The Royal Rota

ITV News

The podcast about the British royal family from ITV News. Every week, our Royal Editor Chris Ship and Royal Producer Lizzie Robinson look back at the big stories they've been out covering over the last seven days.

  • 30 minutes 37 seconds
    Did the royal family make a mistake letting Harry and Meghan walk away?

    In this week’s episode of Talking Royals, Charlene, Chris and Lizzie discuss whether Meghan and Harry should have ever been allowed to leave the royal family. And is the Palace now missing that Meghan Markle magic?

    Charlene, Chris and Lizzie recorded this episode right after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surprise trip to Jordan made global headlines — including reports that they were “snubbed” by the Jordanian royal family. The British royal family have a famously close relationship with the Jordanian royals, with the Crown Prince and Prince William maintaining a genuine friendship. So in this episode we unpack how Harry and Meghan's humanitarian‑focused visit was received, and whether the timing caused any tension back home.

    Meanwhile, as the Royal Family continues grappling with the crisis involving Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor, our experts explore how the ongoing scandal is impacting royal work, public perception, and discussions around the line of succession.


    And at the BAFTAs on Sunday night, there was an unexpected hot-mic moment from Prince William. When asked if he’d watched the new Hamnet movie, he was overhead admitting I’m not in a calm state”. So was the comment a subtle reference to the Andrew situation, or were the newspaper headlines overwritten?


    Plus, is Kensington Palace’s commitment to social media content the most significant change to royal reporting in the past decade?

    27 February 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 58 seconds
    How was this iconic image of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaving a police station captured?

    It’s the photo that will define a moment in history for the royal family. A press photographer captured the split second that the former Prince Andrew was driven away from a Norfolk police station after being arrested.

    So how was the iconic photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor captured? Our royal experts, Chris and Lizzie, tell Charlene everything they have learned about that moment, the historic arrest and release of a former Prince.

    This week, Andrew became the first member of the royal family to be arrested in more than 350 years. So is this a constitutional crisis for King Charles? Or can he weather the storm?

    20 February 2026, 6:30 pm
  • 18 minutes 59 seconds
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest: How it all unfolded

    Historic scenes in Sandringham, as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Our royal experts talk through what we know, and what this means for the royal family.

    Plain-clothed police officers were seen arriving at the royal property, before Thames Valley Police confirmed the news of an arrest.

    Shortly afterwards, King Charles III released an unprecedented statement expressing his 'deepest concern' over the news of his brother’s arrest. The monarch added that “nobody is above the law”. It comes just weeks after more than 3 million files relating to Jeffrey Epstein were released by the US Department of Justice.

    So what next for the royal family? What exactly is going on behind palace doors? And should the royal family have acted earlier?

    19 February 2026, 6:15 pm
  • 31 minutes 27 seconds
    Did the Palace response to the Andrew-Epstein allegations go far enough?

    What happened when Prince William decided to speak out on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein? And did the statement go far enough?

    Listen as Chris and Lizzie describe how it all unfolded, while they were in Saudi Arabia with Prince William. They talk us through how they found out that Kensington Palace, and Buckingham Palace, decided to end the royal wall of silence, addressing the allegations against the former-Prince Andrew.

    So what did Buckingham Palace’s statement on Andrew say?

    How does Prince William really feel about his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?

    And what are the police now looking into?

    A reminder, that ITV News have put the latest allegations to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor who did not respond, and when he was previously approached for a response he strenuously denied all wrongdoing.

    13 February 2026, 8:15 pm
  • 39 minutes 21 seconds
    Is this the biggest royal scandal in living memory?

    As the latest Epstein files uncover more claims about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince moves out of his royal mansion in the dead of the night. But who told him it was time to go?

    Our royal experts delve into the latest drop, and question whether the late Queen Elizabeth II could have done more to intervene after allegations against her son?

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor strenuously denies all allegations of wrongdoing.

    6 February 2026, 7:45 pm
  • 19 minutes 17 seconds
    Andrew and Fergie face intense scrutiny after latest Epstein files

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is facing intense scrutiny after the latest release of three million Jeffrey Epstein files.

    Charlene, Chris and Lizzie have recorded this special episode on what the latest #Epstein revelations mean for the former Prince, and how it will impact the wider #royal family.

    Previously unseen photos appear to show Andrew crouched over an unidentified woman. The undated images have no caption but appear to show the former duke touching the woman’s stomach.

    Various emails also reveal the extent of the friendship between the former royal couple and Jeffrey Epstein. Screenshots and scans appear to show Andrew exchanged emails with Jeffrey Epstein about a “beautiful” Russian woman and invited him to Buckingham Palace in 2010. This raises questions about Andrew’s earlier claims he had cut contact with the convicted paedophile after Epstein’s conviction.

    2 February 2026, 8:08 pm
  • 29 minutes 14 seconds
    Did Donald Trump get a ticking off from the King?

    Did the King intervene after Donald Trump’s comments on NATO troops in Afghanistan?

    After an unexpected u-turn from Donald Trump on the British Army’s role in the war, many people questioned whether the King had personally spoken to the White House. Charlene, Chris and Lizzie explain what really happened between King Charles and the US President.

    Plus, we’ve got all the backstage details from the first ever film premiere held at a royal residence. The King has collaborated with Amazon Prime to produce a very personal documentary called Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision.

    30 January 2026, 2:50 pm
  • 28 minutes 16 seconds
    Behind the scenes at Harry’s High Court showdown
    Charlene, Chris, Lizzie, and Royal Commentator Afua Hagan unpack Harry's emotionally charged week fighting the Daily Mail's publisher in court.

    After Prince Harry gave evidence against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Charlene White is joined by Royal Editor Chris Ship, Royal Expert Lizzie Robinson, and Royal Commentator Afua Hagan to unpack what we've learnt and what might come next.

    Chris was in court as Prince Harry became almost overwhelmed with emotion, fighting back tears as he described how the press had made his wife's life "an absolute misery". 

    Harry is one of seven claimants bringing this group action against the Daily Mail's Publisher Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), including Elton John, Liz Hurley and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the mother of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.
    They all claim ANL had written articles based on information, which was gathered unlawfully, like phone hacking, phone tapping and blagging.
    Associated Newspapers Limited denies the claims of wrongdoing and says the articles were based on 'legitimate sources' and 'carefully curated contacts'.
    The team explain why Prince Harry has chosen to fight the case now, why it's different from his previous legal battles with the press, and what happens if he wins.
    Also this week on Talking Royals: Where is Meghan? The Duchess of Sussex was not in the UK with Harry - indeed, the Prince has always said he would not bring his family back to Britain without his full personal security being reinstated.  Now the pair are off to Sundance Film Festival, where they executive produced a documentary about Girl Scouts selling cookies. 

    Plus, what's going on with Princess Eugenie and her father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor? Reports suggest Eugenie has cut off all contact with him following a series of allegations relating to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein - allegations he strongly denies.

    Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales were up in Scotland where they tried their hands at curling - and Kate managed to style out a precarious moment where she lost her balance on the ice!

    And, hot on the heels of a popular online trend: What was the Royal Family doing in 2016? We take a look back at the best photos of the year - from Harry and Meghan's third date in Botswana to the Queen's 90th birthday to Prince George's meeting with President Obama.
    23 January 2026, 7:36 pm
  • 33 minutes 46 seconds
    The secrets of the Royals' most iconic fashion looks
    Charles may be King of England, but who is the King or Queen of royal fashion? How do Royals choose what they wear day-to-day?

    What is the most iconic Royal fashion moment ever?

    And just how influential was Princess Diana as a style icon?

    On Talking Royals this week, Charlene White is joined by Royal Editor Chris Ship, Royal Expert Lizzie Robinson, and Omi from fashion label Vin + Omi.

    The fashion brand has created pioneering fabrics and clothing from waste from the King’s royal estate.

    He tells us how the King loved their work so much that he would send boxes of his weeds to them during lockdown!

    The panel shares their favourite royal fashion moments - from Charles in pink to Kate's stunning coronation dress, and of course Diana's 'athleisure' look.

    Meanwhile, as workers prepare Marsh Farm, the rumoured next home for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, when will he move out of Windsor and into Sandringham?

    On Thursday, the Prince of Wales traded in his suit for a flat cap and made his way to Herefordshire to raise awareness of rural mental health as patron of We Are Farming Minds.

    Plus, did you catch the Duchess of Edinburgh’s personal essay in the Daily Telegraph?

    Sophie is royal patron of Plan International and wrote to mark and raise awareness of 1000 days of war in Sudan.
    16 January 2026, 7:50 pm
  • 29 minutes 11 seconds
    Will 2026 see Meghan and family return to Britain with Prince Harry?
    What does 2026 have in store for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?

    Where will Prince George go to secondary school?

    And what do you do when a senior Royal catches you speeding round Buckingham Palace?

    On Talking Royals this week, Charlene White is joined by Royal Editor Chris Ship, Royal Expert Lizzie Robinson, and presenter and WellChild ambassador Laura Hamilton.

    The panel discusses Prince Harry’s forthcoming return to the UK for his court case against the publisher of the Daily Mail. Plus, the continuing debate over whether he will regain his publicly funded security, and if he does, will it pave the way for more visits from Meghan and the children - and a new relationship for them with their grandfather, the King? 

    Laura also shares her experience sharing a stage with Prince Harry and a memorable run-in with Prince Philip.

    Looking ahead, the team explores what could be in store for the Royal Family in 2026, including where Prince George may attend secondary school.

    Elsewhere, the Prince and Princess of Wales have carried out their first public engagement of the year, visiting Charing Cross Hospital. To mark her 44th birthday, the Princess of Wales also released the final instalment of her Mother Nature series, featuring her walking through a wintry landscape.

    Plus, in a Talking Royals exclusive, we reveal rare, never-before-seen footage from Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981.
    9 January 2026, 7:29 pm
  • 39 minutes 54 seconds
    Talking Royals Quiz of the Year 2025
    What tune did King Charles play on a carrot? 

    What did Kate and Melania get up to during President Trump's state visit?

    Which UK radio station did Meghan Markle say she missed?
     
    Welcome to the second edition of the Talking Royals Christmas Quiz. Over five rounds of questions about the past year in the world of the Royal Family, Charlene White puts four experts - and you at home - to the test.
     
    You can play along with friends and family - and keep score to see how you fare against Chris' and Lizzie's teams.
    19 December 2025, 7:31 pm
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