales joined primary school pupils on their minibus to the National Portrait Gallery for a “brilliant” day out.  Kate explored a trail developed with the Shaping Us framework shared by her Early Years project.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror royal editor Russell Myers as they reflect on Kate’s latest engagement in her return to work.  They also look ahead to the King and Queen’s visit to Italy, and discuss the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s higher profile on their current Nepal trip.  Meghan’s selfie video about her good deed raises eyebrows and Prince Andrew has another round of problems in his in-tray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The King paid his respects at Auschwitz as he joined Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations on the 80th anniversary of the death camp’s liberation.  And Prince William and Kate reconnected with old friends as they paid their respects at a London ceremony.  Mirror royal editor Russell Myers was alongside the King on his tour of Auschwitz and joins Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper to reflect on the visit’s lasting impact.  They also catch up on Prince William and Kate’s increasingly busy schedule, and celebrate the arrival of a new royal baby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince William has been patron of Centrepoint for 20 years - an enduring relationship which has contributed to the development of his Homewards project.  Mirror royal editor Russell Myers was with the Prince of Wales for his latest engagement with the charity and joins Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper to share how the visit went.  They also enjoy the Duchess of Edinburgh’s birthday portraits, as well as the King, Queen and Princess Anne’s engagements.  Plus they reflect on Prince Harry’s court win and Vanity Fair’s in depth look at the Sussexes’ relationship and life after the royal family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Princess of Wales took another step in her “new normal” this week with her first solo engagement since being diagnosed with cancer.  Kate returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital, where she was treated last year, to meet patients having chemotherapy.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to reflect on the poignant visit where Kate shared candid details of her experience.  They also catch up on Prince William’s visit to Birmingham, where he fitted in a trip to the pub with football fans alongside appearing at a paramedics conference, and discuss the unfair criticism of Meghan and Harry’s wish to help in the wake of the LA wildfires. Plus there is lots to look ahead to as the King prepares for his first foreign visit of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Princess of Wales turned 43 today - and husband Prince William marked the occasion by sharing a personal message and new photo.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper and Mirror royal writer Jennifer Newton discuss the Waleses’ new approach, as well as other birthday messages and another potential milestone on Kate’s return to work.  The team discussed Meghan’s Instagram launch last week - and it has been busy since. They catch up on the newest looks inside Montecito life.  And it is five years since Harry and Meghan announced their plan to quit their royal roles (on their terms). How do things look in 2025? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The royals gathered at Sandringham for their traditional Christmas festivities at the end of a rollercoaster year.  And it was the King and Princess of Wales who gave voice to the love and light that brings hope throughout the year in their Christmas messages.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror royal writer Jennifer Newton to look back on the festive season.  They also look ahead to 2025 and what Meghan’s return to social media could mean. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Any plans the royal family had for 2024 were being swiftly redrawn within the first few weeks as the Princess of Wales had planned abdominal surgery and the King had treatment for an enlarged prostate.  Then came the news Charles needed cancer treatment - and then, after weeks of increasingly wild speculation on social media, Kate’s video sharing she was also being treated for cancer.  During the spring, as Prince William looked after his family, it was Queen Camilla who was the face of the royal family keeping calm and carrying on.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper and Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers reflect on a dramatic year and the lasting impact it will have on the royal family.  They look at what the future holds for Prince Andrew after he added another scandal to his collection as he was linked with an alleged Chinese spy, and assess how 2024 turned out for Prince Harry and Meghan.   They also discuss why the Edinburghs and Princess Anne remain in the background despite the absence of some of

The Duke of York is embroiled in another scandal - this time involving an alleged Chinese spy who had established close connections with the prince.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to examine what we know so far and why it meant even Prince Andrew realised he had to give the royal Christmas celebrations a miss.  They also chat about Meghan and Harry’s Happy Holidays card, and why Sussex fans should not get their hopes up of seeing more of Archie and Lilibet any time soon, plus round up the royals’ Christmas engagements and what is coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Princess of Wales has hosted her annual community carol service at Westminster Abbey, spreading love and empathy at Christmas. Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss Kate’s big family outing. They also reflect on Prince William’s meeting with Donald Trump at the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral and Kate’s credentials to rival the US President elect to be named as time person of the year. They also round up the royals’ other festive engagements and look ahead to a major family gathering at Sandringham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Princess of Wales was part of the official welcoming party for Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, for this week’s state visit - but it was Queen Camilla who joined the banquet festivities. With Kate continuing her gradual return to duties after chemotherapy for cancer treatment and Camilla recovering from pneumonia it made for a royal job share. Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, who was at Buckingham Palace as the visitors saw royal collection treasures related to Qatar. The PSTK team also discuss the latest separate appearances by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and how the mood music has changed about a potential Christmas visit by the Sussexes.  They also reflect on the windows the royals are giving into their worlds, the countdown to Christmas and enduring royal commitments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Prince of Wales looked at home on Salisbury plain when he joined the Welsh Guards’ training - but climate change and homelessness are where he is shaking things up. Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss William’s latest visits - and Prince Louis’ hobby. They also reflect on the too brief life of Liz Hatton, the keen photographer hugged close by Kate who has died from cancer aged just 17. Plus the team look ahead to next week’s State visit, the King’s upcoming travel plans and Christmas, as well as the difference Camilla and Sophie hope to make to the lives of women and girls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The diplomatic corps reception at Buckingham Palace is always a key royal milestone on the countdown to Christmas - and an opportunity for tiaras and glamour.  Princess Kate missed it this time around as she continues her recovery from cancer treatment, but Prince William (and beard) joined the King and Queen for the big event.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to talk through the week’s royal news - and dig into the detail of William’s very personal interview in South Africa as well as reaction to Camilla’s documentary on domestic abuse.  They also talk the coronation food project and a new security scare at Windsor Castle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A TV documentary this week put a welcome spotlight on Queen Camilla’s work on domestic abuse - showing again how the new Firm are working to make a difference on major issues. Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Mirror royal features writer Jennifer Newton to discuss the documentary’s impact, and catch up on a busy royal week.  Camilla missed the Remembrance weekend events, but Princess Kate was able to be at the Albert Hall and the Cenotaph marking another milestone in her recovery and return to duties.  And there were milestones to celebrate for Lady Louise, who turned 21, and King Charles - who looked very sprightly on the eve of his 76th birthday as he attended the Gladiator II premiere.  Plus they reflect on Prince William’s comments about his “hardest year”, and his plans to do royal with a ‘small r’. Pod Save the King is a Reach Studio production for the Daily Mirror, edited by Daniel J. McLaughlin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pod Save the King is in South Africa this week with Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers and photographer Ian Vogler reporting from Cape Town. Our roving royal reporters have been following William's visit for the Earthshot Prize, the prestigious environmental awards he set up in 2020. Russell and Ian discuss the emotional language used by the Prince of Wales in his "searingly honest" interview about his "hardest year", where he spoke candidly about the difficulties his family has faced with their recent health diagnoses. They also chat about William's growing role as a statesman and diplomat, including his meeting with the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, with Ian describing it as "less tiaras and crowns, and more firm handshakes and big conversations on big issues". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The King and Queen were able to relax in an Indian spa on their return home from Samoa and reflect on a successful tour.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, as he makes a whistlestop return to the UK before heading to South Africa for Prince William’s Earthshot prize.  They reflect on Charles and Camilla’s adventures in Australia and Samoa, and what comes next. Plus they discuss a new documentary focusing on Prince Williams Homewards project to tackle homelessness - and look ahead to another exciting documentary focused on Camilla’s work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our roving royal reporters are still Down Under, providing insight on how the Royal Visit is going for Charles and Camilla. Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers is once again joined by photographer Ian Vogler, as they chat about the reception the King and Queen have received in Australia: from the heckles in Parliament House to the warm welcome in Samoa. And they preview the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, discussing what issues will be brought up, including Charles' passion to combat climate change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pod Save the King comes to you from Australia this week with Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers and photographer Ian Vogler discussing the upcoming Royal Visit. They discuss the Republican movement in Australia, state premiers boycotting a reception with the King, and the repatriation of Indigenous artefacts. The timing is also interesting for Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, a sworn republican, who has been under fire recently. What can we expect from the meeting between Albanese and the King? And was Charles - when he was the Prince of Wales - taking the biscuit by not taking the Lamington cake on his last visit to New South Wales in 2018? You can get the slice of the action (sorry) from Russell and Ian in their update from the Royal Visit. Pod Save the King is a Reach Studio production, edited by Daniel J. McLaughlin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A photo of the the Princess of Wales hugging a fellow cancer patient captured a special moment and shared its emotion with everyone who saw it.  While Kate has completed her cancer treatment and is looking forward to the future with hope, teenager Liz Hatton is making the most of the time she has left.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by the Mirror’s royal features writer Jennifer Newton to reflect on the big bucket list items Liz ticked off at Windsor Castle. The team also enjoy the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s busy week, including a nostalgic trip to Malta, get riled about a red dress and enjoy Fergie on the Coronation Street cobbles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince Harry returned to the UK for the Wellchild Awards, but there was no meet up with his dad or brother.  But Prince William did enjoy one reunion - as he teamed up with former England football captain David Beckham to celebrate London Air Ambulance’s two new helicopters.  Pod Save the King host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss the brothers’ different paths - plus Princess Beatrice’s baby news and whether their cousins could be the ones who could bridge the gap between William and Harry.  Plus Express royal editor Emily Ferguson shares an update from her day out to see Will and Becks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices